INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL INSURANCE PLANS FOR MISSIONARIES by Ray Sandeo

Various international insurance plans have been designed for missionaries who travel outside their home country for work. Since comprehensive health coverage benefits are not provided by most of the health insurance plans which offer domestic coverage in their home country, the missionaries need to necessarily buy an international insurance plan while they travel abroad.The missionary health insurance plans designed for the missionaries provide worldwide coverage for both US and non US citizens traveling outside their homeland. There are policies that are available for a period as little as 10 days and for up to a maximum of 2 years. For longer periods of time, there are international insurance plans that provide year long coverage.Most long term international insurance policies restrict the amount of time spent in the US. However there are a few specific insurance plans that are tailored to the needs of missionaries and their families, and do not have this restriction.International insurance offers a wide range of medical coverage benefits which includes doctor office visits, intensive medical care, local transport in the ambulance to the nearest medical set-up during emergencies, treatment of dental injuries which occur during the accident, emergency illness treatment with or without hospitalization, emergency evacuation, repatriation and reunion, accidental death benefits and return of mortal remains back to the home country. Long term missionary insurance plans might cover pre-existing conditions, wellness and maternity after a waiting period. Missionaries can avail optional coverage for adventure or leisure sports also.Short term coverage becomes effective once your insurance provider receives the completed application form and the initial payment and then you depart from your homeland. Otherwise, it starts on the date mentioned in the application form. Long term international insurance plans require a medical questionnaire to be filled out while applying and coverage begins only after the application gets approved. The validity of the international insurance policy ends on the date requested in the application form or the expiry date of the policy or upon the return of the insured back to the home country, whichever occurs first.Short term international insurance plans can be renewed on a daily increment basis or a monthly basis and the request can be submitted as an application form or completed online. However, if the renewal period is less than one month, you have to submit the request online only and you would be charged a nominal processing fee. Annual plans can be renewed for as long as the insured continues to remain eligible for the plan.