Archive for the ‘International Health Insurance’ Category
Tuesday, January 3rd, 2012
You have been preparing for weeks for your hiking trip by arranging for a guide, re-lacing your hiking boots and learning how to use your compass. Perhaps you have even researched the foreign area you will be exploring and made notes on the map you will use. Another important thing that you won’t want to forget to do is be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks.
Although the threat of mosquitoes and ticks might sound minuscule, these little creatures can carry big consequences such as diseases like yellow fever and malaria. To be prepared for mosquitoes and ticks the CDC recommends the following preventative measures:
Avoid Outbreaks: Before your adventure takes place, check the regional disease transmission patterns and outbreaks to ensure the area you are headed to does not have a warning.
Dress to NOT impress: The mosquitoes and ticks that is. To avoid giving them easy access to biting you, wear clothes that cover as much skin as possible. Long pants should be tucked into socks or boots and shirts should be long sleeved. It is best to avoid shoes that are open such as sandals.
Don’t Bring Home Guests: After your time outdoors ensure that you don’t have any ticks attached to your clothes or body. If one is found, remove it promptly.
Use a Repellent: Not all repellents are made equal. Ensure that your repellent is providing you with long-lasting protection. Look for repellents that contain the following ingredients: DEET, Picaridin, Oil of lemon eucalyptus or PMD, or IR3535. When using a repellent ensure you read the safety precautions and instructions.
Be Aware: Research the time of day when the creatures you are trying to avoid bite most. Keep up your guard during the peak times and use preventative measures. You can also stay protected at night by using a bed net.
Tags: International Health Insurance, Mosquitoes and Ticks
Posted in International Health Insurance | No Comments »
Wednesday, November 23rd, 2011
Are you looking for a memorable winter experience this year? With the plethora of festivities and natural scenery about, it isn’t difficult to find something to do to pass the time in Germany in December.
Perhaps one of the biggest draws to Germany in December is the numerous amounts of Christmas Markets. Throughout Germany in small villages and large cities alike, many gather for this annual gathering.
Christmas Markets bring a variety of handmade crafts and tasty German treats together to be experienced all in one place. For those visiting Germany in December the Christmas Market might seem like a crash course, or sneak peek into German Tradition. Whilst browsing through the intricate handmade items such as wooden smokers and ornaments, you are able to sip on warm mulled wine while nibbling on sausages and chestnuts. Most of these items are freshly prepared by those who live locally.
Although most Christmas Markets will have similar goods, visiting just one Christmas Market might not give you a good enough glimpse into this extraordinary pastime. From the most elaborate Markets in the bigger cities to the more personal Markets in the smaller villages, all have their unique touch that makes the shopping experience a fresh one with each visit.
If you are visiting Germany in December solely for the purpose of Christmas Market hopping, the Atlas Travel Insurance plan can provide international travel health insurance that includes doctor visits, hospitalization, lost luggage, emergency medical evacuation, trip interruption, etc. Only have one or two markets in mind you want to visit? You are able to purchase the Atlas Travel plan for a period as short as five days.
Whether your plans consist of visiting the Market of Frankfurt, Munich or Berlin, each brings its own individual spin on the holiday season tradition of the Christmas Market in Germany.
Tags: Germany in December
Posted in International Health Insurance | No Comments »
Friday, November 18th, 2011
Travel during the holiday season can be taxing. Even those not traveling for a holiday-specific occasion will be subjected to the wave of people who are voyaging hundreds of miles to reunite with friends and family. Just a few things to look forward to this time of year: long lines, flight delays, and the inevitable “cough, cough” throughout the flight from the person beside you.
With all the stress of travel during the holiday season and the numerous opportunities for exposure to germs, it is important to take every measure possible to keep your immune system performing at its best. Here are a few tips that Health.com recommends to keep you from needing a vacation after your vacation:
Prepare for the battle before it begins:
Although leaving for a trip requires preparation such as packing and finding a local dog sitter, it is important to ensure that you are well rested before your trip. Try to keep your sleep schedule as normal as possible so your body can focus on fighting germs and not a nap.
Keep it clean:
There are thousands of passengers coming and going in an airport. Each one of them brings in more germs than I am able to comfortably think about. What may seem like innocent actions can result in an illness. Think about a man who touches the security belt after scratching his sock-free foot or a woman who wipes her child’s nose, then opens the bathroom door with the same tissue in hand. To ensure you are not continuing the spread of any germs picked up, make sure to wash your hands frequently. To protect yourself wash your hands before you eat or touch your eyes.
