🫁 長途飛行 × 肺栓塞（Pulmonary Embolism）：美國居民出國旅遊保險完整指南

如果你在美國生活，有過血栓或肺栓塞（Pulmonary Embolism, PE）病史，卻又想出國旅行、搭長途飛機，最常見的三個擔心是：

我還能不能坐長途飛機？會不會又塞住？
旅遊保險 Travel Insurance 會不會賠？還是會說是「既往病史」不理我？
我要怎麼選 Travel Insurance，才不會出事又自己吞帳單？

這篇文章以 「美國居民（U.S. residents）出國」 為主，幫你把：

肺栓塞是什麼？為什麼長途飛行風險更高？
有哪些高風險族群？
Travel Insurance 怎麼看待血栓、肺栓塞？
什麼是 Pre-existing Condition（既往病史）？
什麼是 Pre-existing Condition Waiver？買對就會賠
出國前、飛機上可以做哪些自我保護？

溫馨提醒：本文為一般資訊，不能取代醫生專業建議。出國前一定要先與你的主治醫師討論旅行與飛行安全。

🫁 一、肺栓塞（Pulmonary Embolism）是什麼？為什麼大家這麼怕？

多數的肺栓塞，源頭其實是腿部的 DVT（Deep Vein Thrombosis，深層靜脈血栓）。

簡單說：

血塊先在小腿或大腿的深層靜脈形成（DVT）。
血塊脫落，隨血液循環一路往上跑。
最後「卡」在肺部的動脈，堵住血流 → 就是 肺栓塞（PE）。

常見症狀包括：

突然感到呼吸困難、喘不過氣
胸痛（深呼吸會更痛）
心跳加快、頭暈
一邊小腿腫脹、疼痛（可能是 DVT 徵兆）
嚴重時可能休克、甚至致命

為什麼一提到長途飛行，大家就開始擔心肺栓塞？
因為長時間坐著不動，血液會「卡」在腿部，加上脫水、年紀、慢性病，血栓就比較容易形成。

✈️ 二、長途飛機為什麼特別容易出現血栓問題？

飛機上幾個關鍵因素：

久坐不動：膝蓋長時間彎曲，血液回流變慢。
空氣乾燥、容易脫水：水喝太少，血液黏稠度增加。
年紀偏大、慢性病多：血管本來就較脆弱、循環較差。

下面這些人，血栓風險更高：

60～90 歲的長者
有糖尿病、高血壓、高血脂
曾經有 DVT / PE / 心臟病史
嚴重肥胖，或長期久坐（辦公室族）
最近動過大手術、長期臥床

但高風險不代表一定不能飛。 只是：在「飛行安全」之外，我們還要多問一句：
如果真的在國外發生血栓，Travel Insurance 到底會不會賠？

💡 三、美國居民出國：Travel Insurance 對「血栓、肺栓塞」怎麼看？

對美國保險公司來說，關鍵有三個：

這次的血栓，是「新發生」還是「舊疾惡化」？
你在投保前，有沒有 被診斷、就醫、用藥？
你有沒有買到 Pre-existing Condition Waiver（既往病史豁免）？

