Some travel insurance plans are really just evacuation plans

Medical coverage, emergency evacuation, a choice of hospitals, medical escortsany and all can be part of travel insurance decisions.On the fourth day of the climb, she felt chest pains and feared she was having a heart attack.One provider, the travel and international health-insurance program GeoBlue, says enrollment among travelers age 65-plus has jumped 22% in the past nine months. Among the biggest concerns: orthopedic injuries and cardiac issues."They're walking on cobblestone streets in Mexico or climbing a pyramid," says Brendan Sharkey, director of individual products for GeoBlue, based in Radnor, Pa. "There are a lot of added physical exertions, so underlying chronic conditions tend to flare up." If you're embarking on an ambitious trip to an exotic destination,Xinjiang Tour Guide chances are good you'll need insurance that goes beyond plain-vanilla cancellation coverage in which you receive a refund if you can't travel. A more prehensive package, which usually runs between 4% and 8% of the total trip cost, typically includes financial reimbursement if you need to cancel due to illness or injury; medical coverage, including medical evacuation; and medical assistance, which includes help finding the right hospital, says Linda Kundell, a spokeswoman for the U.S. Travel Insurance Association. But even among prehensive plans, there are differences. Some will transport you only to the nearest hospital, which may not have the highest-quality medical care. Some travel insurance plans are really just evacuation plans; they don't cover expenses related to medical care. All of this is usually made clear in the product description—as long as people take the time to read it, says Moira Bishop, a spokeswoman for GeoBlue.Start by examining your current health-insurance policy to identify what's already covered. For instance,travel in xinjiang your plan might provide for as much as $50,000 in medical costs overseas, which could sound generous. But an evacuation from a remote location could easily hit six figures. When reviewing your health plan, also check to see whether international travel is considered "out of network" and, if so, at what rate you might be reimbursed, says Linda Barger, a spokeswoman for San Diego-based CSA Travel Protection.