Is travel medical insurance better than regular health insurance?

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Travel medical insurance vs. regular health insurance is a tough decision to make and the more you look into it, the more questions you'll have.

Travel medical policies offer coverage only when travelers are out of their own country and in another one. This means that if an emergency arises while they're back home, they may not be covered since they're technically still within their own country. Additionally, many plans do not cover preexisting conditions or will exclude coverage for any existing illnesses like diabetes or heart disease. Because of these differences, traveling medical insurance is only recommended for travelers who will be traveling outside their country for at least three months.

Health insurance on the other hand , is more commonly known as a "regular" medical insurance plan. This type of plan covers any medical and hospital expenses incurred while the travelers are still in their home country. The costs for doctors and hospitals are covered by the insurance company so there is no extra cost to the traveler to use these services.

While both types of plans can provide similar benefits, travel medical insurances usually have some limitations that affect their coverage, compared with regular health insurances:


Also called an ambulance or medevac policy, this type of insurance provides coverage for a broad spectrum of treatment such as emergency room visits, surgical procedures, hospitalizations and other care provided in a health care facility.

Many people who have traveled outside the U.S. have experienced the chaos that comes with not carrying travel insurance. After all, when you plan a trip across an ocean or across multiple countries, you want to be sure that you'll have access to medical care should something unexpected occur. In the case that something does occur, travel medical insurance can help you find a local clinic or hospital that will offer decent care and help you find quick non-emergency transport to a hospital.

Should you need to get in touch with a specialist while traveling, your travel insurance may cover the visit as long as their office is located in their local region. If they're located in another country, all the better! After all, you'll be getting seen by one of the best medical specialists without having to worry about finding transportation to their office. Moreover, even if your doctor practices locally, many of these plans will cover an emergency flight home so that you can receive specialized treatment or surgery.
 
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