Additional Resources for those adopting internationally or considering an intercountry adoption
The U.S. State Department advises ALL U.S. Citizens to check their domestic health insurance and purchase good supplemental international travel health insurance before traveling overseas.
Some countries require adoptive parents to remain “in-country” (a period of residence) between the time they appear before a judge to initiate the adoptive process and while waiting upon USCIS to complete their process and issue paperwork before returning home with their newly adopted children. In these cases, you may find it necessary to spend an extended period in the foreign country awaiting the completion of the foreign adoption. Both of the above emergency medical plans are also great plans for extended periods of time overseas, from a few days up to half a year abroad, and can be extended if necessary.
For any of the plans listed at https://www.gninsurance.com/travel/more-plans/international-adoption/, it is important that the adoptive child be traveling under their new name, with new travel documents, and as a U.S. citizen.
Again, we would like to emphasize that these international adoption plans are inexpensive travel insurance plans (for new medical conditions, unforeseen accidents and emergencies) and are not designed to pay for medical conditions your child may already have or be getting treatment for. This is especially important for new parents of adoptive children to understand since children adopted internationally often have preexisting conditions needing care. We understand. These plans do feature excellent medical coverage for evacuation, political evacuation and all other travel and medical benefits for the remainder of your time overseas until arriving safely home. For children on prescription medicine prior to adoption, we recommend purchasing a supply of medicine prior to leaving their country of origin, that will continue until your child is covered under your domestic health insurance plan. The local embassy should also be able to help advise you on medication allowed into the USA, when you see them regarding your international adoption papers and to apply for/pick up your child’s immigrant visa at the U.S. Embassy.
Additional Resources
http://www.babycenter.com/0_its-the-law-why-your-health-insurance-company-must-cover-you_1374162.bc
http://www.adoptingfamilyresources.com/adopting/adopting_health_insurance.htm
http://www.webmd.boots.com/children/guide/intercountry-adoption
http://travel.state.gov/content/adoptionsabroad/en/information-for-you/adopting-parents.html
Story on applying for new health insurance when adopting:
http://articles.chicagotribune.com/2012-09-20/business/ct-biz-0920-problem-dolezal-20120920_1_health-insurance-aetna-plan-costco-plan
Go Back To International Adoption Plans