
Travel insurance can be a lifesaver, especially if you have pre-existing medical conditions. Some conditions are automatically covered by most travel insurance policies, but others might require additional screening or even be excluded.
Certain conditions like diabetes, high blood pressure, and heart disease are relatively common and often covered by standard policies. However, conditions like epilepsy, multiple sclerosis, and cancer might require more detailed information and potentially higher premiums.
If you have a pre-existing condition, it's essential to disclose it to your insurance provider upfront. Failing to do so could result in your claim being denied.
Understanding Pre-Existing Conditions
Pre-existing conditions can be a major concern when it comes to travel insurance. To put it simply, a pre-existing condition is any medical condition that you already have, or have symptoms for, at the time of purchasing a travel insurance policy.
Most travel insurance companies consider you to have a pre-existing condition if you have a diagnosed illness or medical concern that has not been "stable" within a defined look-back period. This means that if you've had a change in your health documented in your medical record by a medical professional, you may be considered to have a pre-existing condition.
Pre-existing conditions can include any injury, illness, sickness, disease, or other physical, medical, mental or nervous condition, disorder or ailment that existed at the time of application or at any time prior to the effective date of the insurance policy. This includes any subsequent, chronic or recurring complications or consequences related thereto or arising therefrom.
Here are some examples of pre-existing conditions that may be excluded from coverage:
- Pregnancy
- Cancer
- Dialysis
- Eye sickness/cataracts
It's essential to review the policy wording to see the complete list of exclusions per plan. Some travel insurance plans may offer acute onset of a pre-existing condition benefit, which provides coverage in case of a pre-existing condition causing a different medical emergency.
What Are Conditions?
A pre-existing medical condition for travel insurance is any medical condition that you already have, or have symptoms for. This can include anything from a minor illness to a chronic condition.
Most travel insurance companies consider you to have a pre-existing condition if you have a diagnosed illness or medical concern that has not been "stable" within a defined look-back period. This means that the condition has not changed or worsened in any way.
A pre-existing condition can be anything that you've seen a doctor or dentist for in the 12 months prior to purchasing your policy. This includes any condition for which you've undergone surgery in the past 12 months.
Some conditions are considered pre-existing regardless of when they were diagnosed. These include heart conditions, brain conditions, lung and respiratory system conditions, kidney conditions, physical or mental disabilities, recurring illnesses, conditions involving the neck or back, cancer, and reduced or deficient immune systems.
Here are some examples of pre-existing conditions:
- Heart conditions, including cardiovascular or coronary heart disease
- Brain conditions, including neurological disorders
- Lung and respiratory system conditions, including asthma or COPD
- Kidney conditions, including kidney disease or failure
- Physical or mental disabilities
- Recurring illnesses, including diabetes or epilepsy
- Conditions involving the neck or back, including herniated discs or spinal stenosis
- Cancer, including any type of cancer
- Reduced or deficient immune systems, including HIV/AIDS or immunodeficiency disorders
It's worth noting that a condition that hasn't been officially diagnosed, but is being investigated, should not be declared as this cannot be covered under the policy.
Visitor's Insurance for Pre-existing Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you're not alone. Many people travel with health issues, and it's essential to have the right insurance coverage.
You can buy visitors medical insurance with pre-existing conditions, and there are options available that offer a combination of acute onset of a pre-existing condition and pre-existing condition coverage.
Pre-existing medical conditions are defined as anything you've seen a doctor or dentist for in the past 12 months, regardless of how minor it may seem. This includes conditions for which you've undergone surgery in the past 12 months, pregnancy that's not automatically covered by the policy, and certain conditions that are not automatically covered, such as heart conditions, brain conditions, and kidney conditions.
There are three pre-existing condition plans available for a minimum of 90 days, offering different levels of coverage. If you have a pre-existing condition, you'll need to disclose it before purchasing a policy.
Some pre-existing conditions are considered acute onset, which means they're a sudden and unexpected outbreak or reoccurrence of a pre-existing condition. For ages up to 69, the limit for acute onset of pre-existing condition benefits is up to the medical policy maximum purchased per policy period, except for cardiac conditions or stroke, which are limited to $25,000.
Here are some examples of pre-existing conditions that are not covered under a policy:
- Congenital conditions
- Conditions that gradually get worse over time
- Known, scheduled, required, or expected medical care, drugs, or treatment
- Treatment after the initial stabilization of a covered or eligible benefit
If you have a pre-existing condition, it's essential to declare it before purchasing a policy. You can compare specialist medical travel insurance policies to find the best one for your needs, considering factors such as your age, medical condition, and travel plans.
No Pre-Ex vs Pre-Ex
If you're shopping for travel insurance, you may come across two types of plans: "no pre-ex" and "pre-ex" plans. No pre-ex plans are visitors' insurance plans that may offer acute onset of a pre-existing condition or no pre-existing condition coverage.
Pre-ex plans, on the other hand, offer pre-existing condition coverage built into the plan. This means that if you have a pre-existing condition, you can still purchase a pre-ex plan, but you'll need to review the policy wording to see the complete list of exclusions per plan.
Some common exclusions in pre-ex plans include pregnancy, cancer, dialysis, and eye sickness/cataracts. These exclusions are in place because pre-ex plans are more costly, and the claims risk is higher on average. Most Visitors Insurance plans on the market offer acute onset of a pre-existing condition benefit, which offers coverage in case of a pre-existing condition causing a different medical emergency.
