Muz

While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross CaliforniCare)
doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not cover me while traveling
in another country. I am not in a position to switch to a different
provider as my company only allows this during open enrollment in December.

If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this May,
what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?

Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't know
about?


--
Muz

Alec

"Muz" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross CaliforniCare)
    > doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not cover me while traveling
    > in another country. I am not in a position to switch to a different
    > provider as my company only allows this during open enrollment in
December.
    > If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this May,
    > what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?
    > Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't know
    > about?
US has no reciprocal health agreement with any other country, so you'll be
charged the full private care rates. You should take out travel insurance
that covers full medical and repatriation cost, just as any overseas visitor
to US has to.

Alec

Emilia

"Muz" wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross
    > CaliforniCare) doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not cover
    > me while traveling in another country. I am not in a position to
    > switch to a different provider as my company only allows this during
    > open enrollment in December.
    >
    > If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this
    > May, what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?
    >
    > Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't
    > know about?

There are many heath insurance co.s that cover overseas while traveling
but not living. I'm surprised BCBS doesn't offer at least some coverage.
Not even for a fee?

Anyway, If yours doesn't there is no need to change companies. You can
get insurance for the time you are away. I used to get it through STA but
I'm sure there are others. A google search will provide plenty of
options. Type 'travel insurance" and you will get a pletora of
companies.

Emilia

Emilia wrote in
news:[email protected]:

    > "Muz" wrote in
    > news:[email protected]:
    >
    >> While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross
    >> CaliforniCare) doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not
    >> cover me while traveling in another country. I am not in a position
    >> to switch to a different provider as my company only allows this
    >> during open enrollment in December.
    >>
    >> If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this
    >> May, what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?
    >>
    >> Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't
    >> know about?
    >
    > There are many heath insurance co.s that cover overseas while
    > traveling but not living. I'm surprised BCBS doesn't offer at least
    > some coverage. Not even for a fee?

Apparently I'm wrong on the above.



    > Anyway, If yours doesn't there is no need to change companies. You can
    > get insurance for the time you are away. I used to get it through STA
    > but I'm sure there are others. A google search will provide plenty of
    > options. Type 'travel insurance" and you will get a pletora of
    > companies.
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >
    >

Peter L

"Muz" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross CaliforniCare)
    > doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not cover me while traveling
    > in another country. I am not in a position to switch to a different
    > provider as my company only allows this during open enrollment in
December.

Sure about no coverage? My HMO (Kaiser) certainly covers it. Not
evacuation. But if I incur medical expenses overseas they pay me back.
Does Blue Cross sell you something with a rider?

    > If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this May,
    > what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?
    > Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't know
    > about?

I don't know if there is anything you don't know about. But there are
plenty of travel medical insurance. I just got some info from the
Automobile Association. Do a google search.
    > --
    > Muz

Jenn

In article ,
"Muz" wrote:

    > While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross CaliforniCare)
    > doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not cover me while traveling
    > in another country. I am not in a position to switch to a different
    > provider as my company only allows this during open enrollment in December.
    >
    > If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this May,
    > what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?
    >
    > Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't know
    > about?
    >
    >
    > --
    > Muz
    >
    >

are you sure your BC/BS doesn't cover you abroad. My policy not only
covers me for treatment by approved providers in europe [and there are
some in major cities] but also will evacacuate me or my corpse if
necessary [that is a rare BC/BS benefit -- but luckily my policy
includes it]

There are lots of annual travel policies which make more sense than a
single trip policy. I know American Express has one -- but there are
dozens.

Ryan B

"Jenn" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > In article ,
    > "Muz" wrote:
    > > While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross CaliforniCare)
    > > doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not cover me while
traveling
    > > in another country. I am not in a position to switch to a different
    > > provider as my company only allows this during open enrollment in
December.
    > >
    > > If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this May,
    > > what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?
    > >
    > > Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't know
    > > about?
    > >
    > >
    > > --
    > > Muz
    > >
    > >
    > are you sure your BC/BS doesn't cover you abroad. My policy not only
    > covers me for treatment by approved providers in europe [and there are
    > some in major cities] but also will evacacuate me or my corpse if
    > necessary [that is a rare BC/BS benefit -- but luckily my policy
    > includes it]
    > There are lots of annual travel policies which make more sense than a
    > single trip policy. I know American Express has one -- but there are
    > dozens.


