Ask Doug – Questions and answers about expat medical insurance is a series of videos providing information on how to use your expatriate insurance best for you and your family.
Good Neighbor Insurance (GNI) provides international expatriate health insurance for those moving overseas or living internationally for 12 months or longer. We specialize in expat insurance for individuals and families moving abroad for work, social good projects, missions, entrepreneurship, choosing to live abroad, digital nomads, or retirement. We provide insurance solutions of all ages and nearly every destination.
We offer expatriate health insurance in addition to international term life insurance, travel insurance (for those going abroad less than 365 days), group team insurance, international employer group insurance, and nomad insurance as well as certain U.S. insurance benefits.
Our international insurance agents here in Gilbert, Arizona are here anytime you want to connect with them via email ([email protected]), phone (1-480-813-9100), or contact us (gninsurance.com/contact-us) for more detailed information on your expat medical insurance – https://www.gninsurance.com/health.
- Ask Doug – Should I apply for my expat insurance coverage to exclude the U.S?
- Ask Doug – Do all expatriate insurance options cover maternity benefits?
- Ask Doug – Does my expat medical insurance cover emergency medical evacuation?
- Ask Doug – I have received different expat health insurance quotes. Why are some company’s quotes so much higher than others?
- The GNI Difference: Real People. Real Service. Real Since 1997.
Ask Doug – Should I apply for my expat insurance coverage to exclude the U.S?
Ask Doug – Questions and answers about expat medical insurance is a series of videos providing information on how to use your expatriate insurance best for you and your family – https://www.gninsurance.com/health.
Question – I am a U.S. citizen, and I plan on being outside of the U.S. for more than two years without returning. Should I apply for my expat insurance coverage to exclude the U.S?
Answer –
- Although the choice is entirely up to you, we recommend including the U.S. when you are a U.S. citizen.
- In a worst-case scenario, if you are diagnosed with a serious medical illness, having U.S. medical coverage on your expatriate medical insurance will allow you to return home for medical treatment.
Question – Are expat medical insurance plans Affordable Care Act (ACA) compliant?
Answer –
- No. International medical insurance policies are not required to meet ACA requirements
- Therefore, each applicant will go through a thorough underwriting process.
- Acceptance on an international expatriate insurance plan is not automatic.
- Exclusions for medical pre-existing conditions may be added to an international medical insurance plan in order to issue new expat insurance coverage.
Ask Doug – Do all expatriate insurance options cover maternity benefits?
Ask Doug – Questions and answers about expat medical insurance is a series of videos providing information on how to use your expatriate insurance best for you and your family – https://www.gninsurance.com/health.
Question – Do all expat insurance plans cover maternity benefits?
Answer –
- No, not all international medical insurance plans will cover maternity benefits.
- Most of the more comprehensive international insurance plans will either include maternity coverage or will offer to add maternity coverage at the time of your annual renewal.
- All expat medical insurance plans that do offer maternity benefits will have a waiting period of 10-12 months.
- For expat insurance that includes maternity options please head over hear – https://www.gninsurance.com/health/maternity.
Ask Doug – Does my expat medical insurance cover emergency medical evacuation?
Ask Doug – Questions and answers about expat medical insurance is a series of videos providing information on how to use your expatriate insurance best for you and your family – https://www.gninsurance.com/health.
Question – Does my expat insurance policy cover emergency medical evacuation?
Answer –
- Yes! All expat medical insurance options, that we offer through Good Neighbor, have coverage for emergency medical evacuation.
- Please check the summary of benefits on your international health insurance policy to know how much is covered on your emergency medical evacuation benefit.
Question – My date to depart my home country is not for another six (6) months. How soon should I apply for my expat medical insurance coverage?
Answer –
- Most expat insurance plans will only accept a new application thirty (30) days prior to your requested start date for your international medical insurance policy.
- Also, expat insurance plans usually will have a restriction on how much time is allowed in your home country prior to your departure.
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Ask Doug – I have received different expat health insurance quotes. Why are some company’s quotes so much higher than others?
Ask Doug – Questions and answers about expat medical insurance is a series of videos providing information on how to use your expatriate insurance best for you and your family – https://www.gninsurance.com/health.
Question – I received different international health insurance quotes. Why are some company’s quotes so much higher than others?
Answer –
- There are budget friendly expat insurance options, and then there are expat insurance options with more comprehensive medical benefits.
- The budget friendly expat insurance options will be more for new medical injuries and new medical illnesses.
- Whereas the comprehensive friendly expat insurance options will have extra medical benefits such as annual wellness checkups, maternity coverage, and longer time allowed for U.S. coverage, for example.
The GNI Difference: Real People. Real Service. Real Since 1997
In a world full of automated phone trees and AI chatbots, we believe something’s been lost: the human connection. At Good Neighbor Insurance, we don’t use machines to answer your calls. When you dial our number during business hours, a real person—one of our experienced team members in Gilbert, Arizona—will pick up the phone and say hello. No scripts. No robots. Just real help, from someone who cares!
Why? Because your global insurance needs deserve more than a prompt menu.
We’ve Built Our Business on Human Connection
Since 1997, we’ve been helping individuals, families, and organizations navigate the complexities of international insurance. Whether you’re living overseas, serving with a nonprofit abroad, heading on a short-term mission trip, or taking a once-in-a-lifetime adventure across the globe—we’re here to support you.
And when we say here, we mean it. We answer our phones right here from our office in Arizona. We read every email. We listen to your questions. And we do our best to provide personalized, trustworthy guidance—because that’s what we’d want if the roles were reversed.
What Makes GNI Different?
- No phone bots during business hours. Every call is answered by a GNI team member—not a machine.
- Human-first service. You’ll never be routed into an endless menu loop or told to “press 4 to speak with a representative.”
- Deep experience. We’ve been in this space for over 25 years, and we know how to help you navigate global medical, travel, and expat insurance. Our founder and his son have lived overseas for more than 30 years as expats themselves, so we understand firsthand the unique challenges and joys of international life. That perspective shapes everything we do—from the plans we recommend to the personal service we provide. You’re not just getting an insurance broker—you’re getting a partner who’s walked the same road.
- Personalized support. We work with individuals, small businesses, NGOs, and sending organizations to tailor coverage that fits real needs—not just checkboxes.
A Note From Doug
“When someone calls Good Neighbor, we treat that as a privilege. We’re not just selling global insurance—we’re serving you, our guest. And that begins with answering the phone with warmth, listening, and helping each caller as if they were our own family. That’s how we’ve done it since day one.”
—Doug Gulleson, Co-Owner
We’re Always Here to Help
So, the next time you need advice on international coverage, have a question about your policy, or just want to know what “emergency medical evacuation” really covers—you won’t get a bot.
You’ll get us. Your neighbors at GNI.
- Call us at 1-480-813-9100 (Gilbert, Arizona)
- Visit www.gninsurance.com
- Email us at [email protected] — we’re ready when you are.
Your GNI team here in Gilbert, Arizona, is thrilled to wish you and your loved ones a safe and exhilarating global journey!