Tommy has over 15 years experience within the insurance industry, and his primary focus is helping travellers find the right cover for their medical conditions.
Travelling is about exploring new destinations, unwinding from the daily grind, and creating memories that last a lifetime. Whether you're strolling through bustling city streets, relaxing on a serene beach, or hiking through breathtaking landscapes, travel offers endless opportunities for adventure and discovery. But what happens if the unexpected occurs, and you need medical assistance while abroad?
The cost of seeking medical care in another country can be shockingly high, especially if your destination has expensive healthcare systems or you require emergency services. This can leave you not only dealing with the stress of a medical issue but also facing a significant financial burden that could overshadow your travel experience.
The Three Main Factors Contributing to High Medical Costs Abroad
When travelling abroad, unexpected medical expenses can quickly add up, often catching people off guard. Healthcare costs vary widely between countries and depend on several key factors.
Understanding these factors not only gives you a clearer picture of what could contribute to high medical bills but also helps you prepare adequately before your trip. By being aware of these potential challenges, you can better equip yourself to avoid unnecessary stress and protect your well-being while away from home.
The Country You’re Visiting
The cost of medical treatment can vary significantly depending on the country you're visiting. Each country has its own healthcare system, and for tourists, the price of services can be steep.
Europe: Healthcare costs can vary widely across European countries. While some countries offer high-quality care at a lower cost, others—especially those with private facilities—can charge thousands of pounds for medical emergencies, with upfront payments often required. Even with a European Healthcare Insurance Card/Global Healthcare Insurance Card (EHIC/GHIC), you could still be looking at a substantial amount to pay for medical assistance.
Australia: While slightly more affordable, emergency calls and treatments can still add up. Again, the EHIC/GHIC can help here, but even with that, you will still be required to pay for certain treatments, such as a doctor's surgery visit, prescriptions, and ambulance transport. A call for an ambulance could cost you at least £200, even before you step into a hospital.
Thailand: A favourite destination for UK travellers. However, the cost of medical treatment can come as a shock to many. Surgery or a prolonged hospital stay at a private facility can easily exceed £10,000, and payment is often required upfront before treatment begins. Without proper travel insurance, these unexpected expenses can quickly turn a dream trip into a financial nightmare.
The United States: Among the most expensive places to fall ill or get injured, hospitals can quickly rack up enormous bills, even for brief visits. A simple overnight stay for observation or treatment can cost thousands of pounds. For instance, the average cost of an overnight hospital stay in the U.S. is a staggering £7,000, reflecting the high prices of medical care, including room fees, diagnostic tests, and treatments. These costs often leave patients struggling financially, especially those without adequate insurance protection.
The Caribbean: Falling ill or facing an accident in this region can quickly become costly. With most hospitals being privately operated, expenses can escalate rapidly, especially if specialised care is required. In many cases, patients may even need to be transferred to the USA for treatment, further driving up costs.
Countries with privatised healthcare systems or limited public health services for tourists tend to pose the highest risk of unexpected medical bills.
The Treatment You Need
The type of treatment you need, and what country you need the treatment, has a direct impact on costs. Even minor incidents can result in hefty bills.
Minor Treatments: A simple consultation or treatment for a sprained ankle, such as an X-ray and basic bandaging, could cost a few hundred pounds. These fees often include doctor's assessments and any necessary follow-up care.
Emergency Services: If you're injured in a remote area and need to be airlifted to the nearest hospital for urgent care, the cost can skyrocket to £20,000 or more. This includes the helicopter, medical staff on board, and transportation to a suitable facility.
Major Surgeries: Undergoing major procedures like heart surgery in a private overseas hospital could cost upwards of £100,000. This includes pre-surgery consultations, operating room fees, a specialised surgical team, post-operative care, and hospital stay expenses.
Without insurance, tourists are often asked to pay these costs upfront, which can ruin even the most well-planned trip.
The Need for Repatriation
One expense many travellers overlook is repatriation - the cost of getting you back home safely for further treatment. This process can involve arranging medical transportation, ensuring the appropriate care during the journey, and sometimes even coordinating with hospitals both abroad and at home.
READ MORE: What is Repatriation?
The amount can depend on several factors, such as the severity of your condition, the medical staff required to accompany you, the type of transportation needed (ambulance, air ambulance, or commercial flight), and the distance to your home country.
For example:
- Repatriation from Southern Europe could cost around £15,000, covering the cost of a medical escort and essential equipment.
- For destinations further away, like Asia or South America, the bill could rise dramatically to £50,000, especially if an air ambulance is necessary.
If your condition requires specialised care during the flight, such as the presence of a doctor, paramedic, or life-support equipment, costs can climb even higher. Add in factors like language barriers, time-sensitive arrangements, and coordination, the process can become both complex and expensive.
Without comprehensive travel insurance to cover these costs, this could result in significant financial hardship, potentially putting additional stress on you and your loved ones during an already difficult time.
Investing in a robust travel insurance policy can provide peace of mind, ensuring you are prepared for the unexpected and protected from these potentially overwhelming expenses.
EHIC and GHIC
If you're a UK resident travelling within the European Economic Area (EEA) or Switzerland, an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card) or its replacement, the GHIC (Global Health Insurance Card), can be incredibly helpful. These cards allow you to benefit from the same public healthcare as residents receive, but only if it's medically necessary.
Depending on the country you're visiting, you may find that some of your care is free, but then you might be expected to pay for specific treatments (such as prescriptions or doctor consultations).
