At HealthCare International we try to keep things as simple as possible, but invariably there will be a few questions about the cover provided under HealthCare International's range of global medical plans.
Should you wish to raise any issues or discuss any part of your application, that we haven't covered here or on other documentation, please do not hesitate in contacting our help team, either by:
The following questions are those that we find are most commonly asked and which you might find useful.
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1. How do I apply for cover with HealthCare International?
If you require international medical insurance for you or your dependents, you can complete a secure online application form.
For corporate or group enquiries, just send an email to enquiries@healthcareinternational.com and we will guide you through the process.
You have the option of completing and submitting the form to us online, or alternatively downloading the document to complete and scan/e-mail or fax to our offices. You are welcome
to request that we send or fax/e-mail the application form to you.
We will contact you to confirm that your application has been received and over the next few days your application will be processed. Subject to your application's acceptance, we will
send you your member's pack, normally within 7-10 working days of your policy being issued. If you apply on our website, we will also require a signed and dated copy of your
application form before we can pay for any of your claims made against your plan.
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2. When can my cover begin?
You can apply for cover up to 30 days before you would like your policy to start (the inception date).
Once received, we will process your application based on the information you have provided us and if you have answered 'no' to all the medical questions, it can be processed immediately and
a policy issued within 48 hours. If you have declared a medical history, your application will be assessed by our underwriting team, which usually takes up to 5 working days.
Once a policy has been issued and your first premium collected, you are covered as per the benefits of the plan that you have selected.
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3. Do I need to supply details of my medical history?
Yes – We ask you to complete a simple medical questionnaire, and do our utmost to keep any restrictions placed against past medical conditions to an absolute minimum.
Providing detailed information about an existing or past medical condition will help us to realistically evaluate treatment you may require in the future. This will help to ensure that
you do not find yourself with unnecessary restrictions.
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4. What about pre-existing medical conditions?
We appreciate that some medical conditions may have taken place some time ago and no longer require treatment. In such cases we will try to be as flexible as possible in our underwriting
and not automatically exclude past medical conditions. For this reason, it is important that you provide as much information as possible when applying for cover so that we can properly
evaluate your application.
At HealthCare International, we define a pre-existing condition as being an illness, injury or related medical condition, which within the last 5 years, you or any dependants included in
your application have experienced symptoms or received treatment, medication, advice or investigation.
Any illness or condition occurring between the time of signing and submitting your application to us will also be considered a pre-existing medical condition.
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5. What is a moratorium policy?
Our Policy has a 2 year moratorium on most pre-existing medical conditions. This means that if you do not experience symptoms or seek medical advice for a pre-existing condition within a
continuous 2 year period of cover with us, the condition will likely become eligible for benefit should it reoccur in the future.
Should however, the pre-existing condition flare-up during the 2 year period, or is such that it requires on-going maintenance, the moratorium starts anew at the point when the condition
was last treated or symptoms were present.
For Pre-existing Cancer and Cardiac conditions, the moratorium period is extended from 2 to 5 years however we do not class routine check-ups as active treatment, therefore should you
remain all-clear after 5 years, you will have full cover.
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6. Who is eligible to apply for cover?
Almost anyone can purchase a HealthCare International medical policy. Our plans are tailored for expatriates and are annually renewable for whole of life; the only proviso being that
you must be aged under 75 when first applying.
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7. Are there any occupations that are not eligible to take our cover?
Yes – There are some professions, such as police, the armed forces and sports professionals that require underwriting evaluations and are subject to plan conditions and
restrictions. For further information please contact us at enquiries@healthcareinternational.com.
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8. In which countries can I have my treatment?
You can choose to have your treatment anywhere in the world, subject to the benefit limits of your chosen plan.
Treatment in the USA is however only available if you select our "Worldwide cover including USA", which is necessary for any member residing in the United States, unless you are a US citizen who spends
part of the year back home and covered under a domestic plan or entitled to state benefits such as Medicare.
Selecting our "Worldwide cover including USA" does not prevent you travelling there on trips as we will cover accidents/emergency medical treatment up to 60 days per policy year.
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9. Do I have a choice where my medical treatment is provided?
Members have complete choice where they have their treatment, and in the event of hospitalisation we will arrange for direct settlement with your provider – avoiding the need to pay
any expenses yourself.
Non-emergency treatment in the USA is of course only available if you have selected the "Worldwide cover including USA" policy option.
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10. What happens when I return to my home country?
Your 'Home Country' is your country of origin/nationality and we understand that many of our members living abroad occasionally return home for short visits, where your cover will be
continued.
As our plans are tailored for expatriates which means that you must be living outside your home country for at least 6 months each policy year.
