Posts Tagged ‘Pre-Existing Condition’

How Much Travel Insurance Do I Really Need?

Friday, August 20th, 2010

There’s been a lot of confusion over whether or not travel insurance covers a natural disaster such as the April 2010 volcanic eruption in Iceland. This disaster stranded tens of thousands of travelers.  When someone asks, “Does my travel insurance cover this type of event?” I answer, “Check the fine print.” 

Here are four guidelines for knowing what kind and how much travel insurance to get.

1. What is your trip worth to you?  A young student sleeping in hostels throughout Europe and carrying a backpack probably doesn’t need a “Cadillac plan” trip protector. Compare that to a couple in their early 60s who have reservations in 5 star hotels in some of the most expensive cities in Europe and who fly first class. Their travel will cost quite a bit, so they should consider paying top of the line coverage.

2. Compare the cost differences between a basic plan and a premium plan. I went on a well-known travel insurance website to see how much it would cost me for a two week international trip. The Basic plan sells for $127 for a person my age.  When I added in “cancel for any reason” coverage, upgraded medical coverage, and optional flight coverage, the total jumped to $202.  So now I have to ask myself, is that extra $75 worth it? 

3. Know what you are buying.  Travel insurance policies contain 4 types of trip protection:  trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay and missed connection. Before you travel, find out what is covered and what is excluded.

  • Trip cancellation reimburses you the full cost of your pre-paid ticket in the event you have to cancel prior to your trip. 
  • Trip interruption reimburses you for travel expenses in the event of an unexpected crisis during your trip, causing it to be cancelled, interrupted or delayed. 
  • Travel Delay reimburses you for expenses you pay for trips delayed for more than 5 hours due to covered reasons but only up to a certain amount, some $1000, others $750.  Travel delay typically covers hotel accommodations for stranded travelers, meals, taxi fares and essential phone calls.  
  • Mixed connection reimburses you if inclement weather or common carrier causes cancellation or a delay of a regularly scheduled airline flights for three or more hours to your time of departure.

4. Buy travel insurance for the medical coverage and other services even if airlines reimburse you for travel-related problems.  Sure, airlines do reimburse (for a fee) and are obligated in many cases by law to compensate for long travel delays, interruptions and cancellations. But they won’t pay any medical bills should you be injured on your travels. Medical evacuations alone can cost tens of thousands of dollars. And they won’t pay for other services such as physician referrals, translation services, prescription replacement, emergency cash transfers, and concierge services.

Mixed connections are another form of travel frustration. If your mixed connection occurs when traveling with the same airline or air alliance, then you will be taken care of by the airline company. However, if your mixed connection happens when you fly two different airlines or airline alliances, then you are out of luck with the airline companies. If you have travel insurance that covers mixed connections, then you are in luck.   Good Neighbor Insurance provides top notch trip cancellation plans.  You may view them at our web page at www.gninsurance.com/tripcancellation/ . 

Two out of our four trip cancellation plans we provide are: (a)  Travel Guard Gold plan at www.onlineglobalhealthinsurance.com/trip-cancellation/  and (b) HTH Trip Protector plans at www.overseashealthinsurance.com/trip-protection.asp .  Our HTH Trip Protector plans also cover pre-existing medical conditions.

So, the choice is yours.  Most trip cancellations and interruptions are pretty straight forward, and you can get reimbursements from the airlines. In those cases you wouldn’t need a premium Trip Cancellation plan. But in the event of a volcano erupting, or some other natural disaster that severely disrupts travel for days and days, you could be out hundreds of dollars. That’s why there is travel insurance. Like any insurance, we get it because we don’t know the future.

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he always takes his Amex card AND international travel insurance policy. Visit Good Neighbor Insurance at www.gninsurance.com.  for your next overseas trip health coverage and get a FREE quote or call one of our agents at 480-633-9500.

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Posted in Understanding insurance options |

Tips From a Wise Man (My Father) for the Over 65 International Traveler

Friday, June 25th, 2010

Before he took on the challenge of a second career when others were retiring, my father traveled extensively around the world. He is now in his 70′s. He’s picked up a thing or two about travel for those over 65, which I share with you.

