Travel Insurance and Pre-Existing Conditions: What Travelers With Chronic Illness Need to Know

Travel Insurance and Pre-Existing Conditions: What Travelers With Chronic Illness Need to Know

If you live with a chronic illness, buying travel insurance can feel a little backwards.

The very reason you think you need insurance—your health—is also the thing you worry an insurance company might use to deny your claim.

You start reading phrases like pre-existing medical condition exclusion, look-back period, medically able to travel, and exclusion waiver, and suddenly something that sounded simple feels like you need a law degree to understand it.

I recently found myself dealing with exactly this while planning my trip to Iceland for next year.

I asked my travel agent about travel insurance, Lynne Padilla (253) 225-8336, and because she already knows about my pre-existing health conditions, we weren't simply looking for the cheapest policy. We needed to look at what the policy actually covered, how it treated pre-existing conditions, and what I needed to do to qualify for that coverage.

That conversation reminded me how confusing this can be—especially when you already live with chronic illness and just want an answer to one very basic question:

If something happens because of a condition I already have, am I actually covered?

The answer isn't always a simple yes or no.

Having a pre-existing medical condition does not automatically mean you can't get useful travel insurance coverage. But it does mean you need to understand what you're buying.

And sometimes, when you buy it is just as important as what you buy.

There is a lot to unpack here, so I made a Pre-Existing Conditions Travel Insurance Checklist it's yours for FREE! It's at the bottom of this article. Left-click to download and click to Join the Single, Sick & Broke Traveler community!

First, What Does “Pre-Existing Condition” Actually Mean?

This is where I want you to slow down.

Don't assume that because you've had rheumatoid arthritis, diabetes, heart disease, lupus, asthma, fibromyalgia, or another chronic illness for years that you automatically know how a travel insurance company will classify it.

Insurance policies have their own definitions.

Some travel insurance policies use what is called a look-back period. The company looks at a specific period before you purchased the insurance to determine whether a medical condition meets its definition of pre-existing.

That period isn't the same with every company or every policy.

One insurer might look back 120 days. Another might use 180 days. The policy may consider things such as symptoms, medical treatment, examinations, changes in medication, or other medical events during that period.

That's why I don't want you memorizing a particular number of days from an article—including this one—and assuming that's the rule everywhere.

Read the definition in the actual policy you're considering.

And don't assume something can't be considered pre-existing simply because you haven't received an official diagnosis yet. Depending on the wording of the policy, symptoms or treatment during the look-back period may matter even when doctors haven't yet put a name to what's happening.

For those of us who live with complicated health conditions, that's an important distinction.

Sometimes it takes months—or years—to get answers about symptoms. Insurance definitions don't necessarily work the way we think they should.

The Phrase You Need to Know: Pre-Existing Condition Exclusion Waiver

If you have a chronic illness and you're shopping for travel insurance, there's one phrase I want you to recognize:

Pre-Existing Medical Condition Exclusion Waiver.

A travel insurance policy may normally exclude certain losses resulting from a pre-existing medical condition.

However, some policies offer a waiver of that exclusion when specific requirements are met.

In plain English, that generally means the insurer agrees not to apply that particular pre-existing-condition exclusion to eligible claims if you've satisfied the policy's requirements.

That can make a huge difference for someone traveling with chronic illness.

But—and this is important—a waiver does not mean that suddenly everything related to your health is covered.

The rest of the insurance policy still applies.

There are still benefit limits, covered reasons, exclusions, documentation requirements, and other terms.

So when you see the words pre-existing conditions covered, don't stop reading.

Your next question should be:

Under what circumstances?

Timing Can Matter More Than You Realize

This is probably one of the most important things I learned while looking at this issue.

You may not be able to book your vacation, wait several months, and then think:

Oh, I should probably buy travel insurance before I leave.

By then, you may have missed the window for obtaining a pre-existing-condition exclusion waiver under the plan you're considering.

Some plans require you to purchase coverage within a certain number of days after making your first trip payment or deposit if you want to qualify for the waiver.

The exact deadline varies.

That's why I don't want you walking away from this article remembering, I have 14 days or I have 15 days.

You may not.

Your policy determines your deadline.