I also have Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage but I find that it's value in
Europe is very limited. France for example has participating hospitals and
doctors in only 18 cities, Germany 15, Italy 17, Spain 16, Czech
Rep.0,Hungary 0, Netherlands 4 etc. Some countries have no medical
facilities at all that honor Blue Cross. You can check what coverage is
available in various countries at:
http://www.bluecares.com/healthtrave...pe.html#Cyprus

Ryan

Evelynvogtgamble

Muz wrote:
    >
    > While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross CaliforniCare)
    > doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not cover me while traveling
    > in another country. I am not in a position to switch to a different
    > provider as my company only allows this during open enrollment in December.
    >
    > If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this May,
    > what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?
    >
    > Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't know
    > about?

Most travel insurance policies DO offer medical coverage, as well -
quite good medical coverage for comparatively little money, because it's
for a limited period of time. (Some do have clauses about "pre-existing
conditions", but if you are in "perfect" health, that should pose no
problem.)

    >
    > --
    > Muz

Evelynvogtgamble

Emilia wrote:
    >
    > "Muz" wrote in
    > news:[email protected]:
    >
    > > While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross
    > > CaliforniCare) doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not cover
    > > me while traveling in another country. I am not in a position to
    > > switch to a different provider as my company only allows this during
    > > open enrollment in December.
    > >
    > > If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this
    > > May, what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?
    > >
    > > Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't
    > > know about?
    >
    > There are many heath insurance co.s that cover overseas while traveling
    > but not living. I'm surprised BCBS doesn't offer at least some coverage.
    > Not even for a fee?

He did say "HMO" (which I personally regard as the worst thing that ever
happened to the American medical "industry"). FWIW, the Medicare
Supplement policies BCBS offers will not pay more than the Medicare
"approved" amount (which is often more than Medicare actually pays), and
(like Medicare) does not cover U.S. citizens outside of the U.S. (So
there's a large segment of American travelers to Europe that relies on a
good travel policy for any required health care in Europe.)

    >
    > Anyway, If yours doesn't there is no need to change companies. You can
    > get insurance for the time you are away. I used to get it through STA but
    > I'm sure there are others. A google search will provide plenty of
    > options. Type 'travel insurance" and you will get a pletora of
    > companies.

Jacqui{Jb}

"Muz" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...

    > While I am in perfect health, My American HMO
    > (Blue Cross CaliforniCare) doesn't cover a lot of
    > stuff, and indeed does not cover me while traveling
    > in another country. I am not in a position to switch
    > to a different provider as my company only allows
    > this during open enrollment in December.
    > If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling
    > to Spain this May, what can I do to make sure I have
    > some peace of mind?
    > Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen
    > coverage I don't know about?

You may find it helpful to contact your company's human resources
department and ask them if they have recommendations for overseas
medical coverage (sorry, I don't remember which company I used to
cover me for 90 days when I moved from the US to Denmark). Barring
that, if you have auto insurance through a large company that
underwrites other types of insurance as well, such as USAA, call them
and see who they recommend for travel medical policies.

-j

Jenn

In article ,
"Ryan B" wrote:

    > "Jenn" wrote in message
    > news:[email protected]...
    > > In article ,
    > > "Muz" wrote:
    > >
    > > > While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross CaliforniCare)
    > > > doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not cover me while
    > traveling
    > > > in another country. I am not in a position to switch to a different
    > > > provider as my company only allows this during open enrollment in
    > December.
    > > >
    > > > If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this May,
    > > > what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?
    > > >
    > > > Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't know
    > > > about?
    > > >
    > > >
    > > > --
    > > > Muz
    > > >
    > > >
    > >
    > > are you sure your BC/BS doesn't cover you abroad. My policy not only
    > > covers me for treatment by approved providers in europe [and there are
    > > some in major cities] but also will evacacuate me or my corpse if
    > > necessary [that is a rare BC/BS benefit -- but luckily my policy
    > > includes it]
    > >
    > > There are lots of annual travel policies which make more sense than a
    > > single trip policy. I know American Express has one -- but there are
    > > dozens.
    >
    >
    > I also have Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage but I find that it's value in
    > Europe is very limited. France for example has participating hospitals and
    > doctors in only 18 cities, Germany 15, Italy 17, Spain 16, Czech
    > Rep.0,Hungary 0, Netherlands 4 etc. Some countries have no medical
    > facilities at all that honor Blue Cross. You can check what coverage is
    > available in various countries at:
    > http://www.bluecares.com/healthtrave...pe.html#Cyprus
    >
    > Ryan
    >
    >

when there are no preferred local providers, BC will still reimburse you
for care -- just not at the preferred rates --

