When it comes to your health, you don’t want to take any chances not when there are so many unique health concerns in other countries. That’s why it’s important to purchase international health insurance before traveling overseas, even if you have health insurance at home. This guide will help you understand what your international health insurance options are and which one is right for you and your family’s needs.
What is International Health Insurance?
So you're travelling abroad and didn't bring your travel insurance. Well, too bad. But what if something bad happens while you're gone? Will you get the health care coverage you need? It's a question that weighs heavily on everyone's mind when they board an international flight yet there are plenty of mistakes travellers make when it comes to understanding how health insurance works in other countries.
How Does It Work?
The short answer is that international health insurance works the same way as insurance anywhere else in the world. Your health insurance provider takes care of any medical costs after your deductible and pays providers. The difference is which providers are covered, where you travel and what countries you're allowed to travel in. For a brief overview of the pros and cons of international health insurance.
In most cases, if you have international health coverage then hospitals can't charge you for emergency services regardless of whether or not they are public or private. If you go outside the network, some providers may charge large fees but there's usually an allowance for this type of expense built into your plan.
What Are The Different Types of Policies?
There are a variety of policies depending on your needs, so it's important to do research before you make any commitments. A few things you should consider when choosing an international health insurance policy are: the level of coverage offered, your existing medical conditions, what care you need for these conditions and where that care will be provided. Some options include: reimbursement plans, cost-sharing plans and fixed indemnity plans. Your ultimate guide on how international health insurance works will explain each type in detail.
How Much Does It Cost?
International health insurance typically costs between 10-20% of your premium cost, and depending on where you are traveling can vary in price. A trip to a country like Japan or Saudi Arabia will cost more than trips in Central America or Europe. If you're traveling for vacation purposes, most international plans have a deductible that is about the same as the cost of one day's stay at a hotel and usually offer medical coverage for accidents only (within certain specified limits). If you're going for work or a work-related purpose, however, then it would be best if you check with your HR department to see what benefits are offered.
How Do I Get My Hands on It?
In order to qualify for international health insurance coverage, you'll need a green card or visa that's designated as temporary residence. If you're in the US, you can qualify for temporary international health insurance by showing up with your green card at a local HMO or provider during registration. However, if you reside in the US and don't have a green card or visa designating your temporary residence in the States, there are some other steps you'll need to take.
Where Can I Buy Coverage From?
International health insurance is available from a variety of sources including employers, agents, and web-based companies. Different sources offer different benefits so it's important to take some time researching before you buy any international health insurance policy. You want to make sure that the coverage includes your needs (examples: country of destination, desired deductible, co-insurance) and is in your budget. In many cases international medical plans offer good value for the price because they provide lower deductibles than domestic plans in addition to other perks like loss of baggage coverage or peace of mind features like financial assistance or ticket change reimbursement.
What’s in Store for the Future?
Most countries offer some form of healthcare coverage that residents must sign up for, but how do you know what the coverage really offers? With medical expenses on the rise, it’s important to make sure your international health insurance is an effective resource. In addition, there are a number of factors you should consider when purchasing an international health insurance plan such as price, accessibility and provider network. Some insurers will also offer liability or dental coverage in addition to medical coverage. It’s worth looking into these different offerings before selecting a plan because they could be useful if something happens while traveling abroad.