Travel insurance pre-existing conditions are one of the most important areas of concern for any travel insurance plan. Next to eligibility criteria, pre-existing medical conditions can dictate whether or not you have actual insurance coverage, should a medical emergency occur while on vacation.
While an individual may purchase travel medical insurance for peace of mind, they must remain cognizant of that fact that an insurance policy is a contract and has, by definition, conditions and clauses that may render the contract for insurance ineffective, or null and void. Pre-existing conditions are an example of such clauses, and therefore one should fully understand these prior purchasing the travel health insurance policy, and more importantly prior to travelling.
Pre-existing medical conditions attempt to address any medical condition that an insured had prior to travel, and therefore is not covered by the emergency nature of the travel insurance policy. If a medical condition is present or happen prior to travel - typically within 90 days to 365 days - and should an insured experience symptoms related to that same condition while on vacation, it is thought that such a condition existed prior to travel. Conditions that already exist, are not emergent nor unexpected, and therefore not covered by travel insurance that covers emergent medical conditions.
What should one look for in researching the differences between travel insurance policies and their respective pre-existing medical conditions? Well, one should read the entire policy as there are several definitions that may be found in other locations, not just is the Pre-Ex section. One definition in particular is that of Medical Treatment. Many different policies will actually describe Medical Treatment as taking medication of any kind, whether a condition for which you are taking the medication is stable or not. So if one has had a condition for several years, and has been on medication to control that condition, and the condition and medication has not changed within the prescribe time period, that condition and symptoms thereto are NOT COVERED.
A good example of this would be a person with high blood pressure is on medication for 5 years. The condition is stable and controlled with no changes in medication in the last 2 years. The insurance policy has a pre-existing clause that indicate no coverage for medical conditions where treatment has been receive in the last 180 days. The definition of Medical Treatment is as above, and considers taking the medication as treatment. Should this individual have a heart attack while on vacation, their expenses would not be covered on this basis.
Solution: find a reputable company that understands the risks of travelling with medical conditions, and that write insurance policies that actually cover insureds for such conditions, at reputable prices.The Canadian Snowbird Association has a good plan, that we've found to provide liberal pre-existing conditions and good coverage at good prices, and even better ones if you're a longer term client.
While an individual may purchase travel medical insurance for peace of mind, they must remain cognizant of that fact that an insurance policy is a contract and has, by definition, conditions and clauses that may render the contract for insurance ineffective, or null and void. Pre-existing conditions are an example of such clauses, and therefore one should fully understand these prior purchasing the travel health insurance policy, and more importantly prior to travelling.
Pre-existing medical conditions attempt to address any medical condition that an insured had prior to travel, and therefore is not covered by the emergency nature of the travel insurance policy. If a medical condition is present or happen prior to travel - typically within 90 days to 365 days - and should an insured experience symptoms related to that same condition while on vacation, it is thought that such a condition existed prior to travel. Conditions that already exist, are not emergent nor unexpected, and therefore not covered by travel insurance that covers emergent medical conditions.
What should one look for in researching the differences between travel insurance policies and their respective pre-existing medical conditions? Well, one should read the entire policy as there are several definitions that may be found in other locations, not just is the Pre-Ex section. One definition in particular is that of Medical Treatment. Many different policies will actually describe Medical Treatment as taking medication of any kind, whether a condition for which you are taking the medication is stable or not. So if one has had a condition for several years, and has been on medication to control that condition, and the condition and medication has not changed within the prescribe time period, that condition and symptoms thereto are NOT COVERED.
A good example of this would be a person with high blood pressure is on medication for 5 years. The condition is stable and controlled with no changes in medication in the last 2 years. The insurance policy has a pre-existing clause that indicate no coverage for medical conditions where treatment has been receive in the last 180 days. The definition of Medical Treatment is as above, and considers taking the medication as treatment. Should this individual have a heart attack while on vacation, their expenses would not be covered on this basis.
Solution: find a reputable company that understands the risks of travelling with medical conditions, and that write insurance policies that actually cover insureds for such conditions, at reputable prices.The Canadian Snowbird Association has a good plan, that we've found to provide liberal pre-existing conditions and good coverage at good prices, and even better ones if you're a longer term client.
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