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Does Your Health Insurance Plan Cover You While Abroad?

By U.S. News & World Report

Picture this: You’re traveling overseas and you come down with a fever. You don’t speak the native language and you’re uncertain if your health plan covers medical care, like a visit to a doctor or hospital, abroad.

While this is probably the last scenario you want to consider while planning your trip, medical emergencies happen. But here’s the silver lining: You can easily find out what your insurance will cover while traveling abroad by asking your provider a few key questions. To determine what coverage you have, and what you’ll need when traveling overseas, begin by asking these five questions.

1. What does my health plan cover overseas?

The level of medical coverage available for international travel can vary widely, depending on your domestic health care provider and plan. The State Department advises contacting your insurance company prior to your trip and inquiring about the specific medical services overseas that are included in your coverage.

The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention also encourages travelers to ask what’s excluded from their policy, such as risky activities. And depending on what is available to you, the CDC advises considering a supplemental policy. The State Department also recommends inquiring about specifics such as whether the plan includes coverage for emergency evacuations to the U.S. and pre-existing medical conditions. You should also familiarize yourself with any out-of-pocket costs that you may encounter for medical procedures or services overseas.

2. What if I have Medicare?

Keep in mind that Medicare does not cover emergency medical service for travelers out of the country. There are some Medigap plans that can offer supplemental coverage but remember that there is a lifetime cap of $50,000 for foreign travel emergency coverage.

3. What about emergency medical evacuations?

Few domestic health insurance providers will pay to transport ill patients back to the United States. And emergency evacuations can be expensive, costing more than $100,000, depending on your health condition and where you’re located at the time the emergency takes place. If you’re visiting a place that’s isolated or where the quality of health care is subpar, do a cost-benefit analysis of investing in a supplemental evacuation insurance plan.

4. Should I buy travel medical insurance for my next vacation?

It’s a smart idea to consider investing in travel insurance. But before you make a final decision, you’ll want to evaluate a variety of factors, including the type of trip you’re planning and if you’ll be taking part in risky activities, such as scuba diving or mountain climbing during your trip. According to the CDC, there are three types of insurance travelers should consider while traveling: trip cancellation insurance, travel health insurance and medical evacuation insurance.

And according to a report released by InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison and booking site, 75 percent of the site’s consumers pick comprehensive travel insurance plans, which typically include emergency medical coverage, emergency medical evacuation coverage, trip cancellation coverage, trip interruption coverage and baggage coverage.

Another important reason to consider purchasing travel health insurance is that travel health insurance can help fill any gaps in domestic health insurance coverage. Plus, travel health insurance can provide 24/7 emergency assistance to help aid you in the event of a medical emergency. A licensed travel insurance agent can provide advice on appropriate coverage limits and how to qualify for coverage for pre-existing medical conditions.

5. What if I have to file a claim?

A claim is typically required in order to request reimbursement for medical bills. Most providers will require all hospital records (usually translated if in a non-English language) and receipts in order to evaluate the validity of the claim.

Sign Up for STEP

Travelers are encouraged to enroll in the Smart Traveler Enrollment Program (STEP) prior to international travel. Doing so will notify the nearest U.S. Embassy or Consulate of your travel plans. The local embassy can also help connect American travelers with a local medical facility.

More from U.S. News

7 Common Travel Questions — Answered

When to Use a Travel Agent

Tips for Getting an International Visa

Does Your Health Insurance Plan Cover You While Abroad? originally appeared on usnews.com

Don’t Settle for Student Loans to Pay for Online Education

By WTOP Staff
Online college programs are becoming a more popular choice for prospective students, with one study finding that more than 6 million students enrolled in at least one online course in fall 2015. The popularity of these courses can be attributed in part to their flexibility with working adults' schedules, students' ability to progress more quickly through online programs and, oftentimes, cheaper tuition. [See 10 low-cost online bachelor's programs for out-of-state students.]Online degrees can be beneficial to many college students, but some studies have shown online learners complete their programs at lower rates than students at traditional brick-and-mortar campuses. Individuals with student loans but no degree comprise two-thirds of defaulted borrowers. Though these numbers are not encouraging, just like for traditional programs, there are ways to reduce how much you'll need to borrow for an online program to ensure you won't become one of these statistics. Don't just settle on borrowing student loans to cover the whole cost of your program and living expenses. Instead, start thinking about how to cut costs and cover your balance in different ways, such as the following. -- Grants and scholarships: Even though you are taking an online course, you can still apply and receive grants and scholarships. But your first step should be to complete the Free Application for Federal Student Aid, commonly referred to as the FAFSA, which will allow you to receive a Pell Grant if your expected family contribution is low enough. The EFC criteria and award amounts are adjusted annually, but the 2017-2018 academic year awards range from $606 to $5,920, which could significantly lower the amount you borrow annually. Your next step is to apply for scholarships. You can start by checking online scholarship search engines, such as the Salt Scholarship Search, College Board's BigFuture and Peterson's. But don't forget to take advantage of local organizations and your school's financial aid office. Both may offer scholarships that you can't find with a national scholarship search. [Review these 10 sites to kick off your scholarship search.]For instance, organizations like the Elks Club, Knights of Columbus or the Rotary Club typically offer scholarships annually to local students. Just because you're going to school online doesn't mean you're ineligible. Visit your local library for scholarship listings, and ask around town. You might be surprised how many local organizations offer scholarships. While these scholarships typically aren't large, every little bit counts. Each dollar you receive in a scholarship is a dollar you don't have to borrow and pay interest on. -- Work-study: Another option for online students may be work-study awards. Not all students enrolled in online programs are eligible, but students at some schools -- including, for example, SUNY Empire State College and Liberty University -- are. Work-study awards are not given upfront like scholarships and grants. In most cases, they are an offer to earn up to the awarded amount if you secure an eligible work-study job. While there is a misconception that all work-study jobs must be on campus, students can work for off-campus, nonprofit or public employers as long as the work is in the public's interest. You may be able to work for a for-profit employer if the job is relevant to your course of study. No matter who the outside employer is, it will need to have an established agreement with your college for you to receive work-study funds. Remember, to be eligible for federal financial aid, you must be enrolled and pursuing a degree or certificate. If you're not working toward a credential, Pell Grants and work-study won't be option, but you may still be able to take advantage of private scholarships -- just be sure to read the eligibility criteria carefully. [Explore what to know about financial aid in online programs.]-- Pay as you go: One of the great benefits to enrolling online is the flexible schedule, which can allow you to complete your college coursework around your responsibilities. But prospective students often overlook using their part- or full-time job earnings as an option for paying for college. Almost 80 percent of college students in 2015 worked at least part time while attending classes, according to the National Center for Education Statistics. By budgeting and thinking strategically about your college costs, you can likely reduce your dependence on student loans by paying a portion out of pocket. Many -- but not all -- online programs are less expensive than traditional programs and often have shorter payment periods. Six, eight or 10 weeks are common course durations. Because of the frequency of payments in an online setting, you may be well-placed to pay as you go and possibly avoid borrowing altogether. Attending college online and avoiding student loans may be challenging, but if you are willing to put in the effort, you can limit the amount you need to borrow. More from U.S. News Q&A: Understanding Student Loan Discharge Eligibility Student Loan Refinancing Isn't Right for All Borrowers
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