MANAGING YOUR INSURANCE - PAYING FOR MEDICAL CARE RECEIVED

About the Resource Library

This page contains dozens of short articles that will help you quickly understand international insurance. For example, terminology, purchasing details and managing your insurance coverage are topics that are all covered within these articles. Choose an Article From the Topics Below

PAYING FOR MEDICAL CARE RECEIVED INSIDE/OUTSIDE THE USA

If you are receiving medical care in the USA, it is important for you to look on the web site of your present insurance company and find a healthcare provider in their network. This way you will receive the full benefit from your plan.

If you go to a provider in the company’s PPO network, that provider will call the insurance company to see if your insurance is valid. If you have not yet reached your deductible, often the provider will ask you to pay up front for medical care received. But in some cases they will bill the insurance company directly.

Generally the provider will take care of your medical needs and then invoice your insurance company for care received. Of course, the provider may ask you to pay up front and then you will be reimbursed by the insurance company; however, in most cases they will invoice the company. This is always better for you, for the insurance company will often re-price the bill, thus decreasing the charges of the medical provider. This will save you money. The insurance company will send you an Explanation of Benefits explaining how much the insurance company is paying your insurance provider.

If you have major surgery done overseas, the hospital will often call your insurance company. If the insurance company pre-certifies the surgery, the insurance company will often provide a “guarantee of payment.” If the insurance company does not do this, then you will need to pay up front.