| The big question is what kind of coverage is provided | | | | could get superior medical care. They did this despite |
| on your credit card. Some offer basic assistance | | | | the extra cost to the insurance company. Would your |
| benefits, while others will build in a medical evacuation | | | | credit card company do this for you? |
| program. Remember--the devil is always in the details! | | | | 6. Will I pay a deductible on my credit card benefits? |
| Here are questions to ask about your travel insurance | | | | There are plans that have no deductibles and some |
| coverage on your credit card. | | | | with deductibles. Our evacuation plans have no |
| 1. What are the details? Always read the fine print. | | | | deductible or co-pays. |
| Remember: The big print giveth and the small print | | | | 7. Will my pre-existing medical conditions be covered? |
| taketh away! | | | | With travel insurance, the short answer is yes. That's |
| 2. Who do I contact if I get sick or injured and need | | | | good news for older travelers especially. |
| coverage? The last thing you want when you are in | | | | 8. Will my credit card coverage bring my mortal |
| need of medical care and/or evacuation is a voice | | | | remains back to the USA and pay for the red tape |
| message. You urgently need to speak to a live person | | | | and government paperwork? Our international health |
| who specializes in your concerns, not someone in the | | | | plans do this without a penny out of your loved one's |
| company who only knows how to cancel stolen credit | | | | pocket. Most credit card companies, even when they |
| cards. | | | | offer it, offer limited medical care and evacuation |
| 3. Do I know how much coverage I will need? This is | | | | coverage. Medical evacuation is often capped at |
| vital since credit card companies are not in the | | | | $20,000 or less, and medical care is capped at $10,000. |
| international health insurance business. Using a | | | | Please be aware that medical evacuation costs from |
| well-known international health insurance brokerage | | | | Brazil to the Mayo Clinic in Florida are $26,000, and this |
| firm that specializes in overseas health insurance plans | | | | is not for a major emergency. Another client in 2009 |
| will give you much needed peace of mind. | | | | was evacuated from Algeria to Italy for a cost of |
| 4. Who pays for my health-care bills? Ask your credit | | | | $82,000. Medical evacuation may not always be this |
| card company if they pay your bills upfront, or if they | | | | expensive, but we see very few evacuations that are |
| will reimburse you later. Remember, the overseas | | | | below $20,000. |
| medical staff is not going to wait until your credit card | | | | Peace of mind is what you get when you purchase a |
| company pays. The evacuation team and the medical | | | | travel plan from a brokerage that specializes in |
| staff overseas want their money when service is | | | | overseas health travel insurance. Would you buy a pair |
| rendered! | | | | of flip-flops to run a 10k marathon? Would you |
| 5. Will my credit card company provide me with the | | | | purchase a canoe to get you to the Cayman Islands? |
| best hospitals and doctors? By going with a reputable | | | | Of course not! What you want is the right amount and |
| short-term travel plan you will be routed to the best | | | | right type of travel insurance coverage. The last thing |
| hospitals/medical facilities available. One international | | | | you want to worry about is how you are going to pay |
| insurance company we work with bypassed a hospital | | | | your medical bills while you are fighting to recover your |
| in China and evacuated a patient to Thailand so they | | | | health. |