Travel medical insurance is recommended for nearly all international travelers by the Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) and the U.S. Department of State, but it is especially pertinent for seniors because your chances of getting sick or injured are significantly higher than those of someone younger. 

Because people’s immune systems weaken with age, seniors are more susceptible to contagious diseases, such as the flu. In fact, according to the CDC, an estimated 71 to 85 percent of seasonal flu-related deaths occur in people 65 years or older.

Additionally, according to the World Health Organization, falls are most often suffered by adults over age 65. In the U.S. in 2014 alone, seniors experienced 29 million falls which resulted in 7 million injuries.

If your domestic plan does not provide coverage abroad, you'll be solely responsible for any emergency medical bills you incur while on your trip. For example, the cost of an emergency medical evacuation alone can exceed $100,000, according to the CDC.

Travel medical insurance for senior citizens does not cover *pre-existing conditions, but it does cover medical costs resulting from newly-incurred injuries or illnesses abroad.

With an Atlas Travel plan from Tokio Marine HCC – MIS Group, you’ll be 100% covered for eligible medical expenses (after the deductible and up to the overall maximum limit) for injury and illness incurred within the PPO network or outside the United States.

For injury and illness incurred outside the PPO network within the U.S., you’ll be covered for usual, reasonable, and customary charges (after the deductible and up to the overall maximum limit).

*A pre-existing condition is any condition:

• for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within 2 years prior to your effective date of coverage
• which would cause a reasonably prudent person to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment within 2 years prior to your effective date of coverage
• that existed (with reasonable medical certainty) with 2 years prior to your effective date of coverage, whether or not it was known to you

With an Atlas Travel policy, you can receive emergency travel benefits in addition to medical benefits. Emergency travel benefits include unexpected death benefits and supplemental travel benefits.

Unexpected Death Benefits – These ensure your family would be taken care of if the worst were to happen while abroad. They include:

• Accidental Death & Dismemberment – If you endure a covered accident that results in the loss of your eye(s), limb(s), or life, your Atlas Travel policy will pay the amount indicated in your Schedule of Benefits to your beneficiary.
• Repatriation of Remains – In covered situations, this benefit pays to return your remains to your home country.
• Local Burial or Cremation – Or, in lieu of repatriation, this benefit can provide up to $5,000 for eligible expenses.

Supplemental Travel Benefits – These provide some financial compensation in case of travel mishaps, interruptions, and delays. They include:

• Trip Interruption – Under eligible circumstances, if your trip is unexpectedly cut short, you’ll be covered for the cost of an economy, one-way air or ground transportation ticket to the terminal serving the area you live.
• Travel Delay – If you have a covered flight delay that lasts at least 12 hours and requires an overnight stay, you could be reimbursed up to the benefit limit for reasonable accommodations and meals.
• Lost Checked Luggage – If your luggage is lost for 10-plus days and you’ve filed a formal claim with your airline, Atlas can provide reimbursement for the replacement of clothes and personal hygiene items up to $1,000 (not to exceed $50 on any one item).
• Lost or Stolen Passport/Travel Visa – If your passport or travel visa is lost or stolen, this benefit can provide up to $100 in reimbursement for its replacement.

If your illness is covered under your Atlas Travel policy, there are no other adults traveling with you, and you’re unable to care for the children for a period expected to last over 36 hours, you’ll be covered for the cost of a one-way ticket for each child back to the terminal serving the area in which you principally reside.

If you sustain a life or limb-threatening injury or illness and the nearest hospital or emergency care facility cannot provide the medically-necessary treatment, then your Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit could cover the cost of transporting you to a nearby hospital properly equipped to treat you.

Because age factors into overall policy cost, seniors (typically age 70 and above) generally face higher premiums. But in many cases, Atlas Travel policies cost seniors as little as a few dollars a day.

You may also find that available plans vary for individuals in different age groups. For Atlas Travel, overall coverage maximum options are as follows:

• Travelers Age 69 and Below: $50,000, $100,000, $250,000, $500,000, $1,000,000, or $2,000,000
• Travelers Age 70 to 79: $50,000, $100,000, or $150,000
• Travelers Age 80 or older: $10,000

Individuals age 69 and under can apply for coverage under one policy, as can individuals age 70 to 79 and those age 80 and above. But if you’re traveling with individuals in a different age group, you will need to apply for policies separately.

When you purchase an Atlas policy from Tokio Marine HCC – MIS Group, you can expect:

• Flexibility: You can select the deductible, length of coverage, and coverage maximum that best fit your travel needs.
• Immediate Fulfillment: You’ll receive your policy documents immediately when you buy online.
• Clear Instructions: Your fulfillment document will include instructions on how to seek medical treatment, how to file a claim, and how to contact the customer service department with additional questions.
• Multilingual Travel Assistance: Policies come with access to a line of travel assistance services which can be used 365 days a year. If you lose your passport, need assistance replacing your prescription drugs, or need provider referrals, you can call our World Service Center and someone will help you.