FEATURE ARTICLE
Global Medical Coverage Issues for International Transferees
TIPS & ADVICE
Choosing the Right Health Plan
PARTNER SPOTLIGHT
TIRA: The International Relocation Associates
PRODUCT SPOTLIGHT
Global Health Insurance
DID YOU KNOW
Clements Insight
ON A GOOD NOTE
A word from our clients
|||| Feature Article
Global Medical Coverage Issues for International Transferees by Yan Bui
Annette, an international school teacher, is vacationing on one of the Greek isles. She takes a ride on her moped along the scenic roads bordering the picturesque island shore. As the cool ocean breeze embraces her, Annette’s serenity is suddenly shattered when an oncoming car hits her. The emergency medical team arriving on the scene transports her by ground ambulance to the island’s doctor. Although the doctor is able to successfully stabilize her condition, he is unable to fully attend to her serious injuries, so she is medically evacuated to a hospital in Athens . The hospital’s medical staff is able to care for her injuries, but she must be sent to another hospital in her home country, which is better equipped to treat her extensive injuries. By the end, the cost of Annette’s ordeal totals nearly $60,000 (USD).
Though exceptional, Annette’s case underscores the importance of securing the appropriate health and medical coverage protection when an international transferee is living and working in a foreign country. According to the 2004 Global Relocation Trends Survey Report (co-sponsored by GMAC Global Relocation Services, the National Foreign Trade Council, Inc., and the SHRM Global Forum), health care coverage remains a top challenge for international transferees. Thus, relocation managers, corporate human resources managers, and other key personnel involved in the global moving process should adequately address the concerns of their international transferee in order to ensure a smooth transition process.
Today, international transferees have a variety of health care and medical plans from which to choose, and there are plans catering to short-term and long-term assignees. International medical plans are available on an individual or group basis. The sheer number of choices can make the task of finding and securing the appropriate health and medical protection plan daunting. However, there are useful tips, advice, and key points every international transferee should consider when choosing the health plan that is right for them and their family.
Coverage for emergencies
When living and working in a foreign country, the top concern for most international transferees is making sure they have emergency medical coverage for themselves as well as for their dependents. Emergency medical evacuation services include coverage for transport of injured individuals to the nearest medical facility by helicopter or ambulance. Emergency medical evacuation can cost at least $10,000 (USD) or more depending on the country from which the transferee is being evacuated.
Additional emergency coverages include emergency family reunion and repatriation of remains. Emergency family reunion allows a family member to be transported to the medical facility where the injured transferee is being treated. Repatriation of remains helps facilitate the transport of an individual’s mortal remains back to their home country. Both types of coverages are offered in some international medical plans, and international transferees should choose the options best suited for them.
Many international health insurance protection plans offer emergency medical evacuation and other health services, and limits can range from $50,000 to $5 million. International transferees should seek the appropriate level of coverage for them and their families.
Complete, worldwide coverage
One key requirement your transferee should consider when choosing an international medical insurance plan is complete and worldwide coverage. Some international medical plans do not provide coverage in all countries, thus exposing the transferee to certain risks and gaps in coverage. For example, if an international transferee like Annette is living and working in one country, but vacations in another, it is imperative that he or she is covered in both areas, and not just in the resident location. Many transferees travel back and forth between foreign countries, and their international medical plan should protect them wherever their travels take them worldwide.
Routine examinations and check-ups
While most international medical plans will provide coverage for emergency services, few will actually provide coverage for routine physical examinations, doctor’s visits, or dental check-ups. Many plans do offer accidental dental coverage as part of their international medical plans. For example, if an international transferee was to get into an accident, and he or she requires emergency dental treatment or procedures to restore dental health, most emergency medical plans will provide coverage. However, dental coverage for regular check-ups and routine teeth cleaning in most cases are excluded. Some plans will offer routine dental services as an option, which international transferees can choose to include at their discretion.
Although the types of international medical insurance plans will vary, international transferees should carefully examine the coverages that are important to them and their families. Doing so will ensure that they, their families, and their assets will be adequately protected during their stay overseas.