However, it’s especially important to understand their limitations:
Restricted Protection: These cards only cover medically necessary care provided through the public healthcare system of the host country. This means you can access state-provided medical services, often at a reduced cost or sometimes for free, but private treatments or services are not included. If you're planning to rely on these cards, be aware that access to certain procedures or specialists may be limited depending on the country.
No Repatriation: If you require medical transport back to your home country for further treatment, neither an EHIC nor a GHIC will cover the costs. Repatriation can be extremely expensive, so it's essential to have additional travel insurance to ensure you're protected in such situations. These cards are not a substitute for comprehensive travel insurance.
Not Comprehensive: While EHIC and GHIC cards are helpful for covering medical emergencies, they don’t extend to non-medical issues like lost luggage, travel delays, cancellations, or other disruptions during your trip. For full peace of mind, you'll need separate travel insurance to manage these unexpected inconveniences.
While you should absolutely carry an EHIC or GHIC when you travel, they cannot replace the comprehensive protection a travel insurance policy provides.
READ MORE: EHIC, GHIC & Travel Insurance
Why Travel Insurance is Essential
Accidents or illnesses abroad can happen when you least expect them, and the costs can quickly add up. Travel insurance isn’t just an optional extra—it’s a lifesaver that provides essential protection for both your health and your wallet while you're away. Here’s why it’s so important:
Covers Unexpected Costs: Medical emergencies can be incredibly expensive, especially if they require hospitalisation, surgery, or specialised care. Travel insurance can cover hospital bills, medication, and even medical evacuation or repatriation back to your home country, which can cost tens of thousands of pounds without cover.
Peace of Mind: When you're dealing with an accident or illness far from home, the last thing you want is the added stress of worrying about how to pay for medical care. Travel insurance allows you to focus on your health and recovery, knowing that the financial side is taken care of.
Beyond Healthcare: Travel insurance doesn’t just stop at medical emergencies. Many policies also cover trip cancellations, delayed flights, lost or stolen baggage, and even unexpected incidents like natural disasters or political unrest that could disrupt your travel plans. This versatility means you're prepared for a wide range of potential problems, making your trip smoother and more secure.
READ MORE: Travel Insurance Policy Types and Benefits
Travel insurance is more than just a safety net—it's the key to travelling with confidence, knowing you're protected no matter what life throws your way.
Real-Life Examples
In their recent findings, the ABI (Association of British Insurers), recently disclosed the potential costs of travel insurance claims.
- After a fall in Spain, a holidaymaker required medical treatment and repatriation back to the UK - costing an eye-watering amount of £124,000.
- Another individual contracted Covid whilst on holiday in Cyprus. To get them back to the UK cost a staggering £70,000.
Even with an EHIC/GHIC in place, the following holidaymakers were still required to pay a bill after their medical treatment - but thankfully, they had travel insurance in place.
- Following a fall in France, this holidaymaker was still required to pay £16,000, after their GHIC had already covered 80% of their medical fees. Their travel insurance was able to step in and cover the rest of the bill.
- A holidaymaker in the Canary Islands needed treatment for a lung condition. Their GHIC covered the treatment they received in a state hospital, but as they needed to be transferred to receive private treatment, and then be repatriated back to the UK, the customer was left with a bill for £67,000. Again, travel insurance was there to save the day and cover the costs.
Remember, medical emergencies don’t discriminate—they can happen to anyone, anywhere. Travel insurance ensures that you’re protected, no matter what.
Making Sure You Have the Right Cover
Before your next holiday, take these essential steps to ensure your travel insurance is tailored to your needs and provides the right level of protection:
Declare Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
When purchasing travel insurance, it’s crucial to be completely upfront about any pre-existing medical conditions, no matter how minor they may seem. Failing to declare these conditions could result in your claim being denied, leaving you to cover potentially significant medical expenses on your own.
Think of it this way - your insurer can only provide accurate protection if they fully understand your health history. This includes conditions you may not think about, such as asthma, allergies, or a past surgery. Honesty here ensures peace of mind while travelling.
READ MORE: What Do I Need to Declare?
Read Your Policy Documents Thoroughly
Not all travel insurance policies are created equal, and it’s vital to understand exactly what’s included in yours before you set off. Does your policy cover high-risk activities like skiing, scuba diving, or hiking? What is the upper limit for medical treatments or hospital stays? Does it include repatriation in case of serious illness?
Knowing these details ahead of time can help you avoid unpleasant surprises and ensure you’re prepared for any scenario abroad. Don’t skim through the policy - read it carefully and pay close attention to the exclusions as well.
Contact Your Insurance Provider for Clarity
If any part of your policy is unclear, don’t hesitate to reach out to your provider directly. They’re there to assist you and can clarify exactly what is covered, whether certain activities require additional protection, or even make amendments to your plan if necessary.
For example, if you’ve decided to add a last-minute adventure activity like bungee jumping, your provider can help ensure it’s included in your policy. A quick call can save you from confusion or gaps in your protection.
No one wants a medical emergency, especially when on holiday. Unfortunately, medical emergencies don’t discriminate and can happen when we least expect them, whether it’s a sudden illness, an accident, or an unexpected health issue. These situations can be stressful and overwhelming, especially when you’re far from home and in an unfamiliar healthcare system. To make matters worse, after receiving the necessary treatment, you may find yourself facing hefty medical bills that can quickly add up.
This is where travel insurance comes in as a vital safety net. With the right travel insurance in place, you can breathe a little easier, knowing that those unexpected bills may be covered. Instead of worrying about the financial burden, you can focus entirely on recovering and getting back to enjoying your trip or planning your journey home safely.
Need help finding the perfect cover? Compare trusted travel insurance quotes today and ensure you're prepared for whatever your trip has in store.
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