The best guide on spiritual healing


 

Travel Insurance: Is It Necessary?

So you want to leave the homeland for athe best hospitals in the area, as well as
while, see the sights, take the pictures, orthe ins and outs of the local systems. It is
perhaps, do some business. You've packed thestrongly advised that, if possible, you
swimming trunks, the extra layers, the hikingconsult your provider before seeking medical
boots, the sun screen, but the questionattention in a foreign land. Also, insurance
remains: is your medical insurance travelingproviders warn that most third world
with you? What happens if you get to Brazilcountries' hospital systems require payment
like you always wanted to, and then, in aupfront for services rendered. This fee would
freak spilled mojito accident, you break yourbe reimbursed by the plan. The most pressing
ankle? What if the escargot from thatconcern is the case of an emergency medical
charming Parisian restaurant reacts badlyevacuation from a foreign country back to the
with your American digestive system, and youUS. Evacuations are necessary when a very
are suddenly in the throes of the worst foodserious medical condition arises, and the
poisoning you've experienced in your life? Ittraveler/patient must be transported back to
is no small matter; according to the USthe care of his/her primary care physician or
Center for Disease Control and Prevention,a home-based expert. This can cost upwards of
one half of US travelers heading to another$10,000 as it is a coordinated effort between
country will experience some sort of healthseveral hospitals and at least one airline.
problem while abroad. Ever since the MichaelMost travel insurance plans provide the
Moore film, "Sicko," came out, we all knowoption for specific coverage for this
that many other countries (well, specificallycontingency. Another aspect to consider when
France, Canada, and Cuba) provide affordable,traveling abroad, is the cost of sudden
sometimes free, healthcare to their citizens,cancellations, or changes in travel plans as
but how does it work for us, Americans,a result of medical or other emergencies. In
abroad? Well, the truth is, unless you makean era when airline companies are logging
special preparations, the outlook is notrecord numbers of lost luggage, this aspect
good. According to "most US insuranceof travelers insurance provides reimbursement
companies, HMOs, PPOs or Medicare [plans] dofor the purchase of clothes and other
not provide adequate medical insurance."necessities. In this sense, you could come
There may be exceptions, and you should lookout a winner: imagine an 'emergency' shopping
into the fine print of your plan, but everytrip at the fabulous designer stores of
major US health insurance providers suggestsMilan. So, whether you are planning a road
getting some form of traveler's insurance.trip to Canada, or a fourteen day hike in
Unfortunately, there is no foreign countryMachu Pichu, pack some warm socks, swim
that provides free health care for travelers.trunks, and your new friend, Mr. Traveler's
Travel insurance plans provide three types ofInsurance.
coverage: for medical care when abroad, the
cost of emergency medical evacuation, andPucher Insurance: Providers of health
reimbursement for sudden trip cancellationsinsurance, travel medical insurance and group
and lost luggage. Should you require medicaltravel insurance for Canadians traveling
attention while abroad, most insuranceabroad and visitors medical insurance for
companies provide support in the form ofnon-Canadians who visit Canada.
emergency hotlines. They will advise you on



1 A B C 47 48 49 50 51 52 54 55 56 57 58 59 60 61 62 63 64 65 66 67 68 69 70 71 72 73 74 75 76 77 78 79 80 81 82 83 84 85 86 87 88 89 90 91 92 93 94 95 96