|
|
Here's information on how to get the most for your insurance dollar.
Value-Added
Page Contents: scroll down or click to quick-jump. Get The Most From Your Plan
_______________________________________________________________________________________
Get the Most
From Your International Health Insurance.Here are a few suggestions.
1. Be aware of the "Pre-Certification" provision of your health insurance contract.
Nearly all health insurance policies contain a Pre-Certification or Pre-Notification provision. Simply put, this says that you must notify the insurance company prior to scheduled surgery, inpatient testing, or other large anticipated medical claims. Failure to do so jeopardizes your coverage substantially, so we emphasis that you be aware of this provision.
Pre-Certification enables the insurance company to be sure you are receiving adequate and appropriate treatment, to coordinate all care, and to pre-negotiate fees and arrange for payment.
Important - in a medical emergency - seek treatment immediately. Then you or someone should contact your insurance company as soon as possible.
2. When in doubt, don't hesitate to call your 24-hour assistance service.
Copy all 24-hour telephone numbers, along with your policy ID number and keep them handy at all times. As a rule of thumb, if in doubt, call.
From outside the USA, most companies allow you to call "collect." When doing so, we are told it is usually best to use an AT&T operator.
3. When receiving treatment outside of the U.S.A., always request a fully itemized bill.
If receiving medical treatment in some countries, especially in developing countries, you may not automatically receive a bill in which all charges are fully itemized. This could possibly create a problem when you file the claim with the insurance company. Always request a fully itemized bill, which might help you later in the claims process.
4. Don't use a hospital emergency room for Non-Emergency treatment or tests, unless pre-authorized.
Hospital emergency facilities are sometimes convenient, especially after normal business hours. But typically, your health insurance plan will not pay for expenses incurred during a non-authorized hospital emergency room visit which is not of an emergency nature. (See your plan exclusions.)
In a medical emergency, seek immediate treatment at the nearest available facility!
Here is a general definition of a medical emergency; a medical condition manifesting itself by acute signs or symptoms which could reasonably result in placing the Insured Person’s life or limb in danger if medical attention is not provided within 24 hours. (Usually, the symptoms are sudden and unexpected.)
If it is not a medical emergency, but you want to see a doctor ASAP, call your assistance service first. If the assistance service refers you to a medical facility that also happens to be an emergency facility, then you can reasonably expect to be covered without question. ( If this occurs, it's a good idea to make note of the time and to whom you spoke.) The assistance company may then call the medical facility on your behalf to arrange for treatment and to pre-negotiate fees.
5. For USA Visitors - if you need to see a doctor, ask for a "PPO Discount" or "Cash Discount." You can expect to save about 20% or more.
In the USA, you will rarely see a fee schedule posted in a doctor's office. That's because fees and charges vary from patient to patient, depending on the patient's insurance and how the bill will be paid.
A "PPO" (Preferred Provider Organization) is a network of "participating" doctors and hospitals who have agreed to lower pre-negotiated fees in return for a large volume of business.
In order to control costs within the USA, most Long-Term or "Permanent" health insurance plans provide strong incentives (or maybe require) that their contracted PPO medical network be used for all covered medical treatment. Be sure you have the website for your plan's PPO, so you can look-up a list of "providers" in your area whenever you wish. Contact your insurance company if you have any questions.
If you are visiting or immigrating to the USA and have a Temporary health insurance plan, you might save 20% or more by asking prior to making your appointment for the doctor's "PPO" or "Cash" discount. Explain that you will pay cash or credit card at time of visit (most likely anyhow, unless you have exceeded your deductible) and that you will file your own claim with your insurance company. Most doctors' offices will happily agree.
____________________________________________________________________________
Better Client Assistance
For all insurance obtained here, you enjoy three levels of client assistance. Knowing "who's who" can mean better and faster assistance for you, if or when needed.
1.) Your Insurance Administrator: for questions regarding premium payments, renewals, benefits, new ID cards, claims filing, and all other day-to-day administrative matters.
Today, most insurance administration (lost ID cards, etc.) can be addressed via the Internet. Here are the Websites of some Insurance Administrators whose plans are offered here:
► Seven Corners, Inc. (SCI) (formerly Specialty Risk International) http://www.sevencorners.com (Reside Prime Worldwide, Reside Worldwide, and Liaison International Plans).
► HTH Worldwide (HTH) http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com (Global Citizen Plans).
► Global Underwriters Agency (GUA) http://www.globalunderwriters.com (Diplomat Plans).
