Travel medical insurance offers the kind of peace of mind you’re looking for when you’re traveling abroad. Whether you’re traveling for business or looking to relax beachside, international health care coverage provides clarity when an emergency arises.
What’s covered?
Travel medical insurance is a type of insurance that covers emergency medical expenses while traveling outside your home country. It's designed to protect travelers from unexpected medical costs due to illness, injury or accidents during their trip.
This insurance provides coverage for:
- Medical emergencies,
- Hospitalizations
- Emergency evacuations
- Post-departure trip interruption transportation
- Quarantine benefits
These benefits help ensure travelers have access to medical care without the burden of facing high costs. To qualify for this coverage, you’ll need to have a primary health care plan in place. Pre-existing conditions are accepted.
Who needs travel medical insurance?
- Frequent Travelers: Those who travel internationally for business or leisure.
- Adventurers: Travelers engaging in activities like hiking, skiing or other high-risk activities.
- Senior Travelers: Older travelers who may be more susceptible to health issues while abroad.
- Travelers with Pre-existing Conditions: Those who want additional coverage for unexpected flare-ups of pre-existing conditions (if covered by the policy).
How does it work?
- Purchase: Buy the policy before your trip, specifying the duration and coverage level.
- Carry Your Policy Details: Keep your insurance card and policy number handy during your trip.
- Seek Treatment: If you need medical care, seek treatment immediately and contact your insurer to start the claims process.
- File a Claim: Submit any necessary paperwork, including medical bills and proof of payment, to the insurance company for reimbursement.
Travel Medical Insurance with Geo Blue frequently asked questions
How do I access participating medical providers outside the U.S. and avoid claim forms?
GeoBlue's Global Health and Safety services help members identify, access, and pay for quality healthcare all over the world. This includes a contracted community of elite providers in 180 countries. Members can access these carefully selected providers and arrange for the bills to be sent directly to GeoBlue. Please note, a member is responsible for their deductible at time of service, if applicable. Direct billing can be requested by calling the assistance telephone number listed on your member ID card, or by emailing globalhealth@geo-blue.com. A claims instruction page is available online and can be accessed by visiting the GeoBlue Voyager Claims page. Claim forms are downloadable from this section of the site.
How are medical evacuation decisions made?
The evacuation benefit pays for a medical evacuation to the nearest hospital, appropriate medical facility or back to the U.S. Transportation must be by the most direct and economical route. All evacuations require written certification by the attending physician that the evacuation is medically necessary and must be approved by the Global health and Safety team.
What is the minimum and maximum trip length?
A trip can be as short as 1 day or as long as 182 days. The minimum charge assessed is 7 days.
Do I need to have a US Primary Health Plan already in place prior to purchasing this plan?
Yes. A Primary Health Plan is a Group Health Benefit Plan, an individual health benefit plan or a governmental health plan (e.g. Medicare). Note: Medicaid and V.A. health plans do not constitute primary health insurance. The primary plan does not need to be a Blue Cross and/or Blue Shield medical plan in order to be eligible.