Q:
Who can buy Expatriate Health plans?
A:Expatriates of all nationalities can purchase international Health Plans
Q:
Is there an age limit at joining International Health Plans?
A:The maximum age when joining International
Health Plans varies from company to company. Some companies allow entry
to healthcare plans to people of between 70 and 80 years.
Q:
Will the policy cover me worldwide?
A:It depends on what type area of coverage
you choose. Our customer support assistants will be able to advise you on this
matter.
Q:
I am a USA citizen. Can I purchase an International Medical plan?
A:You can purchase an International Health
Plan provided you are not residing or living in the USA at the time of purchase. Ensure you are covered when you are back in the USA for pleasure
or business by using an add on travel option.
Q:
Does an International Medical Plan cover
pregnancy? A:It depends on the plan you are choosing.
Some plans require a period of eligibility before the benefits will be paid (10-12
months). That is, comprehensive plans normally include maternity.
Back to top
Q: Are
dental treatments covered?
A: Some International Medical plans will
offer routine dental cover. Please
ask our customer support assistants
to verify coverage offered for emergency
dental treatment.
Q: Can I choose
the hospital for treatment?
A: Yes. You can choose which doctor will
treat you and in which hospital/clinic
you will have your treatment.
Q: How
do I make a claim?
A: Most international insurance providers
will send a client pack, with Insurance
Certificate, Claims Forms and Helpline
Card, with a range of international
contact numbers. Many international
insurers now pre-authorise any in-patient
treatment, meaning that you must contact
their help lines before seeking treatment
and incurring costs. Out-patient costs
are usually dealt by routine Claim
Forms (i.e. you pay first). If in doubt
always call the help lines before seeking
treatment and committing yourself to
costs.
Q: How long does
it take to handle a claim?
A: Normally it takes around ten working
days from the date the insurer receives
all the necessary documents.
Q: Which
conditions does an International
Insurance Plan not cover?
A: Always read carefully the exclusions
that are included in a plan. Following
is a non exhaustive list of exclusions:
war or civil war risks, drug abuse,
self inflicted injury, HIV/Aids, Infertility,
Normal Pregnancy (unless option taken),
Cosmetic Surgery, preventive treatment,
kidney dialysis, mobility aids, experimental
treatment, organ transplants (unless
option taken), injuries arising from
dangerous hobbies.
Almost all pre-conditions treated
in the past
two years will initially be excluded.
Q: What
is a moratorium cover?
A: You may decide to apply for your plan
in two ways. The first way is by providing
your medical history details and the
second is moratorium cover. In this
case you are not required to provide
any medical history but the insurance
company may not cover any medical condition
which has existed in the last 2-5 years.
Such conditions may automatically become
eligible for cover only when you do
not have symptoms, or receive treatment,
medication, tests or advice from your
general practitioner for that condition
for a period of (usually) two years
after your policy has been made effective.
Q: What
is a "medical history declaration" cover?
A: You will be asked by the insurance
provider to fill out a form, giving
details of your medical history. Sometimes
medical reports may be required. It
is essential that you provide all the
information required by insurers to
avoid future questions or worse, rejection
of claims. If you not unsure always
declare anyway. If you have a medical
condition that may come back, the insurance
company may cover you, but exclude
that condition, reviewing its possibility
for inclusion into the plan in later
years.
Q: Which
details of my health must I provide
the insurers?
A: There are a number of medical conditions
which you may not be able to have covered
under insurance plans. You are not
normally able to secure cover for an
illness you are presently suffering,
or have already had in the recent past.
These are known as pre-existing conditions.
Q: Will
you be spending any time in your
home country while overseas?
A: International medical policies are
designed to cover you when you are
outside of your home country. However,
most insurers will cover for a limited
period in your home country.
Q: Do insurers
have a money back guarantee?
A: Most insurers offer do offer a money
back guarantee. If you are not entirely
satisfied with your insurance documents,
you can cancel your cover within the
first 30 days and, provided you have
not made a claim the insurer will fully
refund the premium you have paid.
Q: Do
international medical plans cover
sport activities?
A: There are no exclusions relating to
sporting activities. However, hazardous
sports and activities are not covered
unless you have declared that you participate
in a particular activity and the insurer
has agreed in writing to cover you
for that activity. Following is a non-exhaustive
list of hazardous sports: mountaineering
where ropes or guides are normally
used, hang gliding, parachuting, bungee
jumping, racing by horse or motor vehicle
or motorcycle, snow mobiling, motorcycle
/ motor scooter riding, scuba diving
involving underwater breathing apparatus,
water skiing, snow skiing and snow
boarding.
Q: What
is in-patient coverage?
A: An in-patient cover includes expenses
incurred when you go into hospital
for private treatment or investigations
and stay for one or more nights.
Q: What is day-patient coverage?
A: A day-patient cover, also called Day-care
or Day-case, incurs when you go into
hospital for private treatment or investigations,
but do not need to stay in the hospital
overnight.
Q: What is out-patient coverage?
A: Out-patient coverage includes expenses
incurred when you receive treatments
from a doctor or investigations or
consultations that do not require you
to stay in hospital, either as an in-patient
or day-patient.
Q: What
am I covered for and what is not
included?
A: Note that medical insurance is designed
to cover only treatment for curable,
short term illness or injury. Some
illnesses and treatments are never
included (see questions on exclusions).
A standard or basic international scheme
will usually cover in-patient or day
care treatment, post hospital treatment,
nursing at home, emergency evacuation,
repatriation or burial of mortal remains,
emergency dental and complications
of pregnancy. It will not cover out-patient,
routine maternity or dental costs.
A comprehensive international scheme
will cover all the above plus out-patient
care and specialists, complementary
care, routine maternity, routine dental
(sometimes) and generally has higher
budget limits than a Standard plan.
Most plans exclude pre-existing conditions
which may go back 2-5 years or even
longer.
Q: I have
pre-existing medical conditions how
does this effect my insurance?
A: A pre-existing condition is a medical
condition which has been diagnosed,
has required medical treatment, or,
for which you have sought medical advice
or symptoms have occurred in a period
immediately prior to applying for the
plan. Most international health plans
do not pay for the treatment of pre-existing
conditions.
Q: I
am a Canadian citizen. Can I purchase
an International Medical Plan?
A: You can purchase an International Health
Plan provided you are not residing
or living in Canada. Make sure you
are covered when you are back in Canada
for pleasure or business.
Q: What
is the difference between a standard
and a comprehensive international
medical plan?
A: A standard or basic international medical
plan will usually cover in-patient
or day care treatment, post hospital
treatment, nursing at home, emergency
evacuation, repatriation or burial
of mortal remains, emergency dental
and complications of pregnancy. It
will not cover out-patient, routine
maternity or dental costs. A comprehensive
international scheme will cover all
the above plus out-patient care and
specialists, complementary care, routine
maternity, routine dental (sometimes)
and generally has higher budget limits
than a Standard plan. Most plans exclude
pre-existing conditions which may go
back 2-5 years or even longer.
|