Question 1

Do foreign hospitals really refuse to admit patients if they don't have cash or a plan that will guarantee in advance to pay?

Accepted Answer

Unfortunately, that situation is not uncommon. Here in the U.S., where most our healthcare is financed by private insurance, people can receive medical treatment and admission to a hospital by presenting their health plan ID card. In other countries, where healthcare is generally provided under state-financed or state-provided health systems, that is not the case. Their financial infrastructure is not set up to provide care and then send a bill to a third-party to pay the costs after-the-fact. That is why it is common for foreign hospitals to require an up-front payment &ndash; often ten thousand dollars or more &ndash; or a "guarantee of payment" from a travel insurance provider they are familiar with, like Nationwide. You do not want treatment delayed or denied because you are having difficulty quickly coming up with the cash or sufficient credit balances on your credit cards.

Question 2

Won't my regular health plan cover me outside the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

It is highly unlikely that your regular medical plan will know the best place to get treatment in your foreign location; pay a hospital in advance if necessary to assure your admission or treatment; immediately speak with your treating doctor in his/her language to assess your condition, your treatment plans, and their ability to provide appropriate care; pay tens (or even hundreds) of thousands of dollars to evacuate you to a higher level of care if you cannot receive adequate care where you are; accept medical records in a foreign language or pay claims in foreign currencies; be available 24/7 to receive calls to assist you and advocate for you in any language. Most people need emergency travel assistance and evacuation services, and Travel Medical insurance, to get proper protection; even if they have great health coverage here in the U.S.

Question 3

I have Medicare. Does Medicare cover me when I am outside the country?

Accepted Answer

Medicare does not cover medical expenses incurred while traveling abroad except in rare circumstances. (Medicare may cover you if you're in the U.S., but the closest hospital is across the border, or if you have a medical emergency while traveling through Canada between Alaska and another state).

Question 4

I have a Medicare Supplement in addition to Medicare, Does that cover me when I am outside the U.S.?

Accepted Answer

Only some Medicare Supplement plans cover emergency health care provided in a foreign country. For those that do, the coverage: (1) is limited to 80% of $50,000 after you pay either a $250 or $2,000 deductible, (2) does not apply for emergencies after you have been on a trip for 60 or more days, and (3) does not provide any coverage at all for emergency medical evacuations.

Question 5

Can the U.S. government asssist me if I become disabled overseas?

Accepted Answer

The government does not take financial responsibility to cover the costs of Americans that become ill or that are seriously injured abroad. While a consular officer can assist in the transfer of funds from the United States, payment of emergency services including evacuation, repatriation, hospitalization and other expenses is the responsibility of the traveler.

Question 6

What is the role of the assistance company and how do they help me?

Accepted Answer

The assistance company is a 24/7 multilingual service available to assist you when you are traveling internationality. They have the expertise and resources to help you when you are faced with travel, medical, legal, personal security and other emergencies or concerns when traveling internationally, regardless of the severity. You simply call a toll-free phone number from within the country (or you can call them collect from anywhere in the world), and they will assist you.

Question 7

What happens in the event I need to be hospitalized?

Accepted Answer

It is important that the assistance company is notified as soon as possible. They will monitor your care and work through the complex details of foreign hospitalizations. They will immediately speak with your treating doctor to assess your condition, your treatment plans, and whether or not an evacuation is necessary. They will update your family, employer and personal physician as appropriate. In addition, they will coordinate all insurance verifications and admission details.

Question 8

How does the assistance company help me get admitted to hospital?

Accepted Answer

The assistance company can direct you to the hospital in your locale that is most capable in getting you treatment. If you elected to purchase the TravelCare Travel Medical Insurance, they will coordinate all Nationwide insurance verifications and billing, including making advance payment arrangements with the hospital, like issuing a "guarantee of payment" on behalf of Nationwide. This ensures that there is no delay or denial of medical treatment because you are unable to make the up-front payment or because your regular insurance is not recognized. The assistance company will settle any guarantees of payment with the hospital on Nationwide's behalf.

Question 9

What if the local hospitals are not capable of providing treatment?

Accepted Answer

The assistance company has expertise in knowing the capabilities of international hospitals and clinics. That information, in conjunction with their assessment of the treating physician's diagnosis and treatment plans, will enable the assistance company's physicians to make an evaluation of whether the local hospital is capable of providing you the treatment you need. If the assistance company's doctors are of the opinion that you cannot receive appropriate care there, they will make arrangements to have you evacuated to either: (1) the nearest hospital where adequate treatment can be obtained or (2) to a hospital of your choice near your home in the U.S. to obtain further treatment or recover (or both). The assistance company will consult with all parties involved and fully manage all logistics of the evacuation.

Question 10

What if I have a security problem?

Accepted Answer

In the event of a security situation, you can call the assistance company for help at any time. Additionally, if the situation is deemed to require Non-medical Emergency Evacuation, you are covered up to $100,000.

Question 11

What if I have a general travel related problem?

Accepted Answer

You can call the assistance company for help at any time. They will assist you with lost or stolen passports, legal referrals, translation services, emergency transfers of funds and a variety of other travel related issues.

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