What Is International Health Insurance and How Does It Work?

If you are one of those people who travel frequently, you need to have International Health insurance that provides you with the medical protection you need for you and your family when you are both in the United States and abroad. Do not worry if at the moment you are not sure what insurance to contract because in this guide we will explain in detail everything you need to know about international Health insurance.

What Is International Health Insurance and How Does It Work?

It is a major health expense insurance designed especially for people who travel frequently and who need to be protected against illness or accident when they are outside their country of residence. With this type of health plan, you can go to any hospital or consult doctors around the world without having to worry about the expenses that are generated.

Another important aspect that we must mention is that this type of insurance is contracted for short periods, that is, the validity normally corresponds to the duration of the trip. If for any reason you have to stay outside your country for longer than planned, you can extend the validity of your health insurance.

Coverage of an International Medical Expenses Insurance

Depending on the type of plan you choose when purchasing your insurance, it could include some of the following coverage:

• Medical care for illness and/or accident.
• Medications are required in case of hospitalization.
• Medications are required for outpatient care.
• Dental emergencies.
• Repatriation of remains in the event of death.
• Transfer for hospitalization.
• Lodging for long stays.
• Urgent query line.
• Virtual health care.

Importance of Taking Out International Health Insurance

Have you thought about what would happen if you are in another country and have a medical emergency? Which doctor would you visit? Which hospital could you go to? How expensive could medical services be in a country you don’t know? How much could the expenses generated by hospitalization or medical attention get out of control? How could you return to your country if your financial resources run out? And if you have to extend your stay for health reasons, could you cover the expenses that this implies?

The above questions are worries that you can forget about if you make sure to take out international health insurance for when you and your family travel outside the United States, especially if your national health insurance has several limitations or simply does not operate abroad.

On the other hand, currently, more than 40 countries have a mandatory requirement that visitors have travel medical insurance to enter:

• Eel.
• Aruba.
• The Bahamas.
• Belize.
• Bermuda.
• Taste.
• Cambodia.
• Chili.
• Colombia.
• Costa Rica.
• Cuba.
• Dubai.
• Ecuador.
• The Philippines.
• Georgia.
• Iran.
• Israel.
• Jamaica.
• Jordan.
• Laos.
• Lebanese.
• Malaysia.
• Nepal.
• Oman.
• Pakistan.
• Panama.
• Puerto Rico.
• Russia.
• Rwanda.
• Singapore.
• South Africa.
• Thailand.
• Turkey.
• Ukraine.
• The United Kingdom.
• Vietnam.

So if you are planning a vacation to any of the countries mentioned above, in addition to your travel documents, pack your international medical insurance policy.

How To Contract An International Health Insurance?

Finally, we tell you what documents you need and what procedure you must carry out to contract your international medical insurance before your trip begins:

Required documents

• Birth certificate.
• Identification document:
  • Driver’s license or identification card.
  • United States military card.
  • United States passport.
  • Certificate of naturalization or citizenship.
• Proof of address:
  • Owner’s letter.
  • Lease agreement or receipt.
  • Public service bill.
  • Property tax receipt.
• Proof of national health insurance.

Procedure

1. The first step is to contact your insurance company and indicate that you need travel medical insurance, the first thing they will ask you is the dates on which you will leave and return to the country, that is, the period in which you will be abroad. Another important point is the destination since medical services have different costs in each country.
2. The insurance company will offer you different health plans that you should analyze to choose the one that offers you the coverage you need and suits your budget.
3. The next step will be to provide the required documentation, you may have to do some medical tests to check your current health status.
4. Finally, you must sign the contract and cover the corresponding premium.

Note: You must take your policy and your credential with you since these two documents contain the insurance data that you must have on hand in the event of an accident. 

Read More: What are the Advantages of Life Insurance