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Critical components for the Global Citizen - When residing and traveling outside the United States or your country of citizenship, you may be faced with challenges that can create problems with your current medical insurance program.

Once you leave your country's borders you will be exposed to risks which may not be covered by your current medical plan be it private insurance or government sponsored.  Knowing the limitations and scope of coverage of your current health plan is of utmost importance before you travel.

Issues related to foreign healthcare polices, languages, currencies, cultures, location and access to quality healthcare are seldom met by domestic medical plans and in fact are frequently misunderstood by international companies. In addition todays U.S. Citizen is subject to new requirements layed out by the new Affordable Care Act (ACA). Living abroad and maintaining ones ACA Comliance is a maze all expats must address prior to leaving.

Do I Need International Coverage?

  • Residency Clause with your primary plan - Your existing group or individual U.S. health insurance plan is likely to have a disclaimer stating that coverage is no longer valid after six months residency outside your current service area. In fact if you move outside the borders of the U.S. then your coverage will more
  • Health and Financial Security - If you leave home for six months or more, your health and financial security are at serious risk because of significant gaps in most available insurance coverage. If you leave home six months or less, your health and financial security could be at serious risk because of significant gaps in most domestic insurance plans. Benefits such as Emergency Medical Evacuation are just one example.... 
  • Health and Safety Hazards - This risk is only heightened by limited knowledge of health and safety hazards around the world, including medical treatment from unfamiliar providers. 
  • Specialized Coverage Abroad - Many International health plans combine comprehensive worldwide benefits with a new generation of medical assistance services that include an impressive array of online tools used to identify, access and pay for quality healthcare all around the world. Most International health plans are designed to support the international lifestyles of those who travel to or from their home countries, including the United States for extended periods of business, leisure and study.

We Represent Several International Insurance Plans

  • The plans found on our site are designed for US Citizens and Non-US Citizens traveling abroad or for those living outside their home country's borders.
  • U.S. Medical Plans seldom meet issues related to foreign healthcare policies, languages, currencies, cultures and the location and access to healthcare are seldom handled by these medical plans; and they are frequently misunderstood by international companies.
  • Many non-U.S. citizens want to compliment their current government sponsored plan with private insurance that allows them the choice to seek medical services outside the scope that their current system provides.

Personal GeoBlue International Health Insurance Quote

HTH Worldwide
GeoBlue International Insurance

Permanent International Coverage

passport image Living outside of the United States or your home country for more than 6 months creates a threshold that you cross that requires a thoughtful approach to making sure your health insurance coverage meets or exceeds your needs. This is especially true for those of us who live in the United States. If you have a domestic health plan such as a plan with Anthem Blue Cross Blue Shield it is important that you look carefully into the details of the plan should you move outside the U.S. for more than 6 months. Most plans will not cover you once your have moved and are outside the country for an extended period of time.

And for those plans that remain in force while you travel - be careful as the coverage will generally only cover you for emergencies. Coordination of payment with overseas providers will more than likely not exist and should you end up in a medical facility that is not part of their overseas networks than you will more than likely be on your own and resposible for your own payment for services. Then it will be up to you to submit all medical claims to your U.S. carrier on your own. Don't be suprised if you run into hurdles there too.

Living overseas and having a health plan is much more complicated than that. Access to care may become your biggest issue should you need care. How do you know where to go and what doctors to see that may be qualified to treat you? What if you are in a part of the world that simply does not offer the needed care to save your life or the life of a friend or family member? Domestic plans are not experts in International Medical Providers and not all international insurers are either. Here in the United States we are used to the best medical care in the world and access to care is usually not an issue. Once you leave the U.S. everything changes. In addition what if you need to be evacuated to another country for care? Again, your domestic plan will fall short.

For those who are U.S. Citizens who plan to live outside the borders of the United States for extended periods of time - this can create potential hazards when you return home to live as well. Insure your insurability with the right international health plan. Selecting the right plan is extremely important and should not be overlooked.

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Termporary Coverage Residing or traveling for a short term period outside your country of citizenship may create challenges to your current health care program. Brief trips expose you to risks which may not be covered by your current domestic health insruance plan. It is prudent to procure International Health Insurance coverage prior to leaving your home country and traveling aboad. In addition some countries you may be traveling to may require proof of coveage as a condition to your visa.

When you are traveling abroad and your coverage needs to provide benefits for things such as Sickness, Accident and Medical Evacuation. Most domestic plans do not cover medical evacuation which can cost as much as $250,000 or more. In addition you will also need more than insurance. You will also need knowledge, information and safety resources that will help keep you safe and health.

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Travel Insurance Travel Insurance is primarily designed to insure against a loss during your planned trip due to cancellations, interruptions, or delays for unforeseen reasons.  Many people prepay some or all of their travel and accommodations prior to departure.  Travel Insurance provides the vehicle to protect your investment in your planned vacation or business trip by providing you protection from unforeseen events such as cancellations, interruptions, delays, some health issues, emergency evacuations, baggage loss and more.

CLICK HERE FOR MORE INFORMATION

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GeoBlue International Expat Gallery of the World
 
HTH Worldwide TripProtector Trip Cancellation Insurance
 
 
Cigna Global Expatriate Medical Insurance
 
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Authorized Independent Agent, P O Box 6374 Jackson Hole, Wyoming 83002-6374, sales@individualhealth.com