Understanding your global employer medical insurance is important in order for you, your family, and your team to get the most out of the benefits of your international employer group insurance plan.
We understand insurance documentation can be confusing, and even overwhelming. That’s why Good Neighbor Insurance has produced this series of videos. Good Neighbor Insurance (GNI) has been helping international groups like yours with all their global insurance needs since 1997. We’re dedicated to keeping you informed on all the benefits and features of your international employer group insurance plan, and we’re here to make sure you get the most of your protection!
Learn all about how to understand your global employer medical insurance in the videos below!
- Does my international employer group insurance have the telehealth benefit?
- How to understand what I owe on my explanation of benefits
- What happens when I have a medical expense with an Out of Network Provider (clinic or doctor) on my global employer medical insurance?
- How to understand the “In-Network” section of my Explanation of Benefits on my global employer medical insurance
- General information on global medical insurance precertification
- Do I need to pre-certify before a hospital admission or surgery?
- Understanding my Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
- Do I have vision benefits on my international employer group medical insurance?
- Top 5 things to remember when you start your international employer medical group insurance
- Top 8 things to remember before, during, and after going to your medical appointment when you are on your global employer group medical insurance
Understanding your international employer group insurance is important in order to get the most of your plan. In this video we discuss telehealth benefits to your international employer group medical insurance, and suggest how to use this incredible new benefit.
Telehealth benefits include preventative care, acute non-emergency care, and even mental health care options depending on your specific global insurance plan. These benefits are delivered via video-chat or video-meeting with your preferred healthcare provider covered in your medical network. Watch the video below to learn more!
Our videos are focused on you and your team members to share valuable information so that you can use your global insurance benefits in the best way possible.
Does my international insurance policy include telehealth benefits, Doug?
Dewi, that is a great question!
- First not all international employer group insurance policies have this benefit.
- Since telehealth is an added global insurance benefit, not all global employers add this medical benefit to their global employer group insurance.
- However, after checking your schedule of benefits on your overseas group insurance policy, I see that you have this wonderful medical benefit for you and your family, Dewi.
Dewi, here is a few key things to keep in mind about your telehealth benefit.
- Did you know telehealth is the fastest-growing international medical field right now? Telehealth and virtual wellness appointments bring the best care to you no matter where you are.
- When telehealth benefits are included, often you have access to international networks of board-certified physicians who can provide you medical care with little to no co-pay.
- Telehealth medical doctors can diagnose and treat acute minor illnesses like a cold, assist with medication changes, or even refer you to the right local medical provider in your area, no matter where you happen to be.
Dewi, get the most out of your international employer group insurance plan by using your telehealth benefits for care overseas. Good Neighbor Insurance, gninsurance.com, is dedicated to helping you understand and use your global medical insurance benefits to their highest potential, so you can stay protected through all of your international adventures, Dewi.
Change is always in the air! So please check our web page at https://www.gninsurance.com/group-health for the most up-to-date information on your global employer medical insurance –
- or call us at 480-813-9100 here in Gilbert, Arizona, USA
- or email us at [email protected]
Your GNI team here in Gilbert, Arizona, wish you and your family safe and awe-inspiring expatriate travels, Dewi!
How to understand what I owe on my explanation of benefits
Question from Fred: I have a global employer medical insurance policy, Doug. I received my Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement from my international insurance company shortly after my doctor’s appointment in the United States, Doug. I don’t understand what some of these dollar numbers mean. Can you explain how to read the statement and find out if I owe any money to my doctor for the medical service that I received, Doug?
Answer- Fred, that is a good question. Let me answer your question in three parts. Let’s
- Go over definition of the Explanation of Benefits, also known as EOB.
- Look at one area of your Explanation of Benefits to answer your question.
- Walk through your $30 copay amount that you provided to me via your Explanation of Benefits statement.
Many people think that the Explanation of Benefits, also called EOB, is a bill from the doctor or medical facility. But it is not a bill Fred and it is not from your medical facility.
