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Old Jan 31, 2019, 8:18 am
  #5  
Often1
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Join Date: Aug 2010
Location: DCA
Programs: UA US CO AA DL FL
Posts: 50,262
This is worth some serious time and review. Do not rely on websites or summaries. Rather, the details matter as what is and is not covered is detailed in each policy.

1, Their existing healthcare coverage may well provide some coverage overseas. But, it is unlikely to be what you are used to, e.g., you go to the provider, pay a copay and the rest is billed to your insurance carrier. Rather, more likely that you are required to pay in advance and up front and then go through the task of collecting from your carrier. Because it is unlikely that a provider in Ghana will use standard US medical coding, the task becomes burdensome for you.

2. Consider whether you have air evacuation coverage. This is not just about an air ambulance, but also about flying home on a walk-up fare, perhaps requiring some number of seats. An air ambulance from Africa to FLL could easily cost $200,000+. On the other hand, some policies would pay to evacuate to the closest facility with a suitable treatment profile, e.g., not back to the US. That may save a life, but still means you are stuck somewhere else. Also consider whether there is coverage for you or someone else to fly over and stay. If your daughter is a minor and your wife is hospitalized, even for a few days, who cares for your daughter? What if one of them is released from hospital, but can't travel for a week?

It is worth a thorough review of what might happen and what you need. Comprehensive policies can be relatively cheap, but require time & effort to sift through and compare.
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