For those of you who stayed with your SO for an extended amount of time overseas...

[catknit 144]

I know that some of you spent extended time overseas and that some of the women currently posting are posting from overseas...

What on earth did you do about medical insurance???

I did post this in the DCF forum days ago but no responses...

A bit about my situation - I'm currently employed full time and get medical benefits thru my employer. When I leave my job I'll have the option of COBRA for up to 18 months. The premiums will run about $325/month. I'm planning to be in India 12-14 months [yep about $5k for insurance I may only use 28 days out of 14 months]. Out of those 12-14 months I plan on visiting the US twice [2 weeks each visit]. I'm anticipating attending graduate fulltime and being able to purchase the school provided insurance after arriving back home.

I have enough assets here in the US that I do not want to jeopardize them by being uninsured should something happen during my 2 trips back home or the potential gap between returning and the school plan picking up. [Or - if I don't get into school, having what ever job's plan kick in]...

I've looked into expat insurance and that's how I'm currently leaning but many of those policies exclude the US. One insurance broker said that I can get travel health insurance to the US as long as I'm keeping a residence in India. That sort of makes sense and yet makes me wary...technically I will have 2 residences.

Maybe I'm just overthinking the whole thing - I'm betting some expats go completely without????

I'm in no way worried about paying for healthcare in India - at all - it's the trips home that scare me, one little car accident or whatever can bankrupt just about anyone.

Any insight???

[Chica Yeyé 41]

We were in Heaven... aka Canada. No need to worry about it

GREAT. Now I am missing their health care.

[catknit 144]

That's it - I'm going for a Canadian!

It's not so much the India part that bugs me - it's the 2 trips back to the US and the interim between moving back and getting on a plan that scares the @$#^ out of me.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

You may try through ACE American Insurance Company.

I don't know what the rates are for India but I know them for Egypt.

A full year only costs $420 and that's in Egypt and your home country:

$500,000 medical expense

$50 deductible per condition

Unlimited medical evacuation

Unlimited repatriation

Most medical expense benefits programs should be of at least $250,000; emergency medical evacuation of at least $100,000; and repatriation of remains of at least $50,000.

[Dr. A ♥ O 203]

Hey, got your message.

Again I am not sure of the best way to reach them or if they offer it for India but you may try. I know about them because the American University in Cairo has a group plan with them. You may also try calling a University near where you will stay in India and ask them what insurance their International Students use.

This is the physical address they have listed for their underwriting but there is more than one office.

Ace American

436 Walnut St

Philadelphia, PA 19106

(215) 430-5104‎

They merged into CMI:

Contact CMI by calling 800-677-7887 or 410-583-2595, FAX 410-583-8244

Also:

In addition to this health insurance program is the availability of the 24-hour Assistance network for emergency assistance anywhere in the world. In the event of a medical emergency, seek medical care as soon as possible. Call Europ Assistance USA at 800-546-6349 or call direct or collect to 202-659-7785. This international assistance call center is located in Washington, DC. EA USA must be involved in any events that require Emergency Medical Evacuation, Emergency Reunion or Repatriation.

[Ihavequestions 419]

I don't have any health insurance coverage. I'm on the pay-as-I-go plan.

[ELW 5]

I was in India for 21 years and never had health insurance. When I got blood poisoning, Typhoid fever and Measles, I checked into free clinics. Other stuff like dental was super cheap, when needed.

I took two visits back to USA during those 21 years (for a total USA stay of about 7 months) but never had health insurance during my visits. I guess I took a risk, but that's the Indian way. If you have assets to protect, check into other ideas. Happy that Flower has some good info!

[Sandrila 1]

lucky you to be spending so much time in India.

I dunno what to say about insurance....good thing to have esp if you have issues.

I traveled and survived just fine without insurance for years upon years. I know once you have it you are scared without it and I did get a rash from the dust over there too but you know what you can find the exact same meds there and so darn cheap.

I am not telling you what is best for you. I am just saying that you can NOT have insurance and have issues abroad and be fine.

Good Luck

[AlHayatZween 2]

when living in Morocco, i didn't have health insurance, but that was b/c in Morocco, i could afford to go to the doctor.

i had a lot of health issues when i returned and had to pay out of pocket. it was a tough pill to swallow, but all in all, it was actually cheaper than purchasing private insurance. it is very risky... it stinks that insurance has to be so complicated and expensive here.

good luck!

hz

[catknit 144]

I'm actually not looking to be "covered" in India - I know that paying out of pocket there is much more reasonable.

My concerns revolve around the fact that I will be returning to the US for 1-2 vacations home and not having any coverage at those times plus the time span between arriving back home [hopefully with a new-husband in tow] and getting settled with new employment or group coverage from grad school.

I've had some insurance people who work with expats say that there are travel policies for non-US resident USCs available in the US [like trip insurance you can get here for vacations]....I haven't a clue how legitimate that is.

And the kicker is I would pay for the coverage if need be because of my assets - it's just that what I want either doesn't exist OR I'm excluded due to a pre-existing condition. I have a sinking feeling I'm going to cobble together COBRA with an evacuation plan.

[catknit 144]

I found tree-falls-on-your-head short term US insurance!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy!

[AlHayatZween 2]

I found tree-falls-on-your-head short term US insurance!!!!!!!!!!!!!! So happy!

Yeah, was just going to say that i think Blue Cross has short-term insurance, expensive, but... not as expensive as COBRA. Don't know how they handle pre-existing conditions, but worth a look-see....

Good luck... let us know what you find!

[catknit 144]

That's exactly what it is - one of the BC/BS - you can buy it in 30 day increments. They do not cover pre-existing conditions however mine is minor and has been under control for years [plus the doc I see to treat it doesn't take insurance anyway].

For a single person, even with a low deductible, it's only $60-ish per month. The coverage is comparable to the insurance I have thru work and will cover emergency situations - which is EXACTLY what I was looking for.

[sara..... 371]

That's exactly what it is - one of the BC/BS - you can buy it in 30 day increments. They do not cover pre-existing conditions however mine is minor and has been under control for years [plus the doc I see to treat it doesn't take insurance anyway].

For a single person, even with a low deductible, it's only $60-ish per month. The coverage is comparable to the insurance I have thru work and will cover emergency situations - which is EXACTLY what I was looking for.

im soo so happy u found what u needed!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

sara

[AlHayatZween 2]

That's exactly what it is - one of the BC/BS - you can buy it in 30 day increments. They do not cover pre-existing conditions however mine is minor and has been under control for years [plus the doc I see to treat it doesn't take insurance anyway].

For a single person, even with a low deductible, it's only $60-ish per month. The coverage is comparable to the insurance I have thru work and will cover emergency situations - which is EXACTLY what I was looking for.

Awesome! Sounds perfect for what you are looking for...