Pre-Existing Condition Travel Insurance

With all the excitement of traveling abroad, one problem facing travelers is the inability to find a travel insurance plan that will cover pre-existing conditions.

What is a pre-existing condition?

A pre-existing condition is a medical condition occurring at the time or prior to the start of your policy. In other words, if you had asthma and purchased a travel plan – asthma would be considered a pre-existing condition. If you developed a new illness while under your travel plan, this would be considered a new illness and not a pre-existing condition.

Most short-term travel plans do not cover pre-existing conditions since they are guaranteed issued plans and this would be too high a risk to insure. But the question still remains, “what will I do if I need a travel plan that covers pre-existing conditions?”

This is where the plan benefit “acute onset of a pre-existing condition” comes in to fill the gap. While these policies may exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions, the insurance will provide limited coverage for an unexpected and sudden outbreak of a pre-existing condition that was otherwise stable.

To further explain, if your pre-existing condition requires regular treatment, this would not be covered under the acute onset of a pre-existing condition benefit. However, if without advanced warning there was a sudden emergency that required immediate hospitalization – this would be covered under the acute onset of a pre-existing benefit.

Although it is difficult to find a pre-existing condition travel plan, one helpful option with this benefit is the Atlas Travel Medical plan. While this plan does not cover pre-existing conditions, it does provide limited coverage for medical expenses and medical evacuation for an acute onset of a pre-existing condition.

Additionally, you can buy the coverage for the dates you need and can choose your deductible and maximum coverage. This plan meets most visa requirements and will allow coverage in multiple destinations outside your home country.

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