If you are a traveling senior with health conditions, you may be worried about potential issues arising while traveling and whether or not you'll have health insurance coverage when venturing outside of your home country.
Luckily, travel medical insurance is an excellent option for traveling seniors to secure temporary health coverage during their trip. Even better, there are travel medical insurance plans available that can offer coverage for pre-existing conditions.
What You Will Learn in This Guide:
- What qualifies as a pre-existing medical condition for seniors looking for travel medical insurance
- How insurance companies determine and evaluate pre-existing conditions
- The difference between pre-existing condition coverage and acute onset coverage
- Which travel medical insurance plans offer coverage for seniors with pre-existing conditions
What Is Considered a Pre-existing Condition for Seniors?
A pre-existing condition is considered any health condition that existed in a person before the start date of their travel medical insurance plan. This condition could either be known or unknown to the person.
For example, conditions such as high blood pressure or diabetes that a person had before purchasing their travel medical insurance plan could be considered a pre-existing condition.
How Are Pre-existing Medical Conditions Determined by Travel Medical Insurance?
Pre-existing conditions are typically determined by medical records, physicians' findings, doctors' notes, past health history, and more.
If there is evidence that an individual suffered from, received treatment for, or took medication for a condition before the effective date of their insurance policy, this could be considered a pre-existing medical condition.
Does Travel Insurance for Seniors Cover Pre-existing Conditions?
While travel medical insurance typically excludes pre-existing condition coverage, there are some plans that offer some form of pre-existing condition coverage.
Very few plans offer limited coverage for the treatment of pre-existing conditions. However, there are quite a few travel medical insurance plans that offer coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
What Is the Difference Between Pre-existing and Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions Coverage?
When comparing travel medical insurance plans with pre-existing condition coverage, you may come across some plans that list pre-existing condition coverage as a benefit and some that offer coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions as a benefit.
Coverage for pre-existing conditions typically refers to coverage for treatment that is deemed necessary for the worsening of a pre-existing condition that requires immediate medical attention.
The acute onset of pre-existing conditions benefit typically offers coverage for the sudden, unexpected recurrence of a dormant pre-existing condition if emergency and necessary treatment is required.
What Doesn't the Pre-existing Condition Benefit Cover?
When purchasing a plan that offers pre-existing condition coverage, it is important to understand that this doesn’t mean everything related to your pre-existing condition is covered.
Travel medical insurance is meant to act as temporary coverage for emergency illnesses or injuries while traveling. This means that routine and preventative care are excluded from most plans.
As it relates to a pre-existing condition, things like getting your regular medication for your condition or visiting the doctor for a check-up for your condition would typically be excluded. Pre-existing condition coverage is meant to offer coverage only in the event of an emergency medical situation.
Is Pre-existing Condition Coverage More Expensive for Seniors?
Pre-existing condition coverage is typically more expensive than travel medical insurance plans that don’t offer coverage for pre-existing conditions.
This is because the risk of illness or injury is greater for those who have pre-existing conditions, which tends to make the premiums of these plans higher.
Additionally, travel medical insurance plans can cost more for those who are above a certain age, or only offer a more limited policy maximum due to the increased risk.
However, it can offer valuable coverage in the event of a medical emergency related to an existing health issue.
Do Seniors Need Pre-Existing Condition Coverage?
Pre-existing condition coverage could be necessary for seniors, depending on their current health and lifestyle.
If you are a senior who is worried about your pre-existing condition worsening during traveling, or you have a dormant pre-existing condition that you are worried could flare up during your trip, you may want to consider getting a travel medical insurance plan with some form of pre-existing condition coverage.
Travel Insurance for Seniors That Covers Pre-existing Conditions
The following travel medical insurance plans can offer some form of coverage for pre-existing conditions.
INF Elite X
- Best overall visitors insurance for pre-existing conditions
- Coverage is extended for ages up to 99 years
INF Premier X
- Best long-term visitors insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage
- For non U.S. residents and non U.S. citizens, while traveling to the United States, Canada, or Mexico
Visitors Protect
- Best comprehensive visitors insurance for pre-existing conditions
- Coverage is extended to travelers up to 99 years of age
CoverAmerica - Gold
- Best comprehensive coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions
- Lower coverage amounts for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions for those aged 70 and above
Patriot Plus
- Best acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage for U.S. citizens living abroad
- Coverage available for those aged 70 and above
Atlas America
- Best acute onset of pre-existing conditions coverage for seniors under 80
- Insurance eligibility for ages up to 99 years
What Are the Best Travel Tips for Seniors With Pre-Existing Conditions?