First, did you know that Medicare won’t cover most medical expenses outside the United States?

Let’s say you want to rock-climb in Italy, rebuild in Haiti, and whale watch in Norway. Medicare offers few benefits beyond the United States’ border. Medicaid offers nothing. Medicare Part D coverage for prescriptions also stops at the border.

Therefore, remember to bring all the medication you need with you in their original bottles, along with a letter from your doctor explaining your need for them. This includes over-the-counter medication.

Second, if you have a medical emergency while outside the USA, the State Department cannot pay to bring you home. Proper medical evacuation costs tens of thousands of dollars even from nations close to the USA. Beyond the border neither Congress nor the President can be of much help when natural disasters or political upheavals strike.

The third thing to keep in mind is that there are insurance plans that specifically cater to older travelers. Travelers with many different pre-existing conditions can be covered up to age 84. Now that’s great news.

With travel insurance you will get:

  1. A call-collect phone number that you can call 24/7
  2. Access to board certified medical personnel
  3. Medical evacuation, if you need it
  4. Reimbursement for travel delay, lost baggage, and health care costs

And you may be surprised to know that international travel insurance is rather inexpensive. Rates vary from $1.50 to $6.00 per day depending on age and benefits.

Travel Insurance from Good Neighbor Insurance is a simple and an inexpensive way to make sure you are covered for any medical emergencies.

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and he makes sure he always takes his Amex card AND international travel insurance policy. Visit Good Neighbor Insurance at www.gninsurance.com for your next overseas trip and get a FREE quote. Or call us at 480 813 9100.

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Posted in Senior travel |

Hallmark Channel Features Good Neighbor Insurance and Travel Insurance for Seniors

Thursday, May 27th, 2010

Good Neighbor Insurance has created a segment on travel insurance for seniors that will air on Hallmark June 1st at 7:30am (6:30am CST), with reruns airing on the Hallmark Movie Channel Thursday, June 3rd at 7:30am, Sunday, June 6th at 5:30am and Monday, June 7th at 5:30am. 

 Good Neighbor Insurance has specific travel insurance for seniors.  These plans include:

  • Medical Evacuation
  • Coverage for Pre-Existing Conditions
  • Trip Cancellation and Interruption
  • Baggage loss and dely
  • Emergency reunion visit by a family member should a senior be hospitalized overseas
  • Return of mortal remains

Heart attacks and accidents are the most common causes of overseas medical emergencies. If seniors have medical emergencies while outside the USA, the State Department cannot pay to bring them home. Domestic health insurance policies and premium credit card programs will not cover the high cost of medical evacuation, often costing more than $50,000. 

Boomers need to be aware of the fact that they will need medical evacuation insurance even for cruise-liners. You may view our Boomer travel options by going to www.gninsurance.com/boomer/ .

Medicare won’t cover most medical expenses outside the United States. Medicare Part D coverage for prescriptions also stops at our border. 

Active seniors engaging in extreme or contact sports will need to purchase a sports rider.  Rock climbing, hot air balloons, kayaking, surfing and many other sports will need the additional coverage that a sports rider gives.

While insurance won’t prevent accidents from happening, it will ease financial and emotional burdens placed on seniors and their families. Help is just a collect phone call away, no matter what time of day or day of week. Access to board certified medical personnel and language translation services – along with a whole host of concierge services – is available at all times.

 

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Posted in Good Neighbor Insurance |

International Travel Insurance that Covers Pre-Existing Conditions for The Over-65 Traveler

Friday, April 30th, 2010

Recently I spoke with a 76 year old woman who had been to Uganda.  She purchased the same travel plan as her children and grandchildren. Unfortunately, this plan did not cover her pre-existing conditions. She was unaware that such a plan was available.

Some insurance companies offer plans that are specifically tailored for the older traveler.

