The Best International Travel Health Insurance for US Citizens

International travel health insurance can bring enormous peace of mind when traveling to a foreign country. Knowing that you’ll be taken care of in your destination country through international health insurance means that you won’t need to budget for unexpected medical costs like an emergency room visit or handle an emergency evacuation by yourself. 

In this article, we’ll cover the basics of insurance policies for international trips and then pick apart the details of our favorite insurance company offering international travel health insurance for US citizens.

Introduction to International Travel Health Insurance

International travel health insurance provides a safety net for U.S. citizens. Unexpected medical emergencies happen, and your regular health insurance plan may not cover it or may not be accepted outside of the U.S.-based network.

International medical insurance covers a wide range of scenarios, from minor (and often inconvenient) illnesses to major medical emergencies, ensuring that you can receive necessary medical care without financial strain.

Why US Citizens Need International Travel Health Insurance

Traveling abroad exposes us to unfamiliar health risks, including diseases uncommon in the United States, varying standards of medical care, and potential language barriers that can complicate treatment.

Domestic health insurance typically provides limited to no coverage outside the country, making travelers vulnerable to out-of-pocket expenses.

International travel health insurance is smart for several reasons:

1. Emergency Medical Care – Accidents and sudden illnesses can happen anywhere, and having insurance ensures access to necessary medical services.
2. Medical Evacuation – In severe cases, travelers might need to be transported back to the US or to another country with appropriate medical facilities. Medical evacuation can be prohibitively expensive without insurance.
3. Trip Interruption and Cancellation – Illnesses or emergencies might force travelers to cut their trips short or cancel them entirely. Insurance can help cover the costs associated with these changes.
4. Peace of Mind – Knowing that medical expenses are covered allows travelers to enjoy their trips without the constant worry of potential health issues and the associated financial burden.

How Much Does International Travel Insurance Cost?

Click here to view a quote and complete the application online.

Understanding Medical Emergencies Abroad

Each country has its own unique way for people to navigate healthcare. Familiar medical benefits here at home may be completely different than getting treatment overseas. Adding language barriers and differing healthcare practices, even drug availability, means getting a basic understanding of options before an emergency is a good practice.

Common Medical Emergencies Abroad

Infectious Diseases: Traveling to different regions can expose individuals to diseases not common in the US, such as malaria, dengue fever, or cholera.

Accidents and Injuries: Activities like hiking, skiing, or simply navigating unfamiliar terrain can lead to accidents and injuries requiring medical attention.

Chronic Condition Exacerbation: Individuals with chronic conditions might experience flare-ups that need immediate care.

Dental Emergencies: Toothaches or dental injuries can be particularly troublesome while traveling.

Role of International Travel Health Insurance 

Coverage for Medical Treatment: Insurance can cover the cost of hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medications, and necessary surgeries.

Medical Evacuation and Repatriation: In critical situations, insurance can cover the cost of transporting the traveler to an appropriate medical facility or back to the US.

24/7 Assistance Services: Many insurance plans offer support services that can help locate medical facilities, provide translation services, and assist with other logistical challenges in emergency situations.

Types of Coverage Offered by International Travel Health Insurance

Travel health insurance works a little differently than what you’re familiar with at home. Deductibles, co-pays, and the like aren’t something you usually need to deal with. However, there are many types of plans that tailor coverage options to different traveling needs.

Common plans include the following, but it’s up to you to consider what might be best for your plans. We’ll cover a few categories here, and you can always give us a call at (858) 703-6178 with any questions.

Medical Coverage

Emergency Medical Expenses: Covers costs related to emergency medical treatment, including hospital stays, surgeries, and outpatient care.

Dental Coverage: Provides for emergency dental treatment, often with limits on the amount covered.

Evacuation & Repatriation

Trip Cancellation: Reimburses non-refundable trip costs if the trip is canceled due to covered reasons, such as illness or death in the family.

Trip Interruption: Covers additional costs incurred if the trip is cut short due to a covered emergency.

Additional Coverage

Lost Luggage: Reimburses for lost, stolen, or damaged luggage and personal effects.

