Getting Approved for International Group Insurance

The process of applying for an international group policy has a number of steps. Good Neighbor will be with you every step of the way to guide and make sure that nothing is missed.  Below is the pertinent information.

The 13 (almost painless) steps to getting international group insurance coverage

1. You need to fill out a “Census” and “Request for Group Quote.” It is important to give as much detail as possible. Once this “Request for Group Quote” is sent back to us, we will approach several companies to get quotes. It usually takes seven to ten working days to get all of the quotes, although some will come in within two or three days. Initial quotes are based on the average age of the group, gender, work locations and occupation.
2. Once the quotes are in and the comparative analysis is sent to you, your leadership team will be able to evaluate the best course of action. We are happy to answer any questions you have regarding the customized options we present, so you can make the best, most informed decision possible. We will also negotiate together to make sure the benefit package meets your staff’s needs and at the best price.
3. It is very important to have a consensus from the field staff. Even if they are not in full agreement, working to find a workable compromise is key. Insurance companies require that 80 (sometimes 75) percent of the eligible members apply for coverage. Those on Medicare, nationalized insurance in country of service, or on a spouse’s insurance plan, are eligible to waive without jeopardizing the 80% rule.
4. After you choose a company/quote, we will then send you the application material for the employees. This will generally consist of an enrollment form for each employee. Some carriers only require a spreadsheet of the enrolling employees. For small groups (under 25), that don’t pass the 50 Worldwide Employee threshold, employees will have to complete individual enrollment forms. You will also receive a “Group Application” to be signed by a member of your leadership team or the insurance coordinator for the company.
5. If the insuring company asks for individual enrollment forms from each employee, we will work together with you, to have these back for submission, in a timely manner. Sometimes, enrollment is available online.
6. In order to activate the coverage, the insuring company will need the following: (a) Enrollment forms from all of the workers or spreadsheet, (b) A contract from the company signed by the responsible party , (c) A check, eCheck, or credit card authorization for the first month’s premium.
7. Certificates of Creditable Coverage / Certificates of Insurance. Some international insurance carriers still require these for coverage of pre-existing conditions without a wait period. If you have questions, please contact us. All applicants who have been on group insurance or individual long-term insurance plans should request these certificates from their current insurance company. These are not required by all of the carriers. Those which are ACA compliant, automatically cover pre-existing conditions from day one.
8. Once Good Neighbor Insurance receives all of the application material from you, we submit it to the insurance company. If something is missing, and we will contact you. Once everything is completed, including the collection of the first premium,“Insurance Kits” which include policies, claim forms, and medical ID cards will be sent for each employee.
9. If the insuring company should discover new medical information about the group that was different from what they knew when they made the original quote, and/or if the census information of the final enrollees varies significantly from the original census, they may requote the group. For some small groups, they may also ask to review medical records on some of the employees.
10. Our group plans will cover your children to age 26, (even if in the U.S.). Some do require that they remain unmarried.
11. If your group is ERISA compliant, then you may have to offer COBRA insurance for terminating employees. Many churches and non-profits do not have this legal requirement. If offering COBRA, the company will be responsible to collect premiums from the workers who have terminated their relationship.