International health insurance tends to look alike . . . . until you need it. Learn how to protect yourself from this potentially huge Gotcha!!!

Long-Term International Health Insurance

Also referred to as annual-renewable, permanent, expat or expatriate health insurance... here is a choice of competing U.S.-Style long-term international health insurance plans. Your questions are encouraged (Contact/About Us). Also see Buy Smart.

Page Contents...
Global Citizen (includes USA coverage) & Global Citizen EXP (no USA coverage) (unique, fully regulated in most states!)
Reside Prime Worldwide (includes USA coverage and treatment)
Reside Worldwide (no USA coverage or treatment)
Your USA Plan + Travel Supplement
Be Aware Of This "Gotcha"

Global Citizen (includes USA coverage). Global Citizen EXP (no USA coverage)

Administered by HTH Worldwide Insurance Services, Philadelphia, PA, USA
Insured by UNICARE Life & Health, or HM Life Insurance Company (varies by state)

Global Citizen (includes USA coverage)

Global Citizen > Online Quotes - Benefits - On-line Application (opens in new window)

Global Citizen > Sample Policy Certificate (See the actual policy wording! Opens in new window)

At this time, Global Citizen is the only international medical plan of which we are aware that contains no restriction on the amount of time you spend within the USA. (You must be in an approved state, or abroad at time of policy renewal.)

Global Citizen Plan Highlights:
- Medical limit up to $5,000,000.
- Provides coverage worldwide, with no limit on time spent inside the USA.
- No waiting period for most benefits and services.
- Deductible is waived for office visits and preventative services (co-pay only).
- Pre-existing condition exclusion is only 180 days.
- Includes coverage for terrorist events and professional sporting activities.
- Direct billing with doctors and hospitals in over 180 countries, including the USA.
- Renewable up to age 84.
- A less ambiguous, more consumer-friendly definition of "pre-existing condition".

The Global Citizen health plan has met the standards of state regulators. There are no waiting periods associated with most benefits or services and no pre-certification is required. The pre-existing condition exclusion can be waived subject to proof of prior creditable insurance. (However, policy issue is subject to medical underwriting) In addition, the plan automatically covers injuries or illnesses that are a result of a terrorist act.

The Global Citizen plan is available to the following persons:
- USA citizens living abroad who are age 74 or younger at the time of application.
- USA residents (USA citizens and legal foreign nationals) residing in an approved state (below), who are age 74 or younger at the time of application.

Approved States: approved in 45 states.

Global Citizen "EXP" (no USA coverage, but lower cost)

Global Citizen EXP > On-line Quotes - Benefits - On-line Application (opens in new window)

If you exclude coverage in the USA, the title of the "Global Citizen" plan becomes "Global Citizen EXP." The EXP plan excludes coverage or treatment in the USA, so the monthly premium is less. (USA medical care is the most expensive in the world.)

Global Citizen "EXP" Highlights:
- same as Global Citizen (above) except there is no coverage within the USA

Note: On the Global Citizen quote page, if "include U.S. coverage" is checked "no," you will receive a "Global Citizen EXP" quote. If checked "yes," you will receive a "Global Citizen" quote.

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Reside PRIME Worldwide (option: include or exclude coverage in USA & Canada)

Administered by Seven Corners, Inc. (SCI), Indianapolis, IN, USA
Insured by Lloyd's, London.

Reside PRIME > Instant Online Quotes & Application (opens in a new window)

Reside PRIME Program Summary Sample Policy Wording (new window)

Reside PRIME Brochure - including Rate Chart (opens in a new window)

Reside PRIME Plan Highlights:
- Competitively priced.
- Medical limit up to $5,000,000
- Provides coverage inside and outside of the USA (limit 6 mo. per policy year inside USA)
- The deductible is reduced by 50% and the coinsurance is waived if covered expenses are incurred within the USA "PPO" network
- You have the option of "including" or "excluding" coverage within the USA and Canada.

Very Important: The "Reside Prime" plan is not intended for anyone who will reside within the USA and/or Canada for more than 6 months during any given 12 month period. (See brochure for details.)

This "6 month in USA and/or Canada" limitation is the fundamental reason why the Reside Prime insurance plan is lower cost than the Global Citizen (above).

