| There are three options for travel insurance with | | | | However, plans vary according to when they will |
| pre-existing condition coverage: | | | | begin to cover you. Some plans go into effect |
| Total pre-existing condition coverage. This type of | | | | after a six-month waiting period. Others put |
| travel insurance works only if you are enrolled in a | | | | waivers or riders on your policy, and will cover |
| primary health plan, such as an individual health | | | | your pre-existing condition after a period of time, |
| plan, a group health plan or a government health | | | | for two, three or even five years. Then some |
| plan. A primary health plan is one that is the first | | | | offer only limited coverage - such as $50,000 per |
| payor of claims. Medicare, for example, is the first | | | | year - once the waiver or rider has been |
| payor of claims, but Medicaid and V.A. health plans | | | | removed. |
| are not. | | | | Important questions you need to ask about your |
| Total coverage is comprehensive for pre-existing | | | | insurance Not all international travel and health |
| conditions. It will pay for:o medical professional | | | | insurance offer the same benefits for pre-existing |
| services - a visit to a doctor's office, for | | | | conditions. |
| exampleo inpatient hospital services - such as | | | | Please be aware of these significant considerations |
| surgery and x-rayso medical evacuation, | | | | when purchasing coverage. |
| accidental death and dismemberment and | | | | 1. How old are you? Some policies cover you only |
| repatriation of remainso and one round trip | | | | up to 74, others up to 84 years of age. |
| economy fare for someone to be at your | | | | 2. How long do you want to stay overseas? Tell |
| bedside in a medical emergency | | | | your insurance agent the amount of time you will |
| Limited travel insurance coverage. Plans with | | | | be overseas. |
| limited travel insurance coverage do not require | | | | 3. What is your pre-existing condition and what is |
| that you have a primary health plan. | | | | the nature of your overseas trip? If you are a |
| These plans cover:o medical evacuation and | | | | sports-enthusiast who injured your leg in a surfing |
| repatriation of remainso one bedside visit benefito | | | | accident then you want to make sure you get |
| a dollar amount limit for sudden recurrence of a | | | | travel insurance that will cover that pre-existing |
| pre-existing condition | | | | condition if you should re-injure the leg on your |
| Long-term coverage for those living and working | | | | next surfing trip. |
| outside the States. If you live or work outside the | | | | 4. And finally, ask your agent how these different |
| USA for longer periods of time, you should | | | | providers define pre-existing condition. This is an |
| consider key overseas long-term plans that cover | | | | important question. |
| pre-existing health conditions. | | | | |