The International Schools Review Forum

Hi everyone,
The school that I'm headed to next year only offers local health insurance, so I'm interested in getting some kind of international or traveller's insurance to supplement it so that I'd be covered in the US and other countries. Has anyone done this before, and if so, do you have any recommendations for international insurance providers?
Thanks!

We're in a similar situation, although from Canada. We just bought an extra insurance policy to cover us worldwide. We think the local policy is quite adequate, but in the event of some traumatic or longterm illness we would like to return to Canada. We chose a policy with a high deductible, because, as mentioned, the local policy is adequate and the real reason for the second policy is to protect us financially.

Do a search on google for "expat health insurance coverage the guardian". This article is mostly aimed at Brit expats, but many of the companies mentioned would probably be able to supply policies to us citizens.

Health insurance for ex-pats does exist. I think I once had a policy with Health Care International. I dropped it because my school offers world-wide coverage. My next school doesn't, so will probably pick up another policy.

RobSg, does your policy cover pre-existing conditions? Wellness exams? Four K doesn't sound bad compared to U.S. premiums.

I´ve had a Patriot International policy through IMG the last couple years, and I think it´s great. I´m 27 and live in Indonesia, but I still spend a few months out of the year in the USA.

My policy costs less than $600 for a year. I think the deductible was surprisingly low, $250 or $500. Max worldwide coverage up to $1 million, but with several caveats of course (STD stuff, no routine check-up or dental, no optical, the usual). I only get a month or so of US coverage too, but that´s okay because I only spend a few months there anyway.

It´s not a bad deal. I had stomach/intestinal problems for over a year before heading back to the US this summer, and my policy covered an expensive doctors visit as well as lab tests and a full colonscopy and endoscopy. TMI perhaps, but getting that done in the State would have been crazy expensive out of pocket. IMG took care of things no problem.