It seems that more and more people are living outside their home country these days. Whether it’s because of their job, a volunteer organization or simply for a new adventure, many of our clients typically spend 3-5 years as expatriates overseas. Their domestic health insurance policies usually won’t cover them while they are outside their country of citizenship, so they come to Good Neighbor Insurance to protect themselves and their loved ones in case the unexpected occurs.
Good Neighbor offers a variety of long-term medical plans for expat clients living overseas. One of our favorite providers of expat medical plans is Azimuth Meridian International. We like Azimuth Meridian because they offer two levels of medical plans to fit the specific needs of individuals and families residing or traveling abroad for a long term.
Many of the people who secure this international health and travel insurance are workers, volunteers, and missionaries who work with businesses, NGOs, nonprofits, and humanitarian or faith-based organizations. Azimuth Meridian plans are designed to provide coverage wherever you travel in the world.
Do Azimuth Meridian Plans include coverage in the U.S. and Canada?
You have the option to either include coverage in the U.S. and Canada or exclude coverage in the U.S. and Canada. If there is no potential that you will travel to the U.S. or Canada for any reason, we recommend excluding coverage in those countries. Premiums will be lower when coverage is limited to being outside the U.S. and Canada. If you include coverage in the U.S. and Canada, you are limited to being outside the U.S. for at least six months per policy year.
Regarding renewal, one important point is regarding your location at renewal. If you are in the U.S. at your renewal time, after the first 12 months, you must leave the U.S. within 30 days of your renewal date. Aside from this, you must be outside the U.S. for at least six months of the next 12 months.
What are the Strengths of the Azimuth Meridian Plans?
- Two levels of coverage: Meridian Essential and Meridian Enhanced
- Backed by Lloyd’s of London
- Flexible Underwriting
- May have up to 30 days of coverage in the U.S. at the start of the policy
- Six months out of twelve months coverage in the U.S. each policy year
- PPO network in the U.S. is MultiPlan
What are the Benefits of the Meridian Essential Plan?
Meridian Essential is affordable health insurance overseas, which still provides coverage worldwide at your choice. However due to the limitations on some benefits, this may not be a suitable plan if you reside in a country with high medical costs such as the U.S.A. After 12 months of continuous coverage, there is a wellness benefit for adults and for children, which is otherwise known as preventative care.
Here are some specific benefits of the Meridian Essential Plan:
- Medical coverage – $5,000,000 Maximum Limit
- Pre-existing condition cover – After 24 months of continuous coverage, $10,000 per year lifetime with a $50,000 maximum limit
- Selecting the maternity rider at the start of the policy exempts the maternity waiting period (you cannot be pregnant prior to enrollment). Maternity benefits start right away. Maternity coverage is $10,000 per delivery and a $50,000 lifetime limit. Newborn care is included with maternity for the first 31 days following birth.
- Medical Evacuation – Up to $50,000 ($25,000 for ages 65 and older).
- Deductibles choices – $500; $1,000; $2,500; $5,000; and $10.000 per member per coverage period
- Family deductible – maximum of 2 deductibles per family per coverage period.
- Coinsurance for claims inside US/Canada – after deductible, pays 80% of next $5,000 of eligible medical expenses, then 100% to the maximum limit. Waived if inside PPO network.
- Coinsurance for claims outside US/Canada – after deductible, pays 100% of eligible medical expenses to the maximum limit.
What are the Benefits of the Meridian Enhanced Plan?
Meridian Enhanced is an excellent plan for nearly all international travelers and expatriates, regardless of where they are in the world. Sure, the cost is a little more, but the benefits are significantly increased from the Essential plan. Wellness for adults is included after 12 months, and wellness for children is available after 10 months.
Here are some specific benefits of the Meridian Enhanced Plan:
- Medical coverage – $5,000,000 Maximum Limit
- Pre-existing cover – If disclosed on the application and not limited or excluded by rider, covered after 12 months same as any other illness
- Maternity cover – Automatically included with up to $50,000 maternity coverage. There is a 12-month waiting period before full maternity benefits start. There is a separate maternity co-pay of $2,500. Newborn care is covered for the first 60 days following birth.
- Vision Benefit – $250 per Coverage Period for glasses or contacts, covered after 12 months
- Emergency evacuation – $110,000 maximum limit for under age 60. $55,000 maximum limit for ages 60 and older
- Deductibles choices – $250; $500; $1,000; $2,500; $5,000; and $10,000 per member per coverage period
- Family deductible – maximum of 2 deductibles per family per coverage period
- Coinsurance for claims inside US/Canada – after deductible, pays 90% of next $5,000 of eligible medical expenses, then 100% to the maximum limit. Waived if inside PPO network.
- Coinsurance for claims outside US/Canada – after deductible, pays 100% of eligible medical expenses to the maximum limit.
- Organ Transplants – Up to $2,000,000 for Covered Transplants
How Do the Azimuth Meridian Plans Cover Pregnancy?
Both plans of the Meridian plans offer maternity coverage, but you cannot be pregnant prior to the start of the policy. Maternity is very important to consider if you may have children in the future. On the Meridian Essential plan, maternity is a rider that you can add or remove at any renewal. It is one of the most popular plans for maternity because you can get pregnant in the first year of coverage and have the maternity rider as well. Many other plans have a 12 month waiting period. The Meridian Enhanced plan has a 12 month waiting period, but maternity is included in the policy.
Why is Medical Evacuation Insurance Important?
International medical evacuation insurance is an essential coverage to have. A medical evacuation is required when there is a medical condition that needs immediate treatment, but that treatment cannot be provided locally. The insurance company will have to be notified so that they can actually arrange and pay for the medical evacuation.
Otherwise, if the company isn’t involved in the evacuation, you would have to take the process and expenses on your own. Medical evacuation is important because even in the case that there is a great hospital in your area: they aren’t able to treat a certain medical condition that has occurred and needs immediate attention. In this case, a medical evacuation to the nearest adequate medical facility is required. Medical evacuations can cost up to and well over $30,000, depending on the situation.
If I am Injured by an Act of War or Terrorism, Will This Policy Cover my Medical Costs?
If the attack or bombing is claimed by a terrorist group, you will not have coverage. However, if the attack or bombing is from a random act of violence, you will be fully covered. We do have international career insurance plans that cover you if you are an innocent bystander related to a terrorist attack. Please call our agents at 866-636-9100 or [email protected] for more information on this type of benefit.
If I have Specific Needs Not Covered by this Plan, Can You Offer Other Plans to Fit Those Needs?
Yes, and here are two examples:
- The GMMI overseas medical insurance coverage for expatriates would not have good coverage for sports injuries. However, the deductible is reduced by 50% for treatment received outside the U.S.
- The GeoBlue Navigator expatriate medical insurance has the best coverage for sports. However, it is the most expensive international medical insurance policy.
In addition to these plans, Good Neighbor offers a variety of other long-term medical plans for expat clients living overseas.
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Good Neighbor Insurance provides international travel insurance, expatriate medical insurance, as well as employer group medical insurance and other international cover to those traveling and living outside their country of residence/country of citizenship. Call one of our professional licensed international insurance agents at 866-636-9100 or you may email us at [email protected].
Have amazing and safe travels from your Good Neighbor Insurance team here in Arizona!