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11. Does everyone in the same family have to have the same level of cover?
Yes – You and your dependents will be covered on the same plan with the same chosen excess and co-pay. An age-rated premium applies for each insured member.
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12. Does my international medical plan cover me for holiday cancellation due to illness or injury?
No – However, Holiday Cancellation, as well as protection for other unforeseen travelling incidents such as lost baggage and legal expenses are available under our
Travel option.
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13. Am I covered if I get injured in a terrorist incident?
Yes – Many policies apply a blanket exclusion for War and Terrorism risks however in the unfortunate event that you find yourself in the wrong place at the wrong time,
your policy will respond, covering you for medical treatment at either a local treatment centre or if necessary, evacuation to a place of safety.
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14. Many insurance schemes exclude treatment for HIV/AIDS. Is this the case with HealthCare International?
No – unlike other insurance companies, HealthCare International does not exclude treatment for HIV/AIDS. We provide benefit under all our plans if it is contracted through
blood transfusions. We also include cover for Chronic and Dread Diseases.
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15. Does HealthCare International limit the amount that can be claimed for hospital accommodation?
No – Once the treatment has been pre-authorised, we will settle all reasonable and customary charges for hospital accommodation, surgery and theatre fees etc. up to the
specified limits of each plan.
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16. Are outpatient treatments and consultations covered?
Outpatient treatment and consultations are fully covered under the Executive plan, 75% on the Plus & Premium plans and are not covered under the Standard & Emergency + plans.
Outpatient X-rays and Laboratory Tests are fully covered under the Premium & Executive plans, 75% on the Plus plan and not covered under the Standard & Emergency + plans.
The deductible / excess does not apply to these benefits.
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17. Can I include cover for alternative or complimentary medical treatment?
Yes – Our Executive Plan focuses on a more holistic approach to your total healthcare, including benefits of chiropractic treatments, osteopathy, Chinese herbal medicine,
homeopathy and acupuncture, up to a benefit limit of $400, €400 or £265 per policy year, depending on your chosen plan currency.
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18. What must I do if I require emergency in-patient treatment?
Should you require in-patient treatment, contact the claims department prior to your admission for pre-authorisation. Where possible we will arrange for your medical bills to be sent to
our claims department for direct settlement of your bill, avoiding the need to pay any out of pocket expenses yourself.
Please have your HealthCare International Membership Card handy to help us manage the process as speedily as possible.
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19. What happens if I become ill and medical facilities are limited?
In the event that local medical facilities are unable to cope with your condition, you or your treating physician needs to contact our 24/7/365 Emergency Assistance Centre immediately.
We will then make the necessary arrangements on your behalf, and arrange for you to be transported or evacuated to the nearest facility where you can be treated.
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20. Who provides HealthCare International's Emergency Assistance Service?
Our 24-hour International Emergency Assistance is provided by HCI 24/7, one of the world's leading and most experienced international emergency assistance organisations. With
correspondents & doctors all over the world, HealthCare International is always on hand to help you when you need us most.
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21. What do I need to do when I require non-emergency medical treatment?
Arrange for your treatment with your physician as per usual.
We require a claims form to be completed for each treatment event. It is a two part form, requiring both you and your treating physician to complete designated sections. It is best that
you take this form with you to your appointment. Once your treatment is complete, forward this form along with the original bills/invoices to our claims department for reimbursement.
Claim forms are in your membership pack or can be downloaded from the 'Members' section of our website: www.healthcareinternational.com
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22. Is Pregnancy and Maternity care covered?
Yes – Once you have been with us for 12 months, both routine maternity and complications of pregnancy are covered on all but our Emergency Plus plan. We will pay 100% of
reasonable and customary charges for inpatient and outpatient treatment, up to the respective plan limits.
You are covered for treatment of a medical condition that arises during the antenatal stages of pregnancy, or for complications that require a recognised obstetric procedure during
childbirth. Cover is only provided for caesarean sections required on medical grounds. Elective caesareans and investigations into infertility are not covered.
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23. Is dental treatment covered?
Yes – Routine Dental care is a standard feature of our Executive Plan and an optional extra for all other plans. This benefit provides for preventative and routine dental
cover and includes, subject to policy limits, the cost of dental crowns, bridges, dentures and implants.
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24. Are Sporting activities covered?
With the exception of injuries sustained as a direct result of being a professional sportsman, there are no exclusions relating to usual sporting activities unless specifically noted by
HealthCare International in writing. Cover for sportsmen and work related activities, can be offered.
Please contact us for full information.
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25. What is Well Child Care and what does it cover?
