GeoBlue Xplorer Select for Expatriates Assigned Abroad...

The GeoBlue Xplorer Select health plan is designed to support the international lifestyles of those who travel from the United States for extended periods of business, leisure and study. If your plans to travel or live abroad will keep you away from the United States for more than 6 months and at least three months per year GeoBlue Xplorer Select may be what you need. Your health and financial security may be at serious risk because of significant gaps in most available insurance coverage and services. This risk is only heightened by limited knowledge of health and safety hazards around the world, including medical treatment and unfamiliar providers. The GeoBlue Xplorer Select health plan is designed to support the international lifestyles of people just like you.

GeoBlue Xplorer Select is the premier international health plan because it combines comprehensive worldwide benefits with a new generation of medical assistance services, which include an impressive array of Online and mobile tools used to identify, access and pay for quality healthcare all around the world. GeoBlue Xplorer gives you the freedom to access care inside and outside the U.S. If you need benefits outside the U.S. GeoBlue provides unsurpassed service and the convenience of mobile technology to access the best medical care no matter what town, country or time zone.

Requires Domestic Group or Individual Health Insurance to be Maintained

The GeoBlue Xplorer Select plan is unique in that it provides U.S. Ex-pats with a bridge between their existing domestic health insurance coverage to an International Ex-pat product with no lapse in coverage or pre-existing issues. As long as the applicant does not have an auto-decline health problem and they maintain a ACA Compliant health insurance plan with continuous coverage then any pre-exisiting conditions are waived. The policy holder must maintain their U.S. coverage the entire time they are out of the country. In addition this plan only requires the Ex-pat to maintain coverage for at least 6 months and be outside the border of the U.S. for 3 months or longer within a 12 month period. This product is a great alternative to implementing and administering a group plan when the need for ex-pat coverage is small in numbers. This allows the policy holder to be covered when in the United States by their U.S. Insurer and when they travel abroad the GeoBlue Xplorer Select takes over. And, GeoBlue is insured by a U.S. insurer and governed by U.S. insurance law.

Xplorer Premier Xplorer Essential Xplorer Select For Ages 74 or Younger For Ages 74 or Younger For Ages 64 or Younger Renewable to age 84 Renewable to age 84 Renewable Through Age 64 Deductibles: $0, $1,000, 2,000, $5,000 Deductibles: $0, $1,000, 2,500, $5,000 Deductibles: $0, 2,500, $5,000 Global Coverage Including U.S.A. Excludes U.S. Coverage Excludes U.S. Coverage Does not require U.S. Healthplan Does not require U.S. Healthplan Requires U.S. Domestic Healthplan Dental/Vision Available with Elite & 1000 plan Dental/Vision Available with Elite & 1000 plan Dental/Vision Available with Elite & 1000 plan Medical Maximum: UNLIMITED Medical Maximum: UNLIMITED Medical Maximum: UNLIMITED Emergency Medical Evacuation Emergency Medical Evacuation Emergency Medical Evacuation No waiting periods for preventive service No waiting periods for preventive service No waiting periods for preventive service Requires Full Medical Underwriting Requires Full Medical Underwriting Expedited Medial Underwriting Credible Coverage Certificate Accepted Credible Coverage Certificate Accepted Credible Coverage Certificate Accepted Coverage for Terrorism Events Coverage for Terrorism Events Coverage for Terrorism Events Emergency Medical Evacuation Emergency Medical Evacuation Emergency Medical Evacuation Click for Brochure Click for Brochure Click for Brochure

Access to an Elite International Provider Community

GeoBlue has a network of doctors from almost every specialty in over 180 countries to see you. Only a small fraction of doctors around the world meet GeoBlue standards - participation is by invitation only. GeoBlue seeks out professionals certified by the American or Royal Board of Medical specialties who speak English, and they factor in recommendations by over 148 Physician Advisors from all over the world. GeoBlue then assembles in-depth profiles so members can choose with confidence and GeoBlue puts formal contracts in place to ensure patient access. GeoBlue doctors bill them directly so you don't have to file a claim. If you receive treatment within the United States you have cashless access to the Blue Cross and Blue Shield network in all fifty states.