Domestic health insurance policies – including Medicare – won’t cover you once you fly internationally. You will need extra insurance for your overseas travel. Most short term travel plans include coverage for an “acute onset of a pre-existing condition.” Companies define an acute onset of a pre-existing condition as a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of a pre-existing condition which occurs spontaneously without advance warning. An acute onset of a pre-existing condition is usually covered if you meet some or all of the following requirements, such as, not traveling against or in disregard of the recommendations of your physician, not traveling with the intent to seek treatment for the pre-existing condition and your pre-existing conditions has been stabilized for thirty days or more before your departure date.

Good Neighbor Insurance Inc, www.gninsurance.com,  represents 10 major international carriers.  We can help you select from a variety of excellent benefits indicated on the chart below. Please notice the age limits for each plan.

  Excursion Voyager  Trip Protector Liaison Majestic
Medical Coverage Yes Yes Yes Yes
Medical Evacuation Yes Yes Yes Yes
Coverage Must Originate in the USA Yes Yes Yes  
Covers All Pre-Existing Conditions Yes   Yes  
Limited Pre-Ex Condition Coverage   Yes    
Coverage for Travel in USA     Yes Yes
Terrorism Coverage Yes Yes Yes Yes
Ambulance Service Yes Yes Yes Yes
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Yes Yes Yes Yes
Repatriation of Remains Yes Yes Yes  Yes
Trip Cancellation Option      Yes  
Trip Interruption     Yes  Yes
Baggage and Personal Effects Yes Yes  Yes Yes
Unlimited Number of Trips per Year  Yes  Yes  Yes Yes 
Must Have ‘Primary Health Plan Yes   Yes  
Trip Duration (no longer than) 6 months 6 months 180 days 12 months
Age Limit 84 74 84 80+

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he always takes his Amex card AND international travel insurance. Visit Good Neighbor Insurance at www.overseashealthinsurance.com/short-term.asp  for your next overseas trip health coverage and get a FREE quote or call one of our agents at 480-813-9100.

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Posted in Over 65 |

Understanding Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Friday, April 23rd, 2010

Don’t we all have some pre-existing condition?  To quote from an unknown author, “No one is perfect…that’s why pencils have erasers.“

So what is a pre-existing condition?  Imagine you contact your car insurance agent on a Monday morning to tell him you want to take out car insurance to pay car repairs. The car is now in the garage being fixed because of a small accident you had over the weekend.  Your agent tells you that he would be glad to sign you up for insurance to cover all future accidents–after the vehicle is totally fixed and drivable.  Even car insurance companies look at pre-existing conditions as a huge concern.  Why?  Simply put–we all “follow the money.”  If insurance companies would cover all pre-existing conditions, then we would not purchase car insurance, homeowners insurance, life insurance, health insurance, or any other type of insurance until we “needed it.”  By the time of our accident, it is too late to purchase insurance.  

Here are two great definitions of insurance: 

(1) “A contract whereby an insurer promises to pay the insured a sum of money or some other benefit upon the happening of one or more uncertain events in exchange for the payment of a premium. There must be uncertainty as to whether the relevant event(s) may happen at all or, if they will occur (e.g., death) as to their timing.” (2) “A system to protect persons, groups, or businesses against the risks of financial loss by transferring the risks to a large group who agree to share the financial losses in exchange for premium payments.”

So who classifies whether or not we have a pre-existing condition?   Easy–medical doctors!  Every time your medical doctor writes information on our medical chart–that becomes “gospel,” and only that doctor or another doctor can change it.  So it is vital to get copies of all your medical information when you visit your doctor.  You need to read over them and filed away for future needs.   If you have taken prescriptions for medical issues, than those medical issues can also be classified as pre-existing conditions.