Take a break:
Although many locations this time of year bring cool weather, it is important that travel during the holiday season also includes fresh air. With heat being circulated through buildings and windows kept tightly shut, exposure to a germ-free breeze outdoors will be a welcomed break for your immune system.
In the event that you are traveling and these tips don’t assist in preventing an illness, ensure you have your necessary health insurance documents and contact information.
Tags: Travel During the Holiday Season
Posted in International Health Insurance | No Comments »
Friday, October 7th, 2011
Are you thinking of taking a sabbatical overseas, do you dream of retiring to a new nation, of working abroad or just travelling and seeing more of this wonderful world that we live in? If you’re an adventurous spirit, determined to get as much out of your life as possible, chances are you will have a desire to push boundaries, cross borders and explore the world.
The Internet, affordable airfares and even globalisation have made it easier for all of us to consider travel and relocation overseas, to research nations and plan a move. However, one of the last considerations on most people’s minds when they are practically planning out their move or their travel itinerary is worrying about their health.
Nevertheless, the reality is that not every nation in the world is as advanced as America, not every country has enough hospital beds and doctors to go around, and in some places the illnesses and diseases that we have eradicated in the US, through screening and vaccination programs, still kill thousands of people annually.
There are bugs and viruses, threats and dangers, risks and hazards in every country in the world – and they differ from nation to nation. As someone planning a move abroad or travel overseas it is imperative that you familiarise yourself with the dangers or risks you may face, that you prepare yourself practically so that your health is protected, and that you make preparations to ensure you stay safe.
The Department of State issues travel warnings and travel alerts and is a great place to begin your research into anything you may need to concern yourself with in relation to the country you’re moving to, or the countries you’re visiting. Your general medical practitioner or healthcare provider will be able to advise you about any vaccinations you need ahead of travel, or any drugs you need to take to stay healthy once you move abroad; and you can research your new nation and learn about the level and state of medical facilities on the ground before you go.
They say that ‘forewarned is forearmed,’ and in the case of your healthcare when moving or travelling overseas, the statement is absolutely true. If you’re aware ahead of your move that medical facilities in your new nation of residence are rudimentary, you can ensure that you have repatriation insurance as part of your healthcare cover. If you discover that only basic medical conditions are covered by any local health insurance, you can make sure you find a global health insurance provider to cover your back in the event that you fall seriously ill, have an accident or need more complex care or support.
In other words you owe it to yourself, your health and your long-term welfare to research the countries you will be living in or visiting ahead of travel – and you owe it to yourself, your health and your long-term welfare to get the correct level of health insurance in place to ensure your needs are met, no matter what may befall you, and no matter what the medical facilities are like on the ground.
Health insurance cover from a specialist global insurer like HTH Worldwide can be tailored for the individual to ensure they will be repatriated in the event it is required, that they will be taken to the nearest centre of excellence no matter what the medical emergency or complication, and that individuals and families get the coverage they need with the freedom to choose qualified doctors, hospitals and health services anywhere in the world.
Tags: How to Stay Healthy When You Travel or Live Abroad, HTH Worldwide
Posted in International Health Insurance, International Travel Insurance | Comments Off
Friday, September 2nd, 2011
Are you a world traveler? Do you need coverage internationally? Does your career require extensive travel? You are not alone; in fact many professionals, retirees, and globe trotters spend time all over the world and need a global health insurance that can keep up with them. Whether you are looking for a comprehensive global health insurance, travel plan, or standalone emergency medical evacuation and repatriation policy, International Citizens works with you to find the most suitable option to best fit your needs. Because everyone is different, here are a few of the many plans that are popular among our international travelers:
Global Health Insurance
Our Global Medical plan is a comprehensive health insurance policy that provides worldwide coverage with the option to include or exclude coverage in the United States and Canada. The plan is available in four different levels to choose the coverage best suited for you. All plans cover doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medication, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, etc. Plan options also include coverage for vision and dental, maternity, pre-existing conditions, and wellness care. This global health insurance option provides individuals with a 24-hour travel and medical assistance phone number that you will have available should you need assistance.
International Travel Plan
If you plan to travel temporarily outside your home country, you may find the Atlas Travel plan to be well suited to your needs. This is not only a health insurance plan, but coverage also includes travel benefits. Lost checked luggage, terrorism, natural disaster, trip interruption or just a few of the travel benefits this plan includes. Unlike other plans that may just be emergency-only coverage, this plan covers accidents and illnesses – regardless of whether it is an emergency. We know that even the smallest cold can put a damper on your travels – which is why this policy is considered to be an important global health insurance policy.