If you are a senior traveling with pre-existing conditions, here are some tips to ensure that your journey goes smoothly:
- See your regular doctor for a check-up to be cleared for travel and to take care of any potential health issues before your departure date
- Secure a travel medical insurance plan to keep you protected in the event of an unexpected illness or injury during your trip
- Make sure you have ample medication for the duration of your trip for any health conditions and bring your prescription information along with you just in case
- Plan your trip accordingly keeping your health concerns in mind to avoid putting yourself in situations where you may be at risk
- Always carry your travel insurance ID and policy information with you along with emergency contact numbers
Following these tips will keep you safe during your trip and provide you with the peace of mind you deserve during your vacation.
Have Questions About Pre-Existing Condition Coverage? VisitorsCoverage Can Help
If you still have questions about what travel medical insurance coverage is right for you, check out our Ask an Expert section for answers to common questions, or reach out to our Customer Success Team for assistance.
- Pre-existing conditions are health issues that existed before the start date of your travel insurance policy, whether known or unknown, such as high blood pressure, diabetes, or heart conditions.
- It is important to know the difference between pre-existing condition coverage and acute onset coverage. Pre-existing condition coverage typically covers treatment for worsening conditions requiring immediate attention, while acute onset coverage covers sudden, unexpected recurrences of dormant conditions.
- Pre-existing coverage typically excludes routine care, regular medication refills, and preventative check-ups, and focuses instead on emergency medical situations.
Ready to secure senior travel insurance coverage? Compare our available plans with pre-existing condition coverage to find the right policy for your needs.
Frequently Asked Questions About Travel Medical Insurance for Seniors with Pre-Existing Conditions
How do insurance companies define a pre-existing condition for travel insurance?
Different insurance providers will have different definitions for pre-existing condition coverage. You can find their definitions under the plan’s “Description of Coverage.” For example, INF Elite X defines it as the following:
“An illness, disease, or other medical condition of the Covered Person for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, monitoring or treatment was recommended or received from a Doctor, and/or which would have caused a reasonably prudent person to seek medical attention, before the Covered Person’s coverage became effective under the Policy, whether disclosed or not on the Covered Person’s application or online enrolment.”
How much does travel medical insurance cost for seniors with pre-existing conditions?
The cost of your travel medical insurance can depend on many factors, including your age, trip duration, destination, and deductible choice. For example, a travel medical insurance plan like ChoiceAmerica for a 75-year-old with pre-existing conditions on a 30-day trip to the U.S. is about $154.84 for a $50 deductible and a $50,000 maximum.
Are there age limits for pre-existing condition coverage?
Yes, age is a factor that can affect pre-existing condition coverage. While some plans may have lower benefit limits or exclude coverage for travelers over a certain age (often 65-70), there are options available for older travelers. For instance, a plan might offer a high limit, such as $100,000, for acute onset coverage for travelers under 65, but a reduced limit, like $25,000, for those aged 65-79. However, it’s important to note that some specialized plans do offer coverage, sometimes with varying benefit limits, for travelers up to 99 years old. Always check the age-specific limitations and maximum age for coverage when comparing plans, especially when insuring elderly travelers.
Does Medicare cover international travel for seniors?
Sometimes. Standard Medicare rarely covers medical care abroad. Some Medicare Supplement (Medigap) Plans C, D, F, G, M, and N provide limited foreign travel emergency coverage with a $250 deductible, 80% coverage, and a lifetime limit of $50,000. Some Medicare Advantage plans include basic emergency coverage outside the U.S., but with significant limitations.
For comprehensive protection during international travel, dedicated senior travel insurance is strongly recommended to fill the gaps in your Medicare coverage.
Can I get travel insurance coverage for prescription medications related to my pre-existing condition?
Not always. Standard travel insurance typically doesn't cover routine prescription refills for pre-existing conditions. This is because travel insurance policies cover unexpected events, including the unforeseen worsening of your pre-existing condition.
Can I get coverage for my diabetes while traveling?
Diabetes is generally considered a pre-existing condition. Routine care, insulin, and regular check-ups aren't covered. However, if you experience a sudden diabetes-related emergency that meets acute onset criteria, some plans will provide coverage up to the specified benefit limits.
What documentation should I have when traveling with a pre-existing condition?
When traveling with a pre-existing condition, carry a doctor's letter describing your condition and medications, copies of prescriptions, your complete insurance policy documents, emergency contact information, and medical alert identification if applicable.
What happens if I don’t disclose a pre-existing condition with my travel insurance?
Failing to disclose a pre-existing condition when specifically asked can lead to serious consequences. Insurance companies can and do investigate claims, especially large ones, by requesting medical records. If they discover an undisclosed condition that’s related to your claim, they may deny coverage completely, even if the condition wasn’t directly responsible for your current medical emergency. In some cases, this could be considered insurance fraud. Always be honest when applying for insurance. It’s better to know your limitations upfront than to mistakenly believe you’re covered when you’re not.
