These resources are offered to provide you with some explanation with regards to Worldwide Health insurance plans. Self help and informative articles are provided to give you a better understanding of the various International Health Insurance products currently available. We have provided you with many links to helpful websites for Expatriates and travelers, as well as a complete and up-to-date worldwide list of the most well known hospitals. As always, we are here to help in any way possible while you search for the insurance that best suits your needs.

Health Insurance Faqs

Q: Who can benefit from an International Health Insurance Plans?

Anybody can benefit from international health plans, whether you are staying in or outside your country.  Invariably, there are more variations in terms of health policies if you live in a foreign land.  These plans will be just as applicable when you need to pack up and return to your country.

Q: What is a "Deductible" / “Excess” ?

Deductible represents the sum of money on your part before the insurance company pays for the loss.  Depending on the insurance company, deductible can be either based on "per year" or "per medical condition".  On the same amount of coverage, the higher the deductible, the less premiums you have to pay.

Q: What is an International Health Insurance Plan?

 An international medical insurance plan is a worldwide program that covers you wherever you go.  You have the choice of receiving treatment within the country of your residence or elsewhere.  This offers a highly flexible coverage if you are out of your home country whether for short or long term.

Q: Can we buy International Health Insurance Plan for our company?

All businesses which have three employees or more are eligible for International Health Insurance Corporate Plans.  It is generally an industry practice to offer steeper discount for organizations which have more employees.  Please get in touch with those for a free group quotation.

Q: What is the difference between an International Health Insurance Plan and a Travel Insurance plan?

International health insurance plan works on a 12 month cycle and it is renewable regardless of your state of health.  Most people take on the travel insurance plans for relatively short term (e.g. holidays), but there is no obligation on the provider's part to agree to any subsequent renewal.  If you are posted outside your home country for work, it is advisable you decide on health insurance rather than travel insurance, in consideration of longer-term relocation.

Q: How long does an International Health Insurance Plan last?

The coverage period of an international health plan usually runs for 12 months.  It also comes with a guarantee that policyholder who wishes to renew that can do it without regards to his or her health condition at the end of the contract.

 Q: When do I have to pay for my Health insurance plan?

And the insurance company agrees to your health care plan application, you can either choose to pay by bank transfer or credit card.  You also decide on monthly, quarterly or yearly payment scheme.

Q: Can I pay my International Health plan monthly?

Most insurance companies have either monthly or yearly payment scheme.  Some are also agreeable to quarterly arrangement.

Q: What is the difference between 'in Patient" and "out patient' plan cover?

Inpatient generally means hospitalization -- which in turn means you need to stay overnight at a particular hospital.

Contrast this with the "day-care treatment", which generally does not require the patient to stay overnight.  The coverage for inpatient only plans typically cover emergency dental and sometimes emergency evacuation.  Outpatients, on the other hand, relate to consultation cost (whether from a specialist or general practitioner, with or without medication).

Certain international health insurance plans provide just inpatient cover while others provide both inpatients as well as outpatient coverage.

Complimentary options like maternity or dental coverage can be added to your international health insurance plan.

Q: Is there a limit to join or renew International Medical Insurance Plans?

Individual insurance company may formulate their terms differently.  It is common for insurance company to accept applications from people under 70 years of age with no restriction on renewal.  There are some which accepts applications and renewals no matter what the age.

Q: Can I go anywhere in the World for Treatment?

You may choose to receive treatment in any country in the world so long the medical facility in mind falls within the qualification list approved by the insurance company.

Broadly speaking, international medical insurance plans are split between (1) Worldwide including USA, and (2) Everywhere else except USA.  However, some insurance company do provide restricted emergency cover in USA even though your plan may not include it.  The relative high cost of health care in USA is a major factor of full worldwide coverage including USA being more expensive.

Q: Can USA citizens buy International Medical Insurance Plans?

For US citizens, international health cover plan is relevant only if you live outside USA.  However, the coverage will stay valid until the last day of the contract even if you choose to come back to USA.

Q: If I am a resident in the USA can I benefit from an International Medical Insurance Plan?

USA residents (except USA citizens) do not face any restriction in terms of international health coverage.

Q: Can maternity be covered with an International Medical Insurance Plan?

Maternity coverage can usually be included to international health insurance plans as an option.  However, be prepared for the waiting time (maternity coverage can usually start to take effect after 10 to 12 months after execution of the contract).

Q: Can I get dental coverage?

Similar to maternity, dental benefit can be added as well.  Be aware of the policies of individual insurance company, it may or may not include orthodontics or paradontics treatments.  However, emergency dental coverage is usually included as part of basic international medical insurance plan.

Q: How can I claim for medical treatment?

In case of outpatient treatment, it is expected that you will foot the bill first and make a claim on it later (you can save this trouble if you go to a direct billing facility).  The process to have the money returned back to you takes about 10 days.  All supporting documents required are fully described in our claim form.

In case of hospitalization, insurance company will make necessary arrangements with the concerned hospital so that no out-of-pocket payment will be expected from your end.

Q: Can I choose my own doctor and hospital?

This is the appeal of international health insurance plan.  Policyholders enjoy complete freedom in where and whom they want to receive treatment from.  Should you want to get treatment from a foreign country, we are able to help you in selecting and short listing the most appropriate hospital.  Do get in touch with us for a comprehensive list of qualified international hospitals.

In case of hospitalization, insurance company will make necessary arrangements with the concerned hospital so that no out-of-pocket payment will be expected from your end.

Q: What conditions are not covered by International Health Insurance Plans?

Depending on policies, the coverage on certain medical conditions may differ across insurance companies.  Generally, cosmetic surgery, infertility treatment, chronic diseases, AIDS and presence in war zone are not covered (unless insurance company includes some of these under the standard terms or as special clauses to the standard terms).

Q: In case I return to live in my home country will I still be covered?

This health insurance plan will stay applicable even if you move back to your country of residence so long if the contract remains valid.

 Q: Will I be covered while playing sports or doing my hobbies?

If you do not take your sport as a professional endeavor or engage in risky sports, international health insurance plan will provide you coverage.  Risky sports include the following examples such as motor racing, parachuting or deep-sea diving.

Q: Will pre-existing conditions be covered by my Healthcare plan?

Depending on policies, individual insurance company may exclude your pre-condition, work on a moratorium or cover your precondition under special clause.  Moratorium can be based on a preset length of time (e.g. 2 years) after the contract takes effect.  If you have not been displaying the usual symptom associated to your pre-condition, insurance company may take you up.  Again, that is dependent on individual policies and terms of the insurance companies concerned.  There are also some that are going to provide coverage on consideration of a loading.  If that's the case, you will be required to surrender all medical information related to your pre-condition prior to being accepted.

Q: How will my Medical Insurance premium increase over time?

Insurance premiums are computed in proportion to your age as well as the rate of inflation.  However, other factors such as your health condition and/or previous claims made within the year would not have any bearing on the premium computation.