Your EOB provides you the information to make sure you
- are not being overbilled for the services you received,
- are not getting billed for a service that you did not receive
Your EOB, Fred, also will show you discounts you may have received due to using in-network providers when you use your global employee medical insurance. Fred, your EOB can also show you the amount you owe to your medical provider.
As you look at your Explanation of Benefits, you will see a section called “Your Responsibility.” This section includes:
- Deductible amount
- Copay amount
- Coinsurance amount
- Amount Not Covered
- Your Total Costs or Patient Responsibility
Let’s highlight these areas, Fred.
Deductible Amount applies to services that don’t have copays.
- It is the amount you must pay first at 100% up to whatever the deductible amount is on your international insurance policy. This would be for diagnostic lab work and other screenings.
- Once your deductible has been paid for the year, global employer medical insurance company will pay their portion. Fred, the amount of the deductible will vary depending on one’s international insurance plan.
- For example Fred, your deductible is $3,000 per calendar year. Once that amount is paid any amount after that is covered by your global employer insurance company (coinsurance may be included).
Copay Amount is the amount that you will pay anytime you see a doctor or pick up a prescription. Again, this amount is based on your international medical insurance policy, Fred.
Coinsurance is the amount that you would pay (if any), after the deductible amount is paid in full.
For example, your global employer group medical insurance company may have a $10,000 coinsurance as part of your benefit policy. Your global insurance company will pay 80% of the bill and you will pay the 20%. You both are sharing in the cost up to the $10,000 amount, in this example Fred. After that $10,000 coinsurance amount is paid for, during your calendar year, your international employee insurance policy will cover the rest of medical cost, according to your schedule of benefits.
Amount Not Covered is the cost of medical services or medical products that your global employer insurance company does not cover, but was used in your treatment. This part you will need to pay in full, Fred. These types of medical products could be for things such as vitamins or over the counter drugs.
Sometimes Fred, these medical products and medical services are not covered because your international employer group medical insurance company needs additional information. If that is the case, you will find a code on your EOB that explains why the item or service was not paid.
Your Total Cost or Patient responsibility is the cost of what your medical provider of the medical service that you received has a right to bill you. The bills you receive from your U.S. or overseas medical provider should match the Patient Responsibility on your EOB.
Fred, I know that was a lot to take in. If you need more information on what we have been sharing about your global medical insurance EOB, please inform me.
Alright Fred, let’s look at your $30.00 copay you asked about. We see on your EOB that your $30.00 copay is under your responsibility, which is why we also see $30.00 in the section of “Your Total Cost.” So, what this means Fred, is that you will be receiving a bill for $30.00 from your doctor soon. Verify the $30.00 charge on your EOB with the doctor bill and go ahead and pay for the service you received.
Fred, if you already paid this amount at the doctor’s office at the time of your visit, then the insurance company is saying at the section of “Your Total Cost” is what you should have paid for that medical visit.
Change is always in the air! So please check our web page at https://www.gninsurance.com/group-health for the most up-to-date information on your global employer medical insurance –
- or call us at 480-813-9100 here in Gilbert, Arizona, USA
- or email us at [email protected]
Your GNI team here in Gilbert, Arizona, wish you and your family safe and awe-inspiring expatriate travels, Fred!
What happens when I have a medical expense with an Out of Network Provider (clinic or doctor) on my global employer medical insurance?
Doug, what happens when my family has a medical expense and we use an out-of-network medical facility on my global employer medical insurance? Carlos, depending on the service and your global employer medical insurance policy, it may be subject to a higher deductible and / or co-insurance than when it is billed by an in-network provider.
When in-network medical providers are used, they can only charge the contracted price that they have negotiated with your international employer group insurance company.
When Out-of-Network, there is no contracted price. Carlos, your global employer medical insurance may cover some but not all of it, if the provider overcharges according to the maximum reimbursable charge. Each medical facility has a formula for determining what is a normal price for service which is based on what all others are charging in that particular geographic area. That is the maximum amount that your global employer medical insurance company will consider as an eligible medical expense. Sometimes this price is tied to what Medicare allows and sometimes there is other criteria depending on the type of service.