Instead, remember this:

If pre-existing-condition coverage matters to you, start thinking about travel insurance when you make your first trip payment—not a few days before you leave.

That's the habit I want my fellow spoonies to develop.

We already have enough things to remember when we're planning a trip. We don't need to discover three months later that we missed an important insurance deadline because nobody told us to look at the policy early.

“Medically Able to Travel” Matters Too

Buying the insurance early may not be the only requirement.

Some policies offering a pre-existing-condition exclusion waiver also require you to be medically able to travel when you purchase the insurance.

That phrase can sound frightening when you live with chronic illness.

Medically able to travel does not necessarily mean perfectly healthy.

Those are two very different things.

Many of us travel while managing chronic illnesses, medications, fatigue, pain, mobility limitations, doctor's appointments, and unpredictable symptoms.

We aren't waiting to become perfectly healthy before we live our lives.

The question is whether you meet the particular insurance policy's requirements at the time you purchase it.

And this is one place where I wouldn't guess.

If you're unsure what “medically able to travel” means under the policy you're considering, ask.

Better yet, when possible, get the answer in writing.

You May Need to Insure Your Full Nonrefundable Trip Cost

Here's another detail that's easy to miss.

Some pre-existing-condition waivers require you to insure all of your prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses.

That can become especially important if you're putting a trip together over time.

Maybe you start with airfare.

Then you book your hotel.

A few weeks later, you add a tour.

Then there's transportation, an excursion, or another nonrefundable reservation.

Depending on the insurance policy, you may need to update the amount you've insured as you add additional prepaid, nonrefundable expenses.

This is particularly important for budget travelers because I know how tempting it can be to insure as little as possible to keep the premium down.

But this is one of those situations where cheap isn't necessarily affordable.

Saving a few dollars on the premium isn't much of a bargain if it affects the protection you thought you were buying.

BEFORE YOU BUY: 5 THINGS TO VERIFY

Before you purchase travel insurance when you have a pre-existing medical condition, stop and verify these five things:

1. How does this policy define a pre-existing medical condition?

Don't rely on what you think the term means. Read the policy's definition.

2. What is the look-back period?

Find out how far back the insurer looks at symptoms, treatment, medication changes, examinations, or other medical events.

3. Does the policy offer a pre-existing-condition exclusion waiver?

If it does, find out exactly what you must do to qualify.

4. What is the deadline for purchasing the insurance?

Ask whether the deadline is connected to your first trip deposit or payment.

5. Do you need to insure all prepaid, nonrefundable trip expenses?

And if you add expenses later, find out whether—and when—you need to update your coverage.

Don't purchase the policy until you understand the answers.

A Waiver Does Not Mean “Everything Is Covered”

This deserves its own section because the word waiver can sound more generous than it really is.

A pre-existing-condition exclusion waiver generally removes a particular exclusion if you meet the requirements.

It does not erase the rest of the insurance contract.

Routine medical care may not be covered.

Planned treatment may not be covered.

Routine prescription refills may not be covered.

Elective treatment may not be covered.

And something that isn't otherwise a covered reason under the policy doesn't necessarily become covered simply because you qualified for the waiver.

That's why I don't think the best question is:

“Does this policy cover pre-existing conditions?”

That's too broad.

Instead, I would ask:

“If my existing medical condition causes me to cancel my trip, interrupt my trip, need emergency treatment, or require medical evacuation, what would this policy cover?”

Now we're getting somewhere.

When I'm Shopping for Travel Insurance, These Are the Questions I Ask

When I'm shopping for travel insurance, I don't just compare prices.

Because I travel with pre-existing health conditions, I need to know what I'm actually buying.

These are the questions I ask—or, when I'm working with a travel agent, the questions I want answered before I purchase the policy:

- How does this policy define a pre-existing medical condition?
- What is the look-back period?
- Does this plan offer a pre-existing-condition exclusion waiver?
- How soon after my first trip payment do I have to purchase the policy?
- Do I need to insure 100% of my prepaid, nonrefundable trip costs?
- If I book another hotel, tour, flight, or excursion later, do I need to add that cost to my policy?
- What does “medically able to travel” mean under this policy?
- If my existing condition flares and I have to cancel my trip, would that potentially qualify for trip-cancellation benefits if I've met the waiver requirements?
- What happens if my condition causes me to interrupt my trip after I've already left?
- Would emergency medical treatment related to my existing condition be eligible for coverage?
- Does the policy include emergency medical evacuation?
- Are there limits on that coverage?
- What documentation would I need if I filed a claim?
- Who do I contact if something happens while I'm traveling?