Suggestion: We work for you (Guarantees). If you have had any medical conditions of concern, we invite you to consult with us before you "officially" apply for long-term health insurance (Contact / About Us).

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Reside Worldwide ("basic" benefits worldwide - primarily for treatment outside the USA)

Administered by Seven Corners, Inc., Indianapolis, IN, USA
Insured by Lloyd's, London.

A "Schedule of Benefits" or "Basic Medical" Plan:
Regardless of where medical treatment is received, this type of plan pays a maximum amount (not to exceed the total charge) for listed medical procedures, such as hospitalization, doctor visits, certain outpatient procedures, etc.

Reside > Instant Online Quotes & Application (opens in a new window)

Reside > Program Summary (Sample Policy Wording) (opens in a new window)

Reside > Brochure & Rate Chart (opens in a new window.)

On this type of plan, people would typically seek medical care outside of the USA. When receiving covered treatment outside the USA, the Schedule of Benefits is often adequate to cover most medical expenses. However, when receiving covered treatment within the USA, the "usual and customary" charges for hospitalization and other medical benefits will typically exceed the maximum allowance under this plan's Schedule of Benefits. The insured person would then be responsible for any difference (which in the USA could be substantial).

*Note: Reside Worldwide is not intended for anyone who will reside within the USA and/or Canada for more than 6 months during any given 12 month period. (See brochure for details.)

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Your Current USA Plan + Travel Supplement (an option for some to consider)

Choices are limited and underwriting standards are comparatively tough for fully-regulated long-term international health insurance plans -- plans that you can keep and renew - without re-qualifying upon your permanent return to the USA.

In some instances, you might consider keeping your existing USA health insurance and supplementing it with a low cost, Temporary health and travel insurance plan.

You may have the option of lowering the cost of your existing health plan by raising your deductible, or converting to a high-deductible "HSA." (The drawback is that if you wanted the lower deductible later, in most states you would need to apply and medically re-qualify.)

You would also need to check the "eligibility" requirements of your existing insurance. Some states mandate that you are allowed to keep your USA coverage, even during extended stays overseas. Others do not.

As long as you intend the USA to be your "fixed and permanent" residence, this is an option to investigate.

Note: If you believe this may fit your situation, I invite you to contact me (E-mail) for guidance.

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Other Options

Global Medical Insurance^® -- Long-term international health insurance choices from International Medical Group, Inc.^®

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Be Aware Of This "Gotcha"

Virtually all private insurance plans exclude coverage for "pre-existing conditions." It is vital for expats to know that the wording of the definition of "pre-existing condition" can vary dramatically from health insurance plan to health insurance plan.

A small difference in your insurance policy wording could make a huge difference in whether or not a large medical insurance claim is actually paid . . . . or not paid.

Here are two examples for illustration purposes:

Pre-Existing Condition #1: "Any condition which existed at or prior to the date the policy went into effect."

Pre-Existing Condition #2: "Any condition which was diagnosed, treated, or manifested itself in such a way as to exhibit recognizable symptoms, prior to the date that the policy went into effect."

Note that in example #1, the definition is very broad and ambiguous. In this example, you might have a "pre-existing condition" and not even be aware of it. Examples might include any type of heart disease, which often goes undetected for years.

If you owned a long-term health insurance policy with ambiguous wording (as in example #1 above) and came down with a major illness, you could be in trouble. If doctors determined that your illness existed in any form before your policy went into effect, even if you didn't have noticeable symptoms . . . GOTCHA!!!

All international health insurance plans contain a policy definition of "pre-existing condition." This is very important wording. Know this policy wording before you buy -- Buy Smart.

This is Your Best Place for Long-Term International Insurance for Expatriates.

Plans & Rates
Dependable U.S.-style international health insurance for almost every expatriate insurance need.

Buy Smart
Tips to help you find the right international insurance for your exact needs, situation, and budget.

Guarantees
You enjoy 4 important guarantees, rarely found together in writing elsewhere.

Value-Added
Get the most from your international health insurance, and more.

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GLOBAL MEDICAL SECURITY

Long-Term International Health Insurance