“Travel is good for you” For many travelers, it brings surprises, encounters and happiness. However, this happiness can quickly fade when health problems arise. This is especially true for people with chronic illnesses, who find it hard to find travel insurance to cover health expenses related to their condition. How do you reconcile travel and chronic illness? By finding insurance that will follow you closely, throughout your stay! We explain why it’s difficult, but not impossible.
Why is health insurance essential when traveling?
Whether you’re an expatriate or traveling to the four corners of the world, it’s always advisable to take out international health insurance. It gives you access to the best medical care without having to empty your wallet. Insurance also means you can enjoy your trip to the full, without having to worry about emergencies. All the more so in the case of chronic illnesses. By taking out this type of complementary insurance, you gain access to the best care, whatever your country of residence or vacation, without having to pay anything. As French people, we’re used to being able to access a wide range of treatments without having to pay an extravagant sum. The health cover offered by the French social security system is among the best in the world. Unfortunately, this isn’t the case everywhere: some countries don’t offer universal coverage, access to care can be limited or unaffordable (proof of this can be seen in the cost of healthcare in the USA and Canada, or the care provided may not be up to our standards.Julie, 34, who suffers from multiple sclerosis, was able to go to Canada for three weeks thanks to specialized insurance. “I had a relapse during my stay, but I was taken care of at no cost. Without insurance, I’d never have been able to manage it on the spot,” she says.Travel insurance means you’re covered in the event of loss of medication, an attack, complications or even a simple need for a consultation… Not to mention the fact that taking out insurance helps to lighten the mental load of fear, anxiety or stress about something happening.
Chronic illness: how do you find insurance that really covers you?
While taking out supplementary travel or expatriate insurance is often a no-brainer, it’s not always easy to find one that agrees to cover and reimburse all healthcare costs abroad, even those related to a condition known before departure. If you have a pathology, a medical condition declared before your departure, such as diabetes or heart problems for example, you should be aware that most insurance companies will not cover you for any related event. You may, however, be covered for accidents and/or medical needs. There are companies that will accept to cover you, such as April International’s Liberté insurance, but they are few and far between. So it’s essential to read between the lines and find suitable insurance before you travel.*Please note: insurance contracts offered by bank cards or other comprehensive insurance contracts generally do not cover expenses related to existing medical conditions. It should also be noted that the European Health Insurance Card only covers you during a stay in a European Union country, and only gives you access to treatment in public establishments. Nor does it cover repatriation in case of need.
How to read (and understand) your insurance contract?
To find out whether you are eligible for reimbursement, and under what conditions, it’s essential to know how to decipher your insurance company’s contract. It’s not always easy to find an insurance company willing to cover and reimburse all health expenses incurred abroad, even those related to a condition known before departure. If you have a pathology, a medical condition declared before your departure, such as diabetes or heart problems for example, you should be aware that most insurance companies will not cover you for any related event. You may, however, be covered for accidents and/or medical needs. There are companies that will accept to cover you, such as April International’s Liberté insurance, but they are few and far between. So it’s essential to read between the lines and find suitable insurance before you travel.*Please note: insurance contracts offered by bank cards or other comprehensive insurance contracts generally do not cover expenses related to existing medical conditions. It should also be noted that the European Health Insurance Card only covers you during a stay in a European Union country, and only gives you access to treatment in public establishments. Nor does it cover repatriation in case of need.
Our practical advice for travelling with peace of mind with a chronic illness
Whatever your physical condition, we recommend that you find out what vaccinations are required and/or necessary in the country before you fly, and that you look for yourself or ask the embassy for a list of the best health establishments (French- or English-speaking). We also recommend that you travel with your medication and/or carry it with you at all times, even on the plane. If you are carrying medication, we recommend that you transport it in its original packaging or bottle, with the pharmacist’s label. We also recommend that you make a duplicate prescription (to avoid any problems in the event of loss or when crossing borders). Remember to ask for the “international non-proprietary name” or INN of each drug. This will enable you to replace them or find an equivalent more quickly, and once again, it will be simpler when crossing borders. Living with a physical condition doesn’t prevent you from traveling, so it’s more difficult to find suitable insurance, but not impossible! Don’t hesitate to consult our Santexpat.fr website to find out more, or to contact our experts.Frequently asked questions – Travelling with a chronic illness
Do all insurances refuse to cover chronic illnesses?
No, but most traditional insurances exclude pre-existing or chronic illnesses from their coverage. So it’s essential to read your policy’s terms and conditions carefully. Some specialist insurers, such as April International, ACS or Santexpat.fr, offer specific cover for people with chronic illnesses, subject to certain conditions (no recent hospitalization, stabilized treatment, etc.).
What should I do if I lose my medication abroad?
Here are the steps to follow:
Contact your insurance company or health assistance provider as soon as possible to find out how to proceed.
Go to a pharmacy or medical center with your original prescription, ideally translated into English or the local language.
If necessary, consult a local doctor to obtain an equivalent local prescription.
To avoid this situation, carry a duplicate of your prescription and divide your medication between several pieces of luggage.
Can I travel with insulin or other injectable treatments?
Yes, you can, provided you take certain precautions:
Carry your medication in its original packaging, accompanied by theprescription and a medical certificate.
Keep your medication in your carry-on baggage (never in the hold), especially if it needs to be kept at a stable temperature.
Inform the airline if you need an insulated bag, or if you’re traveling with needles, pens or insulin pumps.
Ask for the International Non-proprietary Name (INN ) of your treatment: this makes it easier to replace in case of loss or emergency abroad.