Carlos, for example, you need a travel immunization and go to a travel clinic.
- This travel clinic is out-of-network and they charge $150 for a Hepatitis shot. The normal fee in your area is just $100.
- Your global employer group medical insurance will only reimburse you the $100.
- You will be responsible for the extra $50.
Sometimes you can negotiate with the medical provider and explain, my international employer group medical insurance company will only reimburse $100, will you accept that? Sometimes they will, sometimes they won’t, Carlos. It never hurts to ask.
Whenever possible, try to use your in-network medical providers when you are in the U.S. Call the number on your medical insurance card if you need assistance finding the right type of medical provider when you are traveling.
Change is always in the air! So please check our web page at https://www.gninsurance.com/group-health for the most up-to-date information on your global employer medical insurance –
- or call us at 480-813-9100 here in Gilbert, Arizona, USA
- or email us at [email protected]
Your GNI team here in Gilbert, Arizona, wish you and your family safe and awe-inspiring expatriate travels, Carlos!
How to understand the “In-Network” section of my Explanation of Benefits on my global employer medical insurance
Question – I have a Cigna Global employer medical insurance policy, Doug. I just received my Explanation of Benefits (EOB) statement from my international insurance company and I do not understand the section that is called “In-Network.” I was expecting to pay a lot more than it says. I don’t mind the lower amount, but I don’t understand why the bill is lower. I don’t want to be surprised by more bills for the same service later, Doug.
Answer – Great question Jim. Let me break your question up into four parts.
- In the Explanation of Benefits report what the term “In-Network” means.
- How big is the “In-Network” for Cigna Global Health Benefits throughout the world?
- How to get and use the portal Cigna Global Health app. for your global benefit needs.
- How the “In-Network” section applies to your International medical bill.
First of all, the term “In-Network” refers to the global doctors and / or medical facilities that are part of a health plan that was set up by the international insurance company in arrangement with the overseas doctors and medical facilities to provide services at a lower price to the patient.
One of the largest “In-Networks” of international health care providers is through Cigna Global Health Benefits. They have approximately 1.7 million providers and medical facilities throughout the world, with almost 400,000 physicians, hospitals and medical facilities outside the United States, Jim.
Cigna Global Health Benefits also provides a portal, Cigna Envoy, that can be used globally. This allows employees and their families easy and quick access to their services and benefits at any time.
This global portal allows you to:
- See your Identification Card information.
- Helps you find an “In-Network” overseas provider close to you.
- Submit international claims online.
- Health and wellness information.
- Medical information related to the country where you are staying.
Alright Jim, let’s take a look at your Explanation of Benefits and see if we can answer your question. You thought your bill for seeing the medical doctor was going to be much higher than it is, right?
- It shows here that the overseas doctor you saw is part of your “In-Network” plan with Cigna Global Health.
- Which means that the pricing structure that the overseas doctor has to use is based on the agreement they made with Cigna Global Health.
- So, you get a better price for the services you received. This is why the amount you received for the service is so much lower than what you were expecting to pay.
Remember Jim, it important that you use the “In-Network” global providers as opposed to the “Out-of-Network” providers just because the cost that you will have to pay will be substantially higher than the “In-Network” global providers. This is especially important when you use medical facilities in the U.S.
The usage of the “In-Network” system is recommended by all international insurance companies. Some health plans will only pay for services if it is in their “In-Network” system. Other international insurance companies will only pay a portion of the medical claim if the member uses an “Out-of-Network” provider.
Change is always in the air! So please check our web page at https://www.gninsurance.com/group-health for the most up-to-date information on your global employer medical insurance –
- or call us at 480-813-9100 here in Gilbert, Arizona, USA
- or email us at [email protected]
Your GNI team here in Gilbert, Arizona, wish you and your family safe and awe-inspiring expatriate travels, Jim!
General information on global medical insurance precertification
Doug, how does pre-certification work for us expats living outside the U.S.? I realize that here in the U.S., for my ACA (Affordable Care Act) domestic medical insurance, my medical doctor or medical facility handles my precertification process. I also know my wife and I have to be more involved on the precertification process since we are now expatriates living in Indonesia.
