Travel Medical Insurance: Essential for senior travelers.

In the United States, Medicare covers most citizens 65 and older for emergency medical care. However, Medicare does not cover emergency medical care outside of the United States and the U.S. territories such as Guam and Puerto Rico. On an independent travel adventure to Mexico last year, I injured my knee, leg, and wrist in a motorcycle accident. I was transported to a hospital where surgery was performed and I was required to extend my stay in Mexico for 3 weeks before I was allowed to return to my home in the United States. I had signed up for travel insurance when I booked my flight with American Airlines. I was unaware of the coverage and details of the insurance. In this video I explain my experience using travel insurance to pay for my medical bills in Mexico.

[kawabungah]

This "real-world" example that you have shown us is eye opening. One thing that really surprised me was that your American-based credit cards were not honored by the medical entities. So a "good credit score" is no help out of the USA. I do not carry a lot of cash around with me as I travel the world.... I wonder if one could be issued a credit card at a foreign bank, first thing, when entering a country where one is traveling? It's interesting that merchants will honor US credit cards (on the "international bank merchantile network"), but the medical facilities are not set up for it. Your story and lessons learned are fascinating and helpful to us all. Thank you!

[bradb]

Great advice. I’ve never really thought about travel insurance. But now, at 65, I realize that things can happen and at our age it can often be harder to recover.

[brienmuller]

I'm a senior and a believer. I've bought it for my most recent international trips. Good video. The personal experience is helpful.

[roadrider]

If you are looking for a video topic, perhaps do a review of travel ins. policies (since you now know what to look for know). Anyway, I think I'll go for a ride today.

[lizcarlyle]

Hello from CA & many thanks 4 your travel med video! Scary. Traveled 4 years, sick with malaria, dengue fever & typhoid, w/o travel insurance(lucky & not thinking) but now will definitely have it and plan to go to Kuala Lumpur after seeing all the visitors get surgery/healthcare there. Any reason u didn't get flown out to US? Very good point about cash. Big Russian guy passed out in Indonesia (nerve damage) flown to malaysia for surgery & raved about treatment. His insurance Ginkgo from Germany. Easy peasy. Happy you are on the mend & burning rubber! Take care. 🔱👰🏍🌊Really appreciate the video. Stay fun.

[bacbladerunner]

I'm wondering if you considered using your travel insurance to get an emergency flight back to the US (after basic stabilization), and have the surgery done here?

[jeffarnie]

That’s interesting. I’ve always taken out travel insurance and while I read the conditions to make sure it has the appropriate cover, I assumed the insurance company paid direct for any major claims. Knowing the huge medical costs in your country, there is no way I could afford to pay out of my own account if I was travelling in the USA. I will check to see if it’s the same here in Australia. Thanks for the info.

[kwik]

Thanks for sharing. Did you already decide on another new bike yet ?

[wattsupwiththat]

Based on a tip below, I just bought a mult-trip plan thru Geoblue (Blue Cross Blue Shield) and seems very reasonable. Health Ins only. $309/yr for 2 ( first 70 days per trip) $100K/$200 deductible for unlimited number of trips per year. I just turned 70 so it would be less if under 70. We travel twice a year to Europe for 1 month at a time. Fits my needs.

[gabrielkopp]

I hope you recover well and keep riding..as far as the travel insurance..I have desir to leave the United States for any reason in this day and age plenty of beautiful places to ride right here..also glad you did recover your expenses

[bobvandick]

Getting insurance companies to pay out on claims can be very difficult....glad you were able to finally get reimbursed!

[mtkk]

I just purchased medical insurance from Blue Cross Blue Shield for up coming Mexico trip. For the 4 days I will be there, $63 & no deductible with medical limit $1, 000, 000. Hopefully I will not need it but it's reassuring to go on trip.

[bandido]

Thanks for the tips. I live in Gibraltar, Europe, a British territory at the Southern end of the Iberian peninsula next to Spain (a great country to explore by bike) and across the Strait of Gibraltar I also have Morocco to explore, another lovely country. It's a similar situation to USA for medical care quality in Europe though insurance or credit cards are usually needed if you are outside your own country. Medical plans are not unified in th EU so each countryhas its own state system plus private hospitals. However in nearby Morocco it's more like Mexico with only private hospitals providing quality care - and requiring mostly cash in local currency (dirhams) and perhaps they will take euros. So apart from my credit cards and cash wallet, I use a money belt with a hidden inner zip to carry some emergency cash, some €300 in Europe/Morocco, but medical costs can run into thousands. Carrying such amounts is not only impractical but obviously dangerous in poor countries! So I wonder whether there are easy solutions to this problem? All I can think of is having multiple credit cards and hoping to find ATMs, again not likely in rural areas of poor countries. Does anyone have any suggestions?

[th_Decade_Adventures]

Hi Bruce. Have you researched this topic? In the future, which travel insurance will you buy?
I have never thought about it. But I leave for France on Sept 26. So, I want to buy it. Can you recommend one? What is a reasonable price for 2 weeks in France. I am 75. Thanks, Bruce.

[TractioneRag]

Trying to get a hold of you, we are content creators too. Promise we aren't spamming you but I can't find another way to reach out.

[jacobleyva]

Hello this isn’t relevant to this specific video, and I forget what year your Tenere 700 is, however a few days ago Yamaha announce a recall for certain Tenere 700s due to a failure with the front brake caliper falling off due to bolts not being long enough. I just wanna suggest taking your bike in and getting it checked out just in case

[mtkoslowski]

All of this is not a compelling reason for me to ride my motorcycle outside of the USA. 😅

[Patco.]

western union is better than ATM isnt it?

[eprohoda]

how top video-work~ talk to you soon-🔥

[rvator]

So whats someone supposed to do? Carry thousands of dollars in cash.Without your friends what would you have done?