Travel medical insurance for US trip - how much coverage do I need?

July 6, 2023 9:55 AM

Two adults in late 30s/early 40s range, no preexisting conditions except borderline high cholesterol/BP, relatively healthy overall lifestyle. Local agency's suggested plan has max medical coverage of €75k in US + full coverage of medical repatriation if necessary (we're both fully covered by public healthcare in the European country where we live). Does this seem like enough, or should I get more? Trip duration is about three weeks, no risky sports but some being driven around in cars by others.
posted by nanny's striped stocking to Travel & Transportation around United States (5 answers total)

That seems like enough to me, but I'm also fairly healthy, knock on wood.
posted by Alensin at 10:04 AM on July 6, 2023

So the 75k will cover anything but something catastrophic and then you remaining still unstable enough that you cannot be repatriated.

That will cover an ER visit and some imaging in the ER no problem, but it wouldn't cover say a motor cycle accident with a spinal cord injury. It would cover basic medical care and prescriptions ( say an infection! ) but wouldn't cover the full cost of a heart attack and emergency heart surgery. A night stay due to an asthma attack would be covered no problem. A broken leg with a cast, that would be fine too.

Honestly when you get to the catastrophic stuff, getting back to your home via whatever means necessary is going to more important than paying a hospital bill in a country you may never see again ( and if you don't... you owe a bill in a country you may never be in again at a hospital you'll likely never go to again either and you'll be in the club of so many Americans with medical debt )

So I vote that it's enough.
posted by AlexiaSky at 12:18 PM on July 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

My last trip to the US in 2017, from the UK, my policy would have cost £40 for someone with no medical conditions. For me, with a lot of complications, it was £140. But the medical expenses cover was £1,000,000. I do feel like that's a more reasonable level of cover.

I'd definitely consider shopping around for more peace of mind, in this case. I assume most Euro denominated travel insurance markets are pretty much as competitive as the UK's.
posted by ambrosen at 12:57 PM on July 6, 2023

Where you are visiting might be worth considering as well. Beyond general hospital pricing variability, someone in a more rural area may be more likely to need an expensive air ambulance.

So I would make sure that you are aware of your coverage of medical transportation to the hospital.

Outside of transportation to the hospital considerations, I concur with others that 75k Euros would cover most visits to the ER, but not catastrophes.
posted by oceano at 1:28 PM on July 6, 2023 [1 favorite]

I woman I know was air ambulanced in Florida, and later saw the bill that went to the insurance company: $36K.
posted by kate4914 at 5:55 PM on July 6, 2023