Ryan B

"Jenn" wrote in message
news:[email protected]...
    > In article ,
    > "Ryan B" wrote:
    > > "Jenn" wrote in message
    > > news:[email protected]...
    > > > In article ,
    > > > "Muz" wrote:
    > > >
    > > > > While I am in perfect health, My American HMO (Blue Cross
CaliforniCare)
    > > > > doesn't cover a lot of stuff, and indeed does not cover me while
    > > traveling
    > > > > in another country. I am not in a position to switch to a different
    > > > > provider as my company only allows this during open enrollment in
    > > December.
    > > > >
    > > > > If I have an unfortunate happenstance while traveling to Spain this
May,
    > > > > what can I do to make sure I have some peace of mind?
    > > > >
    > > > > Travel insurance? Is there some American citizen coverage I don't
know
    > > > > about?
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > > > --
    > > > > Muz
    > > > >
    > > > >
    > > >
    > > > are you sure your BC/BS doesn't cover you abroad. My policy not only
    > > > covers me for treatment by approved providers in europe [and there are
    > > > some in major cities] but also will evacacuate me or my corpse if
    > > > necessary [that is a rare BC/BS benefit -- but luckily my policy
    > > > includes it]
    > > >
    > > > There are lots of annual travel policies which make more sense than a
    > > > single trip policy. I know American Express has one -- but there are
    > > > dozens.
    > >
    > >
    > > I also have Blue Cross/Blue Shield coverage but I find that it's value
in
    > > Europe is very limited. France for example has participating hospitals
and
    > > doctors in only 18 cities, Germany 15, Italy 17, Spain 16, Czech
    > > Rep.0,Hungary 0, Netherlands 4 etc. Some countries have no medical
    > > facilities at all that honor Blue Cross. You can check what coverage is
    > > available in various countries at:
    > > http://www.bluecares.com/healthtrave...pe.html#Cyprus
    > >
    > > Ryan
    > >
    > >
    > when there are no preferred local providers, BC will still reimburse you
    > for care -- just not at the preferred rates --


I had not heard that before. Thanks Jenn.
Ryan

Jenn

    > > >
    > >
    > > when there are no preferred local providers, BC will still reimburse you
    > > for care -- just not at the preferred rates --
    >
    >
    > I had not heard that before. Thanks Jenn.
    > Ryan
    >
    >

They key here is to find out from your local provider first -- because
BC/BS is not the same everywhere -- each employer negotiates a different
package e.g. I have this med evac piece in mine -- most people dn't etc
etc

Glen Black

My HMO is very retro...they think covering acupunture is far
out...so you wanna travel? sorry...like hell. They even quibble about
enough prescription drugs for the month away. ( I walk into any
farmacia with my Rx bottle and get it refilled over the counter; I'm
not on opiates so there is no problem.) So now I buy travellers
insurance. Now mind you, I'm 73 and it still only costs me $118 and
that includes the body bag. Up until last year I went to Europe
uninsured. Perhaps caution is setting in. However, in the past, I've
been treated FREE under the National Health Plan in Italy and Canada,
and the Italian dentist charged me $25 for re-cementing a crown and to
top it off, he studied at UCLA and was crazy for Miles Davis, as am I.
will

, Jenn
wrote:

    > > > >
    > > >
    > > > when there are no preferred local providers, BC will still reimburse you
    > > > for care -- just not at the preferred rates --
    > >
    > >
    > > I had not heard that before. Thanks Jenn.
    > > Ryan
    > >
    > >
    >
    > They key here is to find out from your local provider first -- because
    > BC/BS is not the same everywhere -- each employer negotiates a different
    > package e.g. I have this med evac piece in mine -- most people dn't etc
    > etc