The policy will pay for young children, up to the age of seven years, 100% reasonable and customary charges for the child to visit their physician, up to the benefit limits of the
Plus, Premium and Executive Plans.
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26. What isn't covered by HealthCare International?
Inevitably, there are costs that we cannot cover. However, we try to keep restrictions to a minimum. These restrictions include pre-existing medical conditions during the Moratorium
period and a list of general exclusions that you will find in most medical insurance policies, as detailed under your Plan's policy terms and conditions.
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27. Why are there waiting periods on some benefits?
Waiting periods apply to a few of our benefits to protect the premium investment made by our existing members. If we had no waiting periods for our dental/optical and pregnancy
benefits, people could join when treatment was required, claim for an expensive procedure and cancel their membership until further medical assistance was necessary. This hit and
run cycle of membership would cause premiums to escalate at an uncontrollable rate.
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28. How quickly are claims normally settled?
Where we haven't arranged to settle directly with your medical provider, we aim to reimburse any eligible costs you may have paid, within 7-10 working days of receiving your completed
claim form, the original bills and approved the claim.
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29. How much will a HealthCare International Medical Insurance policy cost?
This varies depending on a member's age, the plan selected, the excess and co-pay selected. In the first instance, our online 'Fast Quote' will calculate the premiums for you.
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30. How does the excess work?
At HealthCare International, we offer three levels of excess. Nil excess will ensure that in most cases you will be reimbursed 100% for your medical treatment. Having an excess of
$250 or $1,000 however offers a significant discount on your premium and can be linked with your anticipated healthcare needs.
The excess applies to some benefits on a 'per claim' basis. This means that your policy will respond after you have met the first part of every new event up to your chosen excess amount.
An example of a separate event could be say breaking your arm in June and then having a heart attack in November. This counts as two events and you will have to pay up to your excess level
each time before we take over paying the remainder of your treatment.
If you have renewed your policy and treatment continues into the new benefit year, unlike many of our competitors, you will not be penalised with having to pay another excess.
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31. What is a Co-Pay and how does it work?
An additional way to reduce your premium is by opting for a Co-Pay. With this, you will share with us the cost of medical expenses over and above your policy excess. Your maximum
out-of-pocket expense is however capped at $/€20,000 (£13,500) limit.
For example, should you opt for a plan with a $1,000 excess and 20% co-pay and you were treated for a medical condition that resulted in $25,000 of eligible medical expenses, you would
be responsible for the $1,000 excess plus 20% of $24,000, totalling $5,800.
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32. What are the options to pay for my policy?
Credit Card payment is our preferred method of collecting your premiums. If this is not possible, we can accept payment via bankers draft, bank transfer, or cheque. If you are not
entirely satisfied with your chosen cover, we will cancel the plan from inception and make a full refund of your premium (providing that you inform us within 14 days of receiving your
policy documents, that you have not used the policy in any way, i.e. made a Visa application and no claims have been made). You will need to return the policy documentation to us before
we can issue a refund.
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33. What documents will I receive from HealthCare International when I take out a policy?
Once cover has been confirmed you will receive a comprehensive membership folder containing details of your chosen plan, your certificate of insurance, a membership card, details of
our 24 hour emergency assistance service, claim instructions and a blank claim form, a list of useful contacts together with additional information concerning general health and medical
matters.
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34. What should I do if I change my address?
It is not necessary to inform us of brief travels out of your country of residence; however, any permanent change must be communicated to us as soon as possible. We need to be able to
inform you of any ongoing developments with your policy and provide you with updated correspondence.
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35. When can I change the details of my policy?
Changes to your benefit level can only be made at renewal and you will need to inform us within 30 days of your renewal date. Any waiting-periods will still have to be served.
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36. Will HealthCare International ever refuse to renew a policy, simply because a claim has been made?
No – as long as your premiums continue to be paid on time, you remain an expatriate (living outside your home-country for most of the year) and you have not misled us in
any way, cover will remain in force.
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37. What happens if I don't pay my premiums on time?
It is important that your premiums are paid on time to ensure you have no interruption to your cover. Failure to pay your premiums on time will likely result in your claims being
rejected, and/or your policy being cancelled.
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38. What happens when my policy is due for renewal?
You do not have to do anything, as your policy will renew automatically. We will however be contacting you prior to renewal to inform you of the premium for the upcoming year. We
will also be telling you of any material changes to your policy and developments within our service proposition to you. We remain ready and able to assist you at any time in ensuring
your plan option remains appropriate for your circumstances.
Should you not wish to renew your policy with us, we will require written notification from you 60 days prior to the renewal date.
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39. What exchange rate will be used to settle my claim?
