International Health Insurance Policies For Teachers Traveling Overseas
December 12, 2009 by Dan Miller
Filed under Health Insurance
US and UK teaching professionals typically travel abroad for teaching the English language to other country citizens. The teaching assignment is generally for a few months and sometimes extends for more than a year. An international health Insurance policy is an absolute must for these individuals to secure themselves during any emergencies that arise due to medical reasons.
Depending on the duration of overseas stay, the teachers can purchase short term or long term international health insurance plans. Coverage periods, benefits as well as the validity period vary depending on the international insurance plan as well as the insurance provider.
International short term medical insurance plans are flexible in their coverage. Teachers can secure their travel for a minimum of five days up to a maximum period of one year. After this period, the same policy can renewed continuously for a period of 36 months. Children, spouse and dependents can also benefit by enrolling under the same short term international insurance plan.
Medical expenses incurred due to surgeries, emergency repatriation, hospitalization and doctor consultation are covered by short term international travel health insurance plans. However, coverage for pre-existing medical conditions, dental treatments, vaccinations, preventive care tests and routine check-ups are generally excluded by these short duration travel medical insurance plans. Generally, short term international plans come with a lot of restrictions during temporary stay at homeland during the valid period of coverage.
Teacher can purchase long term international medical insurance plans if the planned overseas stay extends more than one year. Two coverage choices are available – Fixed benefit and Comprehensive benefit.
The coverage amounts and benefits offered by fixed benefit plans are very limited as compared to comprehensive plans which work out more beneficial in the long run.
Long term international insurance plans cover the insured during the stay at homeland also. In order to apply for the long term plans, teachers need to fill in a lengthy questionnaire with the enrollment form.
Some Long term international travel health insurance plans offer additional services like maternity coverage, preventive care, emergency medical assistance, evacuation and repatriation as well as coverage for pre-existing conditions. The premiums rates are calculated based on the services you opt for.
Dan Miller often writes about international insurance.