Reprinted with permission of The International Relocation Associates (TIRA), from the December 2004 Newsletter. For more information on TIRA, please visit their homepage at http://www.tiranetwork.com/
For more information on the importance of global medical insurance, please follow the link below to a recent article which appeared in the New York Times.
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Choosing the Right Health Plan.
One of the top concerns for expatriates moving overseas is securing the right medical and health care coverage for themselves and their dependents. When examining your international medical insurance options, keep in mind the following:
- Most domestic health plans do not provide emergency medical evacuation coverage, repatriation of remains, and/or emergency family reunion
- Local Government health plans in the new country of residence typically cover only basic medical needs
- Many local insurance plans do not offer worldwide coverage – be sure you choose medical insurance protection that will follow you wherever you go in the world (even back to your home country)
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The International Relocation Associates (TIRA)
Founded in 1985, The International Relocation Associates (TIRA) is an international network of established relocation professionals, with fifty offices around the globe serving more than 500 locations worldwide. Its members help single employees, families, and groups move internationally. TIRA members provide a variety of relocation and destination services, including:
- Fully furnished corporate housing for relocation
- Destination services, including pre-departure, home finding, and more
- Dual career assistance for trailing spouses or partners
- Global compensation and benefits programs
- International insurance, including homeowner’s, property, automobile, and health
- Immigration assistance such as documentation and in-country services
- Intercultural training to improve cultural understanding
- International human resources consulting
- International assignment tax services
- Language training
- And more…
Each TIRA member office is independently owned and operated, allowing them to offer unbiased advice when choosing the most appropriate solutions to suit their clients’ needs. TIRA members are also representatives of their local markets, thus providing an insider’s view on the area to which the transferee is moving. Members adhere to the high standards of service established by the network, and they are continually monitored and evaluated to ensure customer service excellence.
“Our members are carefully chosen by the network to ensure that our clients’ needs are met in strategic locations around the world,” says Craig Toedtman, President of TIRA’s Board of Directors. “TIRA members offer personalized services to clients, focusing on the individual needs of each transferee and their families.”
For more information about TIRA and its members, please visit their website at http://www.tiranetwork.com.
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Global Health Coverage
International expatriates seeking superior health insurance coverage while living and working abroad should ensure that the following types of benefits are included when choosing their plan:
- Emergency medical evacuation
- Emergency family reunion
- Repatriation of remains
- Hospitalization, physician, surgeon and specialist fees
- Annual physical examination
- Prescription drugs
- Comprehensive diagnostic and evaluation services
- Emergency dental treatment
- Incidental home country coverage
To determine the right level of protection for you and your family, please contact your dedicated Clements International representative today at +1(202) 872-0060 or via email at info@clements.com. Also visit on the web at http://www.clements.com/.
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We're Expanding... and Moving! ONE THOMAS CIRCLE, NW |
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Foreign Service Support |
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Supporting the International School Community
Clements International continues to support international school community by sponsoring and attending conferences associated with the International School Community. This fall we attended conferences on four continents:
- The Association of American Schools of Central America, Colombia, Caribbean and Mexico (Tri-Association) - San Jose, Costa Rica
- Near East South Asia School Conference (NESA) - Cairo, Egypt
- Association of International Schools of Africa (AISA) - Harare, Zimbabwe
- East Asia Regional Council of Overseas Schools (EARCOS) - Manila, Philippines
We would like to thank all of the school administrators and teachers who spent time with our representatives to discuss their insurance needs and for allowing us the opportunity to strengthen our commitment to the international school community.
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Here is what our clients have to say...
Dear Clements,
I would like to thank you for your prompt, professional attention to this claim. My policies have been with Clements since 1979 which attests to the fact that I very much value the company's integrity in honoring claims and resolving issues efficiently.
You reviewed each claim thoroughly, sought additional information where needed, and informed me within days that the two were… approved. Your client-friendly service is greatly appreciated and personifies the kind of service Clements International is known to provide.
Best Regards,
Foreign Service Member
Cairo , Egypt
Dear Clements,
I have used Clements for many years in quite a few countries. The process was always good, but this is the first time I have had to actually file a claim. I was most impressed with the speed at which it was processed.
Very Best,
U.S. Expatriate
Nairobi , Kenya
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