Additional thoughts on how to keep pre-existing issues at a minimum when purchasing health insurance:  

(1) Buy group insurance through your employer, because most of the time pre-existing conditions are not an issue; hence group insurance is more expensive. 
(2) Purchase a strong “top of the line” individual insurance plan.  Good insurance companies will have solid plans where you will not need to be changing every year or so for another plan.  It is important to stick with one insurance plan for five to six years, and then research other options to see if you can find a better plan for a lower premium.
(3) As an insurance agent/broker, www.gninsurance.com, we hope that our government will eradicate pre-existing conditions on all individual and group health insurance plans.  Yes, we realize the premiums will increase a bit because of this; but if we force everyone to have health insurance, than it can help keep health insurance premiums lower.   The more people insured means the risk is shared across the board– which helps keep the premiums lower. 

So the good news is that we have choices to choose from which will fit our individual needs.  So to keep pre-existing insurance issues at bay, purchase a good solid insurance plan before medical problems happen to you. 

 Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and makes sure he always takes his Amex card AND international travel insurance policy. Visit Good Neighbor Insurance at www.overseashealthinsurance.com/short-term.asp  for your next overseas trip health coverage and get a FREE quote or call one of our agents at 480-633-9500.

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Posted in General information |

Americans Travel Overseas to Cut Medical Costs

Monday, March 22nd, 2010

More Americans travel overseas for healtcare needsThe popularity of  medical tourism is increasing exponentially as people seek lower prices for medical procedures. Increasing insurance premiums coupled with decreasing employer based insurance, means that more Americans are looking outside the United States for healthcare needs. In 2010 the number of Americans leaving the country for medical treatment is projected to reach six million – a 700% jump since 2007 according to Deloitte research.

What is out there? In addition to recommendations from family and friends, people desiring overseas medical treatment can now go to the Medical Tourism Association (MTA) to figure out which hospitals to work with, what legal issues they will have to overcome in aftercare and to find a partner who will help put it all together. MTA recently created a certification program specifically to educate the US insurance industry.

Survey (2009 numbers):

What type of procedure did you travel for?  Spine: 2% Cosmetic: 12% Orthopedic: 22% Weight Loss: 31% Other: 33%

Did you have health insurance when you traveled for care? Yes: 41.5% No 58.5%

Would you recommend international medical travel? Yes: 92.7% Maybe: 7.3% No: 0%

Procedure surgery cost based in US dollars:

Heart bypass: US 130k / India 9.3k / Thailand 11k / Singapore 16.5k / Costa Rica 24k / South Korea 34.2k / New Zealand 31k

Heart-valve replacement: US 160k / India 9k / Thailand 10k / Singapore 12.5k / Costa Rica 15k / South Korea 29.5k / New Zealand 29k Hysterectomy: US 20k / India 6k / Thailand 4.5k / Singapore 6k / Costa Rica 4k / South Korea 12.7k / New Zealand 9.9k

Knee replacement: US 40k / India 8.5k / Thailand 10k / Singapore 11k / Costa Rica 11.1k / South Korea 24k / New Zealand 15k

Here are things to consider before leaving the US for surgery:

• Consult your local physician about your plans • Check the foreign hospital’s accreditations • Research the doctor treating you • Review hospital data • Avoid communication barriers • Use a medical-tourism company • Travel with a companion • Do not rush it

Where to learn more:

• Visit Good Neighbor Insurance at www.gninsurance.com/travel-A/international_travel_insurance.asp  for travel or long term career plans for evacuation and health care plans that will cover any non-pre-existing medical conditions while you are overseas.

• American Medical Association: This agency released guidelines on medical travel last year (2008).

• Medical Tourism Association: This non-profit organization vets medical tourism companies, offers tips for patients, works with internationally based hospitals, and monitors industry trends at www.medicaltourismassociation.com .

• Joint Commission International: The independent agency has accredited and certified health-care organizations in 33 countries, using US standards of care at www.jointcommissioninternational.org .

Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas and he makes sure he always takes his Amex card AND international travel insurance.  Visit Good Neighbor Insurance at www.gninsurance.com  for your next overseas trip and get a FREE quote.

