A family of four is going to spend 8 weeks in California and Washington DC. They are worried about the possibility of having any health problems while there.
They are covered in France entirely and rarely have to pay much out-of-pocket, and when they do they're reimbursed by the end of the month, no problem, no red tape. If something should happen while they are in the States this summer, they do not want to spend a huge amount of money, particularly out-of-pocket, in the unlikely event that they need to see a doctor, to get an xray, blood test, etc.
After a call to their French insurance provider, they have discovered that, while fully covered for repatriation in case of a major health problem, they are only covered at the French rate for other health problems. Hence, a visit to the doctor and a blood test in France would cost a total of around 50-Euros (US$75). If the total in the states is 10 times that much -- which appears to be a strong likelihood -- they would only be reimbursed the 50-Euros and only AFTER they return from their trip, under their French policy alone. Meanwhile, they'd be forced to pay the entire amount out-of-pocket, very likely eliminating a short trip somewhere, for example, during their long stay in the States.
Finally, the question: Is there a way to get a two-month family health policy in California (which would cover them in DC), covering a family of four, so that, in the event of illness, there won't be more than a nominal out-of-pocket expense or deductible?
Thanks!
Posts: 473 | Location: Bayeux, France | Registered: 01 December 2001
What about travel insurance like from travel guard or access America? I know when we travel, going in the opposite direction, we have the option to purchase medical insurance.
No knowledge of particular companies, but when I Googled "temporary health insurance for non-US residents" I got many hits of insurance companies with those policies.
Have you looked for a French company providing travel insurance? It'll likely be the best[cheapest] bet since they'll only be providing top-up coverage. Not to mention they'll be used to dealing with the French system.
I got a policy from Travel Guard for my last trip to Italy. I didn't ask for any trip cost insurance...only wanted it for the medical evacuation and medical coverage. It was for 3 weeks for two mature people and I think it included about 25,000 of coverage of medical coverage and a half million medical evacuation coverage. This product was called "Protect Assist" and I found it through www.insuremytrip.com. It cost me $59. I did not use either of the medical coverages, but I did use it after my camera was stolen in Rome because the policy included $500 of coverage on a lost/stolen camera. That didn't cover my full loss, but it surely was nice to have.
Most of above suggestions were not applicable, either valid only for medical coverage outside the US or not providing appropriate plans. It took an entire afternoon on line and on the phone (long distance from France) to find something. Several companies appeared to have good policies on line (ie appropriate to this situation) but then on the phone we were told some information which rendered our friends ineligible, or the policy inappropriate, too expensive, etc.
The French system only covers up to the cost of the same care were it to take place in France, about a tenth of the cost in the US. Our friends are covered for repatriation through our French policy and for medical care consequent to any sort of accident. Hence a kidney stone (likely a ten-thousand-dollar affair in the US), for example, would be cheaper to treat by flying someone back to France for a week and then flying him back to vacation-land in the US. But what a royal pain in the...er, um, kidneys.
Went googling, as Amy suggested. Found www.americanvisitorinsurance.com where we were able to compare several policies. Compared about 15 different providers of policies, read the fine print, decided on a deductible. The vast majority of policies offered are not applicable for one reason or another. So this site must be gone through and read carefully -- just like any insurance policy. Called the company office in New Jersey. Got 3 helpful recommendations for policies, of which 2 were not applicable, leaving one.
Ended up buying that short-term policy (59 days) for the family of 4 for $478 total. $500 deductible, 80% coverage for the next $5000, then 100% coverage up to $100K maximum. After $100K, I guess they're going back to France! (Except if it's consequent to any sort of accident, in which case their French policy will cover them.) List of participating providers (hospitals, GPs & specialists) is decent.
The 18-year-old son was a bit of a problem. Most policies would not accept him as a "dependent" and require a separate policy. Not the policy which was chosen, that one accepts dependents up to 19. Many policies are aimed at a special group, seniors, for example.
