Travel insurance for medical tourism

Medical tourism refers to travelling overseas to a foreign country specifically for a medical procedure. This may be to:

• Undergo cosmetic surgery
• Undergo a surgical procedure or treatment not offered in Australia
• Save money if a procedure is cheaper overseas.

However, as you are choosing to be a medical tourist rather than seek medical treatment in Australia, these types of procedures are considered elective surgeries. This means you won’t be covered by most international travel insurance policies, your Australian private health insurance or by Medicare for the treatment when you’re overseas. Elective and cosmetic surgeries and treatments are also not covered under a Reciprocal Health Care Agreement.

It’s possible that some specialised travel insurance providers may cover medical tourism. However, most travel insurers exclude elective surgeries or elective medical treatment from their cover. This is because travel insurance cover is typically for unforeseen events, such as if you break an ankle while exploring or fall ill unexpectedly.

It’s important to understand that if you still choose to undergo an elective procedure knowing you aren’t covered by medical travel insurance, you will have to pay for all related medical expenses out-of-pocket. This doesn’t just include the initial procedure, but also follow-up care, medications and costs related to any medical complications you may have after the surgery.

While you may not be able to get travel insurance for cosmetic surgeries or other elective procedures, that doesn’t mean it’s not worth taking out travel insurance when you’re planning a trip overseas. What you can be covered for with a comprehensive policy may include:

• Medical expenses (not related to elective procedures). This can cover medical care if you are injured or fall ill while overseas. It can also cover 24/7 emergency assistance, as well as medical evacuation and repatriation back to Australia if necessary.
• Cancellation costs. Travel insurance may protect you from financial losses if you need to cancel part, or all, of your trip due to unforeseen events covered by your policy. However, this will typically only cover pre-booked accommodation, tours or flights.
• Costs caused by travel delays. If severe weather affects your trip, such as causing flight delays, you may be covered for meals and accommodation costs.
• Lost, stolen or damaged luggage expenses. If you need to replace or repair your belongings if they are lost stolen or damaged, your travel insurance may cover this.
• Pre-existing medical conditions. Even if you can’t get cover to have elective surgery for a pre-existing condition while you’re overseas, you may be able to get cover for other scenarios, such as if you need to cancel your trip due to your condition. However, not all conditions are covered automatically, so declare any pre-existing conditions so your insurer can assess what cover is available to you, and if you will need to pay an additional premium.

Check the Product Disclosure Statement (PDS) of your policy to check if elective surgeries are excluded, and what cover may be offered instead.

People may travel overseas for a range of medical procedures and cosmetic surgeries, depending on their individual circumstances and what treatments they’re after.

Common procedures people travel overseas for may include, but are not limited to:

• Cosmetic surgeries (e.g. liposuction, plastic surgery, breast augmentation, facelifts, tummy tucks and more)
• Dental treatment
• Fertility treatment
• Cancer treatment
• Gender affirming surgeries.¹

Whether it’s safe to travel overseas for a medical procedure will depend on different factors such as the procedure, where you undergo the procedure, who your practitioner is and your individual circumstances. The quality of care and medical facilities may not be the same standard as you’re accustomed to in Australia, so thoroughly research where you plan to undertake a procedure and check the accreditation of your medical practitioner.