► Multinational Underwriters (MNUI) http://www.mnui.com (Atlas Plans)
(Note: Our recommending one plan offered by a particular Insurance Plan Administrator does not mean that we would recommend all plans offered by that Administrator. Please see Buy Smart for some reasons why we do or do not recommend various health insurance plans.)
2.) 24-Hour Worldwide Assistance Company: for pre-certification, general medical guidance, or questions regarding any medical situation. Also coordinates emergency medical evacuation, repatriation, etc..
Today, most 24-hour Worldwide Assistance Companies are owned by and operated "in-house" by the larger Insurance Administrators. Some companies have a separate telephone number for 24-hour Worldwide Assistance, while others use one telephone number for both the Administrator (usually available 8 hours per day) and the 24-Hour Assistance Company.
Your on-line and/or e-mailed Confirmation of Coverage (Insurance ID) will contain your policy number, important telephone numbers and other information. Our advice to you is always "when in doubt, call." From outside the USA, most companies allow you to call "collect." When doing so, we are told it is usually best to use an AT&T operator.
3.) Your Independent Agent (that's us): for questions while shopping and during the application process. Also, in the event of a possible medical claims dispute (with the Insurance Administrator), we can openly offer you advice and guidance.
Per USA Federal and State Laws, as a licensed independent agency, we have a "fiduciary obligation" to you the client. In other words, we work for you (see guarantees).
Please note that obtaining your international insurance here through us does not alter your cost in any manner (lowest-rate guarantee), but it does give you with an extra level of pro service if needed.
Contact Us: e-mail: mail@GlobalMedicalSecurity.com
Telephone: 1-407-532-3383, USA toll-free 1-888-227-9449____________________________________________________________________________
Travel Links
All links open in a new Window. Please close when finished.
U.S. State Department website concerning travel warnings: http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/tw/tw_1764.html
U.S. State Department website concerning medical information: http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html
U.S. Center For Disease Control and Prevention for the most current health information:
http://www.cdc.gov/travelWorldwide Weather - CNN: http://www.cnn.com/WEATHER
Worldwide Weather - Yahoo: http://weather.yahoo.comCurrency Converter: http://www.oanda.com/converter/classic
International Translator: http://babelfish.altavista.digital.com/cgi-bin/translate
Worldwide Comparison Salary Calculator: http://www.homefair.com/homefair/cmr/salcalc.html
New immigrants to the United States will need to understand the Social Security system:
http://www.ssa.gov/SSA_Home.html____________________________________________________________________________
Claims Help
Get A Form
Read your policy for instructions on filing a claim. In many cases today, a form is not needed.
A claim form is normally included with your insurance policy and ID card. You may also obtain a claim form by calling or e-mailing your insurance plan administrator, or going to their Website.
Suggestions On Filing A Claim
Notify the plan administrator of your claim as soon as practical from the date of your illness or injury, or within 90 days. If you do not have a claim form at this time, no problem. The administrator will send you one if required.
When completing a claim form, be sure your personal information and policy number are clear and readable. Be sure the form is signed and dated.
Attach your original medical bill. If properly itemized, this bill will usually contain the medical information that your insurance company needs. Keep copies of everything.
Tip: When receiving medical services outside of the U.S.A., always ask for an itemized bill. (Not all doctors or clinics throughout the world will think about this when preparing your bill.)
What To Expect Next
Upon receiving your claim, the administrator should promptly send you a written notice verifying receipt. You will sometimes be asked for additional information about your health history, such as "the full names of all doctors seen during the past year." When this occurs, the company is making sure that your claim is not related to a "pre-existing condition" (see your policy for definitions and exclusions).
Respond promptly and keep copies. Be sure that your name and policy number are clearly printed on all correspondence. (Remember, it is other humans who are reading your handwriting.)
Tip: Sometimes, a doctor's office can be slow to respond to an insurance company's request for medical information. A polite call to your doctor's office may help to speed up this process, and your claim payment.
_______________________________________________________________________________________
This is the best place for international insurance.
Plans & Rates
"US-Style" International health & travel insurance plans for almost all needs.Buy Smart
Help in finding the best choice for your exact situation, needs and budget.Guarantees
You enjoy 4 important guarantees, rarely found together elsewhere.Value-Added
Get the most from your insurance, and more.U.S.-Style Plans. Online Quotes. Superior Plan Comparisons.
Please "Bookmark" us for easy return.
GLOBAL
MEDICAL SECURITY
You are here > Value-Added |
