Monday, January 18, 2010

Worldwide Health Insurance Plans & Benefits

By Dan Miller

Travel plans typically feature preparations for health safety that include a international travel health insurance package for the treatment of illnesses during the trip. Travel to foreign locations makes such precautions a necessity. A visit to a local healthcare centre or a doctor is a very likely scenario when the traveler is trying to adjust to different climates, unfamiliar food, and the environment.

International insurance plans provide a traveler access to healthcare providers, hospitals or institutions which have been pre-recognized as part of their plans. A sudden illness or visit to the doctor or even an extended stay in hospital can be taken care of by the travel health insurance plan.

There are international insurance health plans which cover single visits, multiple visits, and extended visits that last longer than six months abroad. Comprehensive health insurance plans cover all types of international visits. If the family is travelling with the insurer, there are plans that cover all members of the family.

Most international travel health insurance plans cover a wide range of health disorders and emergency health disorders, including illness or injuries caused due to terrorist attacks. A lot of plans also provide additional coverage such as adventurous sports riders on payment of an additional premium.

International health insurance is treated as a short-term health insurance plan, and pre-existing conditions, cosmetic treatments and dental expenses are not covered. Some plans offer coverage for pre-existing conditions.

The age of the insurer and the benefits that are selected determine the premiums for the travel health insurance. They are sometimes different for men and women.

Treatment at pre-approved medical institutions can be availed by producing the medical identity card that is provided to the traveler with the international travel health insurance plan. This ensures that the bills are paid directly by the insuring company. The traveler is also provided with a list of identified and approved medical centers, hospitals, and healthcare professionals.

It is also possible to receive treatment at a healthcare center, and then receive reimbursement for the treatment later. In this case, the insured must keep all medical records and bills safe. In either case, the insured may have to pre-notify the insurance company before treatment. The travel health insurance plans are underwritten by reputed companies such as Lloyds, AIG, and Nationwide. - 23210

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