How Travel Insurance Works with Universal Healthcare

Summary: Universal healthcare isn’t truly universal for travelers. Many countries require upfront payments for medical care. A Generali Global Assistance travel protection plan may help cover costs and provide 24/7 support when conditions are met.

Universal healthcare can sound reassuring, but for travelers, it often doesn’t apply. In many destinations, visitors face out-of-pocket costs and upfront payments for treatment. That’s why having travel protection with medical coverage may make a big difference.

In fact, the only problem with universal healthcare is it’s not universal, even in places that claim to have universal healthcare. It’s not for American visitors. And your U.S. health insurance likely isn’t going to cover your international medical expenses.

Here’s what that means: You’re traveling through the United Kingdom and you sprain your ankle. If you were a citizen of the U.K., you could have that examined and treated, no charge. But since you’re not, you have to pay a bill.

That’s not all. A significant number of providers require you to pay for at least a portion of your treatment up front. That’s where a travel protection plan from Generali Global Assistance can shine.

Our travel medical team can help you navigate the medical system where you’re traveling, and Medical & Dental coverage can help reimburse you up to the plan maximum. We may also pay covered inpatient medical bills upfront. Coverage is in excess of your standard coverage, except where prohibited.

Let’s look at some destinations with universal healthcare where you may be required to pay for your treatment:

Also read: What Medicare Doesn't Cover and How Travel Insurance Can Help

Canada

As the State Department reports, “Temporary visitors who are not part of a Canadian province’s healthcare plan may find it hard to get ongoing care.”

Also, many doctors in Quebec primarily speak French. Luckily, if you have a travel protection plan from Generali Global Assistance, it also includes 24/7 Medical Referral and Interpretation/Translation Services.

Also see: Top 10 Places to Visit in Canada

The European Union

What’s great about the EU if you’re a citizen of an EU country is that your healthcare travels. You’re from Belgium and you get sick in Italy? Not a problem. You’re typically covered.

But if you’re an American and get sick in Italy, it’s much more likely your healthcare does not travel.

In addition, as the State Department notes in its information on travel to Italy, “Travelers should get all the details about costs, billing, and medical procedures before agreeing to any treatment. Public hospitals cannot provide an itemized bill, as required by many U.S. insurers. The Italian National Health Service charges one rate for services and room and board. Private hospitals usually require advance payment or proof of insurance before admitting a patient. You may get reimbursed later by your insurance company.”

These conditions aren’t the same throughout the EU. Spain and Germany typically provide itemized bills, but in France, according to the State Department, “Most care providers in France will accept credit card payments, though some only accept cash payments. Make sure your health insurance plan provides coverage abroad. Most care providers abroad only accept cash payments.”

All good reasons to have travel protection that helps cover medical emergencies overseas.

See more - Visiting Schengen: What American Travelers Need to Know

Mexico

The quality of healthcare varies greatly throughout Mexico, but one thing providers have in common is that they ask for payment before treatment.

In addition, the State Department notes that “Some resorts have exclusive deals with medical providers and ambulances. This can limit your choices for emergency healthcare. Get all billing, pricing, and medical procedure details before agreeing to any medical care. Some private providers may discharge a patient to the public hospital if the patient reaches credit card or medical insurance limits. Even if your health insurance will cover the costs of medical care in Mexico, many hospitals want up-front payment. Not all U.S. insurance companies have staff available on nights or weekends to authorize payment.”

Getting sick in Mexico can lead to some serious and unintended consequences for travelers who don’t have travel protection.

Find your next trip: Mexican Vacation Destinations Off the Beaten Path

Jamaica and the Caribbean

In Jamaica, Barbados, the Bahamas, and Trinidad and Tobago, medical providers typically require payment up front. In addition, the quality of care can vary drastically from facility to facility, regardless of whether the facility is public or private.

Coverage that includes transfers to a facility that provides an adequate level of care is vital for travelers taking Caribbean vacations.

Costa Rica

Most providers in Costa Rica need payments upfront, according to the State Department. As a result, they strongly recommend travel medical insurance (as it does for many other destinations around the world).

Find the Best Caribbean Islands for Every Month of the Year

Thailand

The State department says most providers only accept cash, though medical care is readily available and providers are generally high-quality.

Japan

As the State Department writes on its website, “National health insurance does not cover medical evacuation. Medical providers may ask for payment up front. They may also ask for proof of funds before treating uninsured foreigners.”

Travel tips for your first time to Japan

Australia

While medical care in Australia is excellent, most providers only accept cash payments for services. The other major concern in Australia is medical evacuation, which can cost hundreds of thousands of dollars.

As a result, Emergency Assistance & Transportation coverage can be a big help in achieving peace of mind.

The quality of medical services and their payment policies vary around the world. What doesn’t vary? The Medical & Dental and Emergency Assistance & Transportation coverage provided by a Generali Global Assistance travel protection plan.

Generali Global Assistance has worked with medical providers around the world for decades. Get a quote for a travel protection plan today.