Standalone Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation
Do you already have a plan in place that will cover you overseas but does not include emergency medical evacuation and repatriation? If this is the case, then there is no point in purchasing a plan with duplicate coverage! Instead, we have a standalone emergency medical evacuation and repatriation plan so that you just purchase the coverage that you need!
Tags: Global Health Insurance
Posted in International Expatriate Health Insurance, International Health Insurance, International Travel Insurance, Uncategorized | Comments Off
Friday, August 26th, 2011
If you are planning to travel abroad, one of your most important considerations is overseas health insurance. By purchasing your own international plan, you can rest assured that you will have access to medical treatment in the event that you need assistance. Going abroad can be a new adventure, but you don’t want to take a chance when it comes to your health. Depending on how long you spend abroad, you can purchase a short-term or long-term overseas health insurance plan that can cover you internationally.
Our travel and health insurance plans provide coverage for doctor visits, hospitalization, prescription medication, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, etc. International Citizens works with individuals traveling around the world whether for work, travel, studying or relocation. Because of our experience in the industry, we know how important it is to have a high level of customer service and quality products. Our overseas health insurance plans are all with A rated carriers that have 24-hour travel assistance to help you in the time of need. If you need medical assistance, medical referrals, or a translator, we are there to help you as you travel internationally.
If you have questions, please contact one of our licensed insurance agents to help choose the best plan for you! We look forward to assisting you no matter if you will be traveling to Asia, Europe, Africa, Latin America, North America, etc.
Tags: Overseas Health Insurance
Posted in International Expatriate Health Insurance, International Health Insurance, International Travel Insurance | Comments Off
Friday, July 8th, 2011
Are you planning to teach overseas? Whether you will be teaching English, business or another subject, you may want to consider purchasing a medical and health insurance before you depart your home country. Living overseas can be exciting – new culture, new language (in some cases!), and new places to discover! However, you do not want to be in a foreign country trying to learn the health care system when you are sick!
Because of this, we recommend purchasing a medical insurance for teachers overseas. If not already provided by your program/school, you will instead want to purchase a private international health insurance to have in place just in case you need it. If you will be purchasing your own health insurance, there are a few considerations that you will need to ask yourself:
- Do you plan on traveling to neighboring countries? If so, then you will need a plan that will cover you in multiple countries. Before purchasing a plan, you will also need to find out if you need to call in advance before going to another country. If your school/program offers insurance, make sure that it will cover you in your intended travel destinations (if not, you may consider purchasing a short-term travel plan).
- Do you need home country coverage? Many travel and health insurance plans have restrictions on coverage in your home country. Whether you have a plan or if you are looking to purchase an insurance for teaching internationally, make sure that you know what type of coverage you will have back home. Some medical insurance for teachers overseas allows individuals to add home country coverage to their new plan. Be sure to explore your options before you buy!
- How will coverage affect you when returning home? This is a question that many individuals have to ask themselves. For United States citizens, as an example, this may mean that you do not have a plan with “credible coverage” which may put additional waiting periods before you have full coverage. For these cases, you may want to consider the Global Citizen plan as your insurance for teaching internationally. As another example, Canadian citizens may have to waiting period when they return back to Canada before they are eligible for national health care. Check with your current plan to see how this will affect you and what steps you can take to protect yourself.
- What type of coverage do you want included in your health and medical insurance? Are you looking for an accident and illness policy or do you want more comprehensive coverage that includes routine check-up visits, maternity, mental health, etc.? There are many different medical insurance options for teachers overseas so it is important to find what you want – and also what you don’t want!
- How long do you anticipate needing coverage? Traveling overseas to teach is a wonderful, enriching experience. However, it may not be for everyone. If you are going to a new country or if this is your first time teaching overseas, you may want to purchase a plan that will be flexible with your dates of travel. You will want to know whether you can purchase the plan month-to-month, if you can extend coverage (and if so, how?), and what the cancellation policy is on the policy. If you plan to be overseas for a long-term stay, then you will want to find out if your plan is renewable (and if there is a limit on renewals), if there are any age caps preventing renewal, and what the process is if you will be renewing overseas.
Now of days, more and more people are moving overseas to be teachers. Most people say that your experience is what you make of it and also what type of program/school you select. It is important that you contact your program directly to see what types of accommodations are included and what you will need to secure on your own. Among the top priorities, many people suggest that you purchase a medical insurance for teachers overseas before your arrival so that you will have coverage just in case. Some plans even have translation medical services if you are in a country that speaks another language and you need immediate assistance. Contact one of our licensed agents to help find the best plan for you!
