pre-existing condition insurance for visitors

[rsn 135]

Does anyone have any knowledge of or experience w/ obtaining medical insurance for a visitor (3 months or so) who has pre-existing conditions (i.e. diabetes)? I'm really only interested in catastrophic insurance, but it would be nice to know how much preventative care would cost as well.

[belluco86 3]

I know that american express can provide such insurance but i think it is only good for 30 days. You also might want to check with your healthcare provider they sometimes cover if you are outside of the US

[rsn 135]

I know that american express can provide such insurance but i think it is only good for 30 days. You also might want to check with your healthcare provider they sometimes cover if you are outside of the US

I'm looking for coverage for foreigners visiting the U.S.

[Boiler 45,262]

I can not say I am familiar with the Thai Insurance market, probably not that many on here are.

You should be able to get cover, but it will exclude the Diabetes condition.

[rsn 135]

I can not say I am familiar with the Thai Insurance market, probably not that many on here are.

You should be able to get cover, but it will exclude the Diabetes condition.

Actually, I'm not looking for Thai insurance. Rather, a domestic insurance company that sells catastrophic insurance to foreign visitors that have pre-existing conditions. Note that this is for a visitor coming to the U.S.

Edited July 19, 2010 by rsn

[Brother Hesekiel 2,235]

To the best of my knowledge, a foreigner buys "travel insurance" in his home country. It is valid for the duration of the vacation and covers pretty much everything. As a German citizen, I paid about $113 per year and could be confident to have full coverage. I never needed it, but friends of mine did on several occasions. They never had a problem.

If it comes to health insurance in connection with a pre-existing condition, looking for it within the USA is like trying to find a fox willing to guard the hen house.

Edited July 19, 2010 by Just Bob

[Dakine10 5,452]

Actually, I'm not looking for Thai insurance. Rather, a domestic insurance company that sells catastrophic insurance to foreign visitors that have pre-existing conditions. Note that this is for a visitor coming to the U.S.

There are no US based travellers insurance plans that would cover treatment relating to a chronic preexisting condition like diabetes.

Catastrophic coverage that is not related to the preexisting condition is standard coverage.

There are a few US based insurance companies that claim to offer some coverage for the relapse of a prior existing condition that is not chronic, for example someone has cancer 5 years ago but it was treated successfully. Atlas America covers up to $15,000 for acute onset of pre-existing conditions. We bought this plan for my inlaws but never used it so I'm not sure what it is like to actually have to deal with them. The website we used is http://www.***removed***.com. I found it was a good site for comparing different plans, and they get back to you pretty quick if you have any questions.

The problem with using insurance purchased in other countries is that you will likely have to pay first and submit a claim for reimbursement later. Since US hospitals can bill $6 dollars for a single advil tablet, or $100 for a strip bandage, you can end up paying a whole lot without ever knowing if you will ever get any of it back.

[rsn 135]

If traveler's insurance even exists in Thailand, I seriously doubt it is even worth the paper the terms are printed on.

[Boiler 45,262]

http://www.axa.co.th/solutions_detail.php?id=453281496c75c

[rsn 135]

http://www.axa.co.th...d=453281496c75c

Interesting, but I wonder how easy it will be to collect on a claim. Also, it doesn't mention pre-existing conditions. I'm surprised there is no such coverage anywhere.

[Gary and Alla 3,694]

I'm looking for coverage for foreigners visiting the U.S.

Mnay of the foreign "National Health Plans" offer travel insurance, I know for certain that Canada does. In fact, many Canadians pay the extra preium and then come to the US to get treatment so they do not have to wait in Canada, which is why our MUCH oversized hospitals and clinics here are full of Canadians.

See if that is available from the person's country.

[Dakine10 5,452]

at

Interesting, but I wonder how easy it will be to collect on a claim. Also, it doesn't mention pre-existing conditions. I'm surprised there is no such coverage anywhere.

The reason is that it just doesn't make sense financially for an insurance company to offer temporary insurance that would cover pre existing conditions. That would be a guaranteed way for them to go bankrupt in record time.

The plan I listed in my previous post was one of the few I have ever come across that offered some type of coverage related to pre-existing conditions.

But again, almost any plan would offer catasrophic/emergency coverage, as long as it's not related to a pre-existing condition.

For something like diabetes, the best thing would be to make sure it's all under control before leaving the home country and bring and stock up on medications before leaving as well.

[rsn 135]

at

The reason is that it just doesn't make sense financially for an insurance company to offer temporary insurance that would cover pre existing conditions. That would be a guaranteed way for them to go bankrupt in record time.

The plan I listed in my previous post was one of the few I have ever come across that offered some type of coverage related to pre-existing conditions.

But again, almost any plan would offer catasrophic/emergency coverage, as long as it's not related to a pre-existing condition.

For something like diabetes, the best thing would be to make sure it's all under control before leaving the home country and bring and stock up on medications before leaving as well.

drat

[Dakine10 5,452]

Mnay of the foreign "National Health Plans" offer travel insurance, I know for certain that Canada does. In fact, many Canadians pay the extra preium and then come to the US to get treatment so they do not have to wait in Canada, which is why our MUCH oversized hospitals and clinics here are full of Canadians.

See if that is available from the person's country.

That's a possibility. When you can get a travel insurance that is an extension of (or contingent upon) regular health insurance, they may have the same exclusions and coverage as the regular plan. Some travel insurance plans work this way for US travellers who have group insurance through their US employer.

But unless the US hospital will file the claim directly, you still have to have faith that the insurance would actually reimburse you when the time came. That is the dilemna with a lot of foreign plans.

[Boiler 45,262]

Interesting, but I wonder how easy it will be to collect on a claim. Also, it doesn't mention pre-existing conditions. I'm surprised there is no such coverage anywhere.

AXA?

Pre existing conditions are generally excluded, bit like insuring your house after the fire has started.