International Travel Medical Insurance Plans For Missionaries
Missionaries who travel overseas for business purposes need to purchase a suitable international health insurance plan before their travel. Domestic medical insurance plans do not provide comprehensive coverage outside the native land.
The insurance plans designed for the missionaries provide worldwide coverage for both US and non US citizens traveling outside their homeland. There are policies that are available for a period as little as 10 days and for up to a maximum of 2 years. For longer periods of time, there are plans that provide year long coverage.
Most long term international insurance policies restrict the amount of time spent in the US. However there are a few specific insurance plans that are tailored to the needs of missionaries and their families, and do not have this restriction.
International health insurance for missionaries offers a wide range of medical coverage benefits which includes doctor office visits, intensive medical care, local transport in the ambulance to the nearest medical set-up during emergencies, treatment of dental injuries which occur during the accident, emergency illness treatment with or without hospitalization, emergency evacuation, repatriation and reunion, accidental death benefits and return of mortal remains back to the homeland.
In case the missionaries purchase long term international missionary medical insurance plans, they might be eligible for coverage of pre-existing conditions, maternity and wellness after a specific pre-determined waiting period. Optional coverage for leisure sports, adventurous or hazardous activities are also available.
The effective date of the short term international missionary health insurance plans begins on the day the completed application form is received by the insurance provider along with the requested initial payment and the day the missionary departs from the native country. However, if a specific date is mentioned in the enrollment form, the effective date starts as mentioned in the application. Missionaries seeking for long term health insurance coverage should also submit a lengthy questionnaire along with the application form. Coverage period begins once the application is approved.
The international health insurance policy remains valid until the date requested at the time of application or the expiry of the insurance policy or upon the return of the missionary back to the country of citizenship, whichever event occurs earlier.
Short term missionary health insurance plans can be renewed on a monthly or a daily incremental basis. The request can be submitted online or in the form of a paper application. However, if the individual wants to renew for a period of less than 1 month, only online requests are accepted. In addition, a processing fee would be charged for the renewal process. Annual missionary insurance plans can be renewed as long as the insured wants to continue with the plan.
Ray Sondeo often writes about international insurance.