We will settle your claim / invoices in the currency of your policy unless we are specifically requested to do otherwise.
We are not responsible for any loss you may incur due to fluctuations in exchange rates, or for any bank charges you may incur when you receive a bank transfer, foreign bank draft or
when you cash a cheque from us.
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1. What is the difference between a Travel Policy and our International Medical Insurance Policy?
Our International Travel Policy is exclusively tailored to accommodate for incidents
related to regular annual travel, such as Loss of a Passport, Travel Delay, Cancellation
and Curtailment etc. Our Travel Policy also provides cover for Emergency Medical
Treatment. Travel cover is valid for 90 days per trip.
Our International Medical Insurance provides basic to comprehensive medical cover
depending on the plan option selected, and designed specifically for expatriates. This
cover is for a 12 month period and is applicable to any country that you may choose to
reside in. For detailed information about our medical policy, please contact
+44 (0) 207 590 8800.
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2. What countries are covered by this policy?
You are covered anywhere in the world, however some benefits are not covered within the
country you are living in - for example, we don't pay for hospital benefits or loss of
passport in your home country. For full details, please refer to the Travel Policy
Wording.
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3. How long am I covered for?
You are covered for unlimited trips abroad from your home country, up to a maximum of
90 days per trip, per year.
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4. What does "home country" mean?
Your Home Country is where you are normally living. We do not provide benefits for any
loss, injury or treatment which is incurred or takes place within your home country. Our
International Medical Plans can cover you for such expenses.
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5. Am I covered if I am travelling on a working holiday visa?
Yes - our Travel Plan is for anyone anywhere.
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6. What can I claim for?
The HealthCare International Travel Plan covers you for Cancellation and Curtailment, Personal
Accident, Medical Emergencies, Baggage and Personal Effects, Money and Documents, Travel Delay,
Personal Liability, Legal Expenses, Winter Sports Equipment, Hire of Skis and Ski Packs.
We also pay for a Hospital Benefit, Loss of Passport, Missed Departure and Hijack that
occurs outside of your home country.
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7. Do you cover for winter sports?
Yes - for up to 17 days per policy year - and at no extra cost.
We also pay up to US$500 for accidental loss to certain winter sports equipment. If
you can't use your skis, boots or poles as a result of loss, theft or damage, we will
pay up to US$250 for replacement hire. We also pay up to US$150 for the costs prebooked
lift passes, hired skis and boots, and ski school fees that are cancelled as a result
of being unable to ski due to an illness or injury.
We do not cover for off-piste skiing, ski-racing in major events, ski-jumping, ice
hockey, or using bobsleighs or skeletons.
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8. Are pre-existing medical conditions covered?
No - pre-existing medical conditions are not covered by this travel plan, this also includes
birth defects and congenital abnormalities.
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9. Is pregnancy covered?
No - pregnancy is a medical condition not covered by travel insurance. Travel
insurance does not provide for planned medical treatment or medical benefits. It is
purely for emergencies that occur whilst a person is abroad.
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10. Is scuba diving covered?
No - this policy will not be liable for claims arising from this where the use of
underwater breathing apparatus is required.
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11. Can I cover my children as well?
Children under the age of 18 can be placed on the policy.
Children under the age of 16 must be accompanied with an insured parent or guardian.
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12. How do I claim?
In the event of a claim arising, you need to contact our office, who will forward the
claims form to you. This needs to be completed and all relevant original documentation
attached. Please send this to our office at 95 Cromwell Road, London, SW7 4DL, United
Kingdom.
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13. How do I apply?
The easiest and fastest method to apply is online through our website,
www.healthcareinternational.com.
The application form can also be downloaded and printed from our website, or we will be
happy to fax this to you or post you an original application form.
Please contact our office on +44 (0)207 590 8800, or e-mail
enquiries@healthcareinternational.com,
and we will be happy to assist you further.
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14. How do I pay for the policy?
We need to receive payment before any policy documents will be issued and the policy can
be affected. Thus, it is easiest to provide payment by credit card. Should you need to
investigate alternative payment methods, please contact our offices.
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15. What are the currency options?
Currency options are US Dollars, Euro's and Sterling. The benefit amounts of the policy
relate to the currency that you select to pay in. For example, if you pay $157 for your
policy, Travel Delay is covered up to $3000. If you pay £157 for your policy, Travel
Delay is covered up to £3000.
Regardless of the currency of the country that you visit, you will be reimbursed in the
currency that you originally selected to pay your premium in.
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16. Can I cancel my policy and get a refund?
We trust you will be happy with the cover this policy provides. However, you have the
right to cancel within 14 days of purchase, provided you haven't
departed on your journey or made a claim.
