Article Travel Leisure Tip

For all the future travelers that have the opportunity to read this story
I would hope that after you finish this article
you would highly consider Travel Insurance!

As a former travel Agent
when I read sad stories about travelers that have bad medical experiences abroad
it starts to make my stomach turn because I would quickly check all my client files to make sure they have all purchased some form of medical and/or cancellation policies from me prior to their travel.

However
when he awoke in the Costa Rica hospital where he had admitted himself
he quickly found out that his kidney was removed! This young man’s jaw was never fixed and the medical doctor in Costa Rica claimed several of his internal organs were damaged
and out of all the organs that were injured
they had to remove one of his kidneys. Makes you go Hmmm!

Now in my professional opinion
I would classify Costa Rica as a popular destination that I would recommend to many of my past clients to visit for their ecotourism and exotic vacation appeal. The problem is that when we suggest these destinations that are glorified as paradises
we sometimes forget to tell them that these vacation destinations don’t have medical facilities that are comparable to North American standards
and also not all facilities operate in the best faith.

All the facts about this incident are not proven yet
but the truth of the matter is in this incident
having the proper travel medical insurance coverage could have been the difference in this gentleman coming home safely with a fixed jaw and his kidney intact.

How Does Medical Travel Protection Policies Eliminate Situations Like This
You Ask?

Keep this in perspective due to the nature of the incident. The facts are still coming in about this mans occurrence Costa Rican hospital
and I’m not totally certain he did not have travel coverage
but in my professional opinion
if he did have a reputable comprehensive travel medical policy
I truly believe this situation would not have happened.

Here is my explanation that you can apply to having quality medical coverage. When you visit your travel agent
or decide to book your vacation online
many of the agencies and online companies will offer you an insurance policy that is designed specifically for your travel protection while away from your originating country. Due to a large percentage of your medical costs that may not be covered by the country you live in
travel medical emergency policies are there to protect you from the additional costs that your country will not be covering.

Let’s take this one step further. While you’re away on vacation
the Travel Medical/Cancellation Company you purchased your policy from now has a vested interest in your physical and financial protection. However
they also have a reputation and a financial interest in their company! By saying this
they must make sure that claims that are paid out are legitimate
and are not abused by many of the un-regulated foreign medical facilities that treat patients for emergency situations.

To control these illegal practices
most
if not all
travel insurance providers (including online Insurance companies) establish worldwide relationships with a great number of medical facilities in the tourist areas
and in this relationship
the selected Travel Insurance Company regulates them with very strict rules and guidelines.

This is why it’s important to read the policy terms and conditions
and understand what is required as the policyholders must follow these terms for their own protection under emergency situations. What many conditions state are that the people who get injured due to an unexpected situation
must contact the insurer prior to admitting themselves to a hospital
or a large percentage of their claim may not be paid.

Now I know many of you may be saying that if you were not conscious at the time you were admitted to a hospital
that’s beyond your control
and you’re right! However
upon becoming aware
you must at your earliest opportunity advise the Insurance Company where you are
and if it’s not a regulated hospital on their list
they will make arrangements to remove you to their preferred medical facility.

Why Does A Travel Insurance Company Go To All This Trouble?

This is where we continue from the story about the young man that had his kidney removed. Again
I’m going by my own opinion and no one else
and like I mentioned prior I don’t have all the facts
but in my profession I strongly believe that if this person had coverage with a reputable Travel Insurance Company
he would have more than likely contacted their toll free worldwide number
and talked to professional staff that are trained in the medical field.

He would have been directed to the correct hospital
and when he arrived
upon the instructions of the Insurance staff
he would have passed this information on to the medical staff at the Costa Rican hospital. This does one of two things
it gives the Insurance Company the power to regulate and make sure that only the necessary surgeries are taking place
and because they’re paying the bill
they will ensure that every situation is medically documented for any future liability.

I can’t guarantee that having the medical coverage would have avoided this situation
but I have to say when you eliminate all the risks by working with the Medical Insurance provider
you have a better opportunity in walking out of that foreign hospital with the peace-of-mind that you’re not going back home without all your valuable functioning organs.