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Learn About UsExpatriate Health Plan FAQs
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Who is eligible to buy an essential long-term expatriate plan?
For Essential:
You must meet only one of the requirements below:
All U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents living abroad who are 74 or younger at the time of application are eligible to apply for coverage or;
All legal residents of the U.S.(citizens and foreign nationals) who are age 74 or younger at the time of application are eligible;
An employee of a U.S. company, whereby the company is domiciled in the U.S. and the company pays the insurance premium.
For Select:
You must meet only one of the requirements below:
All U.S. citizens and U.S. permanent residents living abroad who are 64 or younger at the time of application are eligible to apply for coverage or;
All legal residents of the U.S.(citizens and foreign nationals) who are age 64 or younger at the time of application are eligible;
An employee of a U.S. company, whereby the company is domiciled in the U.S. and the company pays the insurance premium, and;
you must be continuously enrolled in a U.S. primary health plan.
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Why would I want this insurance if the country I am going to offers me National Health Insurance?
National or Public Health Insurance can be very different to what most Americans are used to and can be of limited service for mobile citizens. Many public plans offer less in terms of medical services than what is covered under a private plan. In particular, public plans generally only cover you in your host country or region. For an expatriate that travels for business or returns home throughout the year, benefits stop at the border. When covered under a national plan you may not have access to the leading private facilities or specialists. You may experience different treatment protocols or long waiting periods for elective surgeries. It is unlikely you will be covered for medical evacuation benefits under a public health plan. With us you are covered all around the world with comprehensive coverage and access to the best treatment options. If you select one of our plans with the US coverage area, you are free to return home for treatment and to convalesce. You can also keep the coverage for up to 9 months upon repatriation, guaranteeing future insurability.
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Am I guaranteed to be issued an expatriate policy if I apply?
No, this plan is not a guaranteed issue plan. Each application is medically underwritten. Your application may be 1) accepted, 2) denied or 3) (for Essential only) accepted with a rate increase due to your health status.
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Is the quote I receive binding?
No, the quote you receive is not binding. The quote you receive may not apply if 1) you provided us with an inaccurate zip code, 2) you misstated a material fact on your application, or 3) (for Essential only) we increase the rate due to your health status.
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When determining a rate while overseas, what zip code should I use?
Policies for U.S. citizens residing overseas are issued through the Global Citizens Association office in Washington D.C. The zip code that applies is 20036. Please enter "20036" or "0" in the quoting tool if applying online while living overseas.
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How long will the medical underwriting process take?
The underwriting time frame depends on the medical history listed on the application. Also, Select applicants are eligible for a shortened application process. Turnaround for both plans can be as quick as one day or as long as one month. Our commitment is to respond to a submission in writing within 2-3 business days. This may mean that we notify the applicant that he/she erroneously missed a question on the application form. For the Essential plan, we may send a request for additional information to the applicant, such as a specific medical questionnaire, or occasionally we have to obtain medical records from hospitals or providers. Our turnaround time in these situations will depend on how quickly the provider responds to our request.
If we receive the application before the requested effective date, we can honor the effective date even if the approval comes through thereafter.
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Once I'm approved for coverage do I have to go through medical underwriting again?
You do not need to go through medical underwriting when you re-enroll into your current plan design without changes. You may be medically underwritten again if you decide to select different benefits (see below). Plan changes can only be requested at time of re-enrollment.
If a member would like to increase benefits (by lowering the deductible or adding pharmacy coverage) they must complete a new underwriting application. If a member would like to reduce their benefits, they do not need to complete a new underwriting application.
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How do I calculate out of pocket expenses and the annual limit?
Out-of-pocket expenses are defined as the expenses a member incurs when satisfying the plan's deductible and coinsurance requirements. The total annual out-of-pocket expense limit is calculated by adding the deductible and coinsurance maximum together. Deductibles must be satisfied before most benefits are paid.
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How are the deductible and coinsurance calculated for families?
Deductibles are per person deductibles. For a family, the maximum deductible is increased by a factor of 2.5., regardless of the size of the family.
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Will my policy automatically renew? At what rate?
You can re-enroll in a Essential policy up to age 84 and a Select policy up to age 64. The policy does not automatically renew upon your request. You will be notified of your new plan rate at least 30 days prior to your policy expiration date. You must confirm your new policy rate in writing or by accepting the rate when logged in to our secure website. Plan rates are based on age at time of enrollment and are impacted by medical inflation. You will not be asked any medical questions and your personal health history will not determine your new rate. Long-term expatriate plan rates are standard rates for all re-enrolling members.
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When does my coverage end?
We may terminate your policy if:
- You no longer meet the eligibility requirements
- You fail to pay your premium
- We discover that you committed fraud or misrepresented a material fact to us
- We terminate the plan in your geographic service area
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Will my pre-existing condition be covered under this plan?
If you were previously covered by a group or individual U.S. health plan that issues you a Certificate of Creditable Coverage, We will apply this prior coverage to the pre-existing conditions waiting period, provided you meet our medical underwriting criteria. Note on Select option: you need to stay continuously enrolled under a U.S. primary health plan to meet the eligibility requirements. We will also consider private health insurance issued in other countries as creditable coverage. There are several reasons why coverage would not be considered creditable: 1) The medical benefits are too low 2) We do not consider National or Public Health Insurance as creditable coverage 3) There is a time lapse where there was no coverage up until your effective date of your new plan.
