• 16
  Nov
  2009

• Domestic medical coverage outside the border! Possible?

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog-Contributor
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Everyone (well, almost everyone) who has a domestic health insurance policy covering medical expenditures is aware of this: the coverage stops at the American borders. When traveling overseas people have to buy a international travel insurance to cover any medical emergencies occurring abroad.

Even with the proposed changes in the universal health insurance bill, this fact is unlikely to change. That is, your domestic insurer will still not pay a cent for anything spent outside. However, some groups are raising their voices against this policy.

When the bill can set a lofty goal of health care for everyone, people are asking, why not health care everywhere too? After all, health care is among the costliest in the US, and anyone seeking care outside the borders will actually be doing the insurer a favor by filing a smaller claim.

However, as this proposed change to cover international claims is unlikely to be incorporated in the current bill, it makes sense to not take a chance while traveling internationally. If staying for an extended period of time in a foreign country, it is always advisable to buy international medical insurance.

• 13
  Nov
  2009

• Is Travel Insurance Really Necessary?

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Writer
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One frequently asked question in connection with international travel health insurance is this: If medical care is most expensive in the United States, I know I’ll probably be paying less when I get treated abroad anyway. Why should I even bother with travel insurance?

The answer lies in the very nature of a travel health insurance policy. No one expects to break the bank for a visit to the doctor because of a common cold, and you can manage that without insurance. Travel insurance is meant for sudden conditions that result in major unforeseen expenses. When abroad, there are several illnesses and conditions that might rear their ugly heads, some of them costing thousands of dollars to treat. If the condition is not treatable at the local hospital, then insurance will provide for your medical evacuation as well.

For example, if an uninsured traveler to Singapore is in a car accident, major surgery and other expenses will be involved. The trip will likely have to be postponed, and expenses related to the cancellation of tickets and hotel rooms will also have to borne by the traveler.

In this situation, international travel insurance can help protect the plan holder against a big hole in the pocket. It is, however, a good idea to find out how expensive medical care is in your destination country, in order to determine the level of coverage and deductible to choose. Traveling without insurance, however, is not an idea worth considering.

• 12
  Nov
  2009

• The Long and Short of International Insurance-II

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Writer
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While most international travel insurance plans are short-term plans, long-term plans are useful for specific kinds of travelers. We looked at short-term insurance in the article, "The Long and Short of International Insurance-I." Long-term insurance plans, on the other hand, are meant for people with longer stays in a foreign country, and usually provide more coverage.

Long-term international insurance can usually be purchased for durations over three months. Since it is meant for a longer term, people who avail of this type of insurance are typically those taking longer trips, or expatriates. Some international student insurance plans also come under long-term international insurance.

Some of the additional benefits that long-term insurance offers include maternity, and some coverage for pre-existing conditions, typically after one year of continuous coverage. Plans also offer eye and dental care. These benefits are in addition to the usual coverage: inpatient and outpatient care, emergency care, accidental death and dismemberment, and repatriation of remains.

Whether you choose long-term insurance or short-term insurance depends on many factors--prime among them being the duration of your travel, and the type of travel that you will be undertaking. As a general rule, if you're thinking in terms of "visiting" a country, short-term insurance will probably suffice, and if you are thinking of "living in" a country, then you're probably looking for long-term insurance.

• 11
  Nov
  2009

• The Long and Short of International Insurance-I

  
  Filed Under: Blogging
  Author: Blog Writer
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International health insurance plans are a complex maze, and can be especially bewildering to immigrants. Students, in particular, are amazed at the different options and plans available to cover almost any event. One area of confusion is between short-term travel insurance and long-term travel insurance, and the implications of both types of insurance.

Short-term insurance and long-term travel insurance plans do not just differ in the ideal duration of coverage. There are short-term plans available for up to three years, and long-term insurance for even six months! The difference lies in the kind of coverage you need, and the stage of life you are in.

Let’s take a look at short-term insurance. It is primarily meant as a stop-gap insurance plan, when a person has, or is soon expecting, adequate coverage. It is meant to safeguard against costs arising from sudden or unexpected events, and as a result, is very popular for travel insurance, and study abroad insurance.

Usually, short-term insurance plans do not cover pre-existing conditions and planned medical care, thus excluding pregnancy, regular dental and eye care, and periodic checkups. They cover emergency medical care, outpatient and inpatient care, and in the case of travel insurance, evacuation and repatriation of remains. Some popular short-term insurance plans include VisitUSA, Atlas America, and Visitors Care Insurance.