📌 情境 1：以前從沒血栓，只是年紀大、慢性病多

例如：你有糖尿病、高血壓，但從來沒有 DVT / PE 病史。
在飛機上因為久坐，第一次發生血栓或肺栓塞，這種情況：

✅ 對多數 Travel Medical 來說：屬於「新急症」，可以理賠。

前提是：

保單裡有足夠的 Emergency Medical Coverage（金額越高越好）
不是故意隱瞞重大病史（例如剛動心臟手術卻完全不填）

📌 情境 2：你有舊的 DVT / PE 病史，但已經穩定很久

例如：你 3 年前有肺栓塞，當時治療後就固定吃藥追蹤，近期狀況穩定。

這種情況在 Travel Insurance 裡，通常會被視為 Pre-existing Condition（既往病史）。
但是——

如果你有買到「Pre-existing Condition Waiver」，很多情況依然可以賠。

所以關鍵變成：

你有沒有在規定期限內（訂旅程後 14～21 天內）買保險？
有沒有符合保單要求（例如全額預付、或一定比例的旅費已支付）？

📌 情境 3：出國前不久，剛發生新的血栓或 PE

例如：你出國前 1 個月，剛因 DVT 住院，出院沒多久就想出國。

這種屬於 「病況仍不穩定」，保險公司最擔心的就是：

出國途中病況惡化、再次住院
醫生其實不建議你飛，但你還是硬要出國

在這種情況，Travel Insurance 可能會：

要求更多醫療紀錄
認定這是 high risk pre-existing condition
沒有 Waiver 的情況下，部分或全部拒賠與血栓有關的醫療費用

這時候，最重要的不是保險，而是醫生的評估：
如果主治醫師明確寫「不建議搭機」，就算保險願意賣給你，也不代表風險是安全的。

📖 四、什麼是 Pre-existing Condition？旅遊保險怎麼算「既往病史」？

在 Travel Insurance 的世界裡，「Pre-existing Condition」通常不是只看「有沒有病史」，而是看：

在出發前的某一段期間（例如 60、90 或 180 天內）
你是否因該疾病有：看醫生、拿藥、檢查、調整藥物、住院

也就是說：

✅ 很久以前發生、完全穩定、最近完全沒有看診或用藥調整 → 有機會被視為「非 active pre-existing」。
❌ 近幾個月內一直看診、變換藥物、血栓仍不穩定 → 很可能被視為「active pre-existing」。

不同公司的「look-back period（回溯期間）」不一樣，常見有：

60 天
90 天
180 天

這也是為什麼你在選 Travel Insurance 時，不要只看價錢，而要看：

回溯期間多長？
有沒有提供 Pre-existing Condition Waiver？

🛡 五、什麼是「Pre-existing Condition Waiver」？買對就差很多

很多美國旅遊保險公司會提供一個「加分條款」：

Pre-existing Condition Waiver（既往病史豁免）

簡單說，就是：

只要你在規定時間內購買保險（例如：在支付第一筆旅費後 14～21 天內）
旅費有達到一定門檻或全額預付
出國當時你適合旅行、醫生沒有宣告你不適合旅行

那麼：

保險公司就「不能」用 Pre-existing Condition 當理由拒賠，與舊病相關的急性發作，也納入保障範圍（依保單條款）。

對有血栓病史、心臟病、糖尿病、高血壓的人來說，這條款非常重要。

✈️ 六、有血栓病史的人，出國前可以怎麼做？

（一）一定要先問主治醫師

我現在的狀態適不適合飛行？
建議最長可飛多久？需要分段轉機嗎？
是否需要在飛行前後調整藥物？
需不需要在飛機上定時活動？

（二）選對 Travel Insurance 計畫

選擇 有 Emergency Medical + Emergency Evacuation 的計畫
醫療額度至少 US$100,000–US$500,000 以上更安心
有血栓 / 心血管病史者 → 優先考慮有 Pre-existing Condition Waiver 的方案

（三）飛機上的自我保護

盡量選走道位（比較好起身活動）
每 1 小時起身走動、做小腿伸展
多喝水，避免咖啡、酒精（容易脫水）
依醫生建議考慮穿彈性襪（compression stockings）

🏥 七、如果真的在國外發生血栓或肺栓塞，旅遊保險會怎麼幫？

多數 Travel Insurance 計畫，對於「急性發作」的處理會包括：

急診費用（Emergency Room）
住院費、加護病房（ICU）
必要的檢查（CT、超音波、抽血等）
必要時的手術或介入治療
醫療轉送（MedEvac）
嚴重時的遺體遣返（Repatriation of Remains）

有保險 → 至少財務上有人幫你扛一部分。
沒保險 → 很多家庭會被一張醫療帳單壓得喘不過氣。

🔗 八、你可能也會想看（發文後加上 interlink）

👉 什麼是 Pre-existing Condition？旅遊保險怎麼定義「既往病史」
👉 慢性病 × Travel Medical：糖尿病、高血壓患者出國前必看清單
👉 長途飛行 × DVT：怎麼預防深層靜脈栓塞？
👉 台灣旅遊不便險 vs 美國 Travel Medical：有什麼差別？
👉 爸媽來美：Visitor Insurance 懶人包（爸媽來美版本）

小總結：
有肺栓塞或血栓病史，不代表你的人生再也不能出國旅行。
關鍵在於：跟醫生好好討論、誠實面對自己的病史、選對適合的 Travel Insurance，並在旅程中好好照顧自己的身體。

🫁 Travel Insurance After Pulmonary Embolism (PE): A Complete Guide for U.S. Travelers

If you live in the U.S., have a history of blood clots or pulmonary embolism (PE), and still want to travel internationally, you’re not alone.

