What I have learned about GeoBlue Voyager Choice:
I know almost nothing about insurance in general, let alone the ins-and-outs of specific travel insurance plans, but the agents here at Good Neighbor Insurance do.
After some research into GeoBlue Voyager Choice and discussing plans with the experts at GNI, I wanted to share a little bit about what I learned and why I am now convinced that it is a good travel plan for the majority of U.S. travelers. (You can also read more about it in detail here: https://www.gninsurance.com/group-travel/geoblue-voyager-group/#voyager-choice)
Why GeoBlue Voyager Choice is “The King of All Travel Plans”
Pre-existing conditions are covered
For starters, GeoBlue Voyager Choice offers complete coverage for pre-existing medical conditions. So, let’s say you have a heart condition, or maybe you’ve been treated for terrible back pain in the past. If this starts acting up on your trip (because let’s face it, it’s much more likely that older problems will resurface due to pressure from the airplane or a new bed than a new problems occurring, so you should be protected in either circumstance), most other travel insurance plans wouldn’t cover that. Because you had it prior to your trip. Aha, this may be important! Most plans will only take care of any new medical problems that unexpectedly spring up. However, GeoBlue’s got you covered.
Even something like kidney stones may be considered a “pre-existing condition!” Even if you hadn’t had a problem in the past. And those, I am told, feel like someone has shot you in the back. Not something you want to wait to get treated until you get home. With the BeoBlue plan, I am assured it’s a call to the number on the back of the card, and “boom!” you’ll know where to go and most of the time, it’s a direct payment, meaning you don’t need to get reimbursed!
(View the brochure with all those important numbers here: https://www.gninsurance.com/documents/GeoBlue_Voyager_Brochure.pdf)
That brings me to point number two that I discovered from talking with Good Neighbor Insurance…
Direct Pay Agreements with a GeoBlue (HTH) medical insurance card
GeoBlue is part of the same huge network of doctors and hospitals that Blue Cross Blue Shield is a part of. Both brands are owned by the same company. Their extensive network allows GeoBlue Voyager Choice to pay the hospital directly. Most travel insurance companies do not have as large a network or signed agreements in place, so you pay up front, keep your receipts and they simply reimburse you later on.
Now, not everyone may have the money to pay out of their pocket, up front, especially if you are multiple days in the hospital for a serious accident or in an area of the world where medical expenses and hospitals are very expensive. I am told that in Asia especially, medical costs can rival what we pay in the U.S.. Good luck putting that on a credit card! Sometimes the hospital will refuse to let you leave (release you) until the bill has been paid by family. Instead, GeoBlue can recommend top-level facilities and western-trained doctors that just need to see your insurance card. Story continues after the image >>
Bedside visits
GeoBlue Voyager Choice also provides for “bedside visit,” which basically means that if you’re stuck in a hospital overseas for more than a day or two, GeoBlue will actually pay to fly a family member (or someone else close to you) to come stay with you. Then they’ll fly both of you back home when it’s medically safe for you to travel. (Note: This isn’t specific to GeoBlue – most of GNI’s other travel insurance plans also offer this as well. I just think it’s a great feature if you get hurt overseas and the group you are with all need to travel home so they don’t miss their flights. At least if you have travel insurance, someone can stay with you or travel to be with you so it’s not so scary and you are not alone.) Considering this plan is around $2.00 a day, so even for a 20 day trip, the cost is like $40+ dollars. That is a small price to pay to have someone come stay with you if hospitalized.
Connections
As already mentioned, under direct pay above, GeoBlue has one of the most extensive networks of doctors and hospitals that they have relationships with. And they train and work with these hospitals to make sure the standards are high and that you aren’t being treated unnecessarily or based on localized ideas about medicine/healthcare. If you end up needing to go to a hospital, they direct you to the best one, or if there isn’t one locally, arrnage for an emergency evacuation so you can get treated. Especially if you’re not in a westernized country, this can be a huge relief, knowing that you’ll be receiving care from a trusted medical facility with doctors that speak your language.
Medical translation
GeoBlue also help you with translation, as well. If you’re overseas and don’t understand all the medical terms or insurance lingo used in the local language, GeoBlue will assist you in translating and explaining the terms as well as dealing with the doctors and hospital directly regarding your care. They have an app to make this even easier for you.
There are so many other great benefits to GeoBlue’s Voyager Choice plan. Whether it is their lost luggage benefit or even Return of Remains (which I won’t try to explain, but there is an excellent article here). I have heard that many travelers go overseas without ever considering emergency medical insurance. That is crazy! Especially as the risks overseas are so different and the health systems vary so much and may be very expensive…Again, check out GeoBlue Voyager Choice here: https://www.gninsurance.com/group-travel/geoblue-voyager-group/#voyager-choice, or watch our Voyager Group Travel Insurance video below to learn more!
