Here you will find a carefully selected portfolio of long-term (for one year +) international health insurance plans. These plans are designed for expatriates, missionaries, contractors, or virtually anyone living outside the U.S.A. for an extended period of time. They are also referred to as annual, annually-renewable, or permanent health insurance plans. All are US-Style and all come with my Lowest-Rate Guarantee.

 

Page Contents: three categories of long-term health insurance plans (color-coded for easy reference).

1. Comprehensive Major Medical Insurance, Coverage INCLUDES the USA  (Reside Prime, Global Citizen)

2. Comprehensive Major Medical Insurance, NO Coverage in the USA  (Global Citizen EXP)

3. Schedule of Benefits Medical Plan, Limited Coverage Anywhere Worldwide  (Reside)

F plus Buyer Beware, a Potential "Gotcha" to Avoid  (must read for prudent shoppers)

Key Concept: The most significant differences in international health insurance are not in the benefits and rates, but rather in the wording of the plan definitions and exclusions by which your insurance benefits are actually paid . . . or not paid!

Why not see the actual policy wording . . . before you buy! (See plan links below.)  Your questions are invited.

---

 

1. Comprehensive Major Medical - Coverage INCLUDES the USA.

(All links open in a new Window.)  "Reside Prime" . . . On-line Quotes & Application  (Sample) Certificate of Insurance (pdf - the actual policy wording!)   Plan Brochure (html)   Rate Chart (html)   Printable Application Form (html)

Reside Prime - Some Plan Highlights: ð  $5,000,000 of Major Medical insurance, competitively priced. ð  Coverage includes the USA. A limit of 6 months per policy year inside the USA. ð  Deductible reduced by 50%, co-insurance waived, when PPO Network used in the USA. ð  A less ambiguous, more consumer-friendly definition of "pre-existing condition." ð  Available to both US citizens and non-US citizens. ð  This plan is our most popular choice for expatriates and long-term missionaries.

Important Note: To remain eligible for "Reside Prime," insured persons must reside outside the USA for at least 6 months during any 12 month policy period. The Insurance Company: Lloyd's of London (rated A- "Excellent" by A.M. Best). Lloyd's provides health insurance to millions of individuals in almost every country of the world. Lloyd's operates as an approved, non-admitted insurer in all states of the United States except Illinois and Kentucky, where they are admitted. Your questions are invited. E-mail me

GLOBAL CITIZEN   Expat Insurance -  "best of class" provider access   U.S. Underwritten -  meets all U.S. state regulations (All links open in a new Window) "Global Citizen" . . . Instant On-Line Quotes & Application   (Sample) Certificate of Insurance (pdf - the actual policy wording!) Plan Brochure and Rate Chart (pdf)   Application Form (pdf)

Global Citizen - Some Plan Highlights: ð  $5,000,000 of Major Medical insurance. ð  Provides coverage in and out of the USA. No limit on time spent in USA. ð  No waiting period for most benefits and services. ð  Deductible is waived for office visits (co-pay only) and preventative services. ð  Pre-existing condition exclusion is only 180 days. ð  Direct billing with doctors and hospitals in 170 countries, including the USA ð  In the USA, use the PPO Network for better benefits. ð  A less ambiguous, more consumer-friendly definition of "pre-existing condition" The "Global Citizen" plan is available to the following persons:  •  All US citizens living abroad who are 74 or younger at the time of application.  •  Current legal US residents (US citizens and foreign nationals) residing in one of the states listed below      and who are age 74 or younger at the time of application: Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Hawaii, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kentucky, Michigan, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Mexico, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Vermont, Virginia, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming.

The Insurance Company: UNICARE Life & Health (rated "A-" by A.M. Best). UNICARE Life & Health is part of the WellPoint group of companies. WellPoint is the USA's largest health insurance company, serving more members than any other health insurance company.

