💊 The "Better Health" Trap
Scenario: You visit your doctor 2 weeks before your winter trip to Florida. Good news! Your blood pressure has improved, so the doctor lowers your dosage. You feel great. You fly south.
Reality Check: If you suffer a cardiac event in Florida, your travel insurance will likely pay $0. Why? Because changing your dosage (even lowering it due to improved health) broke the "90-Day Stability Clause." To an insurer, change equals risk.
 |
| Changed Your Blood Pressure Meds? |
Travel insurance for seniors (or anyone with pre-existing conditions) is tricky. It does not cover "everything." It specifically excludes "Unstable Pre-existing Conditions."
To be eligible for coverage, your medical condition must be deemed "Stable" for a set period (typically 90 to 180 days, depending on the policy) prior to your departure date. But "Stable" is a legal definition, not a medical one.
What Counts as a "Change"?
Insurers are extremely strict. Any of the following occurrences within the stability period (e.g., 90 days) can void your coverage for that specific condition:
🚫 The "Not Stable" List:
- Starting a new medication.
- Stopping an existing medication.
- Increasing OR Decreasing dosage.
- A new diagnosis or a pending test result (investigative stage).
- A doctor recommending a visit to a specialist.
The Cost of a Denied Claim
US healthcare costs are notoriously high. A single day in a US Intensive Care Unit (ICU) can easily exceed USD $10,000 in 2026.
Solution: If you must change medications before a trip, you have two primary options:
1. Delay your trip until the stability period (90 or 180 days) has passed.
2. Contact your insurer to buy a specialized "Unstable Pre-existing Condition" rider (This costs more, but ensures coverage).
Chief Editor's Verdict
Do not assume that "minor" tweaks to your prescription don't count. To a claims adjuster, any deviation from the status quo is a red flag.
Before you book your flight, consult your doctor and your insurance broker. Ask specifically: "If we change this script now, will I trigger the stability clause for my trip next month?"
This article is for informational purposes only and does not constitute insurance or legal advice. Travel insurance policies vary significantly by provider. Some policies define "stability" as 90 days, others 180 days, and some may allow exceptions for generic substitutions or dosage reductions (though most do not). Always read the full policy wording and "Pre-existing Condition" exclusions before purchasing coverage.
0 Comments