Travel Insurance and Medical Cover
At InsureandGo, we know how crucial the right medical cover can be. But trying to understand how medical cover works with your travel insurance policy can take a little time.
Travel insurance is crucial in making sure that you stay relaxed and worry-free during those fun holiday times. Here’s why:
Getting Medical Cover From Your Travel Insurance
If you become ill or injured while overseas, medical insurance can pay for some or all of the costs that accumulate when you receive medical treatment. Treatment can be provided to you either by a general practitioner or in a hospital or clinic.
Having the right medical cover as part of your travel insurance policy means that you can claim back the costs of your medical treatment up to your maximum cover amount.
Why Is Medical Cover So Important?
The costs of being treated for an illness or injury overseas can be substantial. The Australian Government, via www.smartraveller.gov.au, recommends that all Australians purchase travel insurance and medical cover whenever they travel internationally.
Keep in mind that both Medicare and your private health insurance may not cover any medical costs incurred outside of Australia.
Deciding What Medical Cover You Need
The medical cover you will need for your trip will depend on your personal health, what type of holiday you are planning and how much safety and care you want your insurance to provide.
It is generally beneficial to consider whether you need cover for:
- General medical treatments and surgical treatments
- Hospital treatments and cash benefits
- Ambulance expenses and other emergency medical expenses
- Repatriation or medical evacuation
- Pregnancy or childbirth complications
- Compensation for severe injury or death
- Accommodation and/or travel expenses if you cannot travel home for medical reasons or if you require someone to stay/travel with you due to medical necessity
Understanding Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Pre-existing medical conditions are conditions that you have or have had in the past few years. Some pre-existing medical conditions can preclude you from obtaining reimbursement for costs related to that condition while you are travelling.
If you do have a pre-existing medical condition, try searching for a provider who is open to assessing all conditions or who offers competitive premiums for covering your condition.
Making a Medical Travel Insurance Claim
Claims processes will differ slightly from provider to provider. In general, however, you will need to provide documentation when making your claim. This can include:
- Medical certificates or statements outlining the treatment you received overseas and the costs involved
- Receipts to prove you have paid for the treatment
- Medical certificates for any pre-existing conditions you have
Medical Cover & Exclusions
There are some circumstances when you won’t be protected by your travel insurance medical cover. While you can still be treated for these incidents overseas, you usually won’t be able to claim back the costs of these treatments or services via your travel insurance. Some common examples can include:
- Search and rescue assistance
- Private hospital rooms (unless medically necessary)
- Any treatments you need due to an attempted suicide or an act of deliberate self harm
- Any treatments you received that were not immediately and medically necessary
- Pregnancy or childbirth treatments, unless due to a diagnosed complication
- Any treatments you receive after a doctor has deemed you are fit to travel or return home
Always make sure you read your Product Disclosure Statement and gain an understanding of what is excluded from your medical cover.