Tips for the Traveling Bloomer Boomer
If you’re like many other people, you put off travel during your working years and with more leisure time, you want to catch up on travel that you put off for many of your working years, including everything from visiting grandchildren in other states to a grand overseas adventure.
Leisure Travel Trends, a Focalyst Insight Report found that when asked about life goals, about half of Baby Boomers said they wish to travel and explore the world, according to. More than 81 million older adults were planning to travel in the next year, spending a total of $126 billion on their next trip alone, according to the same report.
Staying Healthy
Regardless of destination, getting sick is probably the last thing on your mind. But what happens to those who get sick while traveling? Where will they go? Will their insurance cover their costs? A little advance planning is critical to protecting a traveler’s physical and financial well-being, particularly for those in the Medicare program. Here are a few tips.
Pick the right health plan
The first step for people with Medicare who plan on traveling is to pick a plan that suits their lifestyle. Several types of plans are available. Each has different rules when it comes to traveling among states or overseas. Some offer a great degree of flexibility to travelers. Others do not.
Medicare Supplement plans are the most flexible for travelers. People with these plans can go to any doctor or hospital that accepts Medicare anywhere in the United States, Puerto Rico, U.S Virgin Islands and Guam. Unlike Original Medicare, most Medicare Supplement plans include some international coverage.
Unlike Medicare Supplement plans, Medicare Advantage (MA) plans are composed of provider networks. Preferred Provider Organization (PPO) and Health Maintenance Organization (HMO) plans cover emergency services while traveling domestically. However, rules for routine services vary. In general, PPOs cover medical services throughout the United States as an “out of network benefit,” which costs more. HMO members may be responsible for all costs of services rendered by out-of-network providers while traveling domestically.
Make arrangements to get and transport medication
One way to stock up on prescription medication is to order a 90-day supply through mail order. Call the number on your insurance card for details. Travelers can transport medication in carry-on or checked baggage, although some supply should be with the passenger in the case of lost luggage. The Transportation Security Administration (TSA) recommends that the prescription label match the passenger’s boarding pass and that the passenger bring supporting documentation. Large, national drugstore chains may be able to fill customers’ prescriptions when they’re away from home.
Carry medical documentation
Members should carry their insurance card, physician contact information, and a list of medical conditions and current medications with them while traveling. When traveling abroad, it’s a good idea to keep a list of food allergies written in the local language to share at restaurants, according to the American Academy of Allergy, Asthma & Immunology.
Consider a pre-travel exam. The Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) says seniors should visit their doctor four to six weeks before traveling. They need to be honest about any limitations they might have. Additionally, vaccines may be necessary, depending on the destination. Doctors also might want to write prescriptions for malaria, altitude illness or travelers’ diarrhea, according to the CDC.
Think about buying additional travel insurance, particularly if traveling abroad
Many health insurance companies offer additional travel insurance at a reasonable cost. Options include emergency dental services worldwide as well as help with lost medications and coverage of emergency medical evacuation. These expenses could cost tens of thousands of dollars. Up-front payment may be required by people who do not have insurance.
In case of emergency, always seek immediate care
As mentioned above, the rules for Medicare plans vary greatly by design. However, in case of an emergency, members should always seek care at the nearest location.
Traveling is a source of great joy to many of us. But in the excitement of picking a hotel, booking a flight and planning your activities, please remember to devote some extra time to thinking about your health.”
