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Health Insurance for Traveling Seniors by Orysia Nazar Zinycz Summer is fast approaching, and many people are planning vacation trips. Whether you are considering traveling within the United States or abroad, one important thing to consider is how to protect yourself against unanticipated medical costs that might arise while you are on the road, on the boat, on the plane, or in some cozy В & В or hotel. For this reason, it is important to think about health insurance before leaving on any trip. You should begin this planning by re cognizing that there is a big difference among the various insurance plans and the coverage they offer for seniors. Both HMO and Medicare Advantage Plans have very specific guidelines for what they cover and where, so you should carefully study these guidelines to see whether coverage applies to your vacation site. While getting sick away from home is something nobody wants, it can happen and it is best to be prepared. A telephone call to Medi care and/or other insurance provider before you leave home can save money and prevent needless anxiety. Traveling Within the United States Medicare plans cover medical costs away from home but only within the United States and U.S. territories. Call the local Medicare carrier for a list of Medicare-participating physician in the states you plan to visit. Using a Medicare-participating physician will help you save money, and the physician will file your Medicare claim in the state where you were treated. You’ll also receive a Medicare Summary Notice (MSN) explaining what was covered. Send a copy of the MSN to your supplemental health Insurer in your home state for payment. Other plans, such as HMOs, offer limited coverage when you travel outside your home state. Note that except for emergencies, most HMOs cover medical treatment only within your home state. Traveling Outside the United States When you travel outside the United States, the best option for medical coverage and peace of mind is to purchase individual travel insurance for your trip. Alternatively, several Medicare supplement insur ance plans cover foreign travel emergency, after a deductible and a $50,000 lifetime maximum. You will need to get an itemized bill with the diagnosis and treatments to submit to your supplemental carrier. Note that the treatments and cost will be evaluated using Medicare guidelines. The supple mental insurance will not cover any expenses do not fall within these guidelines, and you will be responsible for the costs. Also note that most health care providers overseas accept only cash payment. Another good precaution for those traveling to foreign countries is to recognize that finding an English-speaking physician may take time and effort. Plan ahead. Before leaving on a trip abroad, contact the International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers (LAMAT), located in Lewiston, New York for a list of English-speaking doctors overseas. IAMAT can be accessed online at www.iamat.org or contacted by telephone at 717- 754-4883. Packing List Make sure to bring the name, address, and phone number of a family member or friend who should be contacted in an emergency. If you have an unusual medical condition, wear a medic alert bracelet or ID tag. These are recognized almost everywhere and immediately alert medical personnel. Bring an adequate supply of medications, as well as copies of your prescriptions, tickets, credit card, and passport. Also bring a copy of your Medicare card and Medicare supplement insurance card. Leave a set of all documents with a friend or family member and hide a set in your luggage (sew the documents into hem of your jacket, skirt, or pants) in case your purse or wallet is lost or stolen. Bon Voyage!!
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