Expat health insurance features four major advantages over domestic coverage: Worldwide coverage no matter where you travel; local billing networks; medical evacuation options should you be injured or become seriously ill abroad; it’s less expensive.
Worldwide Coverage
American Insurance for ExPats offers long term, major medical health insurance as well as short term travel insurance that will follow you where ever you go. If you are traveling to multiple countries in one year, or even in one trip, this insurance goes with you. Multi-lingual customer care representatives can work directly with your care provider, in their native language, to discuss treatment options and costs. They are also available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week, every day of the year so that no matter what time zone, form of currency or holiday schedule you happen to be in, a customer care professional is available. Access to a customer care provider is available through phone, email, chat or fax.
Local Billing
Depending on the care provider you go to, some will work directly with the insurance provider, but if they are a more remote care provider, they may only accept payment at time of service. This can be the case internationally and the insurance underwriter is familiar with this. They will reimburse all charges associated with care. All claim forms can be accessed on line so submission of claims is simple as long as you have access to internet, email or fax within 60 days of treatment. Reimbursement is usually about 10 business days.
Medical Evacuation
No matter which major medical health insurance plan you choose, Silver to Platinum, medical evacuation is a benefit. Coverage is available from $50,000 per period of coverage – not subject to deductible or coinsurance – up to maximum limit, not subject to deductible or coinsurance. In worst case scenarios, return of mortal remains are included with coverage from $25,000.00 – $50,000.00.
However, if you are going to be traveling to a very remote location, you may want to consider purchasing a more robust medical evacuation service like MASA. MASA stands for Medical Air Services Assistance, and they specialize in emergency evacuations from remote locations. MASA addresses medical emergencies, in and out of the United States. MASA is not a health insurance agency, so no physical or underwriting is required. MASA delivers emergency air transportation and will fly spouses, friends or family members with the patient from the disaster point to the hospital and back home, or from home to visit the patient during the hospital stay. They will also return vehicles, minor children, grandchildren and return of mortal remains.
Coverage Is Less Expensive Outside the U.S.
International health insurance is lower than health coverage at home because the claims are less expensive outside of the United States. A doctor’s visit in the U.S. will run you $150 on average but a doctor’s visit in Venezuela or Mexico is about $30 to $40. A private hospital room is about $300 in South America, but in the U.S., even a semiprivate room can run much higher.
Saving thousands of dollars on your health insurance is appealing to most expats, another perk of living outside the U.S. at least 6 months of the year along with the excitement of travel. Some expats want the option of being able to seek medical care in the United States. The American Insurance for Expats policy allows you to include or exclude U.S. coverage and premiums are lower if you take the exclusion.