Some international workers, in order to save money on premiums, are purchasing international health insurance plans that exclude coverage in the USA. Others, who work in countries with good national health care plans, opt-in on those plans. In both cases, these workers need health insurance coverage when they return to the USA.
If you live overseas and do not have an insurance plan that includes coverage in the USA, assume that you will travel frequently from your country of residence to the USA. Be prepared.
Long gone are the days when international workers returned to the USA once in 4-5 years. Now transcontinental travel has never been easier. Furloughs are short and taken often, sometimes once every two years for 1-2 months at a time. Parents return to the USA for a child’s college graduation or for a wedding. A son returns home to spend time with an ailing parent. Business meetings or conferences are often held in the USA, necessitating frequent travel. Furloughs are short and taken often, sometimes once every two years for 1-2 months at a time.
Generally, the easiest and sometimes only options for workers who are furloughing in the USA are short-term plans. Some of these plans provide per-day rates and others per-month rates. The per-day rate is a better option. With per month, if you need health insurance coverage for 34 days, you would need to purchase coverage for a full two months.
It is important to remember that short-term plans provide no coverage for pre-existing conditions, medical check-ups, preventive care, maternity, and immunizations. If you want coverage with these benefits, then you will need to enroll in a long-term, USA-based international health insurance plan.
If a person is returning to the USA and has no plans to return overseas, there are several medical insurance short-term plans that are available. The minimum coverage is for one month, but coverage can be taken out for up to three years. Since there are a variety of deductibles there are a variety of rates. For example, a 28-year-old male can get coverage with a $500 deductible and an 80/20 co-insurance for either $75 a month or $101 a month, depending on the plan chosen. Obviously, as the deductible increases, the rates decrease. You can apply for month-by-month coverage and also cancel the insurance when you wish.
Jeff Gulleson is the President of Good Neighbor Insurance. Good Neighbor Insurance represents 10 international health insurance companies and provides international health and travel insurance for every country in the world. Other products include international medical evacuation insurance, international term life insurance, international disability insurance, and international group health insurance. Also, insurance is provided for short-term mission workers and missionary teams. Good Neighbor Insurance can also provide health insurance options for individuals returning to and/or residing in the USA.