Personal Safety Intelligence

GeoBlue maintains unsurpassed resources designed to promote personal safety by giving members convenient access to vitally important news, health and safety analysis and medical translation tools.

• Global Health and Safety news alerts published daily and delivered by email or smart-phone
• City-level profiles for 228 cities and 180 countries
• Brand-name equivalents for 400 common over-the-counter and prescription drugs in 35 of the most frequently visited countries
• Translation of hundreds of medical terms and phrases into the 10 most widely spoken languages
• GeoBlue maintains a 24/7, toll-free call center to assist members

Emergency Evacuation and Centers of Excellence

GeoBlue coordinates emergency services with a worldwide network of contracted Physician Advisors as well as air ambulance operators selected for their safety records. Members in need of life-saving medical intervention are treated in Centers of Excellence in the U.S. and around the world, whenever possible.

Xplorer Select Plan Overview

• Provides an unlimited annual and lifetime maximum
• No waiting periods associated with any preventive services
• Deductible choices from $0 - $10,000
• Pre-existing condition exclusion can be waived with proof of prior credible insurance. Note: you need to stay continuously enrolled under a U.S. Primary Health Plan to meet the eligibility requirements of this plan.
• Covers injuries or illnesses that are a result of a terrorist act
• Deductible waived for office visits with doctors
• No pre-certification penalty for inpatient or outpatient care
• Pre-existing conditions covered with credible coverage
• Access to GeoBlue's elite providers can lead to better diagnosis, treatment and medical outcomes
• GeoBlue providers bill directly which eliminates paperwork hassles
• The strength of Blue. GeoBlue Xplorer Select is offered in cooperation with certain local Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, which collectively cover 1 in 3 Americans

GeoBlue Mobile App Empowers Members to be Prepared

With the GeoBlue mobile app, members can quickly research information while preparing for a trip abroad, a vacation or for an expat assignment. Our customers' favorite planning tool, the Health Atlas, allows members to access important destination information. In addition to this, GeoBlue members can continue to use the app to complete these important tasks:

• Find trusted medical care
• File a paperless claim*
• Show/email/fax their ID card to a provider

When you are traveling or living abroad there is no better friend then your GeoBlue Mobile Phone App.  As a member it is FREE to you and everything you can do online with your GeoBlue Member Account you can do on your phone.  Simply search your Apps Programs and search for "GEOBLUE" and download it to your phone.

Features

 

GeoBlue Xplorer Premier Plan for Ex-pats looking for full Global Coverage

GeoBlue Xplorer Premier Option - GeoBlue Xplorer Premier has three tiers of coinsurance: 100% outside the U.S.; 80% in-network inside the U.S.' 60% out-of-network inside the U.S. All plans have an unlimited maximum and a $350,000 maximum benefit for emergency medical evacuation. the Out-of-pocket Maximum is calculated by adding the deductible and coinsurance maximum together.

Explorer Premier Overview

• Worldwide coverage, including the United States
• Customize your medical coverage to suit your needs
• Deductible choices from $0 - $5,000
• Define your deductible and prescription benefits
• Choose provider either in or out of the GeoBlue elite Network
• Unlimited annual and lifetime medical maximum
• Deductible waived for office visits with doctors
• No waiting period or sublimit for preventive services
• No precertification penalty for inpatient or outpatient care
• Pre-existing conditions covered with credible coverage
• Illnesses and injuries related to terrorism
• Can be kept upon return home, offering unique portability

Why Choose GeoBlue?

Go with a name and brand you can trust. GeoBlue is the trade name for the international health insurance programs of Worldwide Insurance Services, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. GeoBlue health plans are offered in cooperation with certain local Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies, with a network that includes more than 90 percent of physicians and 80 percent of hospitals across the U.S. GeoBlue’s comprehensive portfolio of international health insurance plans demonstrates the commitment to covering members both at home and abroad.

Strength of a U.S. Insurer - Underwritten by 4 Ever Life Insurance Company, rated A- (Excellent) by A.M. Best. 4 Ever Life is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.

