Depending on what type of activities you plan on doing overseas, some people prefer to have travel insurance that covers virtually everything. The great advantage to this is a peace of mind knowing you and your loved ones are completely protected. I want to share with you why the GeoBlue Xplorer insurance plan is literally one of the best in the world!
GeoBlue Xplorer overseas medical insurance for expats is one of our top long-term international medical insurance plans here at Good Neighbor Insurance. Many of our clients who have secured this excellent insurance are families and individuals working and volunteering internationally. Some of them are missionaries and work with faith-based organizations and churches; others are volunteers with NGO’s and nonprofit organizations.
Up to age 74, this long-term plan will provide unlimited coverage anywhere around the world. There are no requirements for eligibility except that you must be outside the U.S. for at least three months in the first year of the policy.
Afterward, you can renew indefinitely, even if you move to the U.S.! The plan includes coverage for medical expenses such as hospitalizations, health check-ups and wellness, doctor visits, medical evacuation and more.
GeoBlue Xplorer offers two plans – the Premier plan and the Essential plan. The Premier plan covers you while you’re overseas and while you’re in the U.S.. The Essential plan only covers you while you’re overseas, but not while you’re in the U.S..
U.S. residents need to keep one thing in mind. If you move back to the U.S. on the Xplorer insurance coverage, the plan is not ACA (Affordable Care Act) compliant. International insurance does not have to comply with the ACA laws for U.S. health insurance. However, the Xplorer plan is as close to ACA compliant as an international insurance plan can be. Despite not being ACA compliant, you can still use the network (Blue Cross Blue Shield and Aetna) and any other medical providers, and be covered.
Benefits of the GeoBlue Xplorer Plan
But for now, let us name a few benefits that set this overseas medical insurance plan above the rest of the competition:
- Unlimited annual and lifetime medical maximum
- Deductible waived for office visits with doctors
- No waiting period or sublimit for preventative services
- Can be kept upon return home which offers unique portability. Thus, unlimited coverage in the U.S.
- Pre-existing conditions covered with creditable coverage. Or without creditable coverage will be covered after the sixth month on the policy.
- Illness and injuries related to terrorism are covered
You may read all about the GeoBlue Xplorer plan on our web page. The brochure and additional information will provide you all the benefits that you can receive on this expat career insurance plan. Our international insurance specialist will be glad to provide you with answers that you and your family deserve. Call us toll free at 866-636-9100 or via our Phoenix Metro office here in Arizona at 480-813-9100. You may also email us here at [email protected].
Frequently Asked Questions
Here are some FAQs and answers about the GeoBlue Xplorer plan that we get here at Good Neighbor Insurance.
Question 1: Are there waiting periods for preventative care or pre-existing conditions with the GeoBlue Xplorer plan?
Answer: 1: Waiting periods for certain benefits are common on other insurance plans. On the Xplorer plan, there is no waiting period for wellness benefits and preventative care. That includes things like yearly physicals, physician office visits, child immunizations, and unlimited well baby visits.
Pre-existing conditions have a 180-day waiting period. This means if you are approved and active on this insurance protection, after 180 days of continuous coverage, you can have coverage for any pre-existing conditions as any other illness. You also have the option to waive this specific waiting period with proof of prior creditable coverage.
Question 2: How do I qualify for maternity benefits on the GeoBlue Xplorer plan?
Answer 2: After 364 days of continuous coverage, GeoBlue Xplorer members are eligible to enroll in a new plan that covers maternity costs in the same way as all other conditions. Members do not need to submit a new health statement.
Maternity comes in the form of a rider, which you can add or remove at any renewal. You can get pregnant during your first year and add maternity coverage at renewal. Maternity can be added (or removed) at any renewal, whether pregnant or not.
Maternity benefits are covered as any other medical conditions, with no extra deductible. There is coverage for the first 31 days following birth for newborns, with or without maternity. When you go to add them to your policy, you can apply within the first 31 days from birth for automatic acceptance.
The same goes for adopted children. You can apply to add adopted children to your coverage within the first 31 days of adoption for automatic acceptance. The automatic acceptance is also with or without the maternity rider.
Question 3: Will my pre-existing condition be covered under a GeoBlue Xplorer plan?
Answer 3: If you were previously covered by a group or individual U.S. health plan that issues you a Certificate of Creditable Coverage, GeoBlue will apply this prior coverage to the pre-existing conditions waiting period. Provided you meet GeoBlue’s medical underwriting criteria.
GeoBlue will also consider private health insurance issued in other countries as creditable coverage. But, GeoBlue does not consider surplus lines insurance sold in the U.S. as creditable coverage.
The number of months of coverage shown on the Certificate will reduce or eliminate the six-month pre-existing condition waiting period. If you have six or more months of creditable coverage, your waiting period will be eliminated. If you have less than six months creditable coverage, your waiting period will be reduced by the number of months you had creditable coverage. For example, if you have two months of creditable coverage, your waiting period will be reduced from six months to four months.
Question 4: How does the optional pharmacy benefit work on the GeoBlue Xplorer plan?
Answer 4: The optional pharmacy benefit provides coverage inside the U.S. and a higher benefit limit outside the U.S.. GeoBlue offers members the convenience of a direct billing service inside the U.S. so the member is only responsible for co-payment at participating pharmacies. Most major pharmacies participate in this program administered by Universal RX.
Outside the U.S., members pay the pharmacy directly and then submit a claim to GeoBlue for reimbursement. The optional pharmacy benefit is not subject to the deductible or to the co-insurance on the plan. Within the U.S., members pay $10 for generic drugs and $25 for brand name medications. Members are also eligible to use the mail order pharmacy service.
Question 5: Are acts of terrorism covered under the GeoBlue Xplorer plan?
Answer 5: Yes they are. The GeoBlue Xplorer plan does not exclude illnesses or injuries related to terrorism or a terrorist act. In order to be covered in countries where there are open hostilities, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, a member must not be engaged in hostile or combative activities. If you are moving to or are in a country with a state department travel warning, contact your agent or GeoBlue to see if you are eligible to be issued a plan. Note: once issued, coverage is afforded to members in all countries.
Question 6: Are extreme sports covered under the GeoBlue Xplorer plan?
Answer 6: Included on this coverage is international extreme sports insurance. There are no exclusions regarding sports. However, some risky professions may be declined. One client I have worked with is using this same international protection to travel while he does surfing, scuba diving, and other international adventure sports.
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The GeoBlue Xplorer plan is remarkable health insurance overseas, and it works for many types of international travel! The insurance company that provides this phenomenal protection is a wonderful and dependable company with your wellbeing in mind. We thoroughly enjoy working with them and recommending their plans.
Good Neighbor Insurance provides international travel insurance to those traveling outside their country of resident/country of citizenship. Call one of our professional international travel insurance agents for a quote at 866-636-9100 or you may email us at [email protected].
Have amazing and safe travels!
