Coverage Confusion
Many resources, including the US Department of State website , assert that a US resident traveling abroad may be covered by his or her US-based health insurance provider for normal circumstances. Some sources even state that most US health insurance providers cover travel outside the US. But is this really true? The chart below includes coverage information from some of the larger US providers.
Insurance Provider
COVERAGE WITHIN THE CONTINENTAL US
COVERAGE OUTSIDE OF THE CONTINENTAL US
Aetna
YES.
NO. Standard policy covers only “Coordination of Care.” “Emergency/Urgent Care Cases” defined as “serious body dysfunction/severe pain” may be considered for coverage.
Blue Cross Blue Shield
YES.
NO. Must purchase BlueCard Worldwide separately (Blue Cross Blue Shield’s Travel Insurance) to be covered outside continental US.
Cigna
YES.
NO. Standard policy does not cover “Non-Emergency” services. Must pay out-of-pocket and submit claim for possible reimbursement.
Humana
YES.
YES, but coverage outside continental US automatically doubles deductible. Services rendered outside continental US are treated as “Out of Network.”
United Healthcare
YES.
NO. Standard policy does not include coverage outside continental US.