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17. Does your policy cover for acts of terrorism?
Our Travel Plan will cover for Personal Accident and Medical Expenses that occur as a
result of terrorist activity, provided the disturbances were not taking place at the
start of your trip.
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1. Basis of Cover
All of our Life & Income Protection Insurance policies are annual renewable plans and are offered on a single life basis only. We do not offer a Term or Whole of Life policy, nor a joint life, first
death policy.
Coverage for a Life Insurance Policy can be any amount from US $50,000 to US $10,000,000, subject to underwriting.
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2. Policy Payment
Life Insurance & Income Protection policies are issued in US Dollars, Euros and GBP Sterling. We can also accept payment in other currencies. Please contact us for the exchange rates. Payment is also
accepted by bank transfer, by cheque and most credit & debit cards.
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3. Fast Quote Quotations
A quotation on our "Fast Quote" system is a guide quotation and can change due to location, occupation and previous medical history.
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4. The Laws
The insurance policy is subject to the laws of Trinidad & Tobago.
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5. Policy Administration & Claims
Your income protection and/or life Insurance policy is administered by our London offices. Our claims department HCI: 24/7/365 is based in London & Canada and can be contacted for advice &
pre-authorisation of claims on T: +44 (0)207 590 8816.
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6. Currency of Policy
The Life and/or Income Protection insurance policy can be designated in US Dollars, Euros or GBP Sterling.
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7. New Applicants
The minimum age for our plans is 18 years of age and the maximum joining age is 59 years of age. The policy can be maintained until the age of 65 years.
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8. Geographical Coverage
Our plans offer a worldwide coverage, subject to any excluded countries, on the Policy Certificate. There may be an additional policy premium charge, for certain higher risk locations.
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9. Payment of Policy Premiums
Payment of annual premiums are payable on or before the start, or renewal date, of the policy issue date.
Premiums are for one year and adjusted at the renewal date, due to age (and location/occupation, if changed, since the inception of the policy).
HealthCare International reserves the right to not renew a policy, at any renewal point.
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10. Annual Salary/Earnings
The annual salary is the monthly salary, multiplied by 12, over the policy year, or the self-employed earnings during this period.
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11. Claims
In the event of a claim, under the Income Protection insurance policy, an average of the last three year"s earnings, or other evidence of earnings, are normally taken into account.
The policy premium must still be paid during a claim period.
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12. Activity at work
An applicant for one of our Income Protection policies must be actively at work when he/she applies for a policy with us.
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13. Pre-Existing Medical Conditions
Pre-existing Medical Conditions are normally excluded from claims, unless agreed in advance by the company.
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14. Medical Tests Costs Repayment
If Medical Tests are required for the underwriting of a new policy, the cost will be repaid to the applicant up to a maximum of US $250, or the equivalent alternative currency, upon issue of the
policy and after the 14 day cooling off period has expired.
If the policy is paid on an annual basis, then the repayment of medical costs will be repaid in month two of the policy and in month thirteen of the policy, if monthly paid. If the applicant decides
not to proceed with their application, for either a life and/or Income protection policy, the cost of the completed medical tests etc. would not be refunded by HealthCare International.
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15. Income Protection Claim Payments
Authorised benefits during a claim period will be paid, as a percentage of earnings and after the deferred period (13/26/52 weeks) until recovery, death, or reaching normal retirement age (65).
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16. Death Claim
In the event of death of an insured policyholder, an official death certificate (original copy), issued by a doctor, will have to be submitted to HealthCare International.
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17. Income Protection Claim
In the event of a claim of an insured policyholder, proof of employment and proof of salary or self-employed income, will be required to be submitted to the HealthCare International claims department.
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18. Exclusions
HealthCare International will look at every application form, on an individual basis and may impose exclusions, or restrictions of cover, depending upon age, occupation, location and declared medical
history.
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19. Cessation of Cover
Cessation of cover occurs upon:
- Reaching retiring age
- If policy premiums are not paid
- No longer in employment/self-employment (Pro-rata income may apply)
- Upon death
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20. The Insurer
Guardian Life of the Caribbean Limited underwrite our policies.
(This company is rated by A M BEST as "A" EXCELLENT)
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21. Experience
HealthCare International has over 35 years international healthcare and risk management experience.
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22. Complaints Procedures
Please address any comments or complaints, to our Compliance Officer, at the following address:
The Compliance Officer
HealthCare International
95 Cromwell Road
London SW7 4DL
United Kingdom
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23. General Enquiries
Email us at enquiries@healthcareinternational.com or telephone us on +44 (0)20 7590 8800