INTERNATIONAL SHORT TERM HEALTH AND MEDICAL INSURANCE

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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

THE COST OF NOT HAVING SHORT-TERM TEAM INSURANCE -- A TRUE STORY

Don Jenkins, on his third mission trip to Central America, spent the day laying blocks for a church camp in La Fortuna, Costa Rica. That night he tripped on a concrete asphalt trench and hit his head. Jenkins suffered a subdura hematoma, and was in a coma for 30 days. He underwent two brain surgeries and was hospitalized for 90 days--6 in San Jose, Costa Rica, and 74 in his hometown. While still in a coma, he was flown home.

The fall would wind up costing his family more than $90,000. Because the accident occurred outside the United States, Jenkins' domestic health insurance wouldn't pay. Family members did not have the money, so his daughter mortgaged her house to get the $30,000 needed for an air ambulance to return Jenkins to Kentucky. The hospital in Costa Rica wouldn't release Jenkins until the hospital bill was paid. His son used his corporate credit to pay the $22,000 bill, which the family is now repaying in installments. The doctors and surgeons in Costa Rica agreed to accept monthly payments. With donations from churches, friends, family members, and the Kentucky United Methodist Conference, about half of the $90,0000 has been paid. Now Mr. Jenkins' family is on their own mission--to tell everyone to check their domestic health insurance before leaving the United States. Some policies cover health care in another country. Some don't. Even if a policy will pay for treatment, generally it doesn't include medical evacuation. (By Alberta Lindsey, Times-Dispatch Staff Writer, May 5, 2001, (condensed by J. Gulleson)

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Health Insurance in the USA

"Jeff, I just wanted to say a quick "Thank You" for the newsletter, or "Quarterly E-Bulletin." I don’t know if this is all your work or a team, or you buy content, or just who puts it together; but I’ve gotta say it’s one of the few pieces of its kind that I actually *read* top-to-bottom. [The "Quarterly Bulletin" is written by Jeff, assisted by the GNI staff.]"

(DS, Pennsylvania)

"Nelma, Thank you so much for your immediate help in getting my credit from the insurance company. It’s this kind of service from you and your partners that keeps me coming back to GNI for ALL my international insurance needs. "

(KD, California)

"Trish, Thanks so much for your follow-up on this. We actually got a check in the mail already, covering all the charges minus the $250 deductible. I was surprised and pleased that we got it so quickly! Thank you again for taking care of us. You have been extremely helpful, Trish."

(AR, Indiana)

"Doug, I wish to thank Pei for the first class service I received. I value great customer service having worked for a Japanese airline for 17 years. I believe the service reflects the management."

(TM, New York)

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