Are Pre-Existing Conditions Covered by Travel Insurance?

For information relating to policies purchased prior to October 23 2024, please check the Policy Wording provided with your purchase. You can contact us if you need this sent to you again. For plans purchased after October 23 2024, please see below.  

Are pre-existing conditions covered for American travelers? The answer to this depends on several factors including what kind of travel insurance* plan you purchased, when you purchased it and if you were medically able to travel when you made the purchase. First, let’s define what a pre-existing condition is, as outlined in the plan documents.

What is a pre-existing condition?

An illness, disease, or other condition during the 90-day period immediately prior to your trip date for which you or your traveling companion, business partner or family member scheduled to travel with You:

  1. Received or received a recommendation for a test, examination, or medical treatment for a condition which first manifested itself, worsened or became acute, or had symptoms which would have prompted a reasonable person to seek diagnosis, care or treatment; or
  2. Took or received a prescription for drugs or medicine. This definition does not apply to a condition which is treated solely through the taking of prescription drugs and remains controlled without any change in the prescription throughout the 90-day period before coverage is effective;
  3. Required a change in prescribed medication. Change in prescribed medication means the dosage or frequency of a medication has been reduced, increased, stopped and/or new medications have been prescribed due to the worsening of an underlying condition that is being treated with the medication, unless the change is: a) between a brand name and a generic medication with comparable dosage; or b) an adjustment to insulin or anti-coagulant dosage.

Under these circumstances, benefits relating to pre-existing medical conditions will not be covered. However, in certain situations, you may be eligible for a waiver.

How would I be eligible for the pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver?

If you purchase the Explorer or Epic plan, you may be eligible for a waiver under these conditions:

  1. You purchase during the time-sensitive period; and
  2. You are medically able to travel at the time at the time of purchase. When you purchase the plan, you are declaring that you are fit to travel.

If you’re eligible for this waiver and have a pre-existing condition that flairs up during your travels, treatment related to that pre-existing condition may now be covered.

Let’s use an example. You purchase the Explorer or Epic plan during the time-sensitive period and, in doing so, have declared you are fit to travel. You are now eligible for the pre-existing exclusion waiver. You have diabetes but it has remained under control for longer than 90 days prior to your trip date. However, during your trip you have an unexpected blood sugar issue and need emergency care. You may now be eligible for emergency medical expense reimbursement since you have the waiver. This means that the claims department won’t look back on your medical history to see if you had diabetes before you left for your trip.

Remember, however, that travel insurance is for the unexpected incidents that could disrupt your trip – routine care is not covered. The pre-existing medical condition exclusion waiver is not available for the Standard or Annual Plans offered by World Nomads. Be sure to read your plan description for more details on how this works or contact us.  

*All information we provided here is a brief summary. It does not include all terms, conditions, limitations, exclusions, and termination provisions of the plans described. Please carefully read your state specific plan documents for a full description of coverage. Travel insurance is included as part of your travel protection plan which contains both insurance benefits and non-insurance assistance services. Material included on this page does not represent, nor is it specific to, United States Fire Insurance Company or travel insurance benefits provided on United States Fire Insurance Company’s travel protection plans.

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