Can you provide Himari and I basic information on pre-certification in relation to our expatriate employer group medical insurance policy, Doug?
That is a fabulous question, Sergio, and we sure can shed more light on what precertification means to global group medical insurance plans.
As you and Himari mentioned, Sergio, precertification processes can verify from one international insurance company to another.
Let’s dive in Sergio and Himari. We will start with
- A general definition of precertification related to your international employer group medical insurance
- How it works, in general
- Additional notes
- And a simplified version of the precertification process
Precertification is the process of determining whether the medical service delivered or scheduled to be delivered to you are medically necessary and appropriate.
Or said in another way, Sergio and Himari –
- Precertification is the process of determining in advance if a procedure, medical treatment, or medical service will be covered under your expatriate group health care plan.
- The precertification also helps ensure you and Himari get the right in the right medical setting. This may also help save you from costly and unnecessary medical services, Sergio and Himari.
As you mentioned, Sergio, our U.S. domestic insurance and medical facility “talk” together for the precertification part leaving us, the policyholder, out of the process.
Key notes – please remember Sergio and Himari,
- Precertification is not a verification of benefits or a guarantee of payment.
- Precertification is only to confirm that the treatment is medically necessary.
- There could be a reduction in benefits if there is no precertification.
With pre-certification, there is usually no set timeline that you would need to have the pre-certification done for surgery or inpatient treatment. With the exception of a transplant, the precertification just needs to be submitted prior to the treatment.
It is recommended to do your pre-certification at least 2 weeks prior to your medical treatment but if you can do it sooner, that will be best.
Here is one way the precertification process works, Sergio and Himari.
- To initiate the required precertification, go to your member portal of your global insurance company.
- You will see a pre-certification form that you or your treating physician or health care provider can fill out.
- In case of an emergency, you have the flexibility to notify your international insurance company within 48 hours after the emergency to initiate precertification.
- Emergency room visits do not require precertification, unless you are admitted into the medical facility for surgery or inpatient treatment.
Here are a handful of additional notes, Sergio and Himari, to keep in mind.
- If your hospital stay is extended, then you should request that the hospital or provider notify your precertification team at your global insurance company that your stay has been extended.
- If a step in the precertification process is missed, then the precertification team will attempt to complete the process via a call back to you and possibly to your medical provider.
- Here are a few of the following medical treatments and services that must be pre-certified.
- Chemotherapy
- Extended Care Facility
- Home Nursing Care
- Hospice Care
- Inpatient Hospitalization
- Interfacility Ambulance Transfer
- Radiation Therapy
- Surgery or surgical procedure
- Transplant
- Maternity (please keep in mind one must pre-certify within 60 days of one’s due date – this policy varies from one international insurance company to another).
Here is a quick snapshot of the precertification process, Sergio and Himari.
- Your initial precertification request comes to your employer group international insurance company via your online member portal, email, from your medical provider or you calling in to your global insurance company with all needed information.
- Your precertification team reviews your eligibility
- Your precertification request is built into your database at your employer group insurance company with request for any medical records from you or your medical facility.
- Once medical records with relevant medical diagnosis codes come to your international insurance company your precertification team will review your request and authorize / not authorize your precertification.
- Once your precertification team at your international insurance company approves your medical request, a letter (usually by email and / or fax) will be sent to you and your medical provider.
Change is always in the air! Check out our global health insurance options on our web page at https://www.gninsurance.com for the most up-to-date information on your global medical insurance –
- or call us at 480-813-9100
- or email us at [email protected]
Your GNI team here in Gilbert Arizona, wishes you all safe and awe-inspiring expatriate travels in Indonesia and beyond, Sergio and Himari!
Do I need to pre-certify before a hospital admission or surgery?
Doug, my wife and I are on our global employer medical insurance policy here in Brazil. I am reading up on my group insurance and I have a question about precertification.
What must I do before a hospital admission or surgery, Doug?