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Posted in Why is it important? |

Going Back to Basics to Understand What “Insurance” Means

Monday, February 15th, 2010

I had the privilege of taking a week long workshop on “sharpening your interpersonal skills” like listening, drawing people out, living in community, building personal trust, and many other areas.  There were lots of thoughts and ideas that were elementary but it was wonderful to look at it again, especially at the young age of 42.  There were also new ideas and thoughts I learned that I never heard, such as “people are the destination.” 

Now what does understanding health insurance have to do with what I learned this past week?  Plenty for sure but that would take a few more pages.  What we need to do at times is go back to basics and understand what  “insurance” really means.   I like the definition Lloyd’s of London has created:

 “A contract whereby an insurer promises to pay the insured a sum of money or some other benefit upon the happening of one or more uncertain events in exchange for the payment of a premium. There must be uncertainty as to whether the relevant event(s) may happen at all or, if they will occur (eg death) as to their timing.”  

You may be surprised to know our office , www.gninsurance.com, receives at least one phone call a week and at least two emails per week asking to purchase health insurance since they realized they currently have a medical issue where they need to see a medical facility as of now and some as of yesterday!  They didn’t plan for those “uncertain events” that Lloyds mentions, and so they were not prepared financially when they did happen.

There are times I wish I could predict the future but if I could I sure would not be writing this article and instead would be scuba diving the wreck at Tulamben , north coast of Bali, with laptop in hand emailing you my paypal account making you and I very happy indeed.  But alas, we will have to just open up those fortune cookies at our favorite Asian restaurant for our “possible” future fortunes.

Another thing to consider as we go back to basics on understanding insurance is that we all help pay for each other’s care if and when that may happen in the future.   So yes, we can call each of us the good Samaritan.  I gather many have not thought about this but purchasing insurance on yourself is actually making others who have your type of insurance very happy.  We can throw the six degrees of separation out the window because your insurance premium is actually helping the next person that is grouped in your policy portfolio.  Wow, talk about being able to “touch someone” and help them smile.  So when you are paying that monthly premium, which at times I do with a heavy sigh, realize that part of your hard earned income is helping pay for someone’s unfortunate medical concerns.  Now if that doesn’t bring a smile to your face just grab another fortune cookie!

Well, I feel we have gone back to basics enough for today talking about insurance.  If you want more, please feel free to email me. But in case you do not get a quick reply it is because my fortune cookie told me today that in 2 days I will be diving Tulamben. So, adios friends, I am heading to Phoenix Sky Harbor airport for some fun diving in Bali! Doug Gulleson loves to scuba dive overseas. He makes sure he always takes his credit card AND international travel insurance. Visit Good Neighbor Insurance at www.gninsurance.com/travel-A/international_travel_insurance.asp  for your next overseas trip and get a FREE quote.

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Posted in What is insurance? |

Trusting your credit card travel coverage over an overseas health insurance policy is like trusting a canoe to get you to the Cayman Islands.

Monday, January 18th, 2010

The big question is what kind of coverage is provided on your credit card.  Some offer basic assistance benefits, while others will build in a medical evacuation program.  Remember–the devil is always in the details!

Here are questions to ask about your travel insurance coverage on your credit card:

1.         What are the details?  Always read the fine print.  Remember: The big print giveth and the small print taketh away!

2.         Who do I contact if I get sick or injured and need coverage?  The last thing you want when you are in need of medical care and/or evacuation is a voice message. You urgently need to speak to a live person who specializes in your concerns, not someone in the company who only knows how to cancel stolen credit cards.

3.         Do I know how much coverage I will need?  This is vital since credit card companies are not in the international health insurance business. Using a well-known international health insurance brokerage firm that specializes in overseas health insurance plans will give you much needed peace of mind.

4.         Who pays for my health-care bills?  Does your credit card company take care of your bills upfront, or do you have to put your bills on your credit card and get reimbursed later.

5.         Will I get reimbursed if I have to pay upfront for my medical care?  Remember, the overseas medical staff is not going to wait until your credit card company pays.  The evacuation team and the medical staff overseas want their money when service is rendered!

