Remember Your Health Before You Hit The Road
ST. LOUIS--(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 Wayne Meyer, M.D., medical director of Anthem Blue Cross
and Blue Shield in Missouri 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, Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri’s
MA PPO plans allows members to visit network providers in many of its
sister plans across the United States at in-network rates. Anthem Blue
Cross and Blue Shield’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. Many companies 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 Dr. Meyer. “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.
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 Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri
In Missouri (excluding 30 counties in the Kansas City area) Anthem Blue
Cross and Blue Shield is the trade name for RightCHOICE® Managed Care,
Inc. (RIT), Healthy Alliance® Life Insurance Company (HALIC), and HMO
Missouri, Inc. RIT and certain affiliates administer non-HMO benefits
underwritten by HALIC and HMO benefits underwritten by HMO Missouri,
Inc. RIT and certain affiliates only provide administrative services for
self-funded plans and do not underwrite benefits. Independent licensees
of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association. ®ANTHEM is a registered
trademark of Anthem Insurance Companies, Inc. The Blue Cross and Blue
Shield names and symbols are registered marks of the Blue Cross Blue
Shield Association. Additional information about Anthem Blue Cross and
Blue Shield in Missouri is available at www.anthem.com.
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Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri
Deborah Wiethop,
314-923-4767
deborah.wiethop@bcbsmo.com
Source: Anthem Blue Cross and Blue Shield in Missouri
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