More information about medical insurance worldwide:
- travelers medical insurance
- global medical insurance
- student medical insurance
- expatriate medical
insurance
- group medical coverage
overseas
Need International Health Insurance? Click here for an instant quote
Group Medical Insurance Coverage Overseas
If your company has employees permanently stationed overseas, the group health plans available from your local carriers may not offer the best coverage. This is particularly true if they have no offices overseas, or if they restrict treatment to a specific group of providers.
You may want to consider working with a medical insurance carrier that specializes in group medical insurance coverage overseas. Some companies offer policies for employees who travel a great deal, and others offer plans for employees living temporarily or permanently in another country. Of course, some larger international insurance carriers will offer group medical coverage
for a variety of situations, depending on your company's needs.
If your company already has a group plan that covers international travel, your employees living overseas may have adequate coverage without a separate policy. Check to see if the plan will cover prescription drugs purchased outside the United States. Some plans will not allow claims for prescriptions purchased outside the country, but will usually make an exception for emergencies and for employees permanently stationed in another country. Be sure to ask. Also find out if the plan requires care at specific hospitals that are affiliated with the company. Some larger US group plans, such as the BlueCross BlueShield association member plans, do have a fairly extensive network of participating facilities around the world.
An important feature of any group coverage overseas is the ease of submitting a claim. The carrier should be able to translate a claim from a doctor or facility in any language, and offer quick turn-around times for processing. Smaller carriers may find this difficult, and this could delay reimbursement for out-of-pocket expenses. Smaller carriers may also have little experience with the health care system in other countries, and will not be able to help your employees get the care you need. A qualified, experienced carrier that specializes in overseas group medical insurance is an invaluable resource for an employee who is injured or becomes ill while living abroad.
Worldwide Health Insurance Home Page
Before traveling, you may want to visit the US Department of State site for Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad. You'll find a list of doctors and hospitals in other countries, as well as helpful information about emergency preparedness, evacuation plans, and travel insurance companies.
Did you know you can retire early in some of the most beautiful areas of the United States as cheaply as you could in Mexico? If you'd like to eliminate your high housing costs without needing to learn a new language, discover the pleasures of true homeownership here in the US at http://www.buyahousewithcash.com/
©2006 Jonni Good
Contact the Editor