Oftentimes, seniors traveling outside the United States need stronger medical coverage since it is unlikely for Medicare to cover them abroad. However, there is comprehensive travel insurance for seniors, making sure they are protected in case of an accident or illness, and if they experience a snag with their trip plans.
Our licensed insurance specialists evaluated travel insurance plans for seniors on Medicare by their trip and medical coverage, cost, and suitability for seniors.
Best Travel Insurance Plans for Seniors on Medicare
Looking for More Travel Medical Coverage? Consider GlobeHopper Senior
If you are a senior on Medicare who is primarily worried about your health while traveling, GlobeHopper Senior may be your best bet when it comes to travel medical insurance. It provides ultimate care for seniors on Medicare with no maximum age limit for enrollment, and gives you the flexibility to select a doctor or hospital that fits your needs.
Medicare generally provides little to no coverage once you are outside the United States. Especially if you are traveling to a country where a medical emergency can be extremely expensive, a plan like GlobeHopper Senior can give you an added layer of protection that Medicare typically does not provide abroad.
This plan is designed for U.S. citizens or residents, above the age of 65, who are enrolled in Medicare and Medicare Advantage Plans, and will be traveling anywhere outside of the United States. This plan is perfect for seniors either going on short or long-term vacations, available to provide coverage from 5-365 days.
What are the Key Benefits of Travel Insurance for Seniors?
A comprehensive travel insurance plan for seniors provides coverage in case you need to seek medical care while abroad, along with trip insurance benefits. Without coverage, you would have to pay out-of-pocket for any medical care while abroad. Depending on the severity, this can be thousands of dollars that could instead be saved with travel insurance coverage.
On top of that, many seniors may want to consider trip insurance benefits to help protect aspects of their trip, including baggage and their overall prepaid, nonrefundable expenses. Sometimes, seniors are more susceptible to theft, which can cause a headache if you lose your passport abroad. Luckily, travel insurance can mitigate those risks for seniors.
The benefits of travel insurance to look out for when it comes to seniors on Medicare include the following:
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: If you experience a serious and unexpected injury while traveling in a remote location or somewhere with limited medical facilities, travel insurance can help cover your transportation and medical evacuation to the nearest hospital. Emergency evacuation may also be available if there is a natural disaster, political unrest, or other dangerous situations at your destination.
- Pre-existing Medical Condition Coverage: Luckily, travel insurance can cover a senior with a pre-existing medical condition for some trip-related expenses or emergency medical expenses if your current pre-existing health condition worsens, causing you to interrupt or cancel your trip. When you get your travel insurance plan, the insurance will oftentimes provide a pre-existing medical condition waiver, as long as you got your travel insurance plan within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit. This waiver allows you to obtain coverage for incidents related to your pre-existing condition, such as trip interruption or cancellation.
- Theft Coverage for Passports and Documents: It is not uncommon for seniors to experience pickpocketers or general theft while traveling abroad. Travel insurance can help recover your missing passport, credit cards, and other important documents that were stolen while traveling, helping you make it back home on time with no disruptions. Some travel insurance policies may even offer coverage for emergency cash transfers, which can be useful in case you lose access to your funds.
- Emergency Medical Expenses: Travel insurance can provide coverage if you need to go to a hospital and get medical treatment due to an unexpected injury or sickness. Receiving medical treatment outside of your home country can be expensive, especially because sometimes your domestic health insurance, like Medicare, may provide little to no coverage.
- Trip Cancellation: Trip cancellation coverage can help you if you are a senior and need to cancel your trip for a covered reason, such as an illness or family emergency. Travel insurance can reimburse up to 100% of your trip costs if you decide before your trip that you need to cancel due to an unforeseen event.
- Trip Interruption: Trip interruption acts in a similar way to trip cancellation, but it's for if you are already on your trip and need to cut it short for a covered reason like an illness or accident. This kind of coverage can help recover your unused, prepaid expenses that you cannot get a refund for. It can also help cover the cost if you need additional transportation home, which can be expensive without insurance.