And I would keep those answers—and my policy information—with my travel documents.

Because when you're sick in a hotel room or sitting in an emergency department hundreds or thousands of miles from home, that is not the moment you want to discover what your insurance policy actually says.

Don't Forget About Your Regular Health Insurance

Travel insurance isn't the only insurance you should investigate before leaving home.

Find out what your regular health insurance covers when you're traveling, especially if you're leaving the United States.

Don't assume.

Call your health insurance company and ask.

Will it cover emergency treatment outside the United States?

Do you have to pay upfront and request reimbursement?

Are there restrictions on where you can receive treatment?

What documentation would you need?

Does your plan cover medical evacuation?

If you're covered by Medicare, be particularly careful about assuming you're protected overseas. Medicare generally provides very limited coverage outside the United States, with certain exceptions.

Knowing this before you travel gives you a much clearer picture of what gaps you may need travel insurance to help fill.

What About Medical Evacuation?

When people think about travel insurance, they often think about getting reimbursed if they have to cancel a vacation.

For travelers with chronic illness, I think we need to look beyond cancellation.

What happens if you become seriously ill while you're already traveling?

What happens if the hospital where you are can't provide the care you need?

What happens if you need to be transported somewhere else for treatment?

And what happens if you need help getting home?

Medical evacuation can be extremely expensive, particularly internationally, so this is a benefit I would want to understand before buying a policy.

Don't just ask whether medical evacuation is included.

Ask how much coverage is provided, what circumstances qualify, who decides whether evacuation is medically necessary, and whether the insurance company's assistance service needs to coordinate it.

Again, the details matter.

Solo Travelers Need to Think About Something Else

When you travel alone, there's another layer to all of this.

Who helps you if something goes wrong?

If I'm traveling by myself and become seriously ill, I may not have a spouse, partner, friend, or family member standing beside me to call the insurance company, locate my policy, contact my hotel, rearrange transportation, or figure out what happens next.

That's one reason preparation matters so much to me.

It's not about being afraid to travel alone.

It's about making solo travel possible by preparing for the things I hope never happen.

Keep your travel insurance information somewhere easy to access.

Keep the insurer's emergency-assistance number in your phone and somewhere outside your phone.

Make sure someone at home knows where you're going and how to access important information if necessary.

And if brain fog is something you deal with, don't depend on yourself remembering everything during a stressful situation.

Write it down.

That's not fear.

That's planning.

What If You Can't Afford the Most Expensive Policy?

This is The Single, Sick, and Broke Traveler, so we're going to talk about money.

You may look at travel insurance options and think:

I can't afford the best one.

First, the most expensive policy isn't automatically the best policy for you.

The goal isn't to buy the policy with the biggest price tag.

The goal is to understand the risks you're trying to protect yourself against and compare policies based on those risks.

If pre-existing-condition protection matters to you, start there.

If you're traveling internationally, look carefully at emergency medical coverage.

If you're traveling alone, think about emergency assistance.

If you've prepaid thousands of dollars that you can't afford to lose, look carefully at cancellation and interruption benefits.

You're not trying to buy every possible benefit.

You're trying to avoid paying for insurance that doesn't protect you from the things you're actually worried about.

Cheap travel insurance isn't necessarily affordable travel insurance.

A $60 policy that doesn't provide the protection you need isn't a bargain.

But neither is an expensive policy filled with benefits you don't need or understand.

Make travel fit your budget—but make sure the protection fits your trip.

When Your Vacation Goes Sideways

Even when you've planned carefully, things happen.

Flights get canceled. Bags disappear. People get sick. Trips get interrupted. Sometimes the vacation you've planned for months suddenly looks nothing like the vacation you expected.

That's why understanding your insurance before something happens is so important.

