Travel Insurance - Medical Tourism

[Jandy]

Hey All

I'm soon to be off for my FFS next month, with it fast approaching, I completely forgot about finding specific travel insurance,

I am based in the UK and I am finding it very hard to find travel insurance which covers 'medical tourism' which my FFS will cover , the only one I found is Medical Travel Shield which is super expensive at over £330.

I wondered if anyone has any advice or tips about this ? Or any recommendations ?

Thanks x

[AnneK]

Perhaps I'm missing something, but why would an insurance company cover you when you are planning to cost them far more than they'd receive in premiums?  I thought travel medical insurance was for emergencies, not planned surgery.

[Jandy]

I think you are misunderstanding ?

I am paying for the surgery etc....

Just like I have travel insurance for whenever I travel, there is specific insurance for MEDICAL TOURISM, I.E having procedures abroad, should anything go wrong then I will be covered for the cost of additional treatment and or an extended hospital stay.

I am not suggesting that I am taking out insurance to pay for the surgery.

[Barb99]

You could try GeoBlue. I use them for international travel. A years coverage for multiple trips is $120 US. They have several plans. Not sure about Medical Tourism.

[Jandy]

Thanks for your response , I have yearly travel insurance, its more specifically medical tourism insurance.....It seems like most people don't bother with the medical tourism insurance though from what I have heard?

[Siren]

Medical Travel Shield was the only one I could find too. It's expensive but I felt it was worth it for what it covered.
It's odd but it seems that no-one ever bothers with medical tourism insurance, which I think is crazy. I believe it's essential.
Thankfully I didn't need to make a claim but it gave me peace of mind knowing it was there.
My premium was £116 though, not £330.

[Jandy]

Thank you. x

[Barb99]

What does Medical Travel insurance give you vs. std. travel insurance? My std travel insurance covers all emergency medical expenses while traveling and if necessary will cover getting me back home for more extensive treatment.

A coworker had to use the GeoBlue while traveling in Mexico. At high altitude his lungs filled with fluid and he spent 2 days in the hospital. The hospital, doctors and medications were all covered without question.

[Jandy]

General Travel Insurance covers for UNEXPECTED emergency treatments, i.e if you are on a standard holiday and you get injured etc...

Medical travel insurance is for those people engaging in 'Medical Tourism', i. elective surgery/cosmetic/dental etc..... so that when you travel for your treatment/surgery, should anything go wrong with the surgery then you are covered by the medical travel insurance to correct whatever has happened. Travel insurance does not cover you for medical help when you have chosen to travel for surgery.