Traveling Abroad? Beware: U.S. Health Care Ends At The Border
Plans for mission trips, pilgrimages and conferences are incomplete without international travel and medical insurance.
Houses of worship and nonprofit organizations have lengthy checklists when planning international trips:
☑ Tickets
☑ Passports
☑ Luggage
☑ Vaccinations
☑ Supplies
But whether it’s a pilgrimage, relief project or evangelism, one thing should be at the top of that ledger: international travel and medical insurance.
The “travel” part of insurance often gets our attention – although it may seem like a luxury. “That might be good if my flight is cancelled and I’m stuck in Timbuktu.” Travel insurance certainly has its value. But the medical part is what’s absolutely essential for people going international.
What’s at stake in an international health incident?
U.S.-based health insurance, whether private or public, ends at the border. And it’s a hard stop. Medicaid and Medicare have no international currency. If mission teams, youth groups or individuals encounter a medical emergency, they’ll have to self-pay unless they’ve purchased international medical insurance. This is not a temporary fix until your U.S. provider reimburses you. American health insurance is domestic. You’re going to be stuck with the entire bill.
Your life on the line?
Beyond the financial dilemma, your health and life could be in jeopardy. While many international destinations have excellent medical facilities, remote areas may only offer the most basic emergency care. They’ll try to keep you alive, and often that’s the best they can do.
The alternative
International medical insurance pays to transport patients to a facility where they can receive the care they need, even if that means flying to another country. Insurance also pays to transport relatives to the location where care is being given.
And it’s not only for trip-ending emergencies. Insurance helps you find care when you don’t know where to look. Suffering from a sinus infection in South Korea? Tendonitis in Thailand? Policies not only pay for medical services, but identify a network of healthcare providers ready to receive you.
Travel insurance
Beyond medical care, travel insurance can also be a parachute when plans get scrambled. It can help recover funds when:
A trip is cancelled by the airline
A flight is delayed, resulting in hardships
Political unrest makes it prudent to leave
You must cancel for personal reasons such as job loss, illness or family needs
Know what you’re getting
As with any type of insurance, there are many options and it’s important to understand what you’re buying (and not buying). Options range from bare-bones services to expansive offerings. Policies can be purchased for groups or individuals.
Ministry Pacific’s subsidiary, MP Global, offers travel and medical coverage through IMG Global.
Planning international trips, whether for yourself or a group, requires extensive preparation and expense. In the rush to get ready, don’t forget the “carry-on” that can make all the difference.