There's got to be a better way!
Let's hope I don't follow up this post with a bad review after our friends get back in two months!
Posts: 473 | Location: Bayeux, France | Registered: 01 December 2001
That is the site of the agent through which about 15 different insurance companies come up after you click on "Visitor Medial Insurance." You can also click on "Global Health Insurance," "Trip/Travel Insruance," etc. and other company links come up. Each of those "sub-companies" has different criteria, as I mentioned, for example eligibility & length of policy. I may not have my terminology right.
But in any case, each policy is different, so interested potential policy-holders have to review carefully.
Posts: 473 | Location: Bayeux, France | Registered: 01 December 2001
Dude, the French family should inquire about this VISA travel insurance policy. I was told that if French tourists to the US pay their air tickets with a VISA card, this comes with VISA's own travel insurance with covers medical expense that one's own insurance does not. I was told this by an American-French friend whose French friend needed a gall bladder operation during a trip to the US. You can imagine the medical cost just about scared the already sick French tourist to death. But VISA travel insurance paid up.
Originally posted by Normandy Dude: Can you find out the company issuing the VISA card and what type of VISA card it was?
Answer to first question: Well, the VISA company issues the VISA cards, through affiliated banks. Answer to second question: I don't know what type of VISA card (gold, whatever). The impression I got was that it did not matter. The information was given to me by a friend, for all persons thinking of travelling and using a VISA card, in which case they should inquire with VISA regarding the travel insurance that comes with the payment of the air tickets.
That is interesting AnP. I looked up the French pages on Visa. Here is a Link to the French Visa Premier card page. It does list some benefits in case of sickness. It may not cover issues on a pre-existing condition. You will understand the page better than me.
This is different from the benefits of a US issued VISA credit card which only covers referrals and assistance but not the charges.
This has been a very interesting thread to follow. The thought occurs to me that with the current bargain the US is for European visitors, some enterprising travel insurance company would find a way to sell a boat load of insurance to Europeans coming this way.
Deborah Horn In a previous life I was an Umbrian sunflower farmer. I want to do a past life regression and stay there. ----------------------------------- www.petsburg.com My blog: Old Shoes - New Trip
Posts: 4851 | Location: St. Louis, MO | Registered: 04 September 2001
I do not know exactly what "Contact with a local doctor" means. VISA will repatriate you, sure. So does our "mutuel" (supplemental policy). But I do not see where they'll shell out $10,000 so you can get your kidney stones blasted. And if it's just a "regular" VISA -- not gold or platinum or premier -- you may not be covered at all. I just can't find it! On the contrary, even Premier cardholders get the small print: "Medical Referral Assistance provides medical referral, monitoring, and follow-up. [...blah blah blah...] NOTE: All costs are your responsibility." THANKS A LOT, VISA!
Posts: 473 | Location: Bayeux, France | Registered: 01 December 2001
Have you checked with the auto club? AAA offers health insurance abroad and I know that the italian motor club also does (or did - should qualify it's been 2 years).
We had an exchange student from Germany for nine months (back in the mid 90's) and she had a policy that covered her during that time. I don't know where she found it but you might try researching the student exchange programs and how they manage health insurance.
Those are excellent sites, very very similar to the one I used, www.americanvisitorinsurance.com. I have been through your sites, however, and NONE of the policies correspond to the needs of our friends. One policy is only for US citizens traveling abroad; another is only for foreigners traveling to the US (our friends are "mixed" US/French); another is only for a full year term; another only for students. Etc.
However, other readers here may find those links useful and applicable to their particular situations.
Posts: 473 | Location: Bayeux, France | Registered: 01 December 2001
WOW! Great thread and very revealing. Any wonder we have some "overhauling" to do in this area. How discouraging and uninviting not to have some simple way to address this issue for travelers.
Deborah, always thinking about business opportunities, I see. You're right about this one.
