What to Look for in a Health Insurance Plan If You are a Frequent Traveller

In today's hyper-connected world, frequent travelers, especially those on long-term assignments, have varied health insurance needs. One of the biggest concerns is acquiring health insurance and getting adequate coverage in another country.

Imagine traveling to a country like Japan or Indonesia for work and encounter an earthquake or a tsunami. You would need ample medical support and stay safe during such severe scenarios. This is where health insurance for frequent travelers helps.

It's not just for tourists. Business travelers, digital nomads, and remote workers also need robust travel health insurance. More than 18 million Americans and 980,000 Indians identify themselves as digital nomads, a massive increase from pre-pandemic estimates.

Standard health insurance policies don't suffice when you cross borders. This guide is about selecting the right medical insurance for international travel and considering key factors before making a decision. Let's get started!

1. Look for Global Coverage or International Health Insurance for Frequent Travelers

The most crucial step is to assess whether your policy has genuine global health insurance or not. Here are essential factors to consider:

Domestic vs. International Health Insurance

Most local health insurance policies cover citizens residing within the health network of a country. Travel health insurance for frequent flyers coverage is for emergency and planned treatment in various countries. This works well for tourists and remote workers.

Example – A basic Australian health policy would pay for treatment in Australia but not for a hospital visit in Berlin or Singapore. Medical insurance for international travel provides for such contingencies.

Geographic Inclusions and Exclusions

When considering the top travel insurance for regular travelers, always review the list of countries included. Some policies have tiered rates depending on geographic zones. The USA and Canada, for instance, tend to be excluded or charged extra for their high cost of medical care.

Emergency and Planned Care Abroad 

Look for a policy that covers emergency and scheduled care. The balance helps in extended travel or relocation.

Pro Tip: Choose a policy that accommodates your travel timetable, so you are insured wherever your travels take you.

2. Look For Emergency Hospitalization and Evacuation Benefits

Imagine the worst scenario for a frequent flyer – getting stranded in a medical crisis or isolated in a third-world area. You may have to shell out thousands of dollars for treatment, air-based evacuations, or even repatriation.

If you are in Nepal during an earthquake or in Indonesia during a volcanic eruption, you may need to be airlifted to the nearest hospital. In such instances, timely evacuation or hospitalization is all about life and death.

Look for premium travel medical insurance that offers:

• Emergency hospitalization, medical attention, surgery, and consultation.

• Emergency ground or air evacuation.

• Repatriation of mortal remains.

• Escort of minors or dependents in case of a medical emergency.
  

Watch Out for Policy Sub-Limits and Conditions 

Most top-tier plans include evacuation limits or require prior approval from insurers. Check the fine print, as some policies don't cover high-risk areas.

Look for the following health coverage while traveling abroad:

• Maximum evacuation cost covered.

• Non-life-threatening transport coverage.

• Local coordination support.

Pro Tip – Consult a professional and ensure that the plan has a 24/7 emergency hotline for coordinating evacuation. This is crucial in high-pressure situations where swift action is required or language issues exist.

3. Prioritize a Cashless Network Outside Your Home City or Country

One of the issues in medical insurance for international travel plans is opting for a reimbursement plan instead of a cashless one. In reimbursement claims, you have to pay in advance and wait weeks to settle the amount. With a cashless network, you don't have to incur out-of-pocket expenses.

Cashless Claims Abroad

Cashless claims only mean that the insurance company pays the hospital or clinic directly. Your insurer must have arrangements with Third-Party Administrators, foreign clinics, and hospitals in your travel destination countries. This advantage is invaluable if you are in a country with expensive treatments or a low-liquidity country.

Here are some tips:

• Global Hospital Network Benefit - Look for travel medical insurance with frequent travelers who have an extensive international network of empaneled health care providers.

• 24/7 Helpline Access - Choose policies with multilingual 24/7 helplines or mobile app assistance for finding hospitals, processing cashless claims, or availing emergency services.
  

4. Multi-Trip vs. Short-Term Global Health Insurance Plans

The policy you choose must be suited to the nature and frequency of your travel. If your travel is infrequent for a limited period, a single-trip travel plan would do. Frequent travelers, however, prefer an annual multi-trip policy.

Here is a Comparison of Options:

Travel Pattern	Recommended Insurance Plan
One or two trips per year	Short-term travel medical insurance
Multiple international trips	Annual multi-trip travel insurance
Continuous or extended-stay travel	International health insurance policy

Multi-trip annual policies offer coverage for multiple trips within a year, with each trip lasting between 30 and 90 days. Multi-trip annual policies are appropriate for:

• International business travelers.

• Remote consultants with diverse geographical customers.

• Expatriate families traveling to their home country and other foreign countries.
  

Consider Integrating the Existing Health Policy 

Some insurers offer these as add-ons to existing health insurance, which can simplify policy management and reduce redundancy. Be cautious, as some domestic base plans only cover partial risks abroad.

Pro Tip: Always check the trip duration cap per visit under annual plans. If you're staying abroad beyond the cap, consider complete global health insurance plans instead.

5. Plans with Portability and Online Claims Support

Wherever you go across borders and time zones, your insurer must offer ways to file, track, and service claims online. Here are some support features you must consider:

A. Global Digital Support - The most excellent plans offer a robust mobile application or online portal where you can access:

• Policy documents.

• Details of the network of hospitals around you.

• File claims and share papers.

• Reimbursements status.
  

B. Claims Across Multiple Time Zones - 24/7 claims access available means convenience support, no matter what your local time is. Look for features like:

• Real-time chatbot assistance.

