If you are traveling outside of your home country, you will need to purchase international medical insurance. Few Americans realize that most countries take your passport when you check into a hospital. The passport is returned when the balance has been paid. Think that is scary? Many facilities even require a daily cash payment to stay in the facility!
Imagine this, your in Mexico, or Africa, or Asia and you are on vacation and you become ill or are injured.
Who do you call? Call 911? NOPE!
Call your US insurance company? NOPE they have no responsibility to cover you outside of the US. They will tell you to keep your bills and to turn in a claim when you get back!
Call your international health insurance company? YES
Once you call the international health insurance company they will take over and submit a guarantee of payment (GOP) form. This is an international form that is widely accepted. The form confirms that the insurance company will pay for the coverage being received.
The United States federal website even says:
Whether your insurance is valid overseas or not, you most likely will be required to pay for care as you receive it. Consider purchasing a short-term international policy. Many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas including emergency services such as medical evacuations.
At EasyToInsureMe.com we have teamed up with International Medical Group (IMG) to offer policies through www.NextDay-TravelInsurance.com.
We strongly recommend purchasing a short term policy such as the Patriot Plan if you are traveling abroad.