6.         Will my credit card company provide me with the best hospitals and doctors for my medical needs, or will I go to the “general” population hospital that may not be “A” rated?  By going with one of our short-term travel plans you will be routed to the best hospitals/medical facilities available.  One international insurance company we work with bypassed a hospital in inland China and evacuated a patient to Bangkok, Thailand so they could get the right medical care for his injuries. They did this in spite of the extra cost to themselves, the insurance company.  Would your credit card company do this for you?

7.         Will I pay a deductible on my credit card benefits?  We have plans that have no deductibles and some with deductibles.  Our evacuation plans have no deductible or co-pays.

8.         Will my pre-existing medical conditions be covered? Our Excursion and Trip Protector plans cover pre-existing conditions.  You can see these plans at  www.overseashealthinsurance.com  .   Most other plans we carry provide some coverage for pre-existing conditions. 

9.         Will my credit card coverage bring my mortal remains back to the USA and pay for the red tape and government paperwork?  Our international health plans do this without a penny out of your loved one’s pocket.

Most credit card companies, even when they offer it, offer limited medical care and evacuation coverage like medical evacuation which is often capped at $20,000 or less, and medical care is capped at $10,000.  On average medical evacuation costs from Brazil to the Mayo Clinic in Florida is around $26,000, and this is not for a major emergency. Another client in 2009 was evacuated from Algeria to Italy for a cost of $82,000.   Medical evacuation may not always be this expensive, but we see very few evacuations that are below $20,000.   

Peace of mind is what you are purchasing when you purchase a travel plan from a brokerage that specializes in overseas health travel insurance and we do that here at Good Neighbor Insurance.  Would you buy a pair of flip-flops to run a 10k marathon?   Of course not!  What you want is the right amount and right type of travel insurance coverage. The last thing you want to worry about is how you are going to pay your medical bills while you are fighting to recover your health.

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Posted in Why insurance? |

What is a Pre-Existing Condition and Will My Health Insurance Cover It?

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

 Would an insurance company consider a roller skating accident when you were 3 years old a
pre-existing condition?

Probably not. But you never know.  

A pre-existing condition is:  Any injury or sickness that manifested itself prior to the effective date of insurance coverage – regardless of whether you received medical attention for it or not.

Alot of us are perplexed because health insurance companies won’t cover pre-existing conditions. Companies know that if they cover all pre-existing conditions they won’t be in business long. Insuring a person with a pre-existing condition is like insuring a burning building.  Of course no one wants to be compared to a burning building, but we get the picture. You insure a burning building, you are losing money; you insure a person with serious pre-existing conditions, you are losing money.

What you need to know is that different companies put a time limit on what is considered a pre-existing condition. Sometimes a condition can go back to your childhood. One insurance company gives a five-year look-back as the time span for determining a pre-existing condition. Others state time limits at 6 months, 12 months, 24 months, 60 months, etc. 

Lesson:  check with your insurance company on their time limits.

Call Good Neighbor Insurance for your international health and travel insurance  needs.

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Posted in Insurance lingo |

Waivers and Riders – What are those?

Wednesday, September 23rd, 2009

Let’s say you are a 23 year old female who wants to get health insurance.  At age 20 you played soccer for your university and you busted your knee. A health insurance company will take special notice of that.  Your knee is considered a pre-existing condition.  And that’s not good news for you.

A waiver or rider is an insurance company’s method of excluding certain pre-existing conditions from health coverage.

So, what are you going to do?

Here are options:

1. Accept a “waiver’ or “rider” (same idea) for the knee.  You will be insured for everything else except your knee.

2. Get “capped coverage.”  In this situation the company does not cover the pre-existing condition for the first 24 months, and then limits coverage for the condition to $5,000 a year for the next ten years. This is better than no coverage at all for your knee.

3. Which brings us to the best option, in my opinion.  Accept a temporary rider. Often a company will remove a rider after 24 months if you have had no recurring problems with your knee.  Overall, a rider is preferable to capped coverage if there is a possibility the rider can be lifted at a later date.

Good Neighbor Insurance – covering International Health and Travel Insurance

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Posted in Insurance lingo |