International Health Insurance > Individual/Expatriate
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Why expatriate major medical insurance ?
Features & Uses of Expat Medical Insurance:
In today's world, many people are traveling. But of those numbers, a large amount are actually staying abroad for long periods of time outside their original home countries of residence. We say those people that have moved away or lived outside their native home country are called "expatriates" or "expats". America is a melting pot of expats from all over the world, as is Europe, Africa, Asia, Australia, etc.
For Americans living abroad (outside of the USA) for long periods of times brings challenges. One of these being obtaining a good long standing renewable medical insurance plan that will not only cover claims arising abroad in their new host country, but also back in the USA. Why back in the USA? A few reasons exist. Maybe they return often to visit family or for work assignments or maybe while abroad they get a catastrophic disease or illness that they would rather be treated for back in the USA, near family or they have a favorite hospital or doctor they want to use in the USA.
Of the plans we list on this page, they all provide for options to add / remove USA coverage. If you were to remove the USA option, premium is potentially signaficantly less; however, that policy would not cover any claims back in the United States. One should consider their long term needs when deciding their coverage options to include or exclude coverage in the USA. Of the plans we list, GeoBlue Xplorer has, we feel, the most comprehensive and least restrictive regulations for covering abroad and for in the USA; they also utilize the Blue Cross/ Blue Shield PPO Network in America. The other plans listed are equally good but may have more restrictions as it pertains to certain pre-existing conditions, maternity benefits and other wellness benefits. They also have their own partner PPO Networks both inside and outside the USA. Be sure you review each plan carefully, especially to be sure it will cover the items you specifically are looking to cover.
Immigrating to the USA ? Missionary or NGO worker ? Mariner Yacht Crew ?
Common features: Expat medical plans typically cover of course illness, accidents, sickness, emergency room, emergency medical evacuation/ repatriation along with being annually renewable for life (with some exceptions), covering maternity and newborn, wellness of adult and child, dental / vision, AD&D or Term Life insurance and many other add on benefits. All of these plans are medically underwritten and require answering health / medical questions about each applicant.
Commons Uses: Individual or families that are relocating abroad to live or work for 6 months to a year or longer; missionaries or NGO / AidWorkers abroad in the field; individuals who own their own boat / vessel and liveaboard and anyone immigrating long term
Are these plans ACA compliant?
The Affordable Care Act (aka ACA or ObamaCare) was passed in March 2010. Health care costs in America since it's passage have sky rocketed for individuals and families. The specific mandates allowing anyone to sign up during certain times of the year without regard to their current and ongoing pre existing conditions, pregnancy status etc has been the leading reason for why the program has been loosing money and why costs are so high. The "shared responsiblity payment" or "individual mandate" is a tax assessed for those US tax payers who choose or chose not to pay for an ACA plan. Since the Trump Administration, starting in 2019 the fees go away. If you don’t have ACA coverage during 2019, the penalty fee no longer applies. And you don’t need an exemption in order to avoid the penalty.
The individual programs we offer on this website are NOT ACA Compliant. We recommend if you have questions about ACA and how it affects you to contact your CPA or accountant, as the tax laws are constantly changing. We do not offer advise on taxation matters.