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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.
For corporate or group enquiries, just send an
email to
SwissInsurance@asia.com
and we
will guide you through the process.
You have the option of completing and submitting
the form to us
online, or alternatively
to request that we send or fax the application
form to you, so that you may print it out,
complete and sign it and forward it to us.
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 number
being issued. If you apply on our website, we
will also require a signed copy of your
application before we can pay for any of your
claims made against your plan.
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2. When does cover
under HealthCare International begin?
You can apply for cover within 30 days of the
date you would like your policy to start
(inception date).
Once received, we will process your application
based on the information you have provided us.
An application with no pre-existing medical
conditions can be processed immediately and a
policy number issued within 48 hours.
If you have a declared medical history, your
policy will be assessed by our underwriting
team. This process usually takes 5 working days,
as we consider each application on its own
merit.
Once your premiums have been received and a
policy number has been issued, a member is
covered as per the benefits of the plan that
they 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?
At HealthCare International 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.
A pre-exisiting condition includes an injury,
illness, condition or symptom:
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for which treatment, or medication, or
advice, or diagnosis has been sought or
received or was foreseeable by You in the
five (5) years prior to the commencement of
the Policy for You or the Insured Person
concerned, or
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which originated or was known to exist
by You, or the Insured Person, in the five
(5) years prior to the commencement of the
Policy whether or not treatment, or
medication, or advice, or diagnosis was
sought or received.
It is a condition of this Policy that any
illness or condition that would cause you to
make a claim, that occurred between the time of
signing and submitting the application to the
insurance company, will be considered as a
pre-existing medical condition.
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5. What is a
moratorium policy?
Medical treatment for a Pre-existing Condition
or related condition, unless a period of 24
months continuous insurance with HealthCare
International has passed, during which time you
have not received or needed treatment or
medication, or sought advice for the condition.
For Pre-existing Cancer and Cardiac conditions,
this period is extended and benefits will only
become available once a period of 5-years
continuous insurance with HealthCare
International has passed, during which time the
you have not received or needed treatment or
medication, or sought advice for the condition.
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6. Who is eligible to
apply for cover?
Almost everyone can select international medical
insurance cover with HealthCare International.
Our plans are tailored for expatriates only, and
a new member must join before their 75th
birthday. Renewing your cover each year entitles
a member to be covered for life.
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7. Are there any
occupations that are not eligible to take our
cover?
Yes - There are some professions, such as
members of police and army forces, and sports
professionals which 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 limitations
of your chosen plan.
You can elect to be covered for either full
treatment in the USA or worldwide cover
excluding the USA. Selecting a plan that
excludes USA cover means a member is only
covered for accidents and emergencies whilst
traveling in the USA. This emergency cover is
limited for a period of up to 90 days per visit
to the USA, and for a total treatment period of
60 days per year.
To be covered in the USA, you will need to
choose a plan that includes full USA cover. This
means that you can claim for all benefits. A USA
inclusive plan is required for any member
residing in the United States for more than 90
days per policy year.
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9. What happens when
I return to my home country?
We understand that many of our members living
abroad occasionally return home for short visits
and you will continue to be covered by your
HealthCare International medical plan. As our
plans are tailored for expatriates you must be
living abroad from your home country for at
least 6 months each policy year.
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10. What does "home
country" mean?
Your Home Country is where you are expatriated
(your country of origin/nationality).
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11. 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 to your details
should 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.
N.B. You will also be able to change this on our
website from early 2008.
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12. When can I change
the details of my policy?
Any changes to your policy can be made upon
annual renewal. If this is the case, you will
need to inform us within 30 days of your renewal
date. If you are changing your level of cover,
you will still have to serve any applicable
waiting periods for certain benefits.
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13. What happens when
my policy is due for renewal?
Although you do not have to do anything, as your
policy will automaticaly renew, we will contact
you prior to the renewal date of your policy and
inform you of the premium for the upcoming year.
This will be sent to your last address, unless
we have been updated with a new address. We will
provide information should there be any changes
to your benefit option, and we are able to
assist you in determining that the plan option
you originally chose is still suitable for your
circumstances.