Tags: insurance for teaching internationally, Medical Insurance for Teachers Overseas
Posted in International Health Insurance, International Travel Insurance | 2 Comments »
Friday, April 22nd, 2011
Bon voyage! You’ve finally booked that luxury cruise to some exotic location a question occurs to you – Should I purchase travel insurance? The last thing you want to worry about is travel insurance and besides, what could go wrong? Trust me – there’s a myriad of things that can go wrong on a cruise vacation and having insurance can wash those worries away, allowing you focus on more important things like which swimsuit you should pack!
There are number of reasons you should consider purchasing Cruise Travel Insurance. The following are some key things to consider:
Trip Cancellation – What if something happens and you can no longer go on your cruise? Sickness, accidents, job loss, destruction to your primary residence and even death can occur. You can insure your non-refundable trip costs so that you’re protected against unforeseen events that can cause your trip to be canceled.
Trip Interruption – Sometimes trips can be delayed. What if you’re involved in a traffic accident on you’re way to the airport and you missed your flight or connection? A lengthy trip delay can cause you unexpected food and lodging expenses, having travel insurance can help you re-coup these costs.
Baggage Delay/Loss – What if you arrive from the airport in time to depart but your baggage missed the boat? This is an inconvenience that unfortunately, happens more often than you’d like. Cruise Travel Insurance can provide coverage to make sure your bag gets to the next port of call.
Medical Expenses – Everyone usually thinks “It won’t happen to us” but accidents happen all the time. Slips, falls, illnesses and injuries can occur anytime and travel insurance can help to cover expensive medical costs and diagnostic testing.
Emergency Medical Evacuation/Repatriation – What if something catastrophic occurs like a heart attack, stroke or other serious illness/injury and requires you to be flown from the ship (usually from out in the middle of nowhere) to a full service hospital? Cruise Travel Insurance can provide this life-saving benefit to you or your loved ones. It also covers the repatriation of remains if a death occurs during an insured vacation.
When should you purchase a Cruise Travel Insurance policy?
This is really important if you want a “Trip Cancellation” benefit on your plan. Trip Cancellation benefits are usually only available if you purchase the insurance plan within a certain numbers of days from when you purchased your cruise. This time-frame is typically between 10 and 20 days. However, if you’re just looking to cover medical (accident/sickness) then these policies can be purchased the very same day you’re leaving.
Tags: Costa Rica Travel Health Insurance, Cruise Travel Insurance, International Health Insurance, Travel Medical for Cruises, Trip Cancellation for Cruises
Posted in Evacuation Insurance, International Health Insurance, International Travel Insurance | 1 Comment »
Thursday, February 10th, 2011
Let’s face it; we all know that health insurance lingo can be complex and difficult to interpret at times. Especially, if it’s international/expatriate insurance and the terminology isn’t what most people are typically used to. Insurance agents/brokers selling insurance inside the US are required to be licensed in order to even sell various insurance products. So how does the regular insurance consumer know what benefits they are getting when it comes to expatriate insurance terminology?
The following is a brief overview of common expatriate insurance terminology and definitions that are found in expatriate health insurance:
Premium: This is the actual amount of money charged by insurance companies to be insured. An insurance premium can be collected in several ways; monthly, quarterly, semi-annual and of course, pay in full. If the insured (the person to be covered) fails to make a scheduled payment, the insurance company can choose to cancel policy.
Deductible: a deductible is a specified dollar amount that you would pay to a doctor or hospital before the insurance pays for claims. A deductible can offset the cost of your premium (what you pay for the plan itself). The higher you set the deductible, then the lower your premium cost will be. However, in most cases, you will need to pay the deductible before the insurance will pay any benefits (claims).
* Please note: in the UK and some parts of Europe this is also known as an “excess”.
Coinsurance: Coinsurance is a percentage of the medical bill that you pay. Many plans offset the cost of the premium with coinsurance. By sharing a portion of the medical expenses, it reduces the premium rate because you’re paying more out-of pocket. For example, if a plan has 80/20 coinsurance the insurance will pay 80% of the medical expenses and you would pay the remaining 20%.
PPO or Provider Network: PPO stands for Preferred Provider Organization or Network. A PPO is an organization of medical doctors, hospitals, facilities and other health care providers who have a contractual agreement with an insurer to provide health care at reduced rates to the insurer’s or administrator’s clients. You are strongly encouraged to visit medical provider and facilities that are part of the insurance plan network. This usually allows for direct billing and can remove the need for you to pay up front for medical expenses.
