Hantavirus Outbreak On Cruise Ship: Why Regular Health Insurance Falls Short On Sea

With a recent hantavirus outbreak linked to cruise travel raising medical evacuation risks, Indian health plans that exclude overseas treatment leave passengers exposed. Most domestic policies don’t cover treatment or emergency air ambulance costs abroad; a dedicated overseas travel insurance policy is essential for cruise trips to ensure evacuation and treatment are covered. Such policies generally cover medically necessary emergency medical evacuation, including costs of transporting you in an air ambulance from the site of the incident to the nearest hospital for treatment. If you are travelling on a cruise ship, things can get a bit trickier.

“Check for these benefits in your policy specifically before you sail. Expecting your current health insurance to cover you in international waters could be a costly mistake,” says Vineet Gupta, head– product development, ManipalCigna Health Insurance.

Out-of-Pocket Costs At Sea: What To Expect 

That depends on the type of policy you have. Most Indian health insurance policies do not cover medical expenses abroad, leaving most travellers unprotected in international waters. Very few Indian plans provide overseas coverage, but they come with several restrictions. The hospitalisation has to be for over 24 hours; outpatient department (OPD) costs are not included; ambulance charges are covered only if mentioned in the terms of the policy, and coverage is usually only till stabilisation.

“An overseas travel insurance policy specifically designed for overseas travel is much more suitable and will include cover for emergency medical expenses, including ambulance transport,” says Gupta.

Similar conditions apply. OPD is usually covered, but with a standard deductible of approximately $100 per claim, it is often applicable. Normally, hospitalisation exceeding 24 hours is necessary for claiming medical expenses incurred during hospitalisation. Therefore, it is advisable to always read the terms of your policy carefully before you sail.

When traveling on a cruise, check if onboard treatment is covered. Check if expenses are covered if you are not specifically in any country. Check if the costs of evacuation are covered and if there are caps. Check what happens if you have pre-existing conditions.

From Deck To Desk: How To Raise A Claim On A Cruise

 First, you need to refer to your policy document. It would have a specific section on claim intimation which clearly states who to contact, the overseas service provider's email and telephone numbers, and the list of documents required. You can also contact your insurer’s customer service desk directly by email or by telephone for advice. “For medical expenses and claims, it is advisable to obtain a written diagnosis, prescription, and itemised bill from the ship’s doctor and, if evacuation was necessary, a written certificate of medical necessity from the attending physician,” says Gupta.

Keep all original documents, such as medical reports, bills, prescriptions, discharge summaries, boarding passes, etc., handy at the time of claim submission.