Health Insurance Abroad

Obtaining medical treatment and hospital care abroad can be expensive, and medical evacuation to the United States can cost more than $10,000. U.S. medical insurance is generally not accepted outside the country. Likewise, Medicare and Medicaid do not provide coverage for hospital or medical costs in foreign countries. Before going abroad, learn what medical services your health insurance will cover overseas. If your health insurance policy provides coverage outside the United States, REMEMBER to carry both your insurance policy identity card as proof of such insurance and a claim form. Although some health insurance companies will pay "customary and reasonable" hospital costs abroad, very few pay for your medical evacuation back to the United States.

I strongly recommend that travelers purchase travel insurance, which is designed to cover medical expenses and evacuation as well as offer reimbursement for trip cancellation, interruption, delay and baggage loss/delay. The Alumni Association recommends USI Travel Insurance Services, a leader in the in the alumni travel industry. They offer three levels of benefits designed to meet your budget and needs. In the five years that I have run our Wolf Treks Travel Program, I have never had an alum have any problems in filing claims with Travel Insurances Services.

To facilitate identification in case of an accident, complete the information page on the inside of your passport providing the name, address and telephone number of someone to be contacted in an emergency.

A traveler going abroad with any pre-existing medical problems should carry a letter from the attending physician, describing the medical condition and any prescription medications, including the generic name of prescribed drugs. Any medications being carried overseas should be left in their original containers and be clearly labeled. Travelers should check with the foreign embassy of the country they are visiting to make sure any required medications are not considered to be illegal narcotics.