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Old 28-05-2012, 00:05   #1
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MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

Simple quest,

Coverage for Cruising in the South pacific.
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Old 28-05-2012, 00:32   #2
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

Assuming you are a North American and your "home insurance" does not work "overseas" there are numerous "International Medical Insurance" companies. We used I.M.G.'s Gold coverage for a number of years.
For some see: IMIS Online Services

"Travel" medical insurance normally has a "short duration" coverage since it is designed for folks flying here or there or folks on cruise ships.

Real International Medical Insurance is sold just like your "domestic" health insurance in that it is for a year's duration. So long as you get coverage that covers you everywhere except North America, it is very reasonable.

But besides actual International Medical Insurance it is strongly recommended that you also have "Med-evac" insurance. The normal medical services available in most little countries and those non-1st World countries is rather rudimentary and targeted at whatever the "locals" need, not what a 1st World'er person is used to getting. So for serious problems getting "med-evac'd" back to your home country or a major 1st World country is quite important.

I found that D.A.N. has the best and most cost-effective coverage. See: https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/m.../Travel_Assist
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Old 06-06-2012, 04:40   #3
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

Hi,

I'm considering Pantaenius Sailor Long-distance health insurance. Its about Euro 1560 p.a. and the policy is simple to read and covers pretty much all local plus evac treatment, excluding dental (emergency only).

Any comments on this company?

Regards,

Steve
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Old 06-06-2012, 18:13   #4
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

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Originally Posted by steve.garlick View Post
Hi,
I'm considering Pantaenius Sailor Long-distance health insurance. Its about Euro 1560 p.a. and the policy is simple to read and covers pretty much all local plus evac treatment, excluding dental (emergency only).
Any comments on this company?
Regards, Steve

You need to learn how to do a "Google" search - in this case for "Pantaenius Sailor Long-Distance Health" and you will find a discussion of the subject:
Pantaenius long term sailor plan [Archive] - Yachting and Boating World Forums

According to the link and others Pantaenius Sailor Long Distance is a comprehensive marine insurance that also includes coverage for medical.
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Old 06-06-2012, 19:14   #5
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

thanks for the leads. This issue is the biggest stumbling block to our leaving. US insurance presuming I quit my job is prohibitive - might as well shoot myself if I get sick.
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Old 06-06-2012, 19:39   #6
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

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Originally Posted by osirissail View Post
...Real International Medical Insurance is sold just like your "domestic" health insurance in that it is for a year's duration. So long as you get coverage that covers you everywhere except North America, it is very reasonable...
Correct. You will find that different companies have different exclusion zones and possible time period limits (e.g., need to be outside of USA at least 6 months out of every year, or no coverage at all in USA and Canada). We are still on a USA policy, but will be changing soon to a lower cost international option. We are planning on going to the Pacific Northwest for a season or two, so want coverage that includes Canada.

A down side on some of these policies are very tough exclusions and payment caps for any pre-existing conditions. Study the policy terms carefully when shopping.
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Old 06-06-2012, 19:48   #7
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

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...might as well shoot myself if I get sick.
Realize that in USA we are blessed () with the highest cost medical care system in the world. I think you will find that in many countries you can end up paying a total bill for routine medical care that is equal or less than the co-pay amount you are used to with your current USA insurance (at least my co-pays). You carry insurance just to cover chance of something very serious and expensive happening, but pay for normal health care services in cash.
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Old 07-06-2012, 00:48   #8
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

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. . . I think you will find that in many countries you can end up paying a total bill for routine medical care that is equal or less than the co-pay amount you are used to with your current USA insurance (at least my co-pays). . .
Very true, but with a major caveat attached. In a lot of 3rd World countries, the level or sophistication of medical services available is considerably below what is available from 1st World countries.

That is, the national medical service system of such countries is designed to meet the needs of the locals and their normally occurring medical problems. In these places the locals are born, live and die early from whatever has gone medically wrong. Extraordinary medical interventions is beyond their comprehension, expectation and countries financial resources.

So this is where if you wish to have sophisticated advance medical services available to you and your mate(s) you should continue to maintain coverage in your home country or other 1st World country. And "Med-evac" insurance becomes extremely important as you will have to be transported from the "boondocks" back to your home country in order to take advantage of such "advanced" medical opportunities.

It all depends upon how much "native" you wish to go when cruising the backwaters of the world. Even routine stuff like dermatological services for skin conditions the 1st World basic medical tools are simply non-existant.
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Old 07-06-2012, 10:38   #9
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

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...So this is where if you wish to have sophisticated advance medical services available to you and your mate(s) you should continue to maintain coverage in your home country or other 1st World country. And "Med-evac" insurance becomes extremely important as you will have to be transported from the "boondocks" back to your home country in order to take advantage of such "advanced" medical opportunities. ...
Good points. However, there are lots of countries where good quality medical care is available (Mexico is jumping to mind as that is our next destination). I also believe that most med-evac insurance policies will not transport you back to your home country, but to closest "qualified" medical facility capable of handling your situation. The international policies I am looking at provide for care in developed countries, just leaving out USA.

