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The Chase Sapphire Reserve Card offers a wide range of travel insurance benefits, but its most notable perk is the Emergency Medical and Dental benefit. While many credit cards include some form of travel insurance, very few actually reimburse medical bills when an emergency happens. The Sapphire Reserve covers up to $2,500 (minus a $50 deductible) for emergency medical and dental expenses when you’re traveling at least 100 miles from home.
During a family vacation at the Hilton Tulum last year, my nephew was involved in an accident that required emergency medical care. I’ve already shared the challenges we faced getting him treated, so I won’t rehash those details here. But the experience reinforced just how important it is to have solid travel protection when you’re abroad.
I’ve had the Chase Sapphire Reserve for about two years, but this was my first time ever using its Emergency Medical coverage. I thought it would be helpful to walk through exactly how I recovered the medical costs. Hopefully, you’ll never need this benefit—but if you do, this guide should make the process much less intimidating.
My experience filing a claim
When I booked a family vacation to Tulum last year, I charged the award flight to my Sapphire Reserve Card. So when a medical emergency occurred, resulting in a $2,500 emergency room bill, I was relieved to have this coverage.
The claims process was surprisingly straightforward. About a week after submitting the claim form, I received a letter asking for a copy of the flight itinerary showing that the trip was purchased with my card.
I emailed a PDF of my one-way award ticket, which clearly displayed the payment details and the last four digits of my Sapphire Reserve Card. A few weeks later, my claim was approved, and I received a $2,450 reimbursement via ACH.
I was very happy with the outcome and will continue using my Sapphire Reserve for travel expenses. But what exactly does this coverage include—and how does the claims process work? Here’s everything you need to know about the Chase Sapphire Reserve Emergency Medical and Dental benefit.
How the Chase Emergency Medical benefit works
The Chase Sapphire Reserve is one of the few credit cards that offers Emergency Medical insurance. If you’re at least 100 miles from home and require emergency medical or dental care, Chase will reimburse up to $2,500, minus a $50 deductible.
If your emergency requires a hospital stay and you need to remain at your destination after being discharged, the benefit also covers up to $75 per day for hotel costs, for as many as five days.
This benefit is typically available on Visa Infinite cards. Notably, even the Amex Platinum does not offer emergency medical reimbursement, giving the Sapphire Reserve a definitive edge.
To qualify, you simply need to charge at least part of your trip’s common carrier cost to the card, file a claim, submit the required documentation, and wait for reimbursement.
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What the Chase Emergency Medical benefit covers
The Chase Emergency Medical and Dental benefit covers services deemed medically necessary by a physician, including:
- Services provided by a licensed physician, surgeon, graduate nurse, dentist, or osteopath
- Hospital confinement and operating room charges
- Anesthetics (including administration), X-rays, and laboratory tests
- Ambulance services
- Prescription drugs, medications, and therapeutic supplies
Coverage applies only when you’re:
- At least 100 miles from home
- On trips lasting 5 to 60 days
- Traveling on a trip where at least part of the common carrier fare (airfare, train, cruise, ferry, etc.) was paid with your Sapphire Reserve
In my case, a one-way award flight booked with my Sapphire Reserve (taxes and fees paid on the card) was sufficient.
Who is covered by Chase Emergency Medical benefit?
Coverage extends to both the cardholder and immediate family members. You do not need to travel together to receive this benefit.
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How to file a Chase Emergency Medical claim (step-by-step)
You must start your claim within 90 days of the incident and submit all documentation within 180 days.
Follow these steps to file a claim:
- Start your claim at chasecardbenefits.com or call 1-800-350-1697 within 90 days of receiving care.
- If you’re a new member, click on the “Verify card and register” link.
- Enter your name and Chase Sapphire Reserve card number. Click “verify.”
- Once your account is set up, you’ll be directed to the claim dashboard. Click the blue “File a claim” button on the right side of the page.
- Select the card you want to file a claim on. You can register multiple Chase cards, but only the Sapphire Reserve offers Emergency Medical coverage.
- Scroll to the second row and select “Emergency Medical and Dental reimbursement,” then hit “next.”
- On the next page, enter your trip purchase date followed by the date the injury or illness occurred.
- Select the type of loss: Accidental Injury, Sickness, or Other. If you’re not sure, consult the definitions of loss type.
- The next page will show a list of documents you need to submit alongside your claim. You’ll be required to upload these documents on the next page. They include:
- Travel itinerary showing the passenger names, common carrier ticket cost
- Monthly billing statement showing purchase amount
- Proof of payment for the Common Carrier fare made with your covered card or redeemable rewards
- Receipts for eligible medical and dental expenses
- A statement from your insurance carrier or proof of no other insurance
- On the last page, you’ll provide your contact information and your preferred payment method (check or ACH).
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Common exclusions
Chase’s emergency medical and dental reimbursement has several exclusions. If your claim is denied, it might be because of the following:
- Pre-existing conditions: Anything you were treated for in the 60 days before the trip.
- High-risk activities: Skydiving, scuba (unless certified/shallow), and “contests of speed.”
- Prohibited countries: Mention the current “Excluded Countries” on the State Department’s Level 4 advisory list (e.g., Afghanistan, Iran, North Korea).
- Non-common carrier trips: Coverage often hinges on “Common Carrier” travel (flights, trains, cruises).
Should you still buy travel insurance?
While Chase’s emergency medical coverage is better than what most cards offer, $2,500 is still a relatively low cap. That may be enough in destinations like Mexico, but it likely won’t cover hospital costs in countries like Switzerland, where healthcare is significantly more expensive.
Most airlines offer travel insurance at checkout (even for award bookings), and providers like Allianz and World Nomads sell standalone medical travel insurance plans worth considering.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is the Chase Sapphire Reserve enough medical coverage?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve’s $2,500 medical coverage may be enough, depending on where you’re traveling to. But if you want complete peace of mind, consider purchasing full coverage from a third party.
Is Chase Sapphire Reserve’s Emergency Medical coverage primary?
The Chase Sapphire Reserve’s Emergency Medical coverage is secondary. That means you must first file with your primary insurance and submit proof of denial or partial payment.
Does the Chase Sapphire Preferred offer medical insurance?
The Chase Sapphire Preferred does not include medical insurance coverage. If you need this type of coverage, you can either upgrade to a Sapphire Reserve or buy supplemental travel insurance.
How long does Chase medical reimbursement take?
It can take a few weeks to get reimbursed for your medical expenses after filing a claim. In my case, I didn’t provide all the required documentation and was asked to submit it a week after filing my claim. Once I did, my claim was approved within a few weeks.
Can you file a claim for someone else?
Yes, you can file a claim for a family member, as long as you used your credit card to book their travel.
Does award travel qualify for medical coverage?
Yes, award travel qualifies for Chase Sapphire’s medical coverage. Just pay the taxes and fees with your card, and you’re covered.
