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International medical insurance provides medical coverage for expats living abroad. These plans are globally portable, offering comprehensive treatment worldwide. Most plans are customizable to your health needs and budget, with features designed for the unique needs of expats and world travelers.
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Are you an expat preparing to move abroad? Are you wondering the best way to ensure you have medical coverage that fits your needs worldwide?
This Pacific Prime blog post will guide expats working abroad on how international health insurance works, how they can find a policy that’s right for them, and how to find the right insurance provider. We’ll also give tips for getting and using health insurance abroad.
How International Medical Insurance Works
International medical insurance provides healthcare coverage for a person residing internationally. This type of insurance plan is designed to provide global coverage to alleviate medical expenses while overseas.
If you are planning to work abroad, international health insurance is important to secure your medical coverage. While you may be able to access public healthcare, some countries do not allow expats to use public healthcare services.
It’s important to look into reputable international health insurance providers in order to have the best coverage and benefits for your needs.
Explaining the Different Types Of Insurance For Expats Abroad
There is short-term medical insurance coverage for traveling abroad on work trips, and there are long-term plans for when you’ll be living and working outside your home country. International health insurance plans offer global and regional coverage based on your needs.
Here are the types of insurance to consider when working abroad:
- Single-trip travel insurance with international medical coverage is ideal for a business trip or vacation up to approximately 30 days.
- Multi-trip travel insurance with international medical coverage covers multiple short trips abroad over the course of a year.
- International medical insurance is for expats who reside outside of their home country for most of the year. Policies are for at least a year and can be renewed. Many insurance companies offer lifetime renewal options.
There are also special insurance coverage considerations. If you are planning to start or grow your family abroad or if you have pre-existing conditions, you will need to learn more about coverage for those situations.
- Maternity insurance has a waiting period before coverage begins, so expats working abroad need to plan ahead when selecting coverage.
- Pre-existing condition coverage is difficult to obtain. The best chance is to get a policy through your employer or a group, but there may be individual options depending on your condition(s) and the insurance company.
What Happens if You Get Sick or Injured While Working Abroad
If you get sick or injured while working abroad, international medical insurance coverage will pay for the medical expenses according to your policy terms and limits. Contact your insurance provider for assistance locating an in-network provider.
Some policies provide direct billing arrangements where the medical provider files a claim directly with the insurance provider. Other policies provide reimbursement to the insured after a claim is filed.
International health and travel insurance companies network with medical providers abroad and offer assistance to locate providers who speak the same language.
Refer to your policy terms or contact the insurance company for assistance if you have any questions about whether or not your policy covers your condition. Be aware that intentional harm or injuries from the policyholder’s criminal activity is usually not covered.
Preventative Care and Wellness While Working Abroad
Some insurance plans offer preventative, routine, and wellness care coverage on plans for expats working abroad. While this coverage may have a higher premium, you will have higher benefit limits and fewer out-of-pocket medical costs.
If you have your family with you overseas, you can also have your children or partner covered in an international health insurance plan. Some plans may cover children under a certain age at no additional cost, subject to underwriting.
While you may be far away from your home country, having an international health insurance plan can give you peace of mind while working abroad. Your health is always a priority no matter where you are.
Contacting Your International Health Insurance Provider
When working abroad, make sure you communicate effectively with your health insurance provider. Always call your insurance company before getting medical care if feasible. When that’s not possible, contact the insurance company right away. Communicate in writing when the situation may be complex.
Follow these tips for phone calls with your medical insurance company:
- Write down the name of the insurer’s representative you are speaking with so you can follow up with the same person.
- Ask about their direct extension to simplify contacting them with follow-up information or questions.
Follow these tips for written communication with your medical insurance company:
- Make sure correspondence with your insurance company has accurate information, including dates, medical facilities, provider names, and medical information.
- Providing specifics can be helpful, but make sure your personal information is kept secure by only using secure channels to communicate.
Communication in writing is the clearest and best way to communicate with your insurance company. It makes keeping track of information and avoiding misunderstandings easier. The more complicated your situation is, the more advantageous written communication becomes.
When To Contact Your International Health Insurance Provider
Once you’ve secured an insurance plan, it’s important to remember that you can keep in touch with your insurance company for assistance or issues. Whether you need help with locating an in-network healthcare provider or you’re filing a claim, don’t hesitate to reach out to them when you need help.
Need Help With Provider Networks and Direct Billing
Most large international health insurance providers offer extensive direct billing networks so that the hospital or clinic can send medical bills directly to your insurance company. Using in-network providers helps keep your out-of-pocket medical expenses lower while working abroad.
To utilize direct billing networks, keep your insurance card and policy information with you. This will make it easier for your medical provider to contact the insurance company on your behalf when needed.
Also, call or check your insurance provider’s website to verify that a provider is in-network and the services are covered.
Clarify Pre-Approval or Pre-Certification Requirements
Many private health insurance plans require pre-approval (also called pre-certification) before major medical care like surgery, procedures, or treatments. Contact your insurance company before receiving care whenever possible to verify whether or not you need preapproval for the care to be covered.
Keeping Track of Records, Bills, and Documents
Keep track of your medical records, bills, and policy documents. Medical records help providers offer the proper care, and they can be used to advocate for treatments to be covered by insurance. Bills and policy documents can help in the event of billing mistakes or clearing up confusion.
Filing a Medical Claim With Your International Insurance Company
Filing a claim with your international health insurance company is easier than ever because most companies allow you to file claims online or in their app. Make sure that all of the information in the claims is correct, or it could be denied.
If the medical provider is filing the claim on your behalf, make sure names, spellings, and medical insurance policy information are correct.
Pacific Prime offers a dedicated claims filing team to assist clients with filing claims with their chosen insurance provider. Purchase your international health insurance policy with Pacific Prime to receive these value-added services at no additional cost to you.
Finding the Right International Health Insurance Provider
The best way to find the right international health insurance provider for the best coverage while working abroad is to compare quotes and plans from multiple companies. You will also want to make sure the provider has a network and experience in your destination country or region of the world.
If you have questions, contact an insurance expert for free online or by calling 1-800-868-1451.
Working Abroad? Have Pacific Prime Help You With Your Insurance Needs!
If researching international health insurance is overwhelming, there is free help available. At Pacific Prime, we work with multiple insurance companies to offer free quote comparisons and impartial advice to expats seeking the right health international health insurance.
Pacific Prime Group has 25 years of experience in the insurance industry and this enables us to select the best plans for you based on your unique needs and budget.
Contact us today for a FREE no-obligation plan comparison!
Frequently Asked Questions
How much will international health insurance cost?
International health insurance for an individual costs between USD $3,594 to $9,817 annually, depending on the global region of coverage and policy specifics. Insurance costs vary because the price of medical treatments varies around the world.
What happens if you need to go to the hospital while abroad?
If you need to go to the hospital while abroad, contact your international medical insurance company to be directed to a hospital on your plan. Without international medical insurance, you will be expected to pay for incurred medical costs.
Do I need to purchase international medical insurance?
Domestic health insurance policies, like those from the United States, do not provide medical coverage outside of the country listed on the policy. To avoid medical expenses while living or traveling outside of your home country, purchase international medical insurance.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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