Age Limits
An age range in which an international medical insurance company will only accept applications or renew policies.
Applicant
Refers to a person that is applying for international health insurance coverage.
Area of cover / coverage area
The geographic region (the set of countries) in the world where the insured is entitled to claim for medical treatment. This is usually Worldwide or Worldwide excluding USA. Because of the unproportionally high medical costs in the USA, Insurers will demand a higher premium (+ 150% - 300%) if you want to be covered. Some international medical insurance providers will have more location specific areas of cover such as Europe, Africa, The Middle East and Asia as areas of cover.
Benefit
A broad term which describes any treatment, service or otherwise help under an international expat health insurance plan that will restore, maintain, facilitate or encourage good health. Benefits are segmented by type (in-patient, out-patient, dental, etc) and carry specific definitions, exclusions and limitations as described in the table of benefits (also known as ‘schedule of cover’) and other supporting documentation.
Benefit Limit
Describes specifically the financial limit beyond which the international medical insurance company will not, or under what conditions reimburse the insured for a specific benefit.
Benefit Period
A benefit period is a length of time during which the insured can be reimbursed for the costs of the benefit incurred.
Cancellation Period
The period of time within which you are entitled to change you mind and request a refund where applicable in the event you decide to cancel or not proceed with your cover.
Chronic Condition
A sickness, illness or disease which has one of the following characteristics:
Claim
A request made by the insured or the insured's sponsor to pay for services rendered.
Claim Form
A form sometimes required to be submitted when claiming a refund of costs from the international medical insurance company. Can be paper or digital.
Co-Insurance
Refers to the shared amount of money that you are obligated to pay for covered medical services/treatment. In the table of benefits, you may see something like: "Dental - 20 % Co-Insurance". This means that you must share the cost of dental treatment with the Insurer where you will pay 20% of the bill and the Insurer will pay the remaining 80% subject to you remaining within the benefit limit.
Compassionate Home Visit
In the event of a relative passing away some Insurers will cover the cost of an economy class return fare air ticket for you to return home.
Complementary treatment
Refers to therapeutic treatment as an alternative or is outside conventional Western medicine such as Chinese herbal medicine or acupuncture.
Complications of childbirth
This definition differs from Insurer to Insurer however generally this refers to abnormal conditions that arise during childbirth such as postpartum hemorrhage, retained placental membrane and medically necessary caesarean sections.
Complications of pregnancy
This refers to the health of the mother during the pre-natal (preceding) stages of pregnancy such as miscarriage or stillbirth.
Convalescent home
Refers to a medical facility designed to treat and care for patients with long-term or chronic illnesses.
Country of Residence
The principle country in which you spend most of your time during a year living in.
Cover (Coverage)
A general term describing the fact that the insured is insured. It could refer to a specific benefit or expat health insurance broadly.
Coverage Period
The timeframe in which the insured can receive and claim for medical expenses as detailed in his or her international medical insurance policy documentation.
CT Scan (CAT Scan)
Or computerised axial tomography is a sophisticated x-ray / imaging procedure for showing bone detail primarily.
Day-care treatment
This is similar to In-Patient Treatment, but in most cases you will be ‘admitted’ to a hospital bed but not stay overnight in the hospital.
Death Benefit
A Death Benefit is an amount that shall be paid should the insured person pass away during the period of insurance as a result of sickness, illness or accident. Restrictions vary from Insurer to Insurer and plan to plan should the insured person(s) have a pre-existing and/or chronic condition(s).
Deductible / Excess
This is the amount of money that you must pay before the insurance company will start paying for medical expenses. Your deductible / excess is subtracted from your reimbursable sum when a claim is made. They can be per sickness/injury, per insurance period or per year and usually applies to each insured member of the policy separately.
For example, assume that you have bought an expatriate health insurance policy with a deductible / excess of "$500 per person per injury" and that unfortunately you break your leg. You go to hospital and receive treatment costing $1,000. In this case, you would need to pay the first $500 (your deductible amount) and your international medical insurance company would pay the remaining $500.
Dental prostheses
Amongst other things, dental prostheses usually includes or excludes cover for crowns, inlays, onlays, reconstructions, restorations, bridges, dentures and implants.
