Southwest Florida's Health and Wellness Magazine Health and Wellness Articles
By Ulla-Undine Merritt (Dee) National Producer Number (NPN) 8853366
Medicare & Obama Care enrollments are still possible if you have a special election period. If you are losing your current plan due to employment, you moved out of the plans service area and other special enrollments are available. For individuals and families there are plans available that are a lot less than the Obama Care plans in our area, BUT you need to meet the carriers medical underwriting, so you can be turned down and they don’t cover pre-existing conditions. Speak to a local professional who can explain and help you make the right choice for you.
Traveling Abroad? – Possibly you are taking a summer vacation or maybe you’re retiring and plan to travel. Congratulations! Many travelers believe their domestic insurance plan will be enough when they travel abroad but that might not be the case. Without the right plan, you may not be covered for an illness or injury. How would you pay for these unexpected medical expenses? You might be surprised to know that many of our insurance plans have “NO” coverage outside of the plans service area unless it’s a medical emergency and even worse, many have no coverage outside of the United States.
Here are some important things to consider.
Original Medicare – * “In general, health care you get while traveling outside the U.S. isn’t covered. The 50 states, the District of Columbia, Puerto Rico, the U.S. Virgin Islands, Guam, the Northern Mariana Islands, and American Samoa are considered part of the U.S.
Medicare may pay for inpatient hospital, doctor, ambulance services, or dialysis you get in a foreign country in these rare cases:
• You’re in the U.S. when a medical emergency occurs, and the foreign hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition.
• You’re traveling through Canada without unreasonable delay by the most direct route between Alaska and another state when a medical emergency occurs, and the Canadian hospital is closer than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat the emergency.
• You live in the U.S. and the foreign hospital is closer to your home than the nearest U.S. hospital that can treat your medical condition, regardless of whether an emergency exists.
In some cases, Medicare Part B (Medical Insurance) may cover medically necessary health care services you get on board a ship within the territorial waters adjoining the land areas of the U.S. Medicare won’t pay for health care services you get when a ship is more than 6 hours away from a U.S. port.
Medicare drug plans don’t cover prescription drugs you buy outside the U.S.
Medicare supplement insurance (Medigap) policies may cover you when you travel outside the U.S.”
* www.medicare.gov
Medicare Advantage Plans (run by Individual Insurance Companies) – May offer Worldwide ER Coverage
Other Insurance Plans – Common Disclaimer – We do not guarantee claim payment. All supplies and services must be medically necessary. Any medical expenses incurred during foreign travel must be translated into English and covered under the terms of the contract to be considered.
Short-term travel medical insurance – is designed for:
• College students studying abroad
• Foreign au pairs and nannies
• Families sponsoring exchange students
• International vacationers
• Individuals or group missionaries
• Relatives visiting from overseas
• Recently arrived immigrants
The cost is often much less than a traveler might think. The cost is based on your age, destination, the deductible you choose and the maximum limits desired. When choosing a plan it is important to find out if they medically underwrite at the time of claim or if you can be turned down due to your medical conditions. Most insurance companies will not cover pre-existing conditions, so it is important to make sure you know this up front.
To learn more schedule an appointment contact:
Logical Insurance Solutions – Dee Merritt www.Logicalinsurance.com
239-362-0855
Dee@Logicalinsurance.com
HDQ 2365 West First Street, Fort Myers, FL 33901
Local Agents – Marco Island, Naples, Bonita Springs, Fort Myers, North Fort Myers