• Online claims filing (with hospital bill scan/photo upload).

• Instant update of claim status.
  

C. Portability Between Countries - When you relocate to another region, you may need the best travel insurance for frequent travelers that offers:

• Coverage without re-underwriting.

• Smooth migration to a regional plan.
  

6. Inclusions You Can't Afford to Miss

These are the inclusions you can't afford to miss:

A. Accidental Injuries and Acute Illnesses - A minor car accident, food poisoning, or even altitude sickness can turn into an exorbitant amount of treatment. Your policy needs to include:

• Emergency room admissions.

• Laboratory tests.

• Minor procedures and medications.
  

B. Outpatient (OPD) and Virtual Care - It's common for most tourists to avail OPD consultations overseas for minor complaints like flu, abdominal pain, or infections. Additionally, virtual care has emerged as the new norm for follow-ups and non-emergency conditions.

Look for the best travel insurance for frequent travelers that offers:

• OPD visit claims.

• International teleconsultant access to board-certified experts.

• Local prescriptions.
  

C. Mental Health Support – Individual traveling can be emotionally demanding. Contemporary global health insurance plans now cover mental health support in the form of:

• Virtual counseling sessions.

• Psychiatric consultations overseas.
  

D. COVID-19 Coverage - Though global boundaries are lifted, COVID-19 treatment, testing, quarantine, or hospitalization remains a requirement in certain regions. Ensure it is detailed within your policy documents.

Expert Tip: Inclusive coverage for health risks gives you strength, especially for location-independent professionals. Turn to AssetPlus professionals to get the best health insurance for frequent travelers, which covers significant inclusions and offers sheer peace of mind.

7. Don't Fall into These Common Traps

Understanding the most common pitfalls will keep frequent travelers from being underinsured or paying excessively. Watch out for traps like -

1. Reimbursement-Only Plans - Budget-friendly policies use a reimbursement-only scheme for some. You pay upfront and then look forward to reimbursement of expenses.

2. High Deductibles and Co-Payments - Most long-term travel health insurance plans have large deductibles (what you pay initially before your insurer covers the rest) or co-payments (a percentage of each claim you pay). Sure, they're cheaper on premiums, but the out-of-pocket expenses may surprise you.

3. Short Validity per Trip - If you're on an extended stay, your policy will lapse during the trip. A multi-trip annual policy typically has a maximum trip duration of coverage, usually 30, 60, or 90 days.

4. Pre-existing Illness Avoidance - Pre-existing conditions are usually not covered or marginally covered by most travel health insurance for frequent flyers. Disclose your complete medical history, and if necessary, select a policy that has extended coverage or pre-existing condition waivers.
   

8. Consider These Custom Add-ons

The ideal health coverage while traveling abroad must complement your travel lifestyle. Several insurers offer custom add-ons that provide peace of mind in specific travel scenarios. These are:

Adventure Sports Coverage 

If your travels involve thrill-seeking activities, like skiing, scuba diving, hiking, or mountain biking, you'll need additional protection. Regular plans often exclude high-risk activities.

Look for insurers offering coverage for:

• Sports injuries.

• Evacuation from remote terrains.

• Equipment theft or loss.
  

Lost Baggage, Passport, and Trip Disruptions

Frequent travelers may face issues like loss of luggage, loss of a passport, or trip cancellations. Optional coverages may help with:

• Discretionary essentials.

• Issuance fee for temporary travel documents.

• Rebooking or stay fees.
  

Legal Defense and Personal Liability

In some countries, unintended harm to people (property or physical) can carry juridical implications. Foreign tenants of apartments or drivers are especially relevant to this. Obtain individual liability cover that has:

• Foreign legal help.

• Third-party loss coverage.

• Bail bond coverage in some countries.
  

Conclusion - Choose Carefully and Travel with Confidence

Frequent traveling with travel health insurance enables people to accommodate fluctuating schedules and traveling destinations. Standard health insurance policies, no matter how extensive at home, don't cover risks overseas. From emergency hospitalization to mental well-being, global health insurance policies need to be more flexible and tech-savvy.

Before you choose the ideal plan, ensure that your travel medical insurance for long-term travel offers:

• International and geographically spanning coverage.

• 24/7 cashless hospitalization assistance.

• Medical and personal liability features.

• Applicability for short- and long-term travel.

• Portability of online claims.

• Cover for COVID and mental health.
  

The Next Step 

To choose the perfect travel insurance for frequent travelers, it is crucial to have a professional advisor with good knowledge of how global coverage works. Compare plans and get in touch with your financial expert for proper insurance guidance.

FAQs

Can I buy travel medical insurance if I already have an existing health insurance plan?

Yes. Health plans are not always suitable for overseas emergencies. Travel health coverage offers you worldwide coverage without canceling your base policy.

Do digital nomads need travel insurance or extensive health insurance?

Digital nomads need global health insurance programs that include extended stay and multiple-country access rather than short-duration trip-based travel insurance.

Is COVID-19 still covered by travel insurance policies?

Yes, most insurers continue to cover COVID-19 expenses like hospitalization, quarantine, and RT-PCR tests. Always check your policy details before traveling.

What is a cashless and reimbursement-based claim?

The insurer settles cashless claims with network hospitals, whereas reimbursement requires you to pay first and then claim it. Cashless is recommended in case of emergencies.

Should I get coverage for high-risk adventure sports?

Yes! Standard plans do not cover activities such as skiing, trekking, or diving unless stated otherwise.