Jane Dotson
When purchasing travel insurance, it is important to understand the difference between primary and secondary emergency medical coverage. Primary coverage means that you can submit a claim directly to your travel insurance company, whereas secondary coverage requires you to first file a claim with your primary health insurance provider and then submit any remaining expenses to your travel insurance company. While primary coverage may be more convenient, it is not always necessary, especially if you have a high-deductible primary insurance plan or if your travel destinations are covered by your primary health insurance. In the case of Medicare and Medicaid, it is important to note that they do not typically cover emergency medical care outside of the United States. When choosing a travel insurance company, it is essential to consider your specific needs, including the likelihood of unforeseen medical expenses, your budget, and the level of coverage required.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Primary vs. Secondary Coverage | Primary coverage allows direct claims, whereas secondary coverage requires filing with the primary insurer first. |
| Reimbursement | Primary coverage allows you to file a claim with your travel insurance company first, which will reimburse you up to the policy's coverage limit. Any remaining expenses can then be claimed with your primary healthcare provider. |
| Claim Process | With secondary coverage, you must submit a claim to your primary insurer first and receive a decision before submitting a claim to your travel insurance company. |
| Deductible | Secondary coverage will not reimburse the deductible paid for regular health insurance. |
| Medicaid and Medicare | Medicaid does not provide coverage outside the U.S. and is not considered primary health insurance for travel insurance. Medicare is considered primary health insurance, and a travel insurance plan with secondary coverage will require filing a claim with Medicare first. |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Some travel medical plans include a pre-existing condition waiver, which provides coverage for flare-ups related to an existing health issue. |
| Coverage Limits | Coverage limits for emergency medical expenses can range from $10,000 to $2 million. |
| Cost | The cost of travel insurance varies depending on factors such as age, destination, trip cost, type of coverage, and trip length. |
| Examples of Companies | IMG, Nationwide, WorldTrips, Seven Corners, iTravelInsured, and Tin Leg are some companies offering travel insurance with emergency medical coverage. |
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What You'll Learn
Primary vs. secondary coverage
When purchasing travel insurance, you may come across the terms "primary insurance" and "secondary insurance" in relation to a plan's medical coverage. The difference between the two lies in how claims are processed and whether other healthcare plans need to be considered before your travel insurance pays out for claims related to unexpected medical bills and healthcare costs incurred while travelling.
If you have a primary insurance plan, your travel insurance company will directly cover your claim without requiring you to file a claim with your primary health insurance policy first. This often results in faster reimbursement, as other parties don't need to get involved in the claims process. However, premiums for primary insurance plans are usually higher than those for secondary insurance plans.
On the other hand, secondary insurance will only process your claim for payment after receiving an explanation of benefits from your primary insurance company, showing how they processed the claim. The secondary insurance plan will then cover any remaining costs not paid by the primary insurer. Secondary insurance plans are typically more affordable than primary insurance plans.
Whether insurance is primary or secondary depends on the situation. For example, if you are travelling abroad outside of your domestic health insurance coverage area, your travel insurance will usually become your primary coverage. However, if you are travelling within your home country, your domestic health insurance will likely be your primary coverage, and your travel insurance will be secondary.
It's important to understand the details of your travel insurance plan to avoid confusion or frustration in the event of a claim. If you have no primary health insurance, you can inform the insurance company of this at the time of the claim, and the secondary coverage will act as the primary coverage.
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When to choose primary insurance
Primary insurance coverage offers a streamlined claims process and greater peace of mind. It is ideal for travellers who dislike paperwork or prefer a simpler, quicker reimbursement process. With primary insurance, you can file your claims directly with the provider, without needing to first file with your primary health insurance company. This means you only have to file one claim and receive one conclusion, which can be crucial in emergencies.
If you have a high deductible on your primary insurance plan, you may want to opt for travel insurance with primary insurance, as this usually does not require you to pay a deductible for covered emergency medical care. If you have no primary health insurance, secondary coverage will essentially act as primary coverage. However, if you have Medicare, a travel insurance plan with secondary coverage may have extra steps, as you will need to file a claim with Medicare first and receive a ''refusal to reimburse' letter.
Your choice between primary and secondary coverage should depend on your travel habits, existing health insurance, and risk tolerance. Before deciding, review your existing health insurance policy to identify any potential gaps in coverage or high out-of-pocket costs. If your regular health insurance plan covers you during your travels, you may not need a travel insurance plan with primary emergency medical benefits.
