Travel Insurance

Medicare is the federal health insurance program for those 65 years of age or older who qualify and for certain other people with disabilities. Medicare does not take care of all medical costs, however, so many seniors also purchase supplemental policies to cover expenses not fully covered by Medicare. These policies, provided by private insurers, make up a program commonly known as Medigap, because they cover the medical bills that fall through the “gap,” the expenses that Medicare will not pay.

The US Department of State reports that, in Haiti, some US citizens injured in accidents and others with health concerns have been unable to find necessary medical care and had to arrange and pay for medical evacuation to the US. It encourages obtaining evacuation insurance and using organizations that have solid infrastructure, evacuation and medical support options in place.

The Department of State reminds travelers considering visiting Haiti to be aware of the poor state of Haiti’s emergency response network, the lack of adequate infrastructure, particularly in medical facilities, limited police protection and seasonal severe inclement weather. Travelers are encouraged to use organizations that have solid infrastructure, evacuation and medical-support options in place. The department encourages visitors to obtain evacuation insurance. 

My husband, Earl, and I toured Myanmar with Odysseys Unlimited (Newton, MA; 888/370-6765), Nov. 27-Dec. 10, 2012. There were 24 members in our group.

The listed price for the tour, including round-trip air from San Francisco to Bangkok, was $4,800 per person. However, we paid $4,070 per person because we arranged our own air with China Airlines (Taipei, Taiwan; phone 886 2 412 9000 or, in the US, 800/227-5118).

Travel insurance policies come in two flavors: those with primary payers and those with secondary payers. The “payer” is the insurance company. Secondary payers cover claims for overseas medical expenses only after any other insurance company has paid whatever it will pay. Primary medical coverage pays first regardless of any other insurance you may have. 

And here is the question I will be answering in this article: ‘In addition to what’s stated above, what are the differences between primary- and secondary-payer policies?’ 

by Dorothy Van Horn, Manhattan Beach, CA

The US government recommends avoiding all travel to Somalia. Kidnapping, murder, illegal roadblocks, banditry and other violent incidents and threats to foreigners can occur in any region.

A word about Europcar and insurance — before you book your rental car, make sure to find out what the policy is if you decline their insurance. Not doing so was the first mistake my wife, JoAnn, and I made on a February-March 2012 trip to France.

(Second of two parts)