Pre-Existing Conditions

At Worldwide Health Options we provide the best insurance plans available on the international market. However, it is important for all individuals considering obtaining an international health insurance plan to be aware that not all treatments and conditions are automatically covered under a policy.

This is especially true with regards to medical conditions that an individual has developed prior to enrolling in an international medical insurance plan. These types of conditions are referred to as “pre-existing” and most global health insurance policies will usually deal with them in one of four ways:

Exclusion
The most common way for a pre-existing condition to be handled on an international medical insurance plan is for the coverage of that condition to be excluded from the policy benefits. This means that the policy will not cover medical care, or treatments, for the condition or any related symptoms.

Moratorium
The second way that an expat health insurance plan can deal with pre-existing conditions is to place a moratorium, or waiting period, on the coverage. The moratorium will typically last for two years, and if the policyholder has not received any treatment for the condition (including doctors visits, prescribed medications, etc) or had any reoccurrences of the condition, then the condition may be reconsidered for coverage.

Coverage with Premium Loading
It may be possible, however, under certain circumstances and with certain pre-existing conditions to obtain coverage for a higher premium. Coverage with premium loading will not be applicable for all pre-existing conditions and most insurance companies will look at the merits of coverage on a case by case basis.

Medical History Disregarded (MHD)
The final way for a pre-existing condition to be handled under an international health insurance policy is by disregarding the policyholders medical history. This benefit is typically only available to groups with 20 or more members; however, under this benefit all pre-existing conditions, even maternity in some cases, can be covered. It is important to note that MHD is only available to large groups.

When applying for an international health insurance plan, you will be asked to complete an application detailing your medical history. It is important that you complete this accurately as the insurance company will take all the information you have supplied into consideration when underwriting your policy.

For more information about international health insurance plans and pre-existing conditions, Worldwide Health Options, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our dedicated insurance advisors today.