Travellers shouldn't confuse health insurance with travel insurance. The former is a coverage policy with varying charges for monthly premiums and deductibles for home and abroad. On the other hand, the latter offers financial protection from possible incidents that may happen during a trip. These events may include travel delays and cancellations, lost luggage, or items stolen. Health insurance primarily focuses on the health of the traveller.
Continue reading to know the four benefits of health insurance plans when travelling.

1. Lower Healthcare Costs

Accidents can take place anywhere. You might see yourself walking along the beautiful trails of Booderee National Park when you trip and fall. Otherwise, you might see yourself backpacking in Mexico City when a deranged driver injures you.

With that in mind, never underestimate health insurance policies for travellers. However, healthcare costs may differ in various locations around the globe. Also, you might not get full coverage from your existing healthcare plan when you visit places outside of your country.

Despite the lower coverage, you might still have the chance to lessen health and medical costs while you're travelling to other places. Your insurance company may help cover the fees for:

1. Hospital admissions
2. Surgeries
3. Outpatient care
4. Ambulance services
5. Emergency medical treatments
6. Prescription medicines
7. Immediate medical evaluations (for chronic illnesses)

Remember, only get health insurance from a reliable provider. Also, consider getting a policy from a company with many affiliates found at your destination.

2. Emergency Evacuation Insurance

Specific health insurance firms may also have coverage for emergency evacuation. This feature allows policyholders or other registered individuals to avoid significant charges when you need to go to another location for medical assistance. For example, if you suffer from a heart attack abroad, your condition may require transportation to another area with better medical equipment.

A medical emergency like that scenario may have costs averaging six-figure prices. Albeit hospitals and medical facilities exist that may cater to several emergency conditions, you can never be too careful when disaster strikes. Many health insurance firms may pay customary hospital costs. However, it's still best to ask your insurance provider if they have emergency evacuation coverage.

Furthermore, this coverage may also cover the high costs of sending a patient back home on a commercial flight with a rescue nurse and medical equipment onboard. These charges may add up to the expenses paid to call for an air ambulance. Search for this protection if you or a family member is travelling with you who may be prone to medical emergencies.

3. Easy Payment Systems

Health insurance companies that have affiliates in other countries may accept different payment conditions for specific medical treatment. For example, if direct billing isn't available for the medical facility, the establishment may receive a guarantee from your insurance firm. Then, the clinic or hospital from your current location will file the claim directly to your insurance company.

Thus, it reduces the need to go back-and-forth to file documents or pay extra charges for the services rendered. Furthermore, the affiliated medical facility may not even ask for an agreement from the insurance company. However, you need to show proof that you have coverage coming from your insurance provider like an ID card.

Also, note that cases exist wherein the doctor or medical facility doesn't have a direct billing arrangement with your health insurance provider. You can still receive treatment, but you need to file a claim form with verification from the doctor or hospital to state the amount for the reimbursement.

4. Peace of Mind

Last, travellers can gain peace of mind knowing that a reduction of health and medical costs from treatments is possible with the right health insurance plan. Of course, knowing the right time to travel is still crucial to help reduce medical fees.

Ask your local physician first if it's the right time for you to leave the country. Otherwise, your doctor may require you to take more tests or let you stay in your home country for a more extended period. In doing so, you lessen the risk of medical emergencies happening during your travels.

If you're travelling for rest, you'll find it advantageous to know that you won't have to pay a lot in out-of-pocket expenses when health-related emergencies arise. If you're travelling for the long-term (which might include plans for residency), your health insurance plan may help you cover for various medical expenses.

Whether you plan to eat gluten free pizza in Oaxaca, Mexico, or hiking on the trails of the Blue Mountains in Katoomba, make sure you have a good health insurance plan set. Never underestimate the importance of good health coverage when you travel.