Many travelers worry about:

“Is it still safe for me to fly on a long-haul flight?”
“Will travel insurance cover me if I have another clot?”
“Will they just call it a ‘pre-existing condition’ and deny my claim?”

This article is written for U.S. residents traveling abroad and will walk you through:

What pulmonary embolism (PE) is, and why long flights increase the risk
Who is at higher risk during air travel
How travel insurance looks at blood clots and PE
What counts as a pre-existing condition
How a pre-existing condition waiver can help
Practical tips to protect yourself before and during your trip

Important: This article provides general information only and is not medical advice. Always consult your physician before you travel or fly after PE/DVT.

🫁 1. What Is Pulmonary Embolism (PE) and Why Is It So Serious?

Most pulmonary embolisms start as a deep vein thrombosis (DVT) in the leg.

A blood clot forms in a deep vein in your calf or thigh.
The clot breaks off and travels through your bloodstream.
It lodges in the arteries of your lungs → this is a pulmonary embolism (PE).

Common symptoms can include:

Sudden shortness of breath
Chest pain (often worse with deep breathing)
Rapid heartbeat
Feeling lightheaded or faint
One leg becoming swollen, red, or painful (possible DVT)

Untreated PE can be life-threatening. That’s why people get nervous whenever they hear “blood clots + long flights.”

✈️ 2. Why Do Long Flights Increase the Risk of Blood Clots?

Flying itself doesn’t “create” a clot, but it does combine several risk factors:

Prolonged sitting: Your knees stay bent, and blood flow slows down in the legs.
Dehydration: The cabin air is dry; if you don’t drink enough water, your blood can become thicker.
Age and chronic conditions: Older travelers with diabetes, high blood pressure, or heart disease may already have reduced circulation.

Higher-risk travelers often include:

Adults over 60–70 years old
People with diabetes, high blood pressure, or high cholesterol
Those with a history of DVT, PE, or heart disease
People who are obese or very sedentary
Anyone who recently had major surgery or prolonged bed rest

Higher risk does not automatically mean “no travel.”
It simply means you need to plan more carefully — medically and financially (with the right travel insurance).

💡 3. Will Travel Insurance Cover PE or Blood Clots for U.S. Travelers?

From a travel insurance perspective, three questions matter most:

Is this a new event or a flare-up of an existing condition?
Did you receive diagnosis, treatment, tests, or medication changes before the trip?
Did you purchase a policy that includes a pre-existing condition waiver?

📌 Scenario 1: No prior history of DVT/PE, but you develop a clot on the plane

Example: You have diabetes and high blood pressure, but you’ve never had DVT or PE before. During or after a long flight, you suddenly develop a blood clot or PE for the first time.

In most cases, this is treated as a new, unexpected medical emergency.

✅ With proper emergency medical coverage, travel insurance will usually cover this (subject to policy terms).

📌 Scenario 2: You had DVT/PE in the past, but it has been stable for a long time

Example: You had a PE several years ago, completed treatment, and have been stable under your doctor’s care.

In this situation, your history is considered a pre-existing condition. However, if you buy a policy with a:

Pre-existing condition waiver,

the insurer may still cover a recurrence of PE/DVT during your trip, as long as you meet the waiver requirements.

📌 Scenario 3: You had a recent PE/DVT and your condition is still unstable

Example: You had a clot and hospitalization a few weeks before your trip, and your doctor is still adjusting your medication.

This is considered an active, unstable pre-existing condition. In this case:

Coverage may be limited or excluded for related events.
Some insurers may decline to issue certain plans.
If your doctor advises against flying and you travel anyway, claims may be denied.

