Health Insurance Tips For Traveling Boomers

NEW YORK--(BUSINESS WIRE)-- As Baby Boomers enter retirement, one of their greatest desires is to enjoy travel that they’ve put off for many of their working years, including everything from visiting grandchildren in other states to a grand overseas adventure.

When asked about life goals, about half of Baby Boomers said they wish to travel and explore the world, according to Leisure Travel Trends, a Focalyst Insight Report.¹ More than 81 million older adults were planning to travel in the next year, spending a total of $126 billion on their next trip alone, according to the same report.

Regardless of destination, getting sick is probably the last thing on their minds. But what happens to those who get sick while traveling? Where will they go? Will their insurance cover their costs? A little advance planning is critical to protecting a traveler’s physical and financial well-being, particularly for those in the Medicare program, according to Mark Wagar, president and CEO, Empire BlueCross BlueShield, who offers the following tips.

Pick the right plan. The first step for people with Medicare who plan on traveling is to pick a plan that suits their lifestyle. Several types of plans are available. Each has different rules when it comes to traveling among states or overseas. Some offer a great degree of flexibility to travelers. Others do not.

Medicare Supplement plans are the most flexible for travelers. People with these plans can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S. Virgin Islands and Guam. Unlike Original Medicare, most Medicare Supplement plans include some international coverage.

Unlike Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are composed of provider networks. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans cover emergency services while traveling domestically. However, rules for routine services vary. In general, PPOs cover medical services throughout the United States as an “out of network benefit,” which costs more. HMO members may be responsible for all costs of services rendered by out-of-network providers while traveling domestically.

It’s important to note that some MA plans include additional travelers’ benefits. For example, Empire’s MA PPO plans allows members to visit network providers in many of its sister plans across the United States at in-network rates. Empire’s MA plans also cover urgent and emergency care internationally. Members with questions regarding their plan’s travel benefits should check their Explanation of Coverage (EOC) for details.

Make arrangements to get and transport medication. One way for members to stock up on prescription medication is to order a 90-day supply through mail order. Call the number on your insurance card for details. Travelers can transport medication in carry-on or checked baggage, although some supply should be with the passenger in the case of lost luggage. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends that the prescription label match the passenger’s boarding pass and that the passenger bring supporting documentation.² Large, national drugstore chains may be able to fill customers’ prescriptions when they’re away from home.

Carry medical documentation. Members should carry their insurance card, physician contact information, and a list of medical conditions and current medications with them while traveling. When traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to keep a list of food allergies written in the local language to share at restaurants, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.³

Consider a pre-travel exam. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says seniors should visit their doctor four to six weeks before traveling.⁴ They need to be honest about any limitations they might have. Additionally, vaccines may be necessary, depending on the destination. Doctors also might want to write prescriptions for malaria, altitude illness or travelers’ diarrhea, according to the CDC.

Think about buying additional travel insurance, particularly if traveling abroad. Companies like Empire offer additional travel insurance at a reasonable cost. Options include emergency dental services worldwide as well as help with lost medications and coverage of emergency medical evacuation. These expenses could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Up-front payment may be required by people who do not have insurance.

In case of emergency, always seek immediate care. As mentioned above, the rules for Medicare plans vary greatly by design. However, in case of an emergency, members should always seek care at the nearest location.

“Traveling is a source of great joy to many of us,” said Wagar. “But in the excitement of picking a hotel, booking a flight and planning your activities, please remember to devote some extra time to thinking about your health.”

This information is intended for educational purposes only and should not be interpreted as medical advice. Please consult your health care provider for advice about treatments that may affect your health.

A health plan with a Medicare contract.

A stand-alone prescription drug plan with a Medicare contract.

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¹ Focalyst Insight Report, Leisure Travel Trends, June 2007

²http://www.tsa.gov/travelers/airtravel/specialneeds/editorial_1059.shtm

³http://www.aaaai.org/conditions-and-treatments/library/allergy-library/dream-vacation-with-food-allergies.aspx

⁴http://www.cdc.gov/Features/seniortravel/

About Empire BlueCross BlueShield:

Serving New Yorkers for over 75 years, Empire BlueCross BlueShield is the largest health insurer in New York supporting nearly six million members and more than 38,000 business, union and small employers in New York. Empire BlueCross BlueShield (Empire) is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice Assurance, Inc., and Empire Blue Cross Blue Shield HMO is the trade name of Empire HealthChoice HMO, Inc., independent licensees of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association, serving residents and businesses in the 28 eastern and southeastern counties of New York State. Additional information about Empire is available at www.empireblue.com. Also, follow us on Twitter at www.twitter.com/healthjoinin, on Facebook at www.facebook.com/HealthJoinInEmpire, or visit our YouTube channel at www.youtube.com/healthjoinin.

Empire BlueCross BlueShield Sally Kweskin, (720) 373-4836
[email protected]

Source: Empire BlueCross BlueShield