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When planning international travel, many individuals face a common dilemma of how to protect themselves against unexpected medical emergencies, particularly those related to pre-existing conditions.

This is where the 'acute onset' benefit in travel medical insurance policies becomes a game-changer. By offering coverage for sudden and unforeseen flare-ups of pre-existing conditions, this valuable feature provides peace of mind and financial protection for travellers, allowing them to explore the world with greater confidence.

1. Financial Protection: Covers potentially high costs of emergency medical treatment abroad.

2. Peace of Mind: Allows travellers with stable pre-existing conditions to feel more secure while away from home.

3. Broader Eligibility: Enables more people with pre-existing conditions to obtain travel insurance coverage.

4. Emergency Medical Evacuation: Often includes coverage for medical evacuations related to acute onsets.

5. Immediate Care: Ensures prompt treatment for sudden, unexpected flare-ups of pre-existing conditions.

6. Travel Freedom: Empowers individuals with pre-existing conditions to travel more freely.

7. Gap Coverage: Provides protection that may not be available through regular health insurance plans while abroad.

8. Cost-Effective: Offers a more affordable option compared to policies covering all pre-existing conditions.

9. Flexibility: Often available for various age groups and for both short-term and extended travel.

10. Compliance with Visa Requirements: Helps meet medical insurance requirements for certain travel visas.

Both the Patriot Lite and the Patriot Platinum plans inherently contain the 'Acute Onset' benefit clause. The following is a detailed explanation of the benefits related to the 'Acute Onset of Pre-existing Conditions' for both US citizens and international travellers purchasing these plans:

1. Coverage Limit:

- For U.S. citizens age 64 and under without a Primary Health Plan: Maximum limit of $20,000
- For U.S. citizens age 64 and under with a Primary Health Plan: Maximum limit of $1,000,000
- For U.S. citizens age 65-69: Maximum limit of $2,500
- For non-U.S. citizens age 69 and under: Maximum limit of $1,000,000

2. Eligibility:

- The insured person must be under 70 years of age if a US citizen or age under 69 if a non-US national
- Treatment must be obtained within 24 hours of the sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence
- The pre-existing condition must have been stabilised for at least 30 days prior to the effective date without change in treatment

3. Conditions:

- The insured person must not be traveling against medical advice or to seek treatment for the pre-existing condition
- They must not be in a period of waiting for, or undergoing, a new/changed treatment program for the pre-existing condition

4. Emergency Medical Evacuation:

- Covered up to $25,000 if it arises directly from a covered acute onset of a pre-existing condition
- Insured person must be under age 70 if a US citizen

5. Restrictions:

- Treatment must be medically necessary to stabilise the pre-existing condition
- Coverage is only for eligible medical expenses incurred during the period of coverage

6. Other Considerations:

- Subject to the plan's deductible and coinsurance
- For US citizen clients the pre-existing condition must be covered under the primary health plan to qualify for the higher coverage limit
- The insured must be traveling outside their country of residence and the United States

It's important to note that this is a limited benefit for sudden and unexpected recurrences of pre-existing conditions that require immediate treatment. It does not provide comprehensive coverage for known, ongoing pre-existing conditions.