Travel Insurance for Pre-existing Conditions: A Comprehensive Guide
November 21, 2024
Travel insurance can be a lifeline when things go wrong on a trip. But many people wrongly assume that if they have pre-existing medical conditions, they can’t obtain travel insurance for an upcoming trip. Thankfully, that’s always not the case.
The good news is that it’s entirely possible to obtain coverage even if you have a pre-existing medical condition. In order to be covered, you’ll just need to have a basic understanding of how these types of insurance polices work, and what conditions need to be met in order to get coverage for your pre-existing condition.
In this article, we’ll break down everything you need to know about travel insurance for pre-existing conditions, and help you make informed decisions before your next adventure.
What is Considered a Pre-existing Condition for Travel Insurance?
How are Pre-existing Medical Conditions Covered with Travel Insurance?
What is a Pre-existing Medical Exclusion Waiver?
How do I get a Waiver for a Pre-existing Condition?
What Documentation do I Need for a Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Waiver?
FAQs
Get Covered with Redpoint Travel Protection
What is Considered a Pre-existing Condition for Travel Insurance?
A pre-existing condition is generally any medical illness, injury, or condition that existed before you purchased your travel insurance policy. Most travel insurance companies define this broadly, so it can include conditions that have been diagnosed and treated as well as symptoms that haven’t been fully diagnosed.
Common examples of pre-existing conditions include:
- Chronic illnesses, such as diabetes, asthma, high blood pressure, or heart disease.
- Mental health conditions, like depression or anxiety.
- Conditions requiring recent surgery, medical treatment, or prescription medication.
At Redpoint, we define a pre-existing medical condition as an illness, disease, or other condition during the 90-day period immediately prior to your trip cancellation date for which:
- You receive a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment, whether it’s something new, worsening, or becoming acute or you’re showing symptoms and seeking a diagnosis;
- You take or receive a prescription for drugs or medicine (unless it’s for a condition that can only be treated or controlled through said medication, without any adjustments to the prescription needed in that 90-day period); or
- Your prescription changes — i.e., the dosage or frequency is reduced, increased, stopped, and/or new meds are prescribed for an underlying condition getting worse (with exceptions for dosage adjustments for insulin or anticoagulants and swaps between brand names and generics).
What is a Look-back Period?
The “look-back period” is the time frame in which the insurance company reviews your recent medical history — typically 60 to 180 days before you buy travel insurance. Redpoint’s look back is 90 days.
If you sought medical care, were diagnosed, or even just experienced symptoms during this period, your condition could be classified as pre-existing, and it may be excluded from coverage unless you get a pre-existing medical condition waiver. It’s essential to accurately disclose all your medical history during this period and be prepared to provide any recent medical records to the insurance provider if they ask.
How are Pre-existing Medical Conditions Covered with Travel Insurance?
Many travel insurance companies offer coverage for medical emergencies, but they often exclude pre-existing conditions unless you meet specific requirements or purchase additional coverage. To that end, some insurers offer a pre-existing condition waiver, which allows travelers to receive medical coverage related to pre-existing conditions — including emergency medical evacuation coverage — if certain criteria are met.
In yet another move to help you travel with confidence, Redpoint’s pre-existing condition waiver is included at no extra cost, as long as:
- Your premium for the policy is received within the agreed-upon time period;
- You or your traveling companion are medically able and not disabled from travel at the time your premium is paid, based on the assessment of a physician;
- You insure the full cost of all travel arrangements with cancellation penalties or restrictions, including anything prepaid and non-refundable; and
- You update your coverage to include any additional costs for subsequent arrangements within 15 days of payment.
What is a Pre-existing Medical Exclusion Waiver?
A pre-existing medical exclusion waiver is an optional benefit you can purchase to override the standard exclusion for pre-existing conditions. This waiver allows the policy to cover medical expenses related to pre-existing conditions, provided you meet certain conditions.