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When to choose secondary insurance
There are several reasons why you might opt for secondary insurance when it comes to your travel insurance plan. Firstly, if you have a comprehensive health insurance plan that offers substantial coverage, including international claims, secondary travel insurance can provide additional protection without the need for primary coverage. This can be a cost-effective option, as you avoid the potentially higher premiums associated with primary travel insurance.
Secondly, if you're a frequent traveller, annual travel insurance with secondary emergency medical insurance can offer significant savings. This type of plan allows you to protect multiple trips with a single affordable policy. However, do keep in mind that you will still need to submit claims to your primary insurer first before claiming with your travel insurance provider.
Additionally, if you're comfortable with the coverage provided by your domestic health insurance plan and are taking a domestic trip, secondary travel insurance can be a suitable option. In this case, your domestic health insurance remains primary, and the travel insurance supplements it, covering any gaps in your primary coverage. This approach ensures you have the necessary protection while avoiding the need for a separate primary travel insurance plan.
Lastly, if you have a high-deductible primary insurance plan, secondary insurance can help manage costs. While primary travel insurance typically doesn't require a deductible for covered emergency medical care, secondary insurance can help fill the gaps in your primary coverage without paying an additional deductible. This way, you can maximise your benefits across both plans.
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What is covered by primary insurance
Travel insurance is an important safeguard when travelling, as it can provide peace of mind and protect your wallet in the case of an emergency. The difference between primary and secondary medical coverage in travel insurance is the order in which a traveller can file a claim. With primary coverage, you can file a claim with your travel insurance company first, which means you only have to file one claim and receive one conclusion. This can be much simpler and quicker than secondary coverage, where you have to file a claim with your primary health insurer first and then file a separate claim with your travel insurance provider.
Primary coverage often has lower or no deductibles, meaning there are fewer out-of-pocket expenses, whereas secondary coverage may involve more out-of-pocket costs depending on your health insurance policy. It's important to note that if your primary insurer pays the entire claim, you won't need to file a secondary claim. However, if they only pay a portion or deny the claim, you can then file a secondary claim to cover the remaining eligible expenses up to the policy limit.
Your choice between primary and secondary coverage depends on several factors, including your current health insurance, travel destinations, and risk tolerance. If you have no primary health insurance, secondary coverage can act as primary coverage and does not require you to have primary coverage unless stated in the policy. If you have a high deductible on your primary insurance plan, you may want to opt for primary coverage in your travel insurance, as it usually does not require you to pay a deductible for covered emergency medical care. Additionally, if your domestic health insurance doesn't cover international claims, primary coverage is generally safer.
Some companies that offer primary coverage in their travel insurance plans include Travelex, IMG, iTravelInsured, and Nationwide. These companies provide benefits such as medical evacuation, trip cancellation, baggage protection, and travel delay coverage. It's important to review your existing health insurance policy and identify any gaps in coverage before deciding on the type of travel insurance plan that best suits your needs.
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What is not covered by primary insurance
The sources I found do not specify which travel insurance company has emergency medical as primary. However, I can tell you about primary insurance and what is typically not covered.
Primary insurance is when you file a claim with your travel insurance company first, rather than with your primary health insurance company. This means you only have to file one claim and receive one conclusion, which can be simpler and quicker than dealing with multiple insurers. Most plans with secondary insurance will require you to pay a deductible, but with primary insurance, you usually don't have to pay a deductible for covered emergency medical care.
It is important to note that primary insurance for travel may not cover the following:
- Pre-existing medical conditions unless there is a specific waiver for this in your policy.
- Non-medical evacuation coverage, such as evacuation due to political unrest or natural disasters.
- Interruption for any reason, including trip cancellations or interruptions due to reasons not covered in your policy.
- Loss or theft of personal belongings.
- Medical care in certain U.S. states, as some health insurance plans do not cover care received in a different state.
- Emergency medical care outside of the U.S. if you have Medicare or Medicaid.
It is important to carefully review your insurance policy to understand what is and is not covered, as well as any deductibles or other requirements.
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Frequently asked questions
Primary coverage means you can submit a claim to your travel insurance company before submitting to any other insurer. With secondary coverage, you will need to submit your claim to your primary insurance provider before submitting a claim to your travel insurance provider.
Some travel insurance companies that offer primary emergency medical coverage include iTravelInsured, TripProtector Preferred, and Tin Leg Gold.
Allianz Travel Insurance is an example of a company that offers secondary emergency medical coverage.
If you have a high deductible on your primary insurance plan, you may want to purchase travel insurance with primary coverage, as it usually does not require you to pay a deductible for covered emergency medical care. Additionally, if you dislike paperwork, primary coverage may be preferable as it requires submitting only one claim.