In general, pre-ex plans are a good option if you have a pre-existing condition, as they can provide peace of mind while traveling. However, it's essential to review the policy wording carefully to understand what's covered and what's not.
Safe Elite by Trawick
Safe Elite by Trawick offers coverage for an Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition. This benefit covers only one (1) Acute Onset episode of a Pre-Existing Condition.
For those aged 70-79, Acute Onset benefits will be reduced to a Maximum of $35,000. Upon attaining age 80, Acute Onset benefits will be reduced to a Maximum of $15,000 with a $25,000 Maximum Lifetime Limit for Emergency Medical Evacuation.
To qualify for this benefit, the condition must occur spontaneously and without advance warning, be of short duration, be rapidly progressive, and require urgent and immediate medical care.
Here's a summary of the key requirements for Acute Onset coverage:
Any repeat or recurrence within the same policy period will no longer be considered an Acute Onset of a Pre-Existing Condition and will not be eligible for additional coverage.
Insurance Options
Travel insurance for pre-existing medical conditions can be costly, but it's essential to have suitable cover for a variety of conditions.
You can buy travel insurance with pre-existing medical conditions, and it's vital to declare all your health issues, however minor they may seem.
At Just Travel Cover, they aim to make it easy to find travel insurance that covers your pre-existing medical conditions, with a fast, accurate, and straightforward medical online screening process.
Their medical online screening is fast and straightforward, and they'll compare prices from multiple insurers to help find you travel insurance for pre-existing conditions that are tailored to you.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you can buy visitors medical insurance for a minimum of 90 days.
The plans listed on this page offer a combination of acute onset of a pre-existing condition and pre-existing condition coverage to give you peace of mind while traveling.
You can choose from three pre-existing condition plans, all of which are available for a minimum of 90 days purchase.
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, be aware that not declaring it can void your policy, and medical treatment overseas can be extremely expensive.
It's essential to have suitable travel insurance if you have medical conditions, so you can travel safely and comfortably with the right level of protection for your health.
What to Declare?
You can declare pre-existing medical conditions when purchasing travel insurance online, and you'll be asked to fill out a simple questionnaire if you select 'yes'.
You don't need to provide a doctor's certificate or other documents.
All medical conditions that aren't included in the No Screen Medical Conditions list should be declared.
If you don't disclose your pre-existing medical conditions, your claims might be reduced or rejected, or your insurance policy could become void.
ID Cards, Coverage Documents, and Policy Wording will be emailed to you within minutes of purchasing your policy, even if you declare pre-existing conditions.
Policy Coverage and Exclusions
Policy coverage for pre-existing medical conditions can be complex, but it's essential to understand what's included and excluded.
Some pre-existing conditions are excluded from coverage, depending on the policy. These exclusions can include pregnancy, cancer, dialysis, and eye sickness/cataracts.
Pre-existing insurance plans for visitors are generally more expensive due to the higher claims risk associated with pre-existing conditions.
If you have a pre-existing condition, you should review the policy wording to see the complete list of exclusions per plan.
Most Visitors Insurance plans offer an acute onset of a pre-existing condition benefit, which provides coverage in case of a pre-existing condition causing a different medical emergency.
Waivers and Qualification
To qualify for a waiver on pre-existing medical conditions, you don't have to worry about age limits, as there are no restrictions on most plans.
You won't have to pay an additional premium for the waiver, it's included in your standard policy.
To be eligible, you must be medically fit to travel, and your pre-existing conditions must be stable.
You'll need to buy travel insurance early, ideally soon after making your initial trip deposit.
Make sure your trip cost is accurate to ensure you qualify for the waiver.
Here are the key requirements to qualify for a waiver:
- Age: No age limit
- Cost: No additional premium
- Health: Medically fit to travel and stable pre-existing conditions
- Timing: Buy travel insurance early
- Accuracy: Accurate trip cost
Claims and Involvement
Some travel insurance policies may have a pre-existing medical conditions list that excludes certain conditions, such as diabetes or heart disease.
Insurance providers typically require medical questionnaires to be filled out before purchasing a policy, which can help identify any pre-existing conditions.
These questionnaires often ask about medical history, current medications, and any previous illnesses or injuries.
Pre-existing conditions can be defined as any medical condition that existed before purchasing the policy, including chronic conditions and ongoing treatments.
Travelers with pre-existing conditions may need to provide additional documentation or medical proof to support their claim.
It's essential to disclose all pre-existing conditions to avoid claim denial or policy cancellation.
Frequently Asked Questions
You can still find value in a travel insurance plan even if you have a pre-existing condition, especially if you purchase a plan with a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver.
Travelers with pre-existing conditions need to be timely when purchasing their policy, as Pre-Existing Condition Waivers are only available within a certain number of days from the first payment made towards the trip.
Age is not a pre-existing condition, but it may affect other aspects of the travel insurance plan, such as medical coverage and premium.
If you're not eligible for a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver, there may still be options available, such as plans that only look back 60 days from the last diagnostic test or change in medication.
It's essential to be upfront with your travel insurance company about any conditions you think might apply and to familiarize yourself with all the details of your plan before you depart.
Sources
- https://www.justtravelcover.com/travel-insurance/pre-existing-medical-conditions/
- https://www.globelink.eu/pre-existing-medical-conditions.html
- https://www.insuremytrip.com/travel-insurance-plans-coverages/pre-existing-conditions/
- https://www.visitorsinsurance.com/VisitingUSAPreExisting.asp
- https://www.1cover.co.nz/medical-travel-insurance/pre-existing-medical-conditions/
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