Search This Blog

Thursday 1 May 2014

India Network Foundation Issues Travel Advisory to All US-Bound Visitors on Accident and Sickness Insurance Requirements During Their Stay in the United States

More than one million visitors from India are expected to visit the United States in 2014 with less-than-adequate insurance coverage. India Network offers affordable insurance cover to all visitors, providing coverage for new medical conditions and preexisting conditions.


India Network Foundation, a long standing sponsor of visitor health Insurance programs for visitors to the US, announced today a travel alert to seniors visiting abroad to carefully review contract language to ensure they receive the highest level of medical insurance coverage possible that would help in times of need. A recent examination of overseas medical insurance plans offered by India-based insurance companies such as TATA AIG, ICICI Lombard, Bajaj Alliance, Oriental, etc., revealed that very low premiums are unsustainable even with ten percent loss ratios under actuarial models.

Visitors with any kind of pre-existing condition, known or unknown, should carefully read the policy language of pre-existing insurance coverage before purchasing and embarking on the trip. Almost all insurance policies offered in the United States, with the exception of India Network Health Insurance Plans, have wording in their policy documents such as ‘sudden recurrence’ and ‘acute onset,’ etc. that would reduce claim paying probability close to zero.

India is expected to send more than one million visitors to the United States in 2014 and has the distinction of the highest number of business visas issued by US. US Consulate offices in India are projected to process more than 2 million visitor visa applications (Asian Times, 2012) and that work load is expected to increase in double digits. Any visitor getting on a flight to the US is advised to consider a serious health insurance program such as India Network Health Insurance program to protect them from unexpected medical sickness problems while visiting family in the USA.

The India Network Foundation conducted an evaluation given the concern that many Indian visitors were unaware of various limitations of the low-cost fixed benefit policies to attract the price-conscious Asian Indian community in the United States. The study consistently identified contractual language that denies claims for sickness and hospitalization due to existing medical conditions identified within the past two to five years as well as high blood pressure and diabetes. In plans that advertise as coverage for pre-existing condition coverage typically contains language that would eliminate any claim paying liability. Age was another common exclusion with seniors ages 60 and older either denied pre-existing coverage or coverage severely capped. The India Network Foundation sponsored visitors health insurance program continue to offer excellent benefit package for all age groups 0-99 years old.

Dr. KV Rao, India Network Foundation founder commented, “The study is more significant given that more than thirty six percent of family members will purchase their travel without the assistance of any travel agency. With the arrival of Indian visitors to the United States up over 100% in the past decade and the typical stay in excess of two months, travel health insurance should be purchased to cover not only accidents, but sickness and hospitalization due to pre existing medical issues.”

India Network Foundation advises seniors to consider US-based insurers that offer simple to understand pre-existing condition coverage. One such option is available through India Network with a newly enhanced insurance plan to provide coverage for pre-existing conditions, providing out-patient, in-patient, accidental death and dismemberment, medical evacuation, and repatriation benefits associated with any pre-existing medical condition. The new plans have the same premiums, deductibles, and minimum and maximum durations with the added benefit of including out-patient benefits for pre-existing condition coverage, previously available only for new issue and accident coverage. The network-based (80/20) plan will continue to use Multiplan Network of PPO providers and the scheduled benefit Standard Plan and Premier Plans will continue as open network plans.
 

About India Network Foundation

India Network Foundation, established as a US non-profit organization, has been helping the Asian Indian community in North America with programs and grants to academics from India for more than two decades. India Network Foundation sponsors visitor health insurance to tourists, students, temporary workers (H1 visa holders) and their families. All insurance products are administered by India Network Services.

About India Network Health Insurance

India Network Services, is a US based company that administers visitor health insurance to transition residents, tourists, students, temporary workers and their families. Visitor medical plans are offered for all age groups with both fixed coverage, comprehensive coverage and with pre-existing condition coverage.

No comments:

Contact Us

Name

Email *

Message *