Great question, Paul. Yes, pre-certification is required for hospital admissions and all surgeries. Prior to receiving treatment, you or a medical provider need to contact your international medical insurance to Pre-certify your treatment.
The pre-certification process helps determine in advance whether a medical procedure, medical treatment, or medical service will be covered under your global employer medical insurance policy.
Here in the U.S., via our domestic medical insurance company like mine here in Arizona, handles the precertification process with my medical provider, Paul. Thus, I and most Americans with a U.S. domestic insurance plan do not see this process happening. However, with international medical insurance plans, like your employer group medical insurance, you will have to take a more active role as the policy holder, Paul, and make sure you or your medical facility gets the precertification completed.
Key notes – please remember Paul –
- Precertification is not a verification of benefits or a guarantee of payment.
- Precertification is only to confirm that the treatment is medically necessary.
- There could be a reduction in benefits if there is no precertification.
Good Neighbor Insurance, here in Gilbert Arizona, is dedicated to helping you understand and use your global insurance benefits to their highest potential, so you can stay protected through all of your international adventures.
Change is always in the air! Check out our global health insurance options on our web page at https://www.gninsurance.com for the most up-to-date information on your global medical insurance –
- or call us at 480-813-9100
- or email us at [email protected]
Your GNI team here in Gilbert Arizona, wishes you all safe and awe-inspiring expatriate travels!
Understanding my Explanation of Benefits (EOB)
Doug, my wife Luna and I are enjoying our early morning coffee here on the coast of East Java, Indonesia and were looking at our Explanation of Benefits that we downloaded from our global insurance web portal. Both Luna and I think we need couple more cups of coffee, maybe more, to make sense of our EOB. Or maybe our coffee is too strong causing us to be cross-eyed. Can you help give us a rundown of the different parts of what is on a typical EOB, Doug?
Kyle, you and Luna are feeling the same challenges I had when my wife and I stopped glancing and really going line by line of our own Explanation of Benefits. It is quite daunting for sure! But we sure can help. Let’s do it this way, Kyle and Luna. I have an Explanation of Benefits here on my desk. Let me go over it line by line. Now not all EOB’s will be this extensive, but this will give you some great information to work through your Explanation of Benefits.
Let me grab another great cup of Sumatra coffee, Kyle and Luna. Oh, by the way, I was born and raised in East Java and spent my childhood on the island of Madura, East Java and Jakarta and know all about great Indonesian coffees. I know there are other great coffees throughout the world, but I really enjoy every drop of my morning Aceh coffee here in Arizona with my wife.
Now, let’s dive into all the exciting parts of an Explanation of Benefits form, Kyla and Luna.
- Your Explanation of Benefits is a summary of how an insurance company shows how your claim or claims were processed.
- Please keep in mind that actual Explanation of Benefits (EOBs) may vary depending on the type of medical facility you have visited.
Here are 28 key parts and what most Explanation of Benefits form will have for you to view.
- Your international medical insurance sends a claim statement anytime they process a claim, which is the EOB form. This includes the name and address of the insured member, patient, or alternate payee. This document details how the benefits cover the cost of a service of a medical provider and what is owed by the patient. Please realize, Kyle and Luna, that the EOB is not a bill.
- The customer service information area shows
- date that the EOB was prepared
- contact information of your international insurance customer service department
- Member ID number – this is the identification number that your international insurance uses to keep track of member’s claim activity in their claims system.
- Claim number – this number is assigned by your global insurance claims system when the claim is processed.
- Date of service – the date(s) the member received treatment
- Service code – the type of services or products the members received from the medical provider
- Total charge – the full amount billed by the medical provider to the insurance policy.
- Not covered – the portion of the total charge that was not covered or eligible for payment under the insurance policy.
- Reason code – a code that corresponds with the remark code description
- Discount amount – the amount saved by using an in-network medical provide
- Covered by your insurance policy – the portion of the charges eligible for benefits
- Less deductible – the deductible is the amount for which the policy holder is responsible during each period of coverage
- Less copay – a set amount that the policy holder pays for certain covered services, such as office visits or prescriptions. Copays are usually paid at the time of service.