It’s particularly useful for travelers who have ongoing health conditions and want peace of mind knowing that their medical expenses will be covered if they experience an issue related to their condition while abroad, or need to cancel a trip due to their condition. If you don’t get a waiver and go on your trip anyway, you won’t be covered if you make a claim related to your condition.
Let’s say you had knee surgery three months before a scheduled trip and thought you’d be able to travel by the time of departure. But when the trip arrives, your knee is inflamed and you’re not able to walk for long periods. In that case, you wouldn’t be able to claim for trip cancellation from the travel insurance company if you didn’t obtain a waiver.
Similarly, if you went on your trip and needed to seek treatment for your knee while abroad, your travel insurance provider wouldn’t cover your medical bills for that treatment if you didn’t obtain a waiver.
How do I Get a Waiver for a Pre-existing Condition?
If you want to obtain such a waiver, then you need to ensure that certain conditions are met. First, you typically need to purchase your travel insurance coverage very soon after making the first payment or deposit on your trip, usually within 14 to 21 days. Waiting too long to buy insurance after booking your trip may disqualify you from getting the waiver — especially at Redpoint, where it’s our main requirement.
Some travel insurance providers — Redpoint included — also require you to be medically stable when you purchase the policy, based on the assessment of a physician, so it may be wise to get your doctor to certify that you’re fit for travel at the time of booking. That means no changes to your condition or medication within the look-back period; if you have an existing medical condition, you can’t purchase travel insurance while you’re in the midst of symptoms or treatment and just hope you’ll be better by the time you depart.
Finally, you need to insure your entire trip deposit in order for your waiver to be valid. You can’t insure your initial trip deposit — flights, for example — and then book your hotels and excursions later on. All non-refundable trip costs must be insured at the time of purchase if you want your insurance provider to reimburse you for trip cancellation due to a pre-existing medical condition.
If you don’t insure the entirety of your first trip deposit when purchasing travel insurance initially, you’ll find it difficult to make a successful claim.
What Documentation do I Need for a Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Waiver?
There are certain eligibility requirements you’ll need to meet to secure an existing medical condition exclusion waiver.
For many travel insurance companies, you’ll have to provide a detailed medical history that includes the diagnosis, treatment, and prescribed medication for your condition. You may also need a doctor’s certification stating that you are fit to travel at the time of purchasing the insurance policy and making your initial trip payment. Finally, you should be able to show proof that you purchased the policy within the required time window.
It’s a good idea to keep these documents handy in case the insurer requires proof when issuing the waiver or processing a claim. At Redpoint, we won’t ask for a doctor’s certification at the point of purchase, but will look for it in the event of a claim.
FAQs
What Pre-existing Medical Conditions are not Eligible for a Waiver?
Terminal illnesses or conditions with a poor prognosis, recent major surgeries, certain mental health conditions, and/or severe cardiovascular issues if you’ve had recent complications are not eligible for a pre-existing medical condition waiver.
How Much does a Pre-existing Medical Condition Waiver Cost?
The cost of a waiver is often included in the overall premium, but the total insured trip cost for those with pre-existing conditions may be slightly higher than for those without.
How do you File a Pre-existing Medical Condition Travel Insurance Claim?
You’ll need to submit medical documentation, receipts, and any relevant proof of treatment, along with your travel insurance claim form.
Is Age a Pre-existing Condition?
No, but some medical issues related to age, such as chronic illnesses, may be considered pre-existing.
Is Pregnancy a Pre-existing Condition?
Pregnancy itself is not always classified as a pre-existing condition, but any complications or conditions arising from pregnancy may be subject to exclusion. Always check the fine print on your policy.
Get Covered with Redpoint Travel Protection
Traveling with a pre-existing condition doesn’t mean you have to travel unprotected, especially if you’re covered by Redpoint. With the right travel insurance policy and a pre-existing condition waiver, you can put your mind at ease and enjoy your trip, knowing that you’re likely covered for any emergency medical care that might be required. Contact us for a quote today.
