I recently read an article about retirees who teach English while traveling abroad. "Why would they do this?" I thought.

Here are some reasons for teaching English in a foreign country:

• It makes travel affordable.

• It supplements retirement funds.

• It combines life-long desires for travel and adventure with the time to do it.

• It fills a specific need of foreign employers who prefer teachers with more life experience and education. They respect age and honor the elderly.

80% of this retiring generation plan to work, and many do not find the golf clubs and occasional visits from grandchildren all that satisfying. Additionally, teaching English abroad allows for a unique and rewarding experience of a country. Instead of being left with a suitcase full of knickknacks, a handful of foreign coins and a few hundred snapshots of historical monuments, English teachers leave with relationships, experience and a broader understanding of the country.

However, many feel that they aren't able to travel due to pre-existing medical conditions, many of which are exacerbated by age. Even though international medical insurance is available most will be deterred by waivers, rate-ups and riders.

Rate-ups put a limit on the amount of medical expenses companies will cover. Waivers and riders promise to cover accidental injuries and diseases but exclude pre-existing conditions. These fine print exclusions intimidate and hinder older educators from pursuing travel possibilities for their retirement.

Nevertheless, there are other options to keep in mind.

1. It is possible to accept a temporary rider which can be retracted if after a set period of time the insured has had no complications due to this existing condition.
2. Additionally there are some insurance plans which will cover clients with pre-existing conditions for no extra cost. However, these plans do not generally cover medical bills accrued due to these conditions.

Through careful research and attention to the details in the pre-existing condition clauses of insurance contracts it is possible to get the type of insurance needed for your specific situation.

Pre-existing conditions and age need no longer be a hindrance to the remainder of your adventures.

Lydia Medill is a student at Arizona State University and a Roving Student Reporter for Good Neighbor Insurance that represents 10 international health insurance companies and provides international health and travel insurance for every country in the world. Email us or get an international health insurance quote.