Names & Plan Titles
The product providers and insurers delight in launching new plan
names with "exclusive" qualities in their brand names over those of
their direct competitors. However,
international medical insurance plans generally have three
key
components:
in-patient or daycare treatment,
outpatient treatment,
and
add-on options.
In this way, a basic or standard plan usually includes in-patient
and daycare, but no outpatient or other coverage. Comprehensive
plans mostly cover outpatient in addition to the inpatient costs,
often with a capped limit, while "deluxe" "platinum" or "premier
plus" plans offer a full coverage range of inpatient, daycare,
outpatient with routine dental. Possibly maternity, evacuation,
personal accident coverage and even chronic conditions coverage in
certain cases (all the bells and whistles plan).
Ignore the names of plans but ensure you have a clear idea of the
benefits, specifically capping, area of coverage and any
exclusions, when comparing plans. For example a Canadian passport
holder living in Berlin, who never needs coverage in the USA apart
from the occasional holiday trip, could take only European
coverage. Often saving half the price of full world wide coverage
including the USA.
A small travel add-on option can often help with up to 30 days
emergency coverage in the USA or Canada should such be needed.
Elective care in USA can also be added for just thirty days a year
too, often at a substantial discount to full coverage premiums.
Some insurers now offer modular benefit packages where clients can
"pick and choose" benefits, working out their own premiums, at the
end of this mix and match.