Travel Delays: Covers additional expenses incurred due to significant travel delays, such as accommodation and meal costs.

Accidental Death and Dismemberment: Provides a lump-sum benefit in case of accidental death or severe injury during the trip.

Common Exclusions for International Travel Health Insurance

While you may not be dealing with copays or deductibles, the policy often has exclusions that may normally be covered by your health insurance back home.

Pre-Existing Conditions

Most travel insurance plans exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions unless you purchase a pre-existing condition waiver. Insurance companies typically define pre-existing conditions as any medical condition that was diagnosed prior to purchasing the insurance or that a reasonable person would have sought medical expertise for.

High-Risk Activities

Pay attention to this one. Many travelers tend to engage in activities they might not normally do at home, such as ziplining or spearfishing. Engaging in high-risk activities like extreme sports, adventure activities, or semi-professional sports often requires additional coverage. Your policy will state on the benefits pages what activities it excludes or that require an additional rider.

Non-Emergency Care

Travel insurance generally does not cover routine check-ups, elective surgeries, and non-emergency treatments. Plan accordingly.

Other Common Exclusions

Self-Inflicted Injuries: Injuries resulting from self-harm or suicide attempts are not covered.

Mental Health Disorders: Treatment for mental health disorders and related conditions is often excluded.

War and Terrorism: Injuries resulting from acts of war or terrorism may not be covered, although some plans offer optional coverage for such events.

COVID: Double-check your plan on this one. Some plans cover COVID treatment, and others don’t.

USAway Major Medical from Petersen’s International Underwriters 

For the full brochure, click the download button below.

One of the best travel insurance plans is through Petersen’s International Underwriters, and we will cover the medical insurance plan here and why it’s our go-to recommendation for travel insurance.

USAway Major Medical reimburses eligible expenses at any doctor or hospital within a specified geographic area. The medical insurance covers various health scenarios, providing peace of mind to travelers on their business trips or adventures.

Hospital & Physician Services

USAway Major Medical covers all medically necessary expenses while hospitalized and physician treatment. This includes inpatient and outpatient services, ensuring that travelers receive appropriate medical care regardless of the severity of their condition.

Medical Evacuation

One of the standout features of USAway Major Medical is its medical evacuation coverage. The plan covers all medically necessary expenses for stabilization and transportation to the facility nearest the traveler’s home that can provide appropriate care. This coverage is essential for severe medical emergencies that require specialized treatment not available locally.

Skilled Nursing Facilities & Home Health Care

USAway covers medically necessary expenses for confinement in skilled nursing facilities following a hospital stay of three days or longer. Additionally, home health care is covered if it prevents the need for hospitalization, provided it is part of a written plan established and approved by a physician.

Ambulance Services

Ambulance services to and from a hospital within 100 miles in the same geographic area are covered, ensuring that travelers can access necessary emergency transportation without incurring significant costs.

Repatriation of Remains

In the unfortunate event of death, USAway Major Medical reimburses the cost of delivering the traveler’s remains to a mortuary nearest their home, up to $250,000.

Prescription Drugs

Covers outpatient prescription medications up to a maximum of $500, ensuring that you can access necessary medications without excessive out-of-pocket expenses.

Emergency Return Home 

In the event of the death of an immediate family member or the substantial destruction of their home by fire, wind, flood, or earthquake, the plan reimburses the cost of an economy one-way air or ground transportation ticket to their home, up to a maximum of $5,000. This benefit provides support during personal emergencies that require immediate return home.

Accidental Death & Dismemberment 

A $25,000 accidental death benefit, which increases to $50,000 if the death occurs while riding as a passenger on a common carrier. This coverage provides financial support to beneficiaries in the event of accidental death.

Follow Me Home Coverage

USAway Major Medical provides limited coverage for injuries or illnesses that occur while in the US. Benefits are available for seven days for every month spent outside the US, ensuring some level of coverage upon return.

