Exclusions For Recent Changes
Exclusions for recent changes refer to a rule in travel medical and health insurance policies that limits or denies coverage for medical conditions that have recently changed in treatment, medication, or stability before your coverage began or before you travel. These exclusions are designed to prevent claims related to conditions that may be unstable or unpredictable due to recent medical adjustments.
A “recent change” can include starting a new prescription, changing the dosage or frequency of an existing medication, experiencing new or worsening symptoms, or undergoing a diagnostic test or medical consultation for a developing issue. Insurers often define a stability period - typically 90 to 180 days - during which no such changes can occur for a condition to be eligible for coverage.
This exclusion is particularly important for travelers with chronic or pre-existing medical conditions, as even a minor medication adjustment may reset the stability period and make related claims ineligible.
Example:
If your travel policy requires 90 days of stability for heart conditions and your doctor increases your blood pressure medication 30 days before departure, any cardiac-related claims during your trip may be excluded.
What to Watch For:
Carefully review your policy’s stability and change definitions before traveling. Always disclose recent medical updates to your insurer, even if they seem minor. Some insurers offer optional riders that can waive exclusions for recent changes if specific conditions are met or an additional premium is paid.
See also Stability Period