- Amount subject to coinsurance – the total benefit amount subject to coinsurance
- Paid at – the actual coinsurance percentage
- Less patient share of coinsurance – the amount of the policy holder’s share of the coinsurance
- Payment amount – The amount paid by the insurance policy for each claim line.
- Column totals – the total of each of the columns
- Total policy holder’s / patient’s responsibility – total amount that the member is responsible for paying after the insurance benefits have been applied.
- Other credits or adjustments – any adjustments, credits, or previous payments applied
- Total payment – the total amount paid by your insurance policy.
- Service code description – an explanation of the procedure (service) codes listed on the claim. These codes describe the services that were rendered by the medical provider.
- Remark code description – an explanation of the remark code used on the claim
- Additional information – applicable appeal language / and / or general information
- Copy of the front of the voided check image
- Copy of the back of the voided check image
- Payment details – explains to whom the payment was issued, the check / wire number and amount.
- Accumulators / amount – amount applies to deductible or out-of-pocket amounts.
We hope this has helped, Kyle and Luna. Please keep in mind that this information may change due to updates on software and U.S. federal laws that may change the look and feel of the EOB.
Change is always in the air, Kyle and Luna! So please check our web site at https://www.gninsurance.com for the most up-to-date global medical insurance information –
- or call us at 480-813-9100 here in Gilbert, Arizona, USA
- or email us at [email protected]
We wish you both, Kyle and Luna, a spectacular rest of the year!
Do I have vision benefits on my international employer group medical insurance?
Both Sophia and I are going to head over to India as expats working for a global social good organization, Doug. Can you give us a run-down on vision benefits of a typical international employer group insurance, Doug?
That is a great question, Casper and Sophia. I sure can help.
Some global employer group insurance plans have vision benefits included in their policy while others do not.
- Regardless of vision benefits, all of our employer group medical insurance does have coverage for medical conditions related to your eyes, such as cataracts or macular degeneration.
- Please consult your schedule of benefits for your vision benefits, Casper and Sophia, when you know which global employer group insurance you will be going on.
Do keep in mind, Casper, that some employer group insurance plans do not have any vision benefits while others only cover for eye exams. Then there are some insurance plans that only cover eye exams for children under five.
Casper and Sophia, if you do have vision benefits on your global employer group insurance, please check for how often you can use this vision benefit.
- Some insurance plans allow you to use this benefit once per year.
- Others only allow every 24 months to use this vision benefit.
- Some international employer group insurance plans have a full 12- or 24-months waiting period before for your vision benefits to start or before you are eligible to use them a second time. If you do not follow that waiting period, your vision claim may be denied and you will have to pay out of your own pocket.
One last thing, Casper and Sophia –
- Most vision benefits limit the maximum dollar amount that you can be reimbursed for materials this includes contacts, frames and lenses.
- The global insurance plan may only allow a single claim during that time period, so please be sure to use the full dollar benefit in the initial claim.
Change is always in the air, Casper and Sophia! So please check our web site at https://www.gninsurance.com for the most up-to-date global medical insurance information –
- or call us at 480-813-9100 here in Gilbert, Arizona, USA
- or email us at [email protected]
We wish you both, Casper and Sophia, a spectacular time as global expats in India!
Top 5 things to remember when you start your international employer medical group insurance
Bintang and Olivia called us at our Good Neighbor Insurance Arizona office last week and had a great question on their international employer group insurance, https://www.gninsurance.com/group-health.
Doug, we are headed to Liberia in a few days serving at an international school as math teachers. We just received in the mail all of our global employer group insurance from our home office here in Florida. Can you provide us a list of the key things we need to keep in mind while we are overseas for the next 3 years when it comes to our international medical insurance?
Bintang and Olivia, that is such a great question! I sure can help. But first, how exciting to teach math at the international school. I was blessed to be able to attend and graduate at the Jakarta International School (https://jisedu.or.id) in Jakarta, Indonesia back in the 80s. I still remember many of my amazing teachers at JIS after all these years!