- Baggage Delay and Loss: Many travel insurance policies include coverage to replace essential items if your baggage is delayed or lost. This benefit gives you the resources to purchase necessary clothing, medications, and personal items while your luggage situation is resolved, minimizing disruption and letting you continue to enjoy your trip.
- 24/7 Assistance Services: Many travel insurance plans offer a 24/7 assistance services hotline that you can typically find on your physical or digital ID card. This service can be a game-changer for seniors traveling who need help navigating unfamiliar situations. The 24/7 travel assistance service can provide translation services, hospital navigation, and guidance on the necessary documents you may need in case you need to file a claim.
| Benefits | iTravelInsured Travel LX | Safe Travels Voyager | Trip Protection Choice |
|---|---|---|---|
| Trip Cancellation | Up to 100% | Up to 100% | Up to 100% |
| Trip Interruption | Up to 150% | Up to 150% | Up to 150% |
| Trip Delay | Up to $250 per day, $2,500 maximum | Up to $3,000, $250 per day, after 6 hours | Up to $2,000, $250 per day, after 6 hours |
| Baggage and Valuable Loss | Up to $2,500, $250 per item | Up to $2,500 | Up to $2,500, $250 per item |
| Baggage Delay | Up to $500 | Up to $600 | Up to $500 |
| 24/7 Assistance Services | Covered | Covered | Covered |
| Medical Emergency Coverage | Up to $500,000 | Up to $250,000 | Up to $500,000 |
| Medical Emergency Evacuation | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 | Up to $1,000,000 |
| Telehealth Service | Covered | Not covered | Not covered |
What are the Common Scenarios Seniors on Medicare May Face?
While we sometimes like not to think about the "what-if" scenarios, it is important to know that you can be protected from the unexpected. If you experience a mishap in your travel plans, travel insurance may make you feel more at ease during those stressful situations, giving you a sense of security and confidence.
Scenario #1: Seeking Medical Care Abroad
During your winter trip to Montreal, Canada, you slip on a wet patch of pavement and fall on your back. You experience immense pain, and decide it is time to go to the hospital. While Canada may seem so close to the United States, it does not mean that your Medicare will provide coverage there. That means you would have to pay out-of-pocket for emergency medical treatment. However, travel insurance can provide coverage for your medical expenses, including if you need medical transportation to the hospital. Travel insurance may help with arrangements so you can return home safely, making sure you are reimbursed if you need to cut your trip short and need an early flight back home.
Scenario #2: Trip Cancellation Due to Pre-Existing Condition
Just a few days before your trip, you notice that you have symptoms of blurry vision and fatigue. Knowing you have type 2 diabetes that is typically well under control, you go and see your doctor, who determines that your blood sugar is dangerously high and writes a note stating you cannot travel. Luckily, you purchased travel insurance shortly after booking your trip, and qualified for the pre-existing medical condition waiver. This means your diabetes flare-up is covered as a reason to cancel your trip, and you still receive reimbursement for your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.
Scenario #3: Lost or Delayed Luggage
You just landed in Denver, Colorado, planning to visit your granddaughter for the holidays. While you check on your airline's app to see where your luggage is, it says that your luggage is in another state. Your missing luggage had your prescription eyeglasses, clothing, and other essential items that you brought. Travel insurance can help you in this case by making sure that you can get reimbursed for essential items like clothing, toiletries, and temporary eyewear while your luggage is delayed. If the airline can't obtain your luggage and it is officially lost, your policy may reimburse you for the total value of the items inside your luggage.
Tips for Purchasing Senior Travel Insurance
Now that we have gone through the benefits of travel insurance for adventure trips, it is also important to consider the following when getting a travel insurance plan:
- Get coverage based on your needs: When thinking about travel insurance, you may want to get coverage based on your destination, budget, age, and protection if you have a pre-existing condition. Many travel insurance plans have maximum age limits and might have higher premiums for seniors. However, there are also plans that are age-friendly and can benefit seniors at the same time. Seek out a travel insurance plan that best suits you, as seeking insurance is not a one-size-fits-all solution.
