What is BuyHealthPlan.com?
 Is BuyHealthPlan.com an Insurance Company?
 How Long Has BuyHealthPlan.com Been in Business?
 Why Should I Choose BuyHealthPlan.com Instead of Another Company?
 What are Pre-existing Conditions?
 What if I Have Pre-existing Conditions?
 Is There a Way for Me to See the Official Policy Wording?
 Can the Wording Be Changed?
 Will Terrorism Be Covered?
 What is a Deductible and Coinsurance?
 What is a Policy Period?
 What's the Difference Between a "Travel Caution" and a "Travel Warning"?
 Can I Cancel the Program Before I Take My Trip?
 How Soon is My Application Processed?
 What If I Have Lost an ID Card?
 What If I Need to File a Claim?
 What if I Have an Emergency?

What is BuyHealthPlan.com?

BuyHealthPlan.com is a life and health insurance agent licensed to do business in the State of California, USA.

Is BuyHealthPlan.com an Insurance Company?

How Long Has BuyHealthPlan.com Been in Business?

Since our inception in 1998, when we became one of the first online agencies, we've focused all efforts on specializing in the international marketplace and certain U.S. domestic products. As a result, we are one of the industry leaders and a respected name in the marketplace.

Why Should I Choose BuyHealthPlan.com Instead of Another Company?

We understand the purchase of insurance is serious business. As an insured, you pay a significant amount of your money toward insurance premiums. We understand this commitment on your part and we endeavor to provide a quality product and service to you. As an example, we offer only products from time-tested underwriters, many of whom have products are underwritten by insurance companies in the United States. We strive to provide friendly and personalized service and guide you through the process of selecting and purchasing an insurance product, and provide all necessary support afterward.

What are Pre-existing Conditions?

Each international medical program treats pre-existing conditions differently with one aspect in common: they are almost always a part of any program. Generally, pre-existing conditions are defined as medical conditions, medication, consultation, or treatment which existed or which were performed prior to the effective date of coverage (please read the actual exclusion in each program). The reason why pre-existing conditions are excluded is for convenience. Often, international programs are written for only a few months, so there isn't enough time to underwrite each applicant. Therefore, the coverage must exclude pre-existing conditions or otherwise medical coverage wouldn't be available.

Please note that there are certain international medical programs in which coverage for pre-existing conditions is possible. These plans are called worldwide medical programs and they are typically written only on an annual basis and are intended to cover the insured for years instead of only a few months. In addition, these plans might provide coverage in the insured's home country.

What if I Have Pre-existing Conditions?

By far, this represents our clients' greatest concern. Some of the plans have limited coverage for pre-existing conditions, others exclude pre-existing conditions altogether. If you currently have a specific condition for which you have seen a doctor, been consulted, or under medication, that condition is considered as a pre-existing condition and must be disclosed in the application process and might be excluded from the coverage. This includes conditions which are related to that condition (i.e. high blood pressure thereby causes a heart attack). Please refer to a specific plan information for details.

Is There a Way for Me to See the Official Policy Wording?

Of course. We would gladly request the most recent policy wording for the plan of your choice. This is the same information that you will receive along with your ID Card once you are accepted to a program. The information explains what to do if there is a claim, lists covered benefits, and details the exclusions.

Can the Wording Be Changed?

Unfortunately not. Other than the various benefit and rider options you see in each product's brochure, the plan's wording must remain as is. The reason for this is that they are official documents of the insurance company as well as the fact that the wording is filed with an appropriate Department of Insurance.

Will Terrorism Be Covered?

Terrorism has always been a justifiable concern for people traveling overseas. Since the tragic events of September 11th, 2001, this issue has become even more important. Most of offered programs have some mention of terrorism and/or war in the exclusions section. Unfortunately, with the constant change of conditions overseas, it is virtually impossible to specifically name the regions and areas to which terrorism applies. Please refer to a specific plan materials and a policy wording.

What is a Deductible and Coinsurance

Deductible? This represents the amount of eligible medical expenses that must be paid by the insured before the insurance company begins to reimburse for covered expenses (medical expenses, etc.). As an example, if you purchase a program with a $250 deductible and incur $500 of expenses, the insurance company will begin to reimburse for expenses after you have paid the initial $250 of medical bills. There are essentially two different kinds of deductibles, per-cause and per-policy period. A per cause deductible means that the insured must pay a new deductible for each separate incident (example: pay the deductible once for a car accident and then a second time for an appendix attack). A per-policy period deductible means that the insured must pay the deductible only once during the policy period (see policy period later).

Coinsurance? After you have paid the deductible, coinsurance is the percentage amount you must pay along with the insurance company. Typically, coinsurance is limited to a certain dollar figure and there is a maximum you will pay out of your pocket. Example: for programs with 80/20% coinsurance for the first $5,000, you will have to pay 20% of eligible expenses for the first $5,000 of expenses you incur after the deductible. Sample Situation: You have purchased a program with a $250 deductible, 80/20 coinsurance for $5,000 and have an accident in which $10,000 of medical expenses are incurred. You will be responsible for the first $250 of medical expenses plus 20% of the next $5,000 in expenses (in this case $1000) for a total of $1,250 of medical expenses. The insurance company will be responsible for $8,750.

What is a Policy Period?

Essentially, a policy period represents the amount of time you have purchased insurance. In international insurance, policy periods can be as short as 15 days and as long as 12 months. For example, if you complete an application and pay for 4 months of insurance, the policy period for that program will be 4 months. If it turns out that you require more than 4 months of insurance, you would have to complete another application and thus, a new policy period would begin. Important Note: some companies offer renewable international medical programs in which you can renew coverage under certain conditions. With this option, you can turn that 4 month policy period into an 8 month policy period. Be sure to look for this option if it is important to you. Rarely do policy periods extend beyond 12 months at a time.

What's the Difference Between a "Travel Caution" and a "Travel Warning"?

A Travel Caution occurs when the State Department advises the public to be careful and alert when traveling to a particular country or region. A Travel Warning is a specific declaration by the State Department that advises United States citizens to not travel to a country or region. There may appear to be little difference between the two terms, but each one means something entirely different.

Can I Cancel the Program Before I Take My Trip?

This depends on the type of the policy you have acquired. Many short-term travel policies cannot be cancelled because one of the reasons for buying such policies might be to protect you from a trip cancellation. Please refer to a specific policy wording or inquire insurance company.

How Soon is My Application Processed?

Having been in this business so long, we understand that our clients are under a tight schedule and require a rapid response. Most travel programs, if the application and premium are received by an insurer during business hours in their respective locations (time zones), will process your application that day. Long-term health plan applications may require up to two weeks to underwrite. It may take even longer, if an underwriter requests additional information from an applicant. Please feel free to contact us or a respective underwriter, if you need to check the status of your application.

What If I Have Lost an ID Card?

Not a problem. Please email us inform@buyhealthplan.com or a respective underwriter and provide your full name (the one that appears on your application), the type of program you purchased and your address of correspondence. Naturally, if you know your ID number, please send that information to us. We will request a new card and mail it to your address.

What If I Need to File a Claim?

Please contact your insurance company directly. BuyHealthPlan.com does not accepts claims or assists with their processing.

What if I Have an Emergency?

If you have an emergency situation while traveling outside your home country, please refer to the number on the back of your ID card. This is the number for the assistance company that is staffed 24 hours a day to properly serve you, the insured.