Pre-Existing Conditons

When you're a nomad living or traveling abroad, getting the right health insurance is vital. One important aspect to consider is how international health insurance deals with pre-existing conditions. In this blog post, we'll break down the two main types of health insurance for nomads: <u>Annual Major Medical Health Insurance</u> and <u>Short-Term Emergency Travel Insurance</u>. We'll also explain pre-existing conditions in a straightforward way.

First, let's clarify what pre-existing conditions mean in international health insurance: "These are medical conditions you already have received a diagnosis for before you get insurance."

Do Annual Insurance Providers Cover Pre-Existing Conditions?

Insurance providers for annual international nomad health insurance usually review your medical history before deciding whether to insure you. They might: 1. Approve your application as is. 3. Limit or exclude coverage for your disclosed pre-existing condition. 4. Add extra costs like higher premiums or deductibles to cover the risk of pre-existing conditions. 5. Sometimes, they might deny your policy.

Your specific situation determines the outcome, and you'll only know by applying and having your application reviewed.

Some insurance plans may provide limited coverage for pre-existing conditions, but there are usually restrictions to this coverage. This helps insurance companies manage their risks and costs linked to known medical conditions.

Additionally, some providers might grant coverage for pre-existing conditions after a waiting period, or if you already had a similar international insurance plan when you applied for the new one. However, the final decision lies with the insurer and their medical underwriters.

Pre-Existing Benefits for Short-Term Travel Medical Plans

Short-term travel insurance plans, which typically cover trips lasting from 5 days to 6 months (renewable for up to 2-3 years), often don't require you to go through a medical evaluation. However, they usually exclude coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Some plans might offer benefits if you suddenly experience an acute onset of a pre-existing condition while traveling, but you'd have to pay for your treatment upfront and then file a claim for reimbursement.

Acute Onset (or Recurrence) of a Pre-Existing Condition

Imagine suddenly experiencing a health issue related to a pre-existing condition, and it happens without any warning. This unexpected event is what we call the "acute onset or recurrence" of a pre-existing condition.

To be covered, this must occur after you've started your insurance policy and usually needs immediate attention, typically within 24 hours. It's crucial to remember that conditions that develop gradually or are chronic (ongoing), or have been planned for in advance, won't count as an acute onset.

Insurance Companies That Cover Pre-Existing Conditions

GeoBlue is an insurer that covers pre-existing conditions for USA passport holders who already have a primary health insurance policy or Medicare. If you don't have either of these, GeoBlue will cover your pre-existing conditions only for medical evacuation back to the USA.

Why Do Insurers Exclude Pre-Existing Conditions?

Insurers exclude pre-existing conditions because people with these conditions are considered higher risks, likely to generate more medical expenses than those without such conditions.

To manage these risks, insurers might limit benefits, raise premiums, exclude coverage entirely, or add clauses that specifically exclude certain pre-existing conditions while approving the rest of your application.

Understanding how international health insurance handles pre-existing conditions is crucial for nomads living or traveling abroad. It's important to research and compare insurance providers and policies to find the one that best suits your needs and provides sufficient coverage for your pre-existing conditions, if you have any. Always consult with insurance experts and carefully read policy documents to make informed decisions about your international health coverage.