Now back to the exciting world of global medical insurance! Here is a 5 item list our GNI employer group department team has created that we recommend you both keep in mind maximize your global employer group medical insurance.
One of the most important things to do when you start your new international medical insurance policy is print your medical ID cards.
- Your ID card holds important information like your insurance policy number and emergency phone numbers.
- It is also a good idea to give a copy of your ID medical cards to a family member or friend.
- Oh, and one more thing about your ID cards, Bintang and Olivia. You will also see your U.S. PPO network is stated on your ID card.
Second on our list is your member portal. It is really the center of all your international employer group medical insurance information, Bintang and Olivia. Your member portal allows you to do many things such as –
- Review your global insurance benefits
- Print or email your medical ID cards
- Allow you to pre-certify a medical procedure
- It is your claims center which allows you to send medical claims to your global insurance company
Your member portal also allows you to –
- See your medical claims in queue
- Grab your EOBs (Explanation of Benefits) once each of your medical claims has been completed.
- Print or email to you your visa letter if the Liberian government requires this
- Update your contact information like your emails, home address in the U.S. and even your Liberian mailing address.
- And there is so much more you can do on your international medical insurance member portal, Bintang and Olivia. Do check it out and if you have any questions, please connect with me or one of our GNI group department team members.
Another key part when starting your global employer group medical insurance, Bintang and Olivia, is to become familiar with the benefits of your insurance policy. Your member portal will have all your insurance benefits at a glance. Here are two things you want to keep in mind when it comes to your insurance benefits, Bintang and Olivia –
- Your benefits summary will mention what your deductible and medical maximum are.
- Also, you will find your medical benefits that are covered or may be excluded on your policy.
Next to last, if you are receiving medical treatment here in the U.S., it is good to know who is the preferred provider network for your global medical insurance policy. As mentioned earlier, Bintang and Olivia, you can usually find this information on your ID medical card and also find this information on your member portal. Getting treatment within the PPO network here in the U.S. can save you money, as your deductible and co-insurance may be lower.
Lastly, Bintang and Olivia, always know that Good Neighbor is here to serve you!
- We are happy to answer any questions regarding your global employer group insurance policy, whether it be about plan benefits or how to submit claims.
- We are in the office from 8:00am – 4:00pm Arizona time on business days.
- You may call us at 1-480-813-9100 or we can set up a zoom or skype meeting.
- We also respond to emails within 24 business hours.
Change is always in the air! Please check out our global employer group medical insurance options on our web page at https://www.gninsurance.com/group-health for the most up-to-date information on your international insurance –
- or call us at 480-813-9100
- or email us at [email protected]
Your GNI team here in Gilbert Arizona, wishes you both safe and awe-inspiring expatriate travels in Liberia and beyond, Bintang and Olivia.
Top 8 things to remember before, during, and after going to your medical appointment when you are on your global employer group medical insurance
Benjamin and Isabella called us at our Good Neighbor Insurance Arizona office a few days ago and had a great question on their international employer group insurance, https://www.gninsurance.com/group-health.
Doug, we live in Indonesia and are visiting in the U.S. this summer. We are taking our twins to see a medical doctor here in Texas. Can you give us guidance on the things we need to keep in mind when visiting a medical provider when it comes to our international employer group medical insurance?
I sure can, Benjamin and Isabella. This is a really good question and as the saying goes, “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
Let’s divide this up in a three-part answer, Benjamin and Isabella.
- Three things you should do before going to your medical appointment
- Four things you should do when you are at your medical appointment
- One thing, and a very important thing you should do after your medical appointment.
Here are three things you should do before going to your medical appointment
First –
- Log into your member portal account.
- Here you can find a medical doctor near you who is in-network when you are in the U.S. When your medical doctor is in-network, you only will have a co-pay or at last the doctor visit charge will be discounted.
- When you are outside the U.S., you may use any western style medical doctor.
Second –
- If you are having a medical procedure done, please check that this is covered by your global employer group medical insurance, Benjamin and Isabella.
