Travel medical plans: How are pre-existing conditions covered?

August 21, 2024

Traveling with a chronic or pre-existing medical condition often demands additional planning and careful consideration, especially when it comes to ensuring you have the right travel medical insurance. Managing daily medications, adapting your routine, and ensuring you have the energy for self-care while away from home can complicate travel plans. Yet, the desire for a change of scenery and the rejuvenating experience of an international vacation—whether it's to explore untouched natural landscapes or to dive into a new cultural experience—remains enticing. To fully enjoy your adventure, it's crucial to prepare adequately and consider how travel medical insurance such as a SafeTrip Travel Medical plan, can support your health needs while abroad. 

How to ensure that your condition is covered

If you have a health issue that is considered a pre-existing condition for medical insurance, it’s important to carefully research the right kind of travel medical plan for your needs and review policy documents for detailed coverage. Some plans may provide coverage for certain stable, controlled pre-existing conditions, while others may not cover any pre-existing conditions at all. Finding the right international travel coverage for you and your condition will depend on a given plan’s details and the severity of your pre-existing condition.

Reduce your risk, increase your coverage

It is recommended to travel with travel medical insurance coverage if you have a pre-existing condition, in part because this coverage offers emergency medical treatment as well as medical evacuation in case local health care resources are not equipped to respond to your particular needs.

The right coverage can also help if you lose prescription medications, plus offer access to 24/7 emergency assistance services, including language translation and or help if you misplace travel documents such as passports. Finally, the right plan offers financial protection against unexpected medical costs abroad — costs that can quickly add up if you have a specialized condition.

For instance, with SafeTrip International Travel Medical plans, a pre-existing condition is defined as an illness, disease, or other condition that affects you during the 180-day period immediately prior to a travel departure date. Note that SafeTrip coverage for pre-existing conditions does not cover any losses or expenses caused by or resulting from pre-existing conditions if those conditions were not stable during those 180 days prior to your effective date. You can find full details on SafeTrip's pre-existing condition coverage terms in this pre-sale disclosure document.

Prepare with these must-do tips

With the right preparation, it’s possible to navigate the challenges of a medical condition while traveling, particularly if you protect yourself with the backup of a well-thought-out travel medical insurance plan. We suggest that travelers:

• Consult with your primary doctor as you plan your trip. They may have guidance on managing your condition and offer ideas regarding medications and supplies that could make your trip easier and more successful.
• Pack extra medication and supplies. Put your prescriptions in their original containers in your carry-on bag to reduce the risk of losing them if luggage is misdirected, and check if your destination has any drug regulations that might cause problems upon entry.
• Learn about the medical care in your destination. For instance, SafeTrip plans come with access to local-level intelligence that can give you insight on the doctors and hospitals in the areas on your itinerary.
• Have your emergency assistance information at your fingertips. Quality travel medical insurance plans such as SafeTrip offer a 24/7 Emergency Response Center (ERC) that can help with language translations, lost travel documents and more — in addition to connecting you with quality medical care, wherever you are.

Ready to start planning a getaway with the confidence and backup of the right medical plan for you? See tips from Dr. Arwindekar here, and get a quote so that you can start planning and depart on that dream vacation.