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FREQUENTLY ASKED QUESTION |
In this section you will find some insight about
how International Health Insurance plans work.
Whether you wish to travel or move out to a foreign
country to work or study these Frequently asked Question
will help you understand which International Health
insurance provider is right for you.
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Q: What is an International Medical
Insurance Plan?
A: An International Medical Insurance Plan is a
medical plan that will cover you worldwide no matter
which country of residence you may have. You may receive
treatment not only in your country of residence but in
the country of your choice. If you live outside of your
home country then these plans will provide you with the
best flexible solution whether this be for short term or
long term.
Q: Who can benefit from an
International Medical Insurance Plans?
A: To be eligible to International Health plans you
can either live inside or outside your home country. In
most cases the Insurers will offer more plans if you
live outside your home country. These plans can be taken
back to your home country should you move back to your
country of origin.
Q: What is a "Deductible" ?
A: The Deductible is the amount of money you have
to pay before the insurance company covers you. Some
deductible are "per year" while some insurers have " per
medical condition" deductible. The more deductible the
less expensive your health plan. Deductible are a good
way to decrease the cost of your International Health
Insurance Premiums.
Q: Can we buy International Medical
Insurance Plan for our company?
A: In order to buy International Health Insurance
Corporate Plans you must have a group of at least 3
employees working in the same company. If the group is
big discounts will be higher. In order to receive a free
group quotation please send us a free group quote
request.
Q: How long does an International
Medical Insurance Plan last?
A: The length of International Health plans contract
is 12 months. The contracts are guaranteed renewable
should you wish to renew them, whatever you state oh
health at the end of the contract.
Q: What is the difference between an
International Medical Insurance Plan and a Travel
Insurance plan?
A: An International Health Insurance is renewable
whatever your state of health and the lenght of the
renewable contract is 12 months. The Travel insurance
can be taken for a short period of time (typically for
holidays) but they are not guaranteed renewable. If you
work abroad we advise to choose the Health Insurance
over the travel insurance as it is more suited to long
term insurance needs and relocation.
Q: When do I have to pay for my
plan?
A: Once you have been accepted on the plan by the
insurance company the payment is generally made by
credit card or bank transfer. You may usually choose to
pay annually, quarterly or monthly.
Q: Can I pay my International Health
plan monthly?
A: In most cases you are free to choose between
monthly or annual payment. Some insurers also offer
quaterly payment.
Q: What is the difference between 'in
Patient" and "out patient' plan cover?
A: "Inpatient" refers to Hospitalization.
Usually when you are Hospitalizes you stay at least one
night at the Hospital.
Related to "Inpatient" are the terms "daycare treatment"
which is used to describe the journey to the hospital.
Inpatient only plans usually cover emergency Dental and
often cover emergency evacuation. "Outpatient" refers to
the cost of Doctors consultation (whether they be
General Practitionner, Specialist, or for any medication
prescribed).
Some plans offer Inpatient only cover while some other
offer Inpatient (Hospitalization) cover plus Outpatient.
You may add further options to your plan such as Dental
or Maternity cover.
Q: Is there a limit to join or renew
International Medical Insurance Plans?
A: These terms are specific to each insurance
companies. However, most insurers offer enrollment up to
70 and lifetime renewability. Some insurers also offer
lifetime enrollment and renewability of the plans.
Q: Can I go anywhere in the World
for Treatment?
A: You may go to any country of medical facility
you wish as long as it is within the geographical
coverage of you plan.
Generally International Medical Insurance plans have 2
areas of cover: Worldwide excluding USA and Worldwide
including USA. Additionally some Insurers offer limited
emergency cover in USA even if you plan excludes it. Due
to higher cost of medical treatment in USA, full
worldwide coverage including USA is more expensive.
Q: Can USA citizens buy
International Medical Insurance Plans?
A: If you are a US Citizen you may buy an
International Health cover only if your main country of
residence is outside USA. In case you moves back to USA
you may keep the plan until the end of your contract.
Q: If I am a resident in the USA
can I benefit from an International Medical Insurance Plan?
A: Provided you are not an American citizen you
can benefit from International Health Insurance plans
while being a US resident.
Q: Can maternity be covered with an
International Medical Insurance Plan?
A: Most insurers offer Maternity coverage as an
option for their International Health insurance plans.
There are waiting period to benefit from Maternity
(Typically 10 to 12 Months from the beginning of the
plan).
Q: Can I get dental coverage?
A: Like Maternity, it is possible to choose an option
for Dental coverage. Depending on the insurer Dental
cover may include Orthodontics or paradontics treatment.
Emergency Dental cover is offered by most insurers as
Standard no matter whether or not you choose Dental
optional coverage.
Q: Can I freely choose my own doctor and
hospital?
A: This is an important feature of International
Insurance plans. They live the choice of the doctor and
the medical facility up to you. You may choose to have a
surgery out of your country of residence. We can help
you to find the most convenient hospital. Please do not
hesitate to ask one of our highly trained advisor about
worldwide Hospitals.
Once the insurer has been informed you will be
Hospitalized, he will arrange the payment directly with
the Hospital so that you do not have to pay for your
Hospitalization and then claim back the money.
Q: How can I claim for medical
treatment?
A: For Outpatient expenses, unless you are in a
Direct Billing Facility you pay the cost and then get
reimbursed after. Typically the turnaround period is
about 10 days. Our Claim form page contains the
documents you need to make a claim.
For Inpatient (Hospitalization) the insurer will pay
directly the Hospital.
Q: What conditions are not covered
by International Medical Insurance Plans?
A: Each insurer offers different coverage with
regards to specific Medical condition or coverage.
Typically, specific coverage such as Esthetic surgery,
coverage in zones of conflict or war, AIDS, Chronic
condition, Infertility treatment will not be covered
unless it is specified by the insurer under the terms of
the plans or under specific conditions.
Q: Will pre-existing conditions be
covered?
A: Depending on the insurer they exclude your
condition, have a moratorium or cover your pre-existing
condition with a loading. The moratorium means that
after a length of time under the plan (usually 2 years)
they may accept covering your pre-existing medical
condition if you have been symptoms free in relation to
your pre-existing condition. The decision will be made
by the insurer and is also related to the terms of the
plan. Some Insurers may also accept covering your
pre-existing medical condition with a loading after they
reviewed your application. In this case medical
information will be required.
Q: In case I return to live in my home
country will I still be covered?
A: Generally, you can keep your plan if you decide to
move back to your home country until the end of the
contract.
Q: Will I be covered while playing sports
or doing my hobbies?
A: As long as your sports and hobbies are not
practiced at professional level or considered "at risk"
your international Health Insurance plan will cover you.
Hazardous activities as well as for instance deep
diving, parachuting or Motor racing are considered as
risk activities.
Q: How will my Health Insurance premium increase over
time?
A: All insurers apply premium increase in
relation to your age and to the cost of inflation. You
premium will however not increase in relation to your
state of health or any expensive claim you have made
during the year.
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