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What Pregnant Women Should Know About Travel Health Insurance

What Pregnant Women Should Know About Travel Health Insurance Featured Image

It is a common and safe practice for women to travel during pregnancy, depending on where their stage of pregnancy and the state of their overall health. For many, as soon as they get the doctor’s OK, they start packing their bags. This can be a welcome get away for those expecting, but without proper planning, your vacation can end up costing a lot more than airfare.

More common than you think 

For one pregnant woman, having her baby prematurely in a foreign country turned into an economic nightmare. A Saskatchewan woman prematurely gave birth to her daughter while on vacation, resulting in a $950,000 hospital bill. Jennifer Huculak-Kimmel was six months pregnant when she went into labor while on vacation in Hawaii. She spent six weeks in the hospital before her daughter was born, and her travel insurance provider refused to pay the bill on the grounds of a “pre-existing condition.”

Carefully read your policy

The so-called “Million Dollar Baby” case had insurance providers and lawyers strongly emphasizing the need for people to better understand the fine print in their insurance policies. In addition, even if the medical costs of the mother are covered, many insurance policies do not cover the costs of caring for the newborn. This could prove a very important policy detail if you are traveling to the U.S.

Do your research

Policy stipulations, such as pre-existing conditions or requirements that a patient be “medically stable” during the 90 days leading up to departure, can be confusing. It may be wise to ask your insurer for a print-out of all exclusions including pre-existing conditions. Discuss this list with your doctor to determine if you are at risk of incurring ineligible expenses. Ask questions about your health insurance policy, and get the details in writing.

Many visitors to the U.S. turn to health insurance for non U.S. citizens. These insurance plans, specifically for travelers, can help fill the gaps left by your tradition health insurance, so you can travel abroad without financial worry. At Insurance Services of America, we make health insurance for foreign nationals as easy as ready, set, renew. Call (800) 647-4589 or 01 (480) 821-9052 to learn more.

Categories: Blog