Lost Luggage

In the event that checked luggage is completely and totally lost, the plan reimburses up to $500, excess of any other valid and collectible coverages. This benefit helps mitigate the inconvenience and financial loss associated with lost luggage.

Trip Cancellation

If a trip is canceled within two weeks prior to departure due to the traveler’s death, illness, or injury requiring hospitalization or outpatient surgery, the death of an immediate family member, or substantial destruction of the traveler’s home, the plan reimburses any unused and nonrefundable expenses up to a maximum of $2,500, after a $100 deductible.

War & Terrorism Coverage

The plan covers eligible expenses incurred due to injuries or illnesses sustained from acts of war or terrorism, with the exception of those involving the use or release of nuclear, chemical, or biological agents.

USAway Benefits Terms & Other Coverage

The plan provides different maximum benefit levels based on the traveler’s age:

• Age 0-69: Up to $5,000,000
• Age 70-74: Up to $250,000
• Age 75-79: Up to $100,000
• Age 80-84: Up to $50,000

These benefits are per policy period, ensuring substantial coverage for various medical needs.

You can choose from a range of deductible options, allowing travelers to choose the level that best fits their needs and budget. Deductibles range from $0 to $5,000, depending on the traveler’s age.

Covered activities include a wide range of recreational and non-professional sports and activities without additional premium or prior declaration. These are:

• Aerobics
• Archery
• Basketball
• Cycling
• Golf
• Snorkeling

The list is actually quite long. Click here for the brochure for the complete lists of what sports and activities are included and which ones require additional coverage through the Optional Hazardous Sports and Activities Rider.

Riders 

An optional rider provides coverage up to $250,000 for eligible expenses incurred during higher-risk activities such as bungee jumping, scuba diving, skydiving, and snow skiing. This rider ensures that adventurous travelers have the necessary coverage for more risky pursuits.

The optional COVID-19 rider covers medically necessary treatment of COVID-19 up to the maximum benefit of the policy. For individuals aged 65 and above, the rider covers up to $100,000 or the maximum policy benefit, whichever is less.

Other Limitations & Exclusions to be Aware Of

The plan excludes coverage for pre-existing conditions, defined as any medical condition for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within the 12 months preceding the policy’s effective date.

USAway Major Medical has specific limitations and exclusions that travelers should be aware of:

• Cardiac and Cancer-Related Conditions: For individuals over age 59, coverage for cardiac and cancer-related conditions is limited to stabilization and transportation costs or a maximum reimbursement of $25,000.
• Repatriation of Remains and Medical Transportation: Limited to $250,000 in aggregate.
• Intensive Care Unit: Coverage for room and board charges is limited to three times the provider’s semi-private room rate.
• Prescription Medications: Limited to $500 for a maximum prescribed period of 90 days for any one prescription.
• Maximum Benefits for Older Travelers: Reduced maximum benefits for travelers aged 70 and above, with specific limits for each age group.
• Services Not Medically Necessary: Excludes coverage for services not deemed medically necessary or not provided under a physician’s supervision.
• Cosmetic Surgery: Excludes cosmetic surgery unless necessitated by an accidental injury.
• Dental and Vision Care: Excludes routine dental exams, x-rays, and general dental care, as well as eye exams and hearing aids.
• Pregnancy and Related Conditions: Excludes coverage for pregnancy, fertility treatments, childbirth, and related conditions.
• War and Terrorism: Excludes injuries or illnesses resulting from acts of war or terrorism involving nuclear, chemical, or biological agents unless the optional rider is purchased.

How to Apply for USAway International Health Insurance

The application can be completed online by clicking here.

How Abrams Insurance Solutions Can Help

USAway Major Medical from Petersen’s International Underwriters offers comprehensive coverage tailored to the needs of international travelers. With various benefits, optional riders, and a range of deductible choices, it ensures that US citizens traveling abroad can access necessary medical care and financial protection, providing peace of mind throughout their journeys.

If you want quick and easy travel insurance for peace of mind, click the apply online link to view quotes and complete an application. If you have any questions, give us a call at 858-703-6178.

For more information on staying safe when traveling abroad, check out the following articles: