Short Term international health insurance plans are a kind of fall-back plans which is designed for people traveling outside their home country for less than a year. The other categories of people who typically opt for short term international travel medical insurance plans are those on a vacation abroad, missionaries or executives traveling on work.
The international health insurance coverage benefit of the short term plans is available for people of all age groups though maximum medical coverage benefits can be enjoyed by people who are typically less than 70 years old. Individuals can also cover their spouse and dependent children.
These plans offer medical coverage benefits for injuries and illness that may require doctor consultation, hospitalization, surgeries and also emergency repatriation. Pre-existing medical conditions that already exist at the time of enrollment would not be covered under the short term insurance plan. In addition, these plans do not cover vaccination, dental care, diagnostic tests and routine check-ups.
The validity period of a short term international insurance plan is from 5 days to a year and some insurance plans can be renewed for a period of 3 years. In case you expect to require health insurance coverage for more than a year, long term insurance plans could work out more beneficial for you.
Long term international medical insurance plans are suited for coverage of more than one year and the premium rates vary depending on the services for which you seek coverage. These plans can be renewed on an annual basis.
Long term insurance coverage is suited for travelers planning for an overseas trip for more than a year, professionals, executives, expatriates, marine crew workers and missionaries who are staying abroad for work purposes and make multiple trips to their home country every year.
The long term international travel medical insurance plans offer coverage benefits across all countries in the world. Coverage is also available in the home country unlike short term international health insurance policies which provide only limited benefits in the native country.
Individuals can choose between two types of coverage benefits while purchasing these international travel insurance plans – Fixed and comprehensive benefits. Depending on the type of coverage, a variety of medical expenses are covered which include surgeries, hospitalization, maternity coverage, preventive care (after a waiting period), doctor consultation, emergency evacuation and Repatriation and medical assistance during any other exigencies.
Ray Sondeo often writes about international insurance.
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