If you want to know what to do when you're already on the trip and something goes wrong, read When Your Vacation Goes Sideways: Using Travel Insurance When Things Go Wrong & Travel Disaster Toolkit to keep important information together before you leave.

The goal isn't to expect disaster.

It's to make sure a bad day doesn't become worse simply because you don't know what to do next.

Planning Around Chronic Illness Is Part of the Trip

Travel insurance is only one piece of traveling with chronic illness.

You also need to think about your energy, medications, rest days, transportation, mobility, backup plans, and what you'll do if your body doesn't cooperate with the itinerary you carefully created.

That's why I believe in planning a trip around the body you actually have—not the body you wish would magically appear on vacation.

If you're working through that part of your trip planning, read How to Actually Relax On Vacation When You Have a Chronic Illness.

Your trip doesn't have to look like anyone else's.

Make travel fit your body.

Make travel fit your life.

FREE CHECKLIST: PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS & TRAVEL INSURANCE

Before you buy your next travel insurance policy, take my Pre-Existing Conditions Travel Insurance Checklist with you.

Use it when comparing policies, talking with an insurance company, or working with your travel agent so you don't forget the questions that matter.

Your checklist should help you verify:

✓ The policy's definition of a pre-existing condition
✓ The look-back period
✓ Whether a pre-existing-condition exclusion waiver is available
✓ The deadline for purchasing coverage
✓ Whether all prepaid, nonrefundable costs must be insured
✓ How additional trip expenses should be added
✓ The “medically able to travel” requirement
✓ Trip cancellation and interruption coverage
✓ Emergency medical benefits
✓ Medical evacuation coverage
✓ Important exclusions and benefit limits
✓ Documentation needed for a claim
✓ Emergency contact information

Your FREE Pre-Existing Conditions Travel Insurance Checklist is at the bottom of the article.

Keep it with your travel-planning documents so you can use it again when planning your next adventure.

Don't Forget: A Travel Agent Can Help You Ask the Right Questions

You don't have to figure all of this out by yourself.

If you choose to work with a travel agent, tell them about the concerns that matter when you're shopping for insurance.

That's exactly what I'm doing while planning my Iceland trip.

My travel agent already knows that I have pre-existing health conditions. That means she knows what to look for, I can explain what I need and I can ask her to help me look at the available insurance options instead of trying to sort through every possibility by myself.

That's part of what travel agents are there for.

A good travel agent can help you compare available policies and point you toward questions you need to ask. They may also be able to explain differences between the plans available for your particular trip.

But even when I'm working with a travel agent, I still want to read the policy myself before I buy it.

Ultimately, it's my trip, my health, and my money.

I want to understand what I'm purchasing, what isn't covered, what deadlines I need to meet, and what I would need to do if I ever had to make a claim.

And if you don't use a travel agent?

That's okay too.

You can contact insurance companies directly and ask these same questions.

The important thing isn't who helps you shop. It's that you understand what you're buying before you need to use it.

Travel Doesn't Require Perfect Health

Having a pre-existing medical condition doesn't automatically take travel off the table.

It may mean you have a few more questions to ask.

It may mean buying insurance earlier.

It may mean reading several pages of boring policy language that you'd much rather ignore.

It may mean talking with your doctor, your travel agent, your health insurance company, and the travel insurance company before you leave.

That's okay.

Those extra steps are part of making travel fit the life you actually live.

I don't wait for perfect health to travel.

If I did, I might spend my whole life waiting.

Instead, I plan.

I ask questions.

I prepare for what could go wrong without assuming that it will.

And then I go.

Because travel doesn't have to look like anybody else's.

Make travel fit your body. Make travel fit your budget. Make travel fit your life.

Get there your way.

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Medical & Insurance Disclaimer: This article is for general educational purposes only and is not medical, legal, financial, or insurance advice. Travel insurance definitions, benefits, exclusions, eligibility requirements, deadlines, and coverage vary by insurer, policy, state, and individual circumstances. Always read the actual policy documents and contact the insurer or a qualified insurance professional with questions about your individual situation.

The Single, Sick & Broke Traveler

Travel stories for the brave and budget-conscious.

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