Should your circumstances require that you
cancel your policy with us, we need to receive
written notification from you 60 days prior to
the end date of your policy.
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14. 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
coverage. Failure to pay your premiums on time
may result in your claims being rejected, and/or
your policy being cancelled.
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15. Can I be covered
in the USA?
All our plans have the option of including or
excluding cover in the USA.
Selecting a plan that excludes USA cover will
result in a member only being covered for
accidents and emergencies whilst traveling in
the USA. This emergency cover is for visits of
up to 90 days per policy year, and for a total
treatment period of 60 days per year. A plan
that excludes full USA treatment does not cover
for emergency medical evacuation to the USA.
Selecting a plan inclusive of USA cover is
required for any member who resides in the USA.
This will result in a member being fully covered
in the USA according to the plan benefits that
they have selected. A plan that includes full
USA cover will also allow you to be evacuated to
the USA for emergency medical treatment, and to
claim for elective treatments.
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16. What about
treatment in the USA?
Treatment in the USA can be included under any
HealthCare International medical plan for up to
100% of the costs. This is subject to the
deductible level being reached and to the plan
and benefit limits.
ALL our plans do ensure that should you fall ill
or have an accident and need emergency treatment
whilst travelling in the USA, 100% of all
eligible claims will be covered. Accident and
emergency treatment is determined by HealthCare
International as having been essential and which
could not reasonably have been delayed until the
patient’s returned to his/her normal country of
residence.
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17. Does everyone in
the same family have the same level of cover?
Yes - you and your dependents will be
covered on the same plan with the same chosen
deductible. A premium applies for each insured
member.
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18. Does my
international medical plan cover me for holiday
cancellation due to illness or injury?
No - the medical plan does not cover this
benefit. However, Holiday Cancellation, as well
as protection for other unforeseen traveling
incidents, is available on our
Annual Travel Plan.
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19. What documents
will I receive from HealthCare International
when I take out a policy?
Once your cover has been confirmed you will
receive a membership folder containing details
of your chosen plan. The documents included are
your certificate of insurance, details of our 24
hour emergency assistance service, claim
instructions and claim forms, list of useful
contacts, and additional information concerning
general health and medical matters.
Each member is provided a unique membership card
detailing your policy number, plan option and
our contact details, including the 24 hour
emergency hotline.
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20. 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 cover for
HIV/AIDS under all our plans (subject to terms
and conditions). We also include cover for
Chronic and Dread Disease.
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21. How much will a
HealthCare International Medical Insurance
policy cost?
The cost of international medical insurance
cover with HealthCare International will vary
depending on a member’s age, the plan selected,
the deductible and any co-pay chosen. In the
first instance, our online
Fast Quote will calculate the premiums for
you.
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22. How does the
deductible work?
The deductible now only applies to some
benefits, such as In-Patient, Life-saving Organ
Transplants, Emergency Evacuation and
Repatriation.
This means that you will pay the deductible each
time you claim for a new event. An example of a
seperate "event" could be breaking your arm in
June and then having a heart attack in November.
This counts as two events and you will have to
pay the deductible twice.
If your treatment continues after your policy
year has ended (provided your policy has been
renewed) then you do not have to pay a
deductible again for that treatment (unlike many
providers who charge the deductible again).
Depending on your chosen plan, the Out-Patient
benefits are not subject to the deductible. Only
the Co-Pay amount needs to be settled, if one is
applied to that particuliar benefit of the plan.
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23. Will HealthCare
International ever refuse to renew a policy,
simply because a claim has been made?
Absolutely not. No matter the number of claims
made, as long as your premiums are paid and you
have not misled us in any way, cover will remain
in force.
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24. Does HealthCare
International limit the amount that can be
claimed for hospital accommodation?
No - Each plan covers 100% costs for
Hospital Treatment and Accommodation subject to
the plan limits. However, except in an
emergency, treatment and accommodation must be
pre-authorised and are subject to the specified
levels of cover of each plan.
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25. Are outpatient
treatments and consultations covered?
