Frequently Asked Questions & Policy Definitions

“Sickness” means an illness, disease or condition of the covered person that causes a loss for which the covered person incurs medical expenses while covered under the Policy.  All related conditions and recurrent symptoms of the same or similar condition will be considered one Sickness. 

“Injury” means accidental bodily harm sustained by a covered person that results directly and independently from all other causes from a covered accident.  The Injury must be caused solely through external and accidental means.  All injuries sustained by one person in any one accident, including all related conditions and recurrent symptoms of these injuries, are considered a single Injury.

“Medically Necessary” means a treatment, service or supply that is: 1) required to treat an Injury or Sickness; prescribed or ordered by a doctor or furnished by a Hospital; 2) performed in the least costly setting required by the covered person’s condition; and 3) consistent with the medical and surgical practices prevailing in the area for treatment of the condition at the time rendered.  A service or supply may not be Medically Necessary if a less intensive or more appropriate diagnostic or treatment alternative could have been used. The Company may, at its discretion, consider the cost of the alternative to be the Covered Expense.

Q. What expenses are covered? 
 
A. For a list of covered expenses click here.

Q. Will the Plan pay medical providers directly or do I need to pay first and then be reimbursed?

A. The answer is spelled out in more detail under the general instructions in the Claims section of our web site, however there honestly is no easy answer. This is simply due to the need to respond to the individual billing practices of medical providers both outside and inside of the USA. Many will accept an assignment of benefits and when they do the Plan will pay the provider directly. You should indicate that you are assigning benefits in such a manner on the claim form (also available in the Claims section). For relatively small claims it may be necessary for you to pay first and then be reimbursed. Payment for large claims such as for Emergency Medical Evacuation will be arranged directly through the Assistance Company, which must be contacted and be involved in making all arrangements. In addition, payment guarantees may be arranged via the Assistance Company in special circumstances where eligibility of the claim is clear.

Q. How soon must I enroll before coverage may begin?
 
 A. Right up to the day before departure when enrolling on line, you will print out your confirmation of coverage, however if you are mailing or faxing your enrollment form it is best to give us reasonable time to process your enrollment and mail you back your confirmation materials.

Q. May I prorate my premiums for short or odd numbers of days or weeks?

A. Under the Global Medical International plan there is a 15 day rate which may be used together with the monthly rates to figure the correct time periods.

Q. I am involved in a work or volunteer program overseas, what then?

A. Global Medical International is for these individuals, also people who are traveling just for pleasure, vacations and such. This is for USA citizens and permanent residents traveling outside of the USA.

Q. What about Non USA citizens or permanent residents traveling to the USA?

A. Global Medical USA is for these individuals, for work or for pleasure. Go to www.globalmedicalusa.com

Q. May I "charge" my premium?

A. Yes, Master or Visa, check the enrollment form for details.

Q. What about group plans, what is available?

A. We can use the Global Medical International plan to create a group plan using ages of participants and insuring all with the same plan selection.