Entry bubble Health Insurance and Travel

By: Editor | May 18, 2009 | Category: Travel

Heather Holland has been working for the Center for Medicare & Medicaid Services (CMS) since 2004. She's traveled around the world and, except for a regrettable coral reef incident in Belize, has managed to stay healthy most of the way.

As the days get longer, gazes turn wistfully toward the office windows. Let’s admit it: we’re planning our vacations. For some this means a family trip to the beach; others lucky enough to snag a travel deal might be headed to Europe. In the current economy, your trip might be to your own backyard. Whatever your destination, one thing’s certain—you don’t want to get sick.

woman laying on couch blowing her noseIf getting sick at home is awful, becoming ill or injured away from home is infinitely worse. You’re in unfamiliar surroundings, you don’t have your own pillow, you don’t know which pharmacy is open past midnight. Uncertainty over whether your insurance will cover your care only compounds the misery.

Since deciphering your insurance policy is the last thing on your mind when hunched in a hotel bathroom with food poisoning, checking your health care policy should be an automatic part of your pre-trip planning. Depending on where you’re going, you may want to buy additional short-term travel coverage. Getting rescued by helicopter from a fall in the Shawangunks mountains doesn’t come cheap, so the peace of mind may be well worth the cost of a policy.

It’s also helpful to familiarize yourself with any local conditions that might affect your health. Will temperatures or altitude be a problem? Are there any scary diseases you should know about? Do you need to pack extra insect repellant? The Centers for Disease Control is a wonderful resource for the critical travel information that can make or break a vacation. You can also stay abreast of any official travel advisories and warnings.

By the way, know that if you or your family members have Medicare, you can probably get care from almost any doctor or hospital in the country. Visit www.medicare.gov/Physician/Home.asp to find a local doctor that accepts Medicare. You might also want to sign up for “Ask Medicare,” the new e-newsletter for caregivers (or anyone who knows someone with Medicare). The summer issue promises lots of tips on healthy senior travel.

Bon voyage!

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Entry bubble Temporary Healthcare Coverage

By: Colleen | March 25, 2009 | Category: Health

insuranceWhen I first graduated college my #1 concern was getting a job. For one thing, my mother was utterly confused as to why she'd bothered to send me to school when I was back in her house, instead of instantly employed upon receiving my diploma. Many an uncomfortable family dinner did this make.

As for me, I was well aware that come January, I was getting booted from my Dad's health insurance plan—and I was one of the lucky ones. Most of my friends got the heave-ho the second we moved our tassels in May. Seeing as I am fairly accident-prone and enjoy having my teeth cleaned, making sure I was covered was a priority.

Now, given the state of the economy, many families are faced with the same concern. Not only is income an issue when losing a job—health insurance and coverage is also a major factor.

Should you lose your job, you do have some options:

  • Special Enrollment in Another Group Plan: This option allows an individual and possibly your family to enroll in a spouse's plan regardless of enrollment periods. Be sure you request the special enrollment within 30 days of losing eligibility for other coverage.
  • COBRA Continuation Coverage: If your employer continues to operate and offer a group plan, COBRA continuation coverage may be available. It may be more expensive than what you were paying while employed, but it's likely to be cheaper than private, individual coverage. COBRA coverage usually lasts 18 months, but may last longer. The U.S. Department of Labor has announced that through the American Recovery and Reinvestment Act of 2009 (ARRA) certain individuals will be eligible for COBRA coverage at a discounted rate.
  • Health Coverage through a Government Program: Medicaid, Sate Children's Health Insurance Program, and Medicare are available through your state insurance department of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services at 1-800-MEDICARE.
  • Private, Individual Health Insurance: Is an option if you had health coverage for at least 18 months without a significant break in coverage and were part of a group plan, your coverage was not terminated because of fraud or failure to pay premiums, and you are not eligible for COBRA or other health coverage.

While none of these options may be ideal, it's at least something. Have you ever lost healthcare coverage? What have you done in between plans?

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