More on Medical Tourism Insurance

In the last few years there has been a rise in the number of insurance companies providing medical travel insurance.

It use to be that  medical tourism insurance was for the uninsured and the under-insured.  Medical tourism insurance is now being considered by such insurance industry giants  such as Blue Cross/Blue Shield,  CIGNA, Aetna, WellPoint, and Swiss Re . These companies state that they have either started or are considering pilot programs that will offer partial travel medical insurance. In recent years several self funded employers have implemented medical tourism such as Hannaford Brothers and others.

For instance, in 2009 Cigna International released a podcast about medical tourism and medical tourism insurance. Cigna wanted to help employers stay on top of global health trends and select an international coverage program for expatriate employees. You can go to the Cigna International's secure Web site and their podcast library  can be accessed from a computer or downloaded to an MP3 player.

“Cigna launched the podcast series to make it easier for employers to learn at their convenience about global health trends like medical tourism and pandemics, as well as to hear about Cigna’s capabilities to meet the health needs including the medical tourism insurance options of their workforce,” said Glenn Maykish, a senior director of sales and client management.

Small US companies as well as large have considered offering medical tourism options because the cost savings are up to 90% of the medical costs in the U.S., and they want to provide alternative choices for their employees, or/and they want to allow their employees from foreign countries  the option to receive medical care in their “home” country.

If you are considering medical tourism insurance an international insurance company most  have a bi-lingual or multi-lingual staff and on-site medical staff available 24 hours a day, 7 days a week for their policyholders for consultation and medical emergencies. These international companies also check the background of the medical institutions they use, so by paying a little extra you can rest assured that you will be going to a reputable hospital.

Medical Tourism Insurance and International Insurance Firms:

There are also numerous international insurance firms or country specific insurance companies that are accepted at a number of oversea medical facilities.

Allianz International Insurance

Allianz International Insurance is one of the largest insurance firms in the world. It provides services in 70 countries since 1980. Having a wide healthcare network, Allianz Insurance offers services for private healthcare insurance in 23 countries.

PPP Healthcare

PPP Healthcare is an international insurance firm and a  member of the Global Axa Group. With customer of 2,500,000. PPP Healthcare provides international healthcare services and consultancy for British citizens living or traveling abroad. Patients can receive treatment in all international hospitals contracted to PPP Healthcare. If you have PPP Healthcare, check with the hospital where you are considering surgery to see if the recognize PPP Healthcare medical insurance.

Danish International Health Insurance

The Danish International Health Insurance is an insurance firm for those who live internationally. Acıbadem Healthcare Group with a number of JCI accredited hospitals has been providing services to IHI insured patients who live or travel in Turkey .

Agis Ziekteokostenverzkeringen 

Agis Ziekteokostenverzkeringen is one of the largest insurance companies of Holland. The Acıbadem Healthcare Group of hospitals provides healthcare services to patients insured by Agis Ziekteokostenverzkeringen.

BUPA International, UK

BUPA International, UK is  the world's largest provider of international expatriate health insurance, offering quality individual and group medical cover whether you are in your home country or are an expatriate living and working abroad.

Another way of learning about what type of medical tourism insurance is accepted at various medical facilities is to go to a specific hospital's website. For instance.........

Below are the insurance companies that Hospital Clinica Biblica deals with:

-     Blue Cross Blue Shield
-    Cigna International
-     Aetna Global
-     United Health Care
-     Prudential
-     Humana
-     Secure Horizons
-     International Medical Group
-     Amedex
-     Bupa
-     CISI

OR
Below are the insurance companies that the Dr. Soliman Fakeeh Hospital Jeddah, Kingdom of Saudi Arabia accepts:

-     ACIG
-     Alico
-     Al Sagr Insurance
-     Arabian Malaysian Takaful Co
-     Arabian Shield Insurance
-     AXA Insurance
-     Bupa Middle East
-     CARS
-     Cumberland
-     Dallah
-     Globe Med Saudi
-     Gulf Union Insurance
-     Medgulf/Media visa
-     Mednet
-     NCCI
-     Saico
-     Saudi Continental Insurance Co
-     Saudi General Insurance
-     SAVE

If you already have insurance, but want to travel to a foreign country for a medical procedure, contact your insurance company to see if they would provide some sort of coverage.

US insurance, like Medicare, should be checked for the extent of its coverage, or the possibility of needing to buy any additional coverage.

Another type of medical tourism insurance offers protection for covered complications from your eligible scheduled medical treatment abroad. This comprehensive insurance solution is designed for individuals, employers, and facilitators. It provides valuable benefits to specifically meet the needs of the growing medical tourism marketplace. The Compass Benfits Group is one such company that offers this type of medical tourism insurance.

Unfortunately, finding and getting Medical Tourism Insurance is not necessarily going to be easy. Most dental and elective cosmetic procedures are not covered. However, the Medical  Insurance industry is recognizing the need for Medical Tourism Insurance and that will be to the benefit to all who are considering traveling abroad for a medical procedure.