It would be nice if you could leave home and not worry about medical problems when you are traveling overseas. Unfortunately, however accidents and illnesses do occur during business and vacation trips.

Even more unfortunately, medical evacuation and repatriation is not covered by most health or medical policies if you are injured or become sick while abroad.

"It is bad enough to encounter a medical emergency or suffer an accident when you are home. It is even worse when you are traveling overseas," notes Mr. Joseph Griffin, Chairman and CEO, GlobalHealth International Group. "In addition to the stress of a dealing with an emergency while away from home, travellers may also be forced to deal with language barriers, different customers, and inadequate medical facilities."

In addition to these stresses, which often lead to complications of the medical situation, there is the issue of costs to deal with. In many countries, you will be asked to provide an upfront payment guarantee before being admitted to a hospital. And in almost all cases involving medical treatment outside your home country, you will be required to make full payment before being discharged.

Additionally, in situations where the best option is to be transported back to your place of residence for treatment, a medical air evacuation can easily cost $50,000 to $100,000, depending on the needs of the patient, the distance between locations, ease of access to where the injury or illness has occurred, and the need for attending medical professionals during transportation. This, of course, is in addition to the costs of whatever medical care is necessary.

While it is possible to obtain travel insurance that covers emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, one of the most cost-efficient means for doing so is to have this included in your personal or family medical insurance policy. Many organisations, such as GlobalHealth Asia, offer this coverage as an additional option in their private health insurance products. These policies also provide global, 24-hour emergency telephone contacts for assistance in locating local medical facilities and doctors in most places around the world.

Plus, in the case of a death overseas, the expenses for transporting the mortal remains or ashes of the insured, or for reasonable funeral expenses abroad, would be covered under the repatriation insurance.

FACTORS

When investigating emergency medical evacuation coverage or personal health insurance, factors to consider include:

• Level and types of expenses covered for medical or surgical treatments, ambulance charges, and any postoperative needs such as nursing or physiotherapy treatments.

• Coverage of local transportation costs in country if necessary for removal to a more appropriate medical facility.

• Accommodation, travel and repatriation expenses for both the insured person and any other person who is needed to travel with them or even remain with them during recuperation and recovery.

Other benefits to consider include travel costs for any dependent children and legal services for medical related situations.

Whether it's an unexpected heart attack or stroke, or injuries resulting from an automotive accident while abroad, you will want to ensure you have sufficient private health insurance coverage. Before you take that next trip overseas, be sure to check the terms of your current personal medical insurance and, if necessary, consider adding the optional emergency medical evacuation and repatriation coverage.