Traveling abroad after 70 can be one of life’s great pleasures, but it comes with unique considerations, especially when it comes to health coverage.
Medicare doesn’t cover medical care outside the United States, leaving many senior travelers vulnerable to potentially devastating out-of-pocket expenses.
That’s where specialized travel insurance plans like GlobeHopper Senior come in.
Who This Coverage Is For
The GlobeHopper Senior plan offer by TravelerCoverage, is specifically designed for U.S. citizens and permanent residents aged 65 to 99 who are enrolled in Medicare (Parts A and B with a Medicare Supplement plan) or a Medicare Advantage plan. This addresses a critical gap: while Medicare provides excellent coverage at home, it leaves travelers without protection the moment they cross international borders.
The plan is available for trips ranging from 5 days to a full year, with the option to extend coverage for up to 365 days. This flexibility makes it suitable for everything from a quick European getaway to an extended stay abroad.
Where To Buy Insurance?
Understand the Cost
One of the most appealing aspects of this coverage is its affordability. For a 70-year-old traveler, costs average around $8 per day. To put this in perspective, an 82-year-old planning a week-long trip to Italy would pay approximately $146 for a sizeable $100,000 in coverage with zero dollar, no deductible. Which is reasonable compared to the potential cost of a medical emergency abroad.
The price varies based on three main factors: your age, trip duration, and the coverage limit you select.
You can also choose your deductible, ranging from $0 to $2,500, which affects your premium. Higher deductibles lower your daily cost, while a $0 deductible means you won’t pay anything out-of-pocket before coverage kicks in.
What’s Covered with GlobeHopper
GlobeHopper Senior provides comprehensive emergency medical coverage once you’ve left the United States. After meeting your chosen deductible, the plan pays 100% of covered expenses up to your policy maximum.
Key benefits include:
Emergency Medical Care: Whether you need urgent care, a physician visit, or emergency room services, the plan covers 100% up to your policy maximum. Hospitalization is covered at the average semi-private room rate, and you can visit any doctor or hospital of your choice—there’s no restrictive network to navigate.
Prescriptions and Medications: If you need medication while abroad, the plan covers prescriptions up to your policy maximum.
COVID-19 Coverage: The plan treats coronavirus the same as any other eligible medical condition, provided you contract it after your policy effective date and have departed from your country of residence.
Emergency Dental: While limited to $100, this benefit can help with unexpected dental emergencies during your trip.
Emergency Medical Evacuation: If you need to be transported to adequate medical facilities or back to the United States, this crucial benefit is included.
Additional Benefits: The plan also covers lost checked luggage and offers home nursing care benefits. An optional Evacuation Plus Rider is available for additional peace of mind.
The Pre-Existing Conditions Question
This is where travelers over 70 need to pay careful attention. The GlobeHopper Senior plan does not provide full coverage for pre-existing conditions. However, it does cover up to $2,500 for a sudden and unexpected recurrence. What is known as an “acute onset” of a pre-existing condition.
What does this mean in practice?
If you have a chronic condition that flares up unexpectedly during your trip, you may have limited coverage, but it’s ultimately up to the attending physician to determine whether your situation qualifies as an acute onset. This is an important limitation to understand before purchasing, especially for travelers managing multiple health conditions.
Important Eligibility Restrictions
Before purchasing, be aware of these restrictions:
- The plan is not available if you’re traveling to; Belarus, Puerto Rico, Russia, Ukraine, the U.S. Virgin Islands, or staying within the United States.
- New York residents physically present in New York at the time of purchase cannot buy this plan (though the plan will cover them if visiting New York).
- Non-U.S. citizens residing in Maryland cannot purchase this coverage.
- You must be actively enrolled in Medicare or a Medicare Advantage plan.
- Coverage only begins once you’ve left your home country.
Is This Right for You?
For seniors over 70 who want to travel internationally, having some form of travel medical insurance is essential rather than optional. At an average of $8 per day, GlobeHopper Senior offers affordable protection against potentially catastrophic medical expenses abroad.
However, this plan is best suited for travelers in relatively good health who aren’t likely to experience complications from pre-existing conditions. If you have significant chronic health issues, the limited coverage for pre-existing condition recurrences ($2,500 maximum) may not provide adequate protection.
The convenience of purchasing coverage even after you’ve arrived at your destination, the ability to extend your coverage, and the free cancellation before your coverage start date all add valuable flexibility for senior travelers whose plans might change.
The Bottom Line
Traveling abroad after 70 requires more planning, but it shouldn’t mean giving up on seeing the world. The GlobeHopper Senior plan addresses the critical coverage gap that Medicare creates for international travelers, offering comprehensive emergency medical protection at a reasonable daily cost.
Before purchasing, carefully review the pre-existing conditions limitations and consider whether this level of coverage meets your specific health needs. For many senior travelers in good health embarking on international adventures, this specialized coverage provides the financial protection and peace of mind needed to truly enjoy the journey.
Get More Details at: VisitorsCoverage.com