- Read the policy details carefully: While it may be long, taking a look at the official policy certificate for travel insurance can explicitly give you what is and what is not included. For example, routine checkups are often excluded from travel insurance policies. If you find that the wording in the policy is confusing, you can always ask the customer service line of your insurance provider, so they can give you better confirmation.
- Compare multiple plans: Comparing multiple providers and policies side-by-side on a travel insurance marketplace is an effective way to determine the most suitable coverage for your travel needs. This allows you to easily compare benefits, limits, and costs. Looking through a marketplace makes sure that you can view insurance plans efficiently, so that you can get benefits for both your health and your trip, especially as a senior on Medicare.
- Get your travel insurance early: Purchasing travel insurance as soon as you book your trip not only provides a bigger coverage window for trip cancellation, but it also allows you the option to add certain, time-sensitive benefits. Options like Cancel For Any Reason (CFAR) insurance and the pre-existing medical conditions waiver typically need to be added within 14-21 days of your initial trip deposit.
Consider a Strong Travel Insurance Plan for Seniors
Traveling abroad as a senior on Medicare means you want to be prepared for any scenario. Travel insurance can play a crucial role in your next trip, ensuring you stay protected against costly medical emergencies and providing an overall smooth trip journey. If you need assistance while comparing travel insurance plans, our team of licensed insurance specialists is there to help you pick the right policy.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
Will my travel insurance provider pay the hospital directly, or do I have to pay upfront and get reimbursed later?
It typically depends on the care you receive. For emergency hospitalizations, direct billing may be available, but it is best to contact the 24/7 assistance services to explain your situation, and they may direct you to a hospital that can provide direct billing. With non-emergency care, you typically pay upfront at a clinic or urgent care and then file a claim for reimbursement.
What are the typical exclusions in a travel insurance policy?
The typical exclusions in a travel insurance policy include the following:
- Preventative or routine care
- Normal pregnancy
- Elective treatments or surgeries
- Regular dental or vision treatment
- Self-inflicted harm
- Drug or alcohol use
What is the "look-back" period when deciding if a condition is considered pre-existing?
The "look-back" period is a specific time, typically 60 to 180 days before the start of your travel insurance coverage, which is used to define pre-existing medical conditions. Any illness, injury, or medical condition for which you received treatment, were diagnosed, or experienced symptoms during this period will be considered pre-existing, depending on the policy.
Does travel insurance cover me on a cruise ship and in every country on my itinerary?
Travel insurance typically covers you on a multi-destination cruise as long as your coverage reflects the start and end dates on your itinerary. When you look into travel insurance, you may be asked to put your primary destination, which would be the country you would spend the most time in. Regardless, your travel insurance should cover you on a cruise ship if you are going to multiple countries.
If I'm traveling with my adult children, can we all be on one policy?
Depending on the policy, a trip insurance policy plan can cover your adult children that you have accounted for on your plan. On your trip insurance, it is important to add every traveler that is joining you, that way they are all covered under your policy. Additionally, it is important to read the trip insurance policy since some plans might require your group to live in the same state or address.
Are prescription medications I need because of a new illness or injury during my trip covered by insurance?
Yes, if you get unexpectedly sick or have an injury during your trip, travel insurance typically provides coverage if you need to get prescription medications. Oftentimes, you will have to pay for the medication up front, and then seek reimbursement through your travel insurance provider. However, some insurance policies have negotiated rates with certain hospitals to potentially give you a better deal for medication than someone who traveled without insurance.
If I am traveling alone and become seriously ill, will someone help contact my family at home?
If you become seriously ill while traveling alone, the 24/7 assistance services provided by your travel insurance can help you contact your family and emergency contacts. They may also arrange for a family member to travel to your location if necessary.
Who determines if I need to be medically evacuated back home?
A medical evacuation is typically determined by the insurance provider and a physician's advice. They typically evaluate your condition, the quality of care at your destination, and if medical transportation back home is necessary and safe. Your preferences are also considered in the ultimate decision, but the primary factors are medical necessity and safety.