Underwriting: International major medical plans are medically underwritten. This means that your family’s medical status and history will be used to determine your eligibility for coverage. When you apply for a major medical plan you will have to answer a series of health history and lifestyle questions. Based on your responses to these questions, the insurer can decide the following things:
- Issue coverage and complete your application
- Request further information regarding your past medical history
- Request that a rider be placed on your application that limits or excludes certain medical conditions
- Request a premium increase due to your medical and/or family history
- Deny coverage
You are notified if the terms will be different than what you applied for – to ensure that you still want to proceed with the policy under new terms or conditions. If you are not happy with anything you can withdraw the application with no penalty.
Usual Reasonable & Customary (URC): Usual Reasonable and Customary is a term that insurers use to describe a limitation on their responsibility to pay for eligible medical expenses. Basically, URC refers to the fee typically charged by a provider for a specific procedure in a specific geographic location. If a particular procedure typically costs $5,000 in the New York City area, and most providers customarily charge about $5,000 for that procedure, the insurance company will not pay your provider in New York City $10,000 for the same exact procedure. Instead, they will limit their payment amount to “Usual Reasonable and Customary” – in this example, $5,000.
Emergency Medical Evacuation: This benefit will provides transportation (emergency air and/or ground) to the nearest hospital that is qualified to provide medically necessary treatment when treatment is not available locally.
Repatriation: In the event of a covered injury or illness resulting in your death, this benefit provides the following benefit: air and/or ground transportation of bodily remains or ashes to the area of your residence, and usually includes reasonable costs of preparation of your remains necessary for transportation.
This is just a few of the most common definitions and benefits that come with most expatriate insurance plans. When choosing a plan that right for you, it’s always a smart idea to pay close attention to the policy benefits and exclusions – making sure that you choose a plan that’s right for you and your health needs.
If expatriate insurance terminology becomes too daunting and you’d like assistance in choosing the right plan for you, please contact one of our licensed expatriate insurance agents. They will be happy to help!
Tags: Expatriate Insurance Terminology, expatriate plan terminology, international insurance agents, International Insurance Definitions, International Insurance Terminology
Posted in Expat News, International Health Insurance, Major Medical Insurance for Expatriates | Comments Off
Monday, January 31st, 2011
Many retirees dream of enjoying their retirement as an expatriate, immersing themselves in a new language, culture and way life. Living out your golden years in another country can be exciting, thrilling and nerve wracking- all at the same time. As the number of older expatriates is increasing so are some concerns like healthcare and insurance. Health insurance for aging expatriates can difficult to understand and find. Some important questions you should consider before retiring are as follows:
- Will my policy end when I reach a certain age?
- Will I be covered if I return back to my country of citizenship?
As you begin to research the many expatriate plans out there, you will notice that a big eligibility factor with most of them is age. Unfortunately, age is a huge underwriting factor with most health insurance plans for aging expatriates. As we get older, we “age” out of eligibility for a lot of health plans that are available.
For some plans the age for eligibility completely ends at 65 years. Other plans offer “senior coverage” if you’ve had their plan for a specified length of time (this is usually 10 years of continuous coverage. Most plans that offer “senior coverage” have limited benefits and reduced maximum policy limits. Because of this, it’s wise to have an annually renewable international health plan in place – early.
There are several types of health insurance plans for aging expatriates available in the marketplace today. Some are annually renewable, providing worldwide coverage and others are short-term plans that will provide coverage outside the home country.
If you are considering a long-term, annually renewable plan then the Global Medical plan provides worldwide health insurance for aging expatriates. This plan offers lifetime coverage if you enroll in the plan by your 65th birthday and maintain continuous coverage to age 75. Prior to your 75th birthday you will receive a summary of benefits for the new plan, “Global Senior Plan”, and an enrollment form for coverage. There is no additional medical underwriting required! You simply need to review the benefits, complete and return the enrollment form with your premium.
If you’re already over 65 and haven’t been enrolled in a long-term plan there are still other options available. The IHHP health plan offers annually renewable coverage to expatriates until 80 years of age. If taken out before 80 years of age, this plan will offer lifetime coverage, as long as you maintain your premium. This is a great health insurance for aging expatriates.
Tags: expat insurance for seniors, expatriate health insurance, Health Insurance for Aging Expatriates, insurance for senior expats, International Health Insurance
Posted in International Expatriate Health Insurance, International Health Insurance, Major Medical Insurance for Expatriates | Comments Off
|
Discuss your insurance needs:
Instant Live Chat with our agents
Send us an email inquiry
RSS Post Feed