Note: This is currently the only plan of which we are aware that contains no restriction on the amount of time you spend within the USA. However, if you are in the USA on the policy renewal date, you must be residing in an approved state in order to be eligible for renewal. Your questions are invited. E-mail me Top of Page

---

 

2. Comprehensive Major Medical - NO Coverage in the USA  (lower cost)

This plan is ideal for US expatriates who have Medicare, Tricare, or other guaranteed health coverage available to them upon return to the USA.

Global Citizen EXP

USA Underwritten for Overseas Living

(All links open in a new Window.) "Global Citizen EXP" . . . Line Quotes & Application In the on-line form, be sure you elect "do not want U.S. coverage" and you will receive a "Global Citizen EXP" quote. (Sample) Certificate of Insurance (pdf - the actual policy wording!) Benefits Summary (a direct link to administrator's website)

Global Citizen EXP - Some Plan Highlights:
ð  Medical limit up to $5,000,000.
ð  Provides coverage anywhere in the world outside of the USA.
ð  No waiting period for most benefits and services.
ð  Deductible is waived for office visits (co-pay only) and preventative services.
ð  Pre-existing condition exclusion is only 180 days.
ð  Direct billing with doctors and hospitals in over 160 countries.
ð  A less ambiguous and more consumer-friendly definition of "pre-existing condition."

The "Global Citizen EXP" plan is available to the following persons:
Individuals up to age 75 and dependent children are eligible based on their medical histories. Once issued, Global Citizen EXP policies are renewable up to age 84.

Ideal for US expatriates who have Medicare, Tricare, or other guaranteed health coverage available upon return to the USA.

The Insurance Company: UNICARE Life & Health (rated "A-" by A.M. Best).
UNICARE Life & Health is part of the WellPoint group of companies. WellPoint is the USA's largest health insurance company, serving more members than any other health insurance company.

Note: To the best of my knowledge, "Global Citizen EXP" is currently the only health insurance plan in this category (i.e. no coverage in the USA) of which I am aware that (1) meets all "US-style" criteria AND (2) contains a consumer-friendly definition of "pre-existing condition" (see buyer beware below).

Your questions are invited. E-mail me

Top of Page

---

 

3. Schedule of Benefits Medical Plan - LIMITED Coverage Worldwide.

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

(All links open in a new Window.) "Reside" . . . On-line Quote And Application (Sample) Certificate of Insurance (pdf - the actual policy wording!) Plan Brochure (html)   Rate Chart (html)   Printable Application Form (html)

Reside - Some Plan Highlights: ð  Up to $5,000,000 of basic medical insurance. (See plan benefit schedule.) ð  Coverage includes the USA. A limit of 6 months per policy year inside the USA. ð  A less ambiguous, more consumer-friendly definition of "pre-existing condition" ð  Available to US citizens and non-US citizens. ð  Lower cost, but fewer benefits than a comprehensive Major Medical insurance plan.

Note: With this plan, people would typically seek medical care outside of the USA or Canada (where medical costs are much less). The Insurance Company: Lloyd's of London (rated A- "Excellent" by A.M. Best). Lloyd's provides health insurance to millions of individuals in almost every country of the world. Lloyd's operates as an approved, non-admitted insurer in all states of the United States except Illinois and Kentucky, where they are admitted. Your questions are invited: E-mail me Top of Page

---

Buyer Beware - a Potential "Gotcha" To Avoid.

International insurance tends to look alike . . . . until you have a claim.

Virtually all private insurance plans exclude coverage for "pre-existing conditions." The wording of the definition of "pre-existing condition" can vary dramatically from one plan to another. A small difference in your 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 of how the wording can vary:

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

#2. Pre-existing condition:  "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 ambiguous. In this example, you might have a "pre-existing condition" and not even be aware of it. Examples might include a cancer such as colon cancer. Another example might be heart disease, which can go undetected for years.

If you owned a 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 did not experience any noticeable symptoms, your claim could be denied.

For additional information and suggests, please see Consumer Tips > Long-Term Plans. Questions? E-mail me

Three Categories of Long-Term International Health Insurance plans:

1. Coverage that Includes the USA
2. Worldwide, Except USA
3. Schedule of Benefits

Top of Page