When you’re planning a dream trip to the Swiss Alps or a beach in Belize, the last thing you want to think about is an emergency room visit. But as we often say at Brouwers Agency, “hope is not a strategy.”
One of the biggest misconceptions we see is the belief that your domestic health insurance (or even Medicare) follows you across the border. In reality, most U.S. plans provide very limited coverage abroad—and almost none of them cover the most expensive part of a travel nightmare: Medical Evacuation.
The Medical Gap
If you get a sinus infection in London, you can probably handle the out-of-pocket cost. But what if you have a heart attack in a remote part of Mexico? Or a serious fall in a country where the local hospitals aren’t equipped to handle your specific injury?
In those cases, you don’t just need a doctor; you need a way out.
Why “Evacuation” Coverage is the Real Hero
Medical evacuation is the process of getting you from a facility that cannot treat you to one that can. This isn’t just a standard ambulance ride. We’re talking about:
- Private Air Ambulances: Flying a “hospital in the sky” with a medical team on board.
- Repatriation: Getting you back to the United States once you are stable so you can recover near your family and your own doctors.
Without specific coverage, a medical evacuation can easily cost $50,000 to $200,000. Most families don’t have that kind of “emergency cash” sitting in a checked bag.
One Solution: GeoBlue from Blue Cross Blue Shield
Because we want our clients to have the best possible protection, we recommend GeoBlue, a leader in international travel health insurance from the Blue Cross Blue Shield family.
We love GeoBlue for three simple reasons:
- The Network: You get access to an elite network of English-speaking, Western-trained doctors in over 190 countries.
- Cashless Transactions: In many cases, GeoBlue pays the hospital or doctor directly. You won’t have to “pay and pray” for reimbursement later; they handle the bill so you can focus on getting better.
- The Power of the “Blue” Card: Carrying a GeoBlue card gives you the same peace of mind abroad that you’ve come to expect from Blue Cross here at home.
It’s Cheaper Than You Think
The best part? This coverage is incredibly affordable. For many trips, you can protect your entire family for less than the cost of one nice dinner out. You can buy it for a single trip, or if you’re a frequent flyer, you can get a “Trekker” policy that covers you for every trip you take in a year.
Before You Pack Your Bags
Don’t wait until you’re at the airport to think about your health. If you have a trip on the calendar, give us a call to discuss a GeoBlue quote.
We want you to see the world—we just want to make sure you have a way back home if things don’t go according to plan.