Traveling while pregnant without international travel medical insurance
Pregnancy is an exciting time as you prepare to bring a baby into the world. But, some people wonder if being pregnant means their travel plans need to come to a halt. The good news is, they don’t have to.
As long as your pregnancy is considered healthy, it is generally considered safe to be flying up to 36 weeks. But, it’s definitely best to get clearance with your doctor before you travel.
Delivering a baby prematurely is never expected (outside of when having multiple babies). When babies come early it can be scary because of the possible health complications. Delivering a preemie baby overseas can be even more worrisome because of all the unknowns.
Preparation for any trip is important, but especially if you’re pregnant. Is there anything you can do to prepare for a baby being born prematurely overseas?
The good news is that there are a few ways you can be ready. We share four things you can do in case delivering a preemie baby overseas is something you must do.
1. Purchase Overseas Travel Medical Insurance
One thing most people don’t realize is that most domestic health insurance plans won’t provide any type of coverage while you’re overseas. That includes coverage for pregnancy and delivering a baby.
Even though the cost of medical care in most other parts of the world is less than the United States, delivering a baby can still be very expensive. Especially, if your baby decides to come prematurely. Costs in much of the Western world and parts of Asia are still quite high and can cost tens of thousands of dollars.
Sadly, many people choose not to purchase travel medical insurance because they feel the risk of needing medical treatment is low. There’s a chance everything will be fine, and you can save yourself a few dollars. However, there’s also a chance you just made a huge mistake.
Our hope is that you will not end up like Kim and Fred.
A Sad Story of Traveling While Pregnant
Several years ago, we heard the sad but true story of a young couple, Kim and Fred. They wanted to enjoy one last overseas vacation before the birth of their twins. Some people call this a “babymoon”, since it’s similar to a honeymoon, except it’s before a baby comes.
They decided to visit Portugal, and everything was going fine. They were taking in the sights and enjoying delicious food. Then, all of the sudden Kim went into labor early.
Her husband rushed her to a hospital, but the medical staff didn’t want to treat her because they didn’t have their passports with them. On top of that, Kim and Fred couldn’t understand the doctors and nurses because they didn’t understand Portuguese, which is the language the staff spoke. “Everyone spoke Portuguese, so I had no clue what was going on,” Kim said.
Eventually, Kim was admitted to the hospital and their babies were delivered minutes later. They had a boy and a girl, both weighing under two pounds. Sadly, their son died two weeks later. Fortunately, their daughter survived.
And if the trauma of losing a baby wasn’t enough by itself, they also faced a $200,000 hospital bill, according to a British newspaper. How come?
Because they never purchased travel medical insurance. Kim and Fred lived a middle-class lifestyle in New Jersey and could not afford to pay that bill.
An update to this story was published a year later and it painted a more positive outlook on their situation. You can read about it here. Unfortunately, there are far too many stories like this where something unexpected happens to people who travel overseas while pregnant.
The Risk of Traveling Internationally Without Insurance
When you travel overseas during a pregnancy without travel medical insurance, you risk having to pay out-of-pocket for any unexpected medical expenses you may incur. For less than $100, Kim and Fred could have purchased a travel medical insurance plan that would have prevented a $200,000 hospital bill!
Another downside to not having travel health insurance is not being able to receive the necessary care. People have been denied care because they were uninsured. Or, you may not receive the same quality care you would have received had you had insurance.
Without coverage, you also miss out on the assistance you can receive from your insurance company. Many insurers offer 24/7 phone assistance, language interpreters and helpful advice.
Kim and Fred could have purchased a plan that provided these services. A Portuguese interpreter and some useful advice would have been a huge help to them during such a traumatic event. And, again, they would not have had to deal with a $200,000 bill that might bankrupt them.
Benefits of Traveling Overseas With Insurance
Traveling overseas during a pregnancy with travel medical insurance lowers your risks. It helps you relax and enjoy yourself and truly embrace your travel experience. Travel medical insurance can make the difference between a wonderful trip and a disastrous one.
The main benefit is that it offers the peace of mind that you will be protected from financial loss in case of unexpected medical bills. It also puts you at ease that you are unlikely to be denied medical care. And your family will also be grateful knowing you will be protected in the event something terrible happens.
Should the unexpected occur, you can have confidence that help is a phone call away. You shouldn’t have to worry that you don’t understand the language being spoken, which is why several carriers offer interpreters.
Note: Travel Insurance Only Covers Complications
To be clear, no travel health insurance insurance policy will cover a normal delivery for someone who is already pregnant. However, travel medical insurance plans will often cover emergency complications of birth and newborn complications of birth (not related to congenital conditions or hereditary disorders), such as premature delivery and birth trauma up to $1,000,000.
Therefore, you should not plan on having your baby overseas unless you have a guarantee that your entire delivery costs will be covered. But, Kim and Fred would have had coverage in their situation.
2. Research Medical Facilities Near Your Destination
Even if you’re not pregnant, it’s wise to research medical facilities near your travel destination. This is especially true if you’re pregnant. A second tip to prepare in case delivering a preemie baby overseas happens to you is to figure out where the nearest hospital and clinic are located. Don’t forget to check and make sure they have a good reputation.
It’s also a good idea to determine your method of transportation to the medical facility. Can taxis easily and quickly pick you up and take you there? Is there another means of transportation that is quicker and more reliable?
Also, it’s wise to always know the nearest hospital if you will be traveling several places during your trip.
3. Always Carry Needed Supplies
A third tip is to always carry any necessities with you. You never know when the baby might come, and it might be when you least expect it.
Make sure you always have your passport, insurance card, and other travel documents on you. Bring anything you think you might need postpartum. Many people put together a pregnancy bag, and it would be a good idea to find a way to bring that with you.
You should never be traveling alone while pregnant, so enlist your travel partner to help carry the supplies.
4. Take Steps to Prevent a Preterm Birth
There are several other things women can do to try to help prevent a preterm birth. Some basic advice includes drinking plenty of fluids, not consuming tobacco or drugs, taking multivitamins regularly, reducing stress, eating healthy, and maintaining a healthy weight. Also, make sure you are managing any chronic diseases.
Delivering a preemie baby overseas will never be an easy task, but being adequately prepared will help it go much smoother.
Travel Health Insurance Plans We Recommend
If you are a U.S. resident with U.S. health insurance, we recommend purchasing the GeoBlue Voyager Choice plan. It covers complications of pregnancy and is a great plan for overseas travel. A domestic health insurance plan is required.
If you are not a U.S. resident, the Atlas International plan may be a good fit for you. It covers complications of pregnancy through 26 weeks and domestic insurance is not required.
None of these plans are very expensive in comparison to other trip costs or the alternative of traveling without protection. Especially the costs related to delivering a preemie baby overseas. We encourage you to call us at 866-636-9100 toll-free for help.
We will make sure you have exactly what you need, and that you understand your coverage before you buy. You can even Skype us at “good neighbor insurance.” We are here to help you travel safely.
Please don’t end up like Fred and Kim, but instead make the wise move and get your travel insurance today! Keep you and your babies safe while you enjoy your next adventure!
