Understanding Travel Medical Insurance Coverage for COVID-19

If you’re ready to travel again, it’s important to understand the scope of your travel medical insurance coverage should you contract COVID-19—even when traveling within the US. Even if you’re vaccinated, you could still test positive for the virus or experience a breakthrough infection.

If you’re traveling domestically in the US and are covered by a US health insurance provider or Medicare, your health plan will cover urgent care visits, medical expenses, imaging, medicine, and hospital stays. However, if you test positive for COVID-19 or require medical treatment or hospitalization due to the virus, the specifics of your coverage may vary. Therefore, it’s best to check your personal health plan for details.

If you are fully vaccinated and planning a vacation abroad, it is essential to purchase a travel insurance policy that includes travel medical expenses and medical evacuation coverage. Your US-based medical insurance may not be accepted abroad.

To be well-prepared, consider purchasing a comprehensive travel insurance policy that will cover medical expenses incurred if you get sick or injured while outside the US. Many travel insurance carriers offer plans that specifically cover COVID-19-related medical expenses. Therefore, research and find a policy that best matches your needs.

Additionally, your travel plan may cover self-isolation costs tied to quarantining, such as lodging and meals due to a positive COVID-19 test.

Preparing for Travel Within the US

Before planning any type of travel, it is advisable to check with your healthcare insurance company about the scope of your coverage. You can find your carrier’s contact information on the back of your member card.

“First and foremost, always check with your health insurance provider to see what your plan covers and what it does not, and become familiar with the limits of your policy,” says Kathy Kimmel, spokesperson with InsureMyTrip, a travel insurance comparison site.

If you’ve traveled domestically in the past, you may know that your personal insurance can be utilized for issues like fever, food poisoning, severe sunburn, stitches, or a sprained ankle. However, the pandemic has caused a whole set of ‘what if’s’ for travelers—even if you’re not leaving the country. As always, coverage is dependent on your particular plan. “It is best for travelers to check with their provider to understand how COVID is covered and what steps should be taken to prepare should they contract the virus on a trip,” advises Jeremy Murchland, president of Seven Corners Travel Insurance.

Health insurance may cover COVID-19, Murchland notes, but it typically will not cover emergency evacuations back home or quarantine expenses mandated by destinations.

Road-Tripping in the US

Bailey Foster, spokesperson with Trawick International, explains that if you have health insurance and are traveling within the United States, your health insurance will generally cover expenses related to COVID-19.

“This would function like any other illness you might encounter, allowing your healthcare insurance to cover the costs associated with the treatment,” she explains. “The traveler would be responsible for their copays related to their medical treatment.”

Will US-based Health Insurance Cover COVID-19 Infection Abroad?

The simple answer is no. “Your US-based healthcare insurance will not cover COVID-19 related illness expenses while you are abroad,” asserts Foster with Trawick International. “It’s imperative that travelers purchase a travel insurance plan that clearly states it provides coverage related to COVID-19 losses.”

If your policy includes COVID-19 coverage, it will cover medical care, hospitalization, medicine, and any other treatment required due to COVID-19. Therefore, it is essential to contact the insurance carrier to confirm that COVID-19 is covered by the policy.

Pre-Travel Testing and Travel Insurance

In general, pre-travel testing will be a personal expense. “Travel insurance does not cover pre-travel COVID testing or any other testing required before your trip, nor will it provide coverage for vaccines,” Kimmel clarifies.

Additional Benefits of Travel Insurance for COVID-19

Some travel insurance providers will assist in transporting you for more specialized medical treatment. “At Seven Corners, we assist in evacuations and repatriations on a normal basis for typical illnesses and injuries abroad,” Murchland clarifies. “Even with the added challenge of assisting someone who has contracted COVID away from home, we are ready to help make the return safe and ensure that proper care is provided.”

Furthermore, your travel insurance carrier may offer a 24/7 support hotline to assist with medical referrals, coordinating care, and arranging accommodations should you need to quarantine due to COVID-19. Some companies may also provide language translation services if you experience barriers regarding medical care.

Protecting Yourself When Traveling Abroad

As you plan international trips, the concern about COVID and its variants is likely on your mind. The best way to protect yourself is to buy a comprehensive travel insurance policy that includes the optional Cancel for Any Reason (CFAR) Benefit. This upgrade allows you to cancel for reasons beyond your standard trip cancellation policy, increasing your policy rate by about 50 percent while giving you the flexibility to cancel and potentially be reimbursed up to 75% of your trip’s cost.

However, this is a time-sensitive benefit and not all trips qualify for this add-on. Requirements include canceling your trip no later than 48 hours before your scheduled departure.

Most traditional travel insurance policies do not allow cancellation due to COVID-19 fears, such as an increase in COVID cases at your destination. “The Cancel for Any Reason add-on is really the only way for a traveler to recoup some of their pre-paid, non-refundable trip costs if they decide not to travel because of a spike in cases,” Kimmel states.

Not all policies and carriers offer CFAR upgrades. For more information on travel insurance that covers COVID-19, researching various plans is advisable.