Better Coverage - Their plans are U.S. licensed and feature coverage more generous that plans sold as "surplus coverage".

• Their plans do not restrict illnesses or injuries resulting from a terrorist act
• They do not impose precertification penalties for hospitalization.
• They provide coverage for pre-existing conditions for medical evacuation. Pre-existing conditions are also covered in all instances by GeoBlue's Choice plan.

The Affordable Care Act and U.S. Citizens Living Abroad

Moving abroad is an exciting time for most people. There is plenty to do prior to departure. For American Citizens it is important that they understand what responsibilities they will have to meet should they move broad with regards to the Affordable Care Act. Most Americans today know that they are compelled to purchase what we now refer to ACA Compliant heath insurance so that they are not required to pay the Shared Responsibility Payment (IRS Penalty) for not having "Minimum Essential Coverage"

U.S. citizens living abroad are subject to the individual shared responsibility provision. However, U.S. citizens who are not physically present in the United States for at least 330 full days within a 12-month period are treated as having minimum essential coverage for that 12-month period regardless of whether they enroll in any health care coverage. This is known as the Physical Presence Test.

In addition, U.S. citizens who are bona fide residents of a foreign country (or countries) for an entire taxable year are treated as having minimum essential coverage for that year. In general, these individuals qualify for the foreign earned income exclusion under section 911.

Individuals may qualify for this rule even if they cannot use the section 911 exclusion for all of their foreign earned income because, for example, they are employees of the United States. Individuals that qualify for this rule need take no further action to comply with the individual shared responsibility provision during the months when they qualify. They will report their status with their federal income tax return on Form 8965

U.S. Citizens who do not meet the physical presence or residency requirements muct have minimum essential coverage (an ACA Compliant healthplan), qualify for a coverage exemption, or make an individual shared responsibility payment when they file their federal income tax returns. Note that minimum essential coverage includes a group health plan provided by an overseas employer.

This is a complicated subject so we are providing a link to the IRS Publication 5187 as one reference source for you to have. Simply click on the brochure image above to view the IRS Publication. We suggest that you consult with your CPA or Tax Professional to help you better understand your responsibilities prior to moving abroad.

Emergency Medical Evacuation

World travelers need to properly protect themselves against financial exposure due to catastrophic medical events. If comprehensive travel medical benefits and assistance services are not secured before you travel, you could find yourself exposed to huge losses - both physical and financial. Though illness can strike at any time, when severe incidents occur overseas, lack of proper coverage can leave you the traveler with steep medical bills for less than sufficient care.

As a global traveler you need to be prepared for the possibility that you could find yourself in a location where the Medical Care is poor or inaccessible. In the event you find yourself in a situation where you need to be evacuated to an area where you can receive the appropriate level of care then you need to make sure your International coverage includes a comprehensive Emergency Medical Evacuation benefit. Medical evacuations are not a simple procedures and they can be extremely complicated and expensive. This must be available to you 24/7 no matter where in the world your travels take you. In addition you need a partner who is capable of organizing and caring out the evacuation no matter where you find yourself.

Considerations for any medical evacuation are:

1. Evaluating the appropriateness of local health care providers
2. Identifying the closest facility where a high level of care is available
3. Determining the risk vs rewards of moving the patient
4. Choosing the best method of transport (ie: ambulance, helicopter, fixed wing air ambulance)
5. Securing the cooperation of the local treating physician, including a determination that the patient is stable enough to move
6. Enlisting the most appropriate team to handle the transport (ie: doctor, nurses, therapist)
7. Arranging for speedy and appropriate intake at the receiving facility
8. Having someone on your side helping guide you through the whole process - that is GeoBlue...

Make sure when you travel, you travel with a full service, travel health plan that provides a higher level of protection and peace of mind than standard evacuation memberships offer. If you are not sure about your current plan or one you are considering make sure you get a copy of your certificate of coverage and read it. Make sure you have a complete picture of what you are buying. Then cover yourself with the Power of Blue. GeoBlue offers this type of comprehensive coverage and it is built into their Xplorer Premier, Xplorer Essntial and Xplorer Select Medical plans for Expats.