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From: Lisa (no email)
Date: Sat Nov 29 2003 - 20:29:18 EST
I've had an opportunity to research a few of the
insurance carriers listed online, for
travellers/cruisers.
The first thing one must know is that the variables
are endless. Meaning, what applies to me and my
needs, may be vastly different from yours, and then we
must consider how much of a deductible you wish to
pay, your age, etc etc. Many factors to consider.
However, after reviewing several different carriers,
you begin to see a common thread of what they will
cover and what they will not.
I am going to list here, some of the things that are
NOT covered. This isn't all thats not included, just
some of the items.
1.) Any pre-existing injury or physical defect, any
chronic or recurring illnesses which existed and /or
prior to the date of entry to insurance coverage.
(in other words...if theres any history anywhere, that
you had this medical problem before, in the last 5
years, they won't cover it when it reoccurs now,
under their policy)
2) No elective surgery or procedures.
(meaning...they won't cover any plastic surgery or
anything "non life threatning")
3) No injuries due to war or protests.
(self explanatory)
4) No immunizations or physical exams
5) No coverage for any veneral diseases or AIDS, or
for the testing or treatment thereof.
6) No coverage for pregnancies, childbirth,
birthcontrol, nor treatments of infertility or
impotence.
7) No coverage for injuries which are sustained while
participating in any ameateur or professional sports
which are sanctioned.
8) No visual or hearing tests and no provisions of
visual or hearing aids
9) No coverage for any injuries sustained while under
the influence of or disablement of drugs or alcohol.
10) No coverage for treatment of mental or nervous
disorders.
11) No coverage for organ or tissue transplants.
Emergency treatment is paid based on what the
insurance company consider "usual and customary
charges only". Which means, lets say you are in a
foreign country, and need medical attention. You
visit an emergency room, see an emergency doc. They
charge you their fee. You then assume the insurance
carrier is going to pay the amount charged, but not
necesarily so. If the insurance provider deems the
fees billed, too exorbitant, then they will only
reimburse the care providers, what they feel is
"reasonable", at which time the medical provider will
turn around and bill you for the unpaid amount.
Always use caution when you see that phrasing..."usual
and customary"...which always means in translation
that they will pay ONLY whatever amount they see fit
to pay. You are left to pay the balance. This
applies not only to travel insurance providers, but
applies to most all HMO providers in the US today.
Basically, most seemed pretty good about emergency
visits and also about transporting back to your native
country in the event that was deemed medically
necessary.
Most offered a wide range of deductible amounts.
Naturally, the lower the deductible amount you choose,
the higher the premium amount will be. Insurance
premium amounts vary too of course based on many
factors such as age, gender, past medical history etc,
but generally seem to run $1,500.00 to $2,500.00...per
12 month period. Very rough estimate mind you.
Dental and vision policies may be purchased
seperately by some of the insurance providers that
were reviewed.
You can go to the online sites and fill out the
questioniare, and based on the info you provide as an
individual, can get a free quote on what your premium
amount will be. But again...make it a point to read
the policy and make sure you're getting what you're
paying for, so you have no surprises in a crisis
situation.
While you're at it, I would strongly advise everyone
to really read the insurance policy that your company
has provided for you, its extremely naive to think
that your best interests are being monitored by the
company you work for. I assure you, they are not.
Insurance companies in the US today are the strongest
lobbying force (along with the Pharmaceutical
companys) in the country today. Which means that
insurance companies today, dictate your medical care,
not your doctor.
Mmmmm....I think I'll stuff my $$ under my mattress
and save for a rainy day...just in case I want to
chose my own medical and health destiny.
Otherwise...it'll be some high school clerk at a desk
for the insurance company, that decides your fate,
what treatments you will receive and which, you will
not.
Pretty darn scarey I think!~
But I digress!
In any case, I hope that answered at least some of
your questions, sorry to have rambled on as I did.
Ocean_dancer2001~
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