| The world just keeps getting smaller and smaller | | | | and hospitals under your PPO or HMO does not |
| and global commerce is becoming more and more | | | | extend to China. In some cases, international |
| common. China, India and other emerging | | | | travel insurance plans offer an international |
| economies are now targeted by the U.S. and | | | | network of pre-certified doctors, clinics and |
| other western corporations in hopes of expanding | | | | hospitals that will accept direct payment form |
| their market. Business travelers are now | | | | your international insurer. This way, you don't |
| frequently traveling to Africa, South America and | | | | even have to pay out of pocket and wait to get |
| the Middle East. Vacationers and leisure travelers | | | | get reimbursed later. |
| are always looking for new and exotic travel | | | | To me, the thought of being treated by a foreign |
| destinations. Let's face it, we are more mobile | | | | doctor in a foreign land is frightening. What school |
| now than ever in human history. Thankfully, in | | | | did this doctor attend? Do they even speak your |
| most cases, international travel is completed | | | | language? Is he or she trained in western |
| without incident. However, in some cases an | | | | medicine? If you have a travel plan that comes |
| international leisure or business trip can become a | | | | with an international network of doctors hospitals |
| nightmare if you do not have the right travel | | | | and clinics, you know that you are receiving |
| insurance plan. | | | | quality care. Otherwise you are relying on the |
| People ask me all the time, "Is travel insurance a | | | | hotel concierge, your cab driver or a person |
| waste of money?" The answer is a resounding | | | | walking down the street to offer you advice on a |
| NO. For the money spent, the coverage is | | | | "good doctor." What about if you are in a serious |
| absolutely worth while. Imagine you are on your | | | | accident and need to be flown to another facility |
| dream vacation in South America and you | | | | for life saving surgery? This is a terrible thought |
| become ill after eating out at a local seafood | | | | but it happens every day while folks are on |
| restaurant. In America you would probably first | | | | vacation or traveling on business across the globe. |
| call your doctor and then maybe go to the | | | | Emergency medical evacuation services can cost |
| hospital if the condition worsened. A doctors visit | | | | from $30,00 to $50,000 or more for a single trip. |
| and a trip to the ER is most definitely covered by | | | | And guess what? It's not covered by your |
| your domestic insurer but what about in South | | | | domestic insurance plan. However, most quality |
| America, Africa, Europe or other countries? In | | | | travel insurance plans cover this event but you |
| most cases, you are not covered at all or the | | | | have to be careful in selecting a plan that does |
| amount of reimbursement is greatly reduced. On | | | | not put major restrictions on this benefit. |
| another note, most doctors and hospitals abroad | | | | Major medical insurance is just one of the benefits |
| will not even entertain the idea of being | | | | of purchasing an international travel insurance plan. |
| reimbursed by your domestic insurance and will | | | | Most comprehensive plans also cover trip |
| most certainly require payment in full. A serious | | | | cancellation, trip interruption, accident and lost |
| condition could leave you with tens of thousands | | | | luggage insurance just to name a few. Look for |
| of dollars in medical bills that have to be paid. | | | | future articles where I will explain in detail the |
| What about finding quality medical care in say, | | | | other valuable benefits contained in a quality travel |
| China? Unfortunately, your network of doctors | | | | insurance plan. |