The number of months of coverage shown on the Certificate will reduce or eliminate the six month pre-existing condition waiting period. If you have six or more months of creditable coverage, your waiting period will be eliminated. If you have less than six months creditable coverage, your waiting period will be reduced by the number of months you had creditable coverage. For example, if you have two months of creditable coverage, your waiting period will be reduced from six months to four months.
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How do I access participating medical providers outside the U.S. and avoid claim forms?
Our Global Health and Safety services help members identify, access, and pay for quality healthcare all over the world. This includes a contracted community of elite providers in 180 countries. Members can access these carefully selected providers and arrange for the bills to be sent directly to us for payment as follows: go to www.hthtravelinsurance.com and click on "Member Login" then click on "Register Here". After registering, you are able to create a Well Prepared profile and use the related web tool to request an appointment with the participating provider. We will automatically arrange for direct settlement of the bill for this visit. Please note, direct billing may not be available everywhere.
Direct billing can also be requested by calling the assistance telephone number listed on your member ID card, or by emailing globalhealth@hthworldwide.com. Please note that in the U.S. a member can simply show their ID card at time of service and participating providers will only bill the member for any required deductible or co-payment.
A claims instruction page is available online and can be accessed by visiting www.hthtravelinsurance.com and selecting "Contact Us" from the top right navigation bar. Claim forms are downloadable from this section of the site as well.
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I purchased a plan, but would like to cancel my insurance prior to its expiration. Is there an enrollment minimum? Will I have to pay any cancellation fees?
At the time of enrollment, most HTH plans have a 6 month enrollment minimum. However, customers are not locked into a contract. HTH understands that life plans change, therefore we allow our members to cancel any month they choose with no cancellation fees or penalties. All cancellation requests must come from the primary insured and be received by HTH in writing to C/o HTH/Enrollment Dept, 933 First Ave, King of Prussia, PA 19406, via email at enrollment@hthworldwide.com or fax at 610-293-3529. HTH does not refund premium for a partial month. Retroactive cancellations are not permitted.
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Are acts of terrorism covered under this plan?
Yes. These plans do not exclude illnesses or injuries related to terrorism or a terrorist act. In order to be covered in countries where there are open hostilities, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, a member must not be engaged in hostile or combative activities.
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How does the optional pharmacy benefit work?
These plans include a basic prescription drug benefit. The basic prescription drug benefit covers inpatient drugs up to policy maximum and is subject to the plan deductible and coinsurance. It also covers outpatient drugs at 50% up to a $500 annual limit. This outpatient drug benefit applies to drugs purchased outside of the U.S. An optional prescription drug benefit is available for purchase. This offers a higher limit than the basic drug benefit and is not subject to a deductible.
The option prescription drug benefit for the plan is $3,000 (80% of actual charges) per year and includes access to drugs everywhere, except U.S.
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How are medical evacuation decisions made?
The evacuation benefit pays for a medical evacuation to the nearest Hospital, appropriate medical facility or back to the U.S. Transportation must be by the most direct and economical route. All evacuations require written certification by the attending physician that the evacuation is medically necessary.
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How do I qualify for maternity benefits?
For Essential:
After 364 days of continuous coverage, long-term expatriate members are eligible to enroll in a new plan that covers maternity costs in the same way as all other conditions. Members do not need to submit a new health statement.For Select:
You are eligible for the maternity upgrade at the time of enrollment. Higher rates apply and you must stay continuously enrolled under a U.S. primary health plan. -
What medical benefits does the Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits cover?
A rider is a provision of an insurance policy that adds to or amends the coverage or terms. The Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits is intended to provide temporary medical coverage for illnesses or medical emergencies that may occur while a member is travelling temporarily in the United States. Temporary visits to the U.S. are limited to a combined maximum of 3 Trips per Calendar Year with a maximum trip length of 21 days for each Trip. For a full list of available benefits, view here. (LINK TO PDF OF FULL LIST OF BENEFITS WHEN AVAIL WITH UTM)
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What is the difference between the Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits and Xplorer Premier plan?
The Xplorer Premier plan is a comprehensive plan that covers your medical needs inside and outside of the United States. The Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. benefits is intended to provide temporary medical coverage for illnesses or medical emergencies that may occur while member is travelling temporarily in the U.S. Temporary visits to the U.S. are limited to a combined maximum of 3 Trips per Calendar Year with a maximum trip length of 21 days for each Trip. For more information, view the PDF NAME. (LINK TO COMPARATIVE PDF WITH UTM)
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Is there a maximum medical deductible per year for the Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits?
For an individual, the medical deductible allotted per calendar year is whichever is the greater amount - either $1,000 or 2 times the deductible amount shown in the Xplorer Essential Confirmation of Coverage Page as selected by the Eligible Participant. The family maximum is 2.5 times the individual deductible.
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What is considered a temporary visit to the U.S.?
