International Health Insurance Coverage for Travelers and Expatriates

2007-03-08 10:33:40

( Health )



International health insurance is also known by other terms: international medical insurance, expatriate health insurance, international travel health insurance and international travel medical insurance.

Why Purchase International Travel Health Insurance?

Most people who travel frequently often do not realize that seeking medical treatment in a foreign land is costly. Individuals are not aware that their existing health insurance does not provide for overseas medical coverage.

If your are not insured, when you need to be treated in a hospital in another country, the hospital may refuse to treat you as they will require you to present an international travel medical insurance who should have a well-known reputation worldwide. Treatment overseas is costly, and therefore the hospital needs to be sure that they will be paid back.

Travelers and expatriates are often not aware that overseas medical insurance is affordable.

International health insurance fall into two categories:

International Travel Medical Insurance – travelers who go abroad for less than one year are provided coverage on hospitalization and treatment of acute injuries and illnesses only. Routine doctor visits and vaccinations are normally not included in the policy. This type of international health insurance is normally renewable for up to three years, giving the traveler flexibility if the trip is extended or results in a temporary assignment abroad. Coverage is anywhere from $50,000 to $1,000,000 per trip.

Long Term Medical Insurance - expats and other travelers can be covered under these plans. They are similar to your local medical insurance, but with coverage abroad. They normally cover doctor visits as well as hospitalization and medicine.

Some international health insurance policies only cover certain geographical locations. Make sure that you know which parts of the world the insurance policy covers before purchasing such policy.

You should also read the conditions of the policy and check whether the international health insurance policy covers reimbursement for the purchase of outpatient prescription medicine. It is also recommended that you check the coverage for lifetime renewability.

Both kinds of policies contain exclusions that the individual should know.

If you have decided to purchase international health insurance, be sure to find out in detail what the international health insurance policy covers and not only consider the cheapest available policy being presented to you. Check that the policy underwriter has the capacity to cover you and has a good reputation in paying hospital bills of others that are insured. It is recommended that you insure yourself with a reputable international medical group.


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