If you have a medical condition, a stability period is the time before you leave during which that condition must not have changed. Each policy defines this, but it usually means no new treatment or medication, no change in dose, no new or worse symptoms, no hospital stay or referral to a specialist, and no tests or results still pending. Some routine changes, such as switching to a generic version of the same drug, usually don’t count. On an annual plan, the stability period counts back from each departure, not from the day you bought the plan.
The period depends on your age, the length of your trip and your answers to the health questions. It’s often 90 or 180 days. If the condition changes inside that period, it may not be covered on your trip, even if the change seemed minor. Some plans offer an optional rider, at extra cost, with a shorter stability period. It’s only needed if your health changed during the standard period. If your health changes after you buy, tell us before you leave, so we can check your options.