I think for many of us who's home country is USA, maintaining a health insurance policy in home country (when we are in fact not even in the country) is simply cost prohibitive. If old enough to qualify for Medicare, obviously another situation however. I wish my pockets were deep enough to not have to worry about such things, but I am not there.
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Old 07-06-2012, 20:07   #10
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

i lived in inida,had stays in the hospital, 1 time 2 months,you must make sure you have the money in hand before a doc will see you,after them you get your return.
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Old 07-06-2012, 20:11   #11
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Thats a good point. In germany I was forced to pay for my hospital stay by credit card. And then I claimed it back from my insurer . Hate to see what would have happened if I been there a week or two !! ( and I'm in the EU)

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Old 08-06-2012, 01:28   #12
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

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. . . I wish my pockets were deep enough to not have to worry about such things, but I am not there.
There are some countries that are "medical vacation destinations" especially for USA citizens. Mexico is one, but still you will have to pay cash for the services even though they may be half or a third of what the same service costs in the USA.

I have found that the places where cruisers really like to go and visit are undeveloped, 3rd World countries mainly because the life is simple, basic and very enjoyable.

However, it should be considered in your planning whether access to advanced medical care could be a factor in your life onboard an active cruising boat. If your health is good and your medical history is miniscule or not a major factor, then that is the time to "go for it" and see the world on a cruising boat.

However, as we age (just like our boats) things start to wear out and more "maintenance" is needed to keep thing operating. Unless you are willing to accept the reality of probably dying from something that can be easily taken care of in a 1st World country, then I suggest you consider making plans to keep your options open with regards to being able to return "home" and get medical attention.

And all of this is dynamic in that things change as years roll by. What was not available 5 years ago may be available today or tomorrow. And access can be re-established (e.g., PCIP.gov in the USA) or taken away like some European countries are doing as they increasingly become wary of the expense of giving away advanced "free" medical care to non-citizens.
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Old 09-06-2012, 00:30   #13
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

Quote:
Originally Posted by osirissail View Post
Assuming you are a North American and your "home insurance" does not work "overseas" there are numerous "International Medical Insurance" companies. We used I.M.G.'s Gold coverage for a number of years.
For some see: IMIS Online Services

"Travel" medical insurance normally has a "short duration" coverage since it is designed for folks flying here or there or folks on cruise ships.

Real International Medical Insurance is sold just like your "domestic" health insurance in that it is for a year's duration. So long as you get coverage that covers you everywhere except North America, it is very reasonable.

But besides actual International Medical Insurance it is strongly recommended that you also have "Med-evac" insurance. The normal medical services available in most little countries and those non-1st World countries is rather rudimentary and targeted at whatever the "locals" need, not what a 1st World'er person is used to getting. So for serious problems getting "med-evac'd" back to your home country or a major 1st World country is quite important.

I found that D.A.N. has the best and most cost-effective coverage. See: https://www.diversalertnetwork.org/m.../Travel_Assist
DAN seems almost too good to be true? DO you need additional health coverage on top of their policy? Their medical evacuation plan is very good.
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Old 09-06-2012, 01:16   #14
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

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DAN seems almost too good to be true? DO you need additional health coverage on top of their policy? Their medical evacuation plan is very good.
DAN's Travel Assist is NOT health insurance. It is only medical evacuation insurance. That is, it will pay for the costs of flying you from a location where you cannot get the proper and necessary medical attention to a place where you can get it. Or to ship your remains home if you do not survive whatever "gotcha."

For all "medical" needs of a major category, you can, if you wish and can afford it, get International Medical Insurance for a variety of companies the I and others have listed. This is the insurance that will pay whatever is -according to the policy coverage - billed for the local hospital and doctors above what is allowed or paid for my the local medical system.

The details are complicated so you have to compare the different policies to see if they will cover what you feel is necessary. Obviously, the more medical procedures they cover the more expensive the policy.

In more and more developing countries there is a growing existence of "private" medical hospitals and clinics and doctor's offices in addition to the "public" medical system.

The "private" medical systems is usually more extensive, more personal, and more quickly serves your needs - at a price. A lot of the international medical insurance coverage is aimed at paying for the "private" medical services available when it is available.
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Old 10-06-2012, 20:23   #15
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Re: MEdical Insurance for Offshore cruising

also you may if you are in country long enough try to open a bank acount and then buy insurance from the bank.i have.
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