- You can do this by reading your insurance benefits on your member portal or have your medical provider do a pre-authorization here in the U.S. In the U.S., your medical facility will handle this but when outside the U.S. you will have to send the pre-authorization (filled out by your medical provider) to your global insurance company.
- Side note – Not all medical visits have to have a pre-authorization form filled out. You will be able to see what medical procedures need this when reading your schedule of benefits on your member portal. It does take a few hours to a couple days (if it is not an emergency) for the pre-authorizations form to be completed by your global insurance company.
- Your medical doctor’s office will be able to help you find out what amount of your visit charge is your responsibility.
Third –
- If you need help making these pre-authorization arrangements, please call the phone number on your medical ID card to connect with your global insurance company.
- You can also email your questions (quicker answer usually if you go through your member portal) to your international insurance company.
- If you are unable to connect with your global insurance company, please connect with us at [email protected] with exactly what you are wanting to pre-authorize and we will forward your request to your global insurance company and have them connect directly with you, Benjamin and Isabella.
Here are four things you should do when you are at your medical appointment
First –
- Make sure you have your insurance ID card to give to the medical office staff so they can follow up with your global insurance company and verify that the correct payments are made.
- When in the U.S., make sure you show the back of your medical ID card too since your in-network (not on all but with most international insurance companies) information is located there.
Second –
- It is always a good practice to review again with your medical provider to confirm the expectations for what will be done.
- Do check if your medical provider has set up direct-pay with your group medical insurance company and if needed, received the pre-authorization for the procedure.
Third –
- Be pro-active! Don’t be afraid to ask questions to your medical provider and their staff, verify information, make sure you understand everything clearly.
- Please tell your medical provider of any other medications you are taking, any other treatments you have had so they can get a complete picture of the best way to take care of you. Your medical provider owes you their expertise and time, and you need to take advantage of that to know that your health and well-being is on the right track.
Fourth – Even though you probably already do this, Benjamin and Isabella, it never hurts to mention it again. Make sure you understand any follow-up medical procedures that may be required.
Here is one thing you should do after your medical appointment. There is only one thing to do, but it is very important, Benjamin and Isabella –
- For medical appointments outside the U.S., please submit your claim to your global insurance company, along with any necessary documents or invoices from your medical provider, pharmacy, etc.
- Information on the form should include at least this information – date of service, name of provider, services render, and diagnosis.
- This is key, Benjamin and Isabella, when overseas, please submit your claim form as soon as possible. In any case no later than 180 days after the service date. The sooner the better!
- Your medical facility outside the U.S. should be sending in their forms to your group medical insurance company too. Your insurance company will need both you and your medical doctor to send in those claim forms.
- If you are seeing a medical provider in the U.S., you do not usually have to send in your claim forms. Your medical provider should do that.
- However, if never hurts to still send in your claim form to your global insurance company.
- We have noticed here at Good Neighbor, since our founding in 1997, that medical providers do forget to send in claim forms or have not sent in complete claim form information.
- As that wonderful saying goes – “an ounce of prevention is worth a pound of cure.”
That should answer your question, Benjamin and Isabella. But always know that Good Neighbor is here to serve you!
- We are happy to answer any questions regarding your global employer group insurance policy, whether it be about plan benefits or how to submit claims or any other administrative question you may have.
- We are in the office from 8:00am – 4:00pm Arizona time on business days.
- You may call us at 1-480-813-9100 or we can set up a zoom or skype meeting.
- We also respond to emails, [email protected], within 24 business hours.
Change is always in the air! Please check out our global employer group medical insurance options on our web page at https://www.gninsurance.com/group-health for the most up-to-date information on your international insurance –
- or call us at 480-813-9100
- or email us at [email protected]
Your GNI team here in Gilbert Arizona, wishes you both safe and awe-inspiring expatriate travels in Indonesia and throughout, Benjamin and Isabella.
And as many Indonesians like to say at the end of their meeting – Terima kasih dan sampai jumpa lagi!