Out-patient treatment and consultations are
fully covered under our HealthCare Premium and
HealthCare Executive Plans up to the benefit
maximum. Under our HealthCare Plus Plan, a
$1,000, €1,000 or £650 limit per annum applies
depending on your chosen plan currency.
Outpatient treatments and consultations are not
covered for the Standard or Emergency Plus
plans.
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26. May 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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27. What happens in
the event of a sudden illness or accident in a
place where medical facilities are limited?
Emergency medical evacuations are covered under
all HealthCare International Plans. Should
necessary and immediate hospitalisation or local
treatment be unavailable, our 24 Hour Emergency
Assistance Service will arrange for you to be
evacuated to the nearest facility where
appropriate treatment can be provided. All
HealthCare International Plans will also pay to
arrange for a member of the patient's family to
travel to the medical facility where they are
receiving treatment should hospitalisation be
expected to last more than 10 days.
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28. What must I do if
I need to be evacuated to a medical facility?
In the event that local medical facilities are
unable to cope with your condition, you or your
treating practitioner need to contact our 24
Hour Emergency Assistance Centre immediately to
advise us of your condition. We will then make
the necessary arrangements on your behalf, and
arrange for you to be evacuated to the nearest
facility where you can be treated.
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29. 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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30. 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
hospitilsation we will arrange for direct
settlement with your provider - avoiding the
need to pay any expenses yourself.
Treatment in the USA is only applicable if you
have selected any plan that includes full cover.
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31. 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.
In-patient treatment is treatment received in a
hospital where you or your insured dependant are
admitted as a registered in-patient and occupy a
bed for one or more nights.
Should you require in-patient treatment, contact
the claims department prior to your admission so
that they can preauthorise your procedure. 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.
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32. Is Pregnancy and
Maternity care covered?
Maternity Care and Pregnancy benefits are
provided on the HealthCare Standard, Plus,
Premium and Executive Plan. A 12 month waiting
period applies to this benefit.
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33. What maternity
benefits are covered?
Routine Maternity is covered on all plans,
except the Emergency Plus Plan. We pay 100% of
reasonable and customary charges for inpatient
and outpatient treatment, subject to a $25,000
(€25,000 or £16,600) limit for the Executive and
Premium Plans, and a $3,000 (€3,000 or £2,000)
limit for the Standard and Plus plans.
Under the Standard, Plus, Premium and Executive
Plans, we also pay for complications of
Pregnancy and Childbirth. You are covered for
treatment of a medical condition which 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.
For the Standard and Plus plans, this benefit is
limited to $10,000 (€10,000 or £6,600) for each
pregnancy. For the Premium and Executive Plans,
this benefit is limited to the plan maximum of
the policy.
Investigations into infertility and elective
caesarean is not covered.
There is a 12 month waiting period for pregnancy
benefits, all of which require pre-certification
before we authorise to pay the costs.
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34. Is dental
treatment covered?
Yes - Dental is available as an optonal
extra and is included within the Executive Plan.
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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35. 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.
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36. What must I do if
I require emergency in-patient treatment?
We want to ensure that you and your family are
safe and well, and at the first sign of a
serious problem, one telephone call to our
experienced multi-lingual claims centre is all
it takes to organise assistance. If for any
reason this is not possible, it is necessary for
us to be contacted within 72 hours.
With emergency assistance centers spread across
the globe and with correspondents and doctors in
over 168 countries, no matter where the cry for
help comes from, you will be in the best
possible hands with HealthCare International.
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37. 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
seven working days of receiving your completed
claim form and the original bills.
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38. What are the
options to pay for my policy?
Credit Card payment is our preferred method to
receive 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, under the provision that you inform us
within 14 days of receiving your policy
documents that you have not used the policy in
any way, and no claims have been made. We will
need to receive your policy documentation before
we can perform this refund, as set out in your
pack.
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39. 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
conditions for the Moratorium period and those
specific conditions that may have special
conditions applied to and are detailed under
your Plan’s policy terms and conditions.
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40. 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.
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41. 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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