What Is Covered Under The Acute Onset Of Pre-Existing Conditions?

by Robert F. Read My Articles, Learn More...

There are many professionals in the US who have ailing parents and in-laws in their home country. As the healthcare system in the US is superior to many nations, they decide to get the treatment of their near ones done in their home country. They purchase travel insurance in hope that the pre-existing health conditions would be covered, but it may not. Only acute onset of pre-existing conditions would be covered. As this is a complex term, so the policy purchasers may have various questions in their mind. It has to be told first and foremost, that the claims you make for acute onset of pre-existing conditions is handled by the claims department of the insurance company and the insurance agents are not involved in this process. They just here to assist you in purchase and understanding of the various travel insurance policies.

Definition of Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions

A condition would be treated as acute onset of pre-existing conditions only when there is a sudden recurrence or outbreak of a pre-existing condition (s). Such a condition should rear up naturally without any prior warning by the physician or appearing symptoms. The condition should be of short duration and require immediate help or assistance. Only the conditions that occur after the effective date of purchase of the policy are covered. The treatment for acute onset or pre-existing conditions should be done within 24 hours. If there is a chronic condition prevailing that suddenly decides to turn for the worse, it will not be covered by the policy. None of the travel insurance companies will provide any coverage for scheduled, expected or required medical care or drugs.

What is covered?

The first thing that is not covered under the acute onset of pre-existing conditions is a health condition that may have happened prior to the purchase of your policy. If you had a heart attack before purchasing a policy, it will not be covered. Though if you have high blood pressure and as a result you suffer a sudden heart attack after the insurance purchase, it will be covered. Similarly, an Asthma patient who gets an asthma attack all of a sudden will be covered under the clause. There are varying sub-limits for such a condition. HCCMIS’ Atlas Travel offers coverage of $100,000 (including $25,000 for emergency medical evacuation) for all policies in excess of $50,000 to any policy holder under the age of 70 years. Similarly, IMG’s Patriot Travel offers coverage of $20,000 for policy holders under the age of 65 and without any primary health plan. For policy holders who are 65 or more years of age, the company will provide coverage of $2,500.

What is not covered?

However, what was mentioned above was a hypothetical analysis. The final decision lies with the claims department. They will inspect various facts to come to a conclusion. One can only analyze a condition after it has happened. But if you have been witnessing a rise in your blood pressure prior to getting the insurance and then decide to have a treatment done after the coverage starts, you will not be covered. Neither will you be covered, if you are experiencing minor chest pains over the last few days before purchasing the insurance and then a heart attack happens after the coverage starts. These are pre-existing conditions and they will not be covered.

For policy holders with 70 years or more age, there are no plans that cover acute onset or pre-existing conditions. So, they might have to look for other health plans.