Very Unusual Travel Health Insurance Situation
Jul 18, 2017, 8:23 pm
#16
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$2500 is not a high deductible for health insurance. $15,000 is a high deductible for health insurance. The original post does not clarify the total number of individuals. The original post does not clarify if the noted $2500 deductible is per person or per family. Are you the head of household or a member of a household?
Insurance or not, the provider may require payment at the time of service.
Insurance or not, the provider may require payment at the time of service.
Thanks for the suggestions about self insuring and buying a local product. I'll look into it.
Jul 19, 2017, 4:03 am
#17
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It might be worth pointing out at this point that health insurance in Europe costs a fraction of what it costs in the USA. Getting something local (which probably also covers the rest of Europe, if not they can find a local product that does) is likely to be much more cost effective than finding something in the USA.
Jul 19, 2017, 6:59 am
#18
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Jul 19, 2017, 7:14 am
#19
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My impression of the EU healthcare system is that in most cases, as a foreigner if you have a residence or work permit and some sort of job, even if only part time or a university assistantship or visiting faculty position that pays something as salary, you're generally eligible for the nationalized healthcare, which covers you throughout the EU. In some countries, it's typical for such employees to purchase "private" health insurance on top of this coverage, which can give access to "better" doctors and lead to less rationing of medical care, but the extent to which people with good jobs tend to do this varies by country.
Jul 19, 2017, 7:37 am
#20
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It sounds as though OP is covered in the US under a fairly typical high-deductible health plan with a deductible of $2,500-$5,000 per person per year. He would then be eligible to contribute that deductible amount to a pre-tax HSA and pay the deductibles from the HSA (and roll that over if not used).
It also sounds as though he has very limited out-of-network coverage which puts him in a real bind overseas.
It is doubtful that travel insurance is the answer or that OP will fit the definition of "travel" if he is working locally.
As others note, either his academic institution or the institution with which he will affiliate locally, even if on a stipend and not salary, will have addressed this issue and be able to direct OP.
It also sounds as though he has very limited out-of-network coverage which puts him in a real bind overseas.
It is doubtful that travel insurance is the answer or that OP will fit the definition of "travel" if he is working locally.
As others note, either his academic institution or the institution with which he will affiliate locally, even if on a stipend and not salary, will have addressed this issue and be able to direct OP.