In such situations, it’s even more important to:

Listen to your doctor’s recommendation.
Consider postponing travel if your condition is not stable.

📖 4. What Counts as a Pre-Existing Condition in Travel Insurance?

In travel insurance, a pre-existing condition is usually defined by a look-back period — not just by having a diagnosis in the distant past.

Common look-back periods include:

60 days
90 days
180 days

During that look-back period, insurers may ask:

Did you have symptoms?
Did you see a doctor?
Did you get tests, treatment, or a medication change?

✅ If your condition has been stable and you had no treatment or medication changes in the look-back window, it may not be treated as an “active” pre-existing condition.
❌ If you recently needed treatment, tests, medication changes, or hospitalization for PE/DVT, it will almost certainly be treated as pre-existing.

That’s why it’s crucial to read the policy’s definition of “pre-existing condition” and its specific look-back period.

🛡 5. What Is a Pre-Existing Condition Waiver — and Why Does It Matter?

A pre-existing condition waiver is a powerful feature in many U.S.-based travel insurance plans.

In simple terms, it means:

You buy the policy within a limited time window (often 14–21 days) after your first trip payment.
You insure the full trip cost (or at least a required minimum).
You are medically able to travel at the time of purchase.

If you meet those conditions, then:

The insurer agrees not to deny claims solely because they’re related to a pre-existing condition, including a history of PE or DVT (subject to the policy language).

For travelers with any serious medical history — heart disease, stroke, diabetes complications, or PE/DVT — a policy with a pre-existing condition waiver is often the safest choice.

✈️ 6. How to Prepare for International Travel After PE/DVT

(1) Talk to your doctor first

Are you medically fit to fly?
How long a flight is reasonable for you?
Do you need any changes to your medication before or during the trip?
Should you wear compression stockings on the plane?

(2) Choose the right type of travel insurance

Look for a plan with strong emergency medical coverage (e.g., US$100,000–US$500,000+).
Make sure it includes emergency medical evacuation.
If you have a history of PE/DVT, strongly consider a plan with a pre-existing condition waiver and buy it within the required time frame.

(3) Protect yourself during long flights

Choose an aisle seat if possible, so it’s easier to get up.
Walk around the cabin regularly (e.g., every 1–2 hours).
Do simple leg exercises while seated — ankle circles, heel lifts, toe taps.
Drink plenty of water; limit alcohol and caffeine.
Use compression stockings if recommended by your doctor.

🏥 7. If a Clot or PE Happens Overseas, What Can Travel Insurance Do?

If you experience symptoms of DVT or PE during your trip, you should seek emergency care immediately.

With a good travel insurance plan, your coverage may include:

Emergency room (ER) visits
Hospitalization and ICU care
Diagnostic tests (CT scan, ultrasound, blood work, etc.)
Specialist consultations
Emergency medical evacuation if needed
Repatriation of remains in the worst-case scenario

With insurance, at least you’re not facing these costs alone.
Without insurance, a serious PE overseas can easily become a financial as well as a medical crisis.

🔗 8. Related Topics You May Want to Read

👉 What Is a Pre-Existing Condition in Travel Insurance?
👉 Chronic Illness and Travel Medical: A Checklist for Diabetics and Hypertensive Travelers
👉 Long Flights and DVT: How to Reduce Your Risk of Blood Clots
👉 Taiwan Trip “Inconvenience Insurance” vs. U.S. Travel Medical: What’s the Difference?
👉 Visitor Insurance for Parents Visiting the U.S. (if your parents are traveling to America)

Bottom line:
Having a history of pulmonary embolism or blood clots doesn’t mean you can never travel again. With your doctor’s guidance, the right travel insurance, and some simple preventive steps, you can lower your risks and travel with more peace of mind.

🫁 長途飛行 × 肺栓塞（Pulmonary Embolism）：美國居民出國旅遊保險完整指南｜怎麼買？會不會賠？有血栓史的人能飛嗎？ Travel Insurance After Pulmonary Embolism: Complete Guide for U.S. Travelers — Coverage, Safety Tips, and Pre-Existing Condition Rules