Temporary visits to the U.S. are limited to a combined maximum of 3 trips per calendar year with a maximum trip length of 21 days for each trip.
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What is considered an "illness" versus a "pre-existing condition" as it relates to the Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits benefit?
The terms "illness" and "pre-existing condition" have specific meanings under the Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits.
"Illness" is a sickness, disease, or condition that occurs after the plan's start date and is likely to significantly worsen during the member's time in the U.S., such that treatment is needed before the member concludes their scheduled trip or leaves the U.S.
"Pre-Existing Condition" means an illness, disease or other condition of the member, that in the 24 month period before the trip to the U.S.:
1) first appeared, worsened, became acute or presented symptoms causing the member to seek diagnosis, care or treatment; or
2) required taking prescribed drugs or medicines, unless the condition for which the prescribed drug or medicine is taken remains controlled without any change in the required prescription; or
3) was treated by a doctor or had treatment recommended by a doctor. -
Does the Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits pay for benefits related to pre-existing conditions?
The Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits will pay for covered medical expenses incurred in connection with the member's pre-existing condition up to a maximum benefit of $500.
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Are prescription drugs purchased while in the U.S. covered under the Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits?
Prescription drugs related to emergency medical care, illness and accidental injury conditions are covered 100% of the actual cost (no deductible) with a maximum benefit of $1,000 per calendar year and maximum supply of 30 days per covered prescription. For pre-existing conditions, a limitation does apply.
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If I opt into the Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits and I need to seek medical treatment while temporarily in the U.S, what do I need to bring with me to the hospital or doctor? Will the facility recognize my GeoBlue member card?
In the event of illness during a temporary visit to the U.S., members with the Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits are encouraged to have their GeoBlue member ID card and government-issued identification on hand.
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Is there additional documentation needed to file a claim for benefits under the Xplorer Essential with Basic U.S. Benefits?
To complete claims processing, additional documentation may be requested to file a claim for benefits:
1) Trip itinerary showing the length of trip which may include but is not limited to:
a) Copies of transportation tickets
b) Copies of visa or passport stamps showing entry and exit to/from the U.S.
c) Any other documentation requested to validate the maximum number of trips taken to the U.S. and/or the maximum length of any one specific Trip
2) Medical records if covered medical treatment is related to a pre-existing condition as requested
3) A complete claim form -
The Select plan requires a U.S. primary health plan. What constitutes a U.S. primary health plan?
A Primary Plan is a Group Health Benefit Plan, an individual health benefit plan, or a governmental health plan designed to be the first payor of claims for an Insured Person prior to the responsibility of this Plan. The plan needs to be a renewable, major medical plan that is ACA compliant. (Medicare and Medicaid do not constitute primary health care for the Select plan.) Note: Most individual health insurance policies explicitly require that you meet the ongoing eligibility criteria for the policy. Eligibility sometimes hinges upon being a resident or living in the plan service area. Definitions can vary but if you no longer reside, live or work in the service area your coverage may terminate after 60 days or based on the last billing cycle in which your eligibility changed. It is recommended that you thoroughly review your primary plans certificate of insurance to fully understand the type of coverage offered when you are out of your service area.
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What is the Global Citizens Association?
The Global Citizens Association (GCA) is a non-profit association located in Washington, D.C. serving the needs of the globally mobile with the goal of helping its members successfully pursue international living experiences through safe and healthy world travel that increase cross-cultural understanding.
Founded in 1994 to serve international students, the GCA has grown to encompass world travelers and expatriates in all corners of the globe. The Association has sponsored GeoBlue and affiliated insurance programs for travelers for more than 25 years and is organized as a not-for-profit corporation under the laws of the District of Columbia. More information can be found here: http://www.gcassociation.org. -
Do these plans meet the Affordable Care Acts requirement for Minimum Essential Coverage?
Essential and Select plans are designed for international living and do not provide Minimum Essential Coverage required under the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Select members must retain their U.S. domestic coverage in order to be eligible and may thereby satisfy the ACA individual mandate. There is no need to purchase a policy with Minimum Essential Coverage if you are outside the U.S. for 330 days or more in a calendar year.
These plans can be 1) accepted, 2) (Essential Plan only) accepted with a rate increase, or 3) denied based on the health history of the applicant(s). A waiting period for pre-existing conditions applies unless you have 6 months of prior creditable coverage.
Visit HTH Affordable Care Act FAQ's for more information.
- Does this plan meet all Schengen Visa requirements?
Yes, HTH plans meet all of the Schengen Visa requirements. If you will be traveling to any of the countries within the Schengen area and depending on your nationality, you may be required to show proof that your insurance plan has certain benefits. HTH can provide you with a Visa letter that you can use as proof to show the consulate that your policy meets all the Schengen visa requirements. The Visa letter contains all the specific wording the consulate is looking for.
The countries within the Schengen area requiring a short-stay visa and proof of insurance include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France and Monaco, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. See the most current list of countries within the Schengen area and find out which nationalities require a visa and Schengen travel health insurance.
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Where can I read the fine print?
To see plan definitions, limitations or to review a sample certificate visit: hthtravelinsurance.com/gl_citizen/cert_landing.cfm.