Dental surgery
Exact definitions differ from Insurer to Insurer however generally dental surgery refers to extraction of teeth, apicoectomy, treatment for jaw deformities, fractures and tumours. It does not cover surgical treatment that is related to artificial dental implants or wholly cosmetic.
Dependent
Refers to your spouse or partner (husband / wife / same sex partner) and children. Age definitions of children vary from Insurer to Insurer however they are usually eligible to be regarded as a child if they apply up until the day before their 18th birthday. Some Insurers will also accept 'children' up until the day before their 24th birthday if they are enrolled in full-time education.
Diagnostic tests
Refers to tests such as blood tests, x-rays, CT, ultrasound and MRI scans to investigate and determine the cause of patient symptoms. Exact definitions differ from Insurer to Insurer and plan to plan so it is worth checking the table of benefits and other supporting documentation.
Due date
Refers to the day on which your international expat health insurance policy premium must be paid for your policy to continue. Most insurance companies offer the following payment terms / frequency options: annually, bi-annually, quarterly and monthly. Failing to pay for your policy on your due date may terminate your policy.
Effective date
The date on which international health insurance coverage comes into effect / provides insurance cover.
Exclusions
Refers to conditions / situations / events which are not eligible for reimbursement under an international medical insurance policy. These usually include things like war, self-harm, terrorism, HIV/AIDS, cosmetic surgery, injuries arising from dangerous hobbies and usually, pre-existing conditions treated in the past two years.
Expatriate (Expat)
A person temporarily, or permanently, residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing or legal residence.
Hazardous Sports Cover
Refers to cover for "dangerous" sporting activities such as but not limited to mountaineering, hang gliding, parachuting, bungee jumping, motor vehicle racing, snow mobiling, skiing and snow boarding.
Home Country
Is the country for which the insured person holds a current passport and/or to which the insured person would want to be repatriated.
Homeopathy
A form of alternative medicine that attempts to treat patients with heavily diluted preparations which are claimed to cause effects similar to the symptoms presented.
Hospital / Provider Network
A directory / list of medical providers which are recognised by the international medical insurance company and which usually the insurance company has an established relationship with. This is not to say that you cannot go to a hospital of your choice that is outside your insurance company's network but it is usually advantageous to do so in respect of claims handling.
Many Insurers have online hospital network databases where you can easily find information about hospitals close to wherever you are in the world.
Hospital Accommodation
Refers to the type of room that you stay in when receiving treatment in hospital. Private, semi-private deluxe and executive suites are common benefits of international expat health insurance plans.
Hospitalisation
Being placed in medical care at a medical care facility.
In-Patient Cash Benefit
Refers to an international health insurance benefit where monies are paid by the insurance company when treatment and/or accommodation for medical treatment, that would otherwise be covered under the insured's plan, is provided in a hospital where no charges are billed, such as when you receive treatment in a state, or charitable, hospital and aren’t charged for services.
In-Patient Dental Treatment
Refers to emergency dental treatment due to a serious accident that requires you to be admitted to hospital.
In-Patient Treatment
Refers to treatment in a hospital / clinic where you are admitted to a bed and overnight stay is medically necessary.
Infertility treatment
Refers to reproductive treatment and technology for either sexes used primarily to achieve pregnancy by artificial or partially artificial means. It may also refer to treatment used to investigate procedures necessary to establish the cause for infertility.
Insurance Certificate
A document which details what you as a policyholder are entitled to. It simply proves that a contractual relationship exists between the insured person(s) and the international medical insurance company.
Lifetime Maximum / Maximum Benefit / Policy Maximum
The maximum amount that the insurance company will pay out during the entire term of the insurance policy.
Loading (Premium loading)
The amount that an insurance company adds to the basic premium to cover those that are applying. Sometimes premium loading is applied during the application process if you would like to cover pre-existing conditions.
Local Ambulance
Is ambulance transport that is required in the event of emergency or otherwise deemed medically necessary to transport an insured person(s) to hospital.
Maternity
Refers to cover for medical costs incurred during pregnancy and childbirth, including hospital charges, specialist fees, mother's pre- and post-natal care, as well as newborn care.
Medical Aids (Durable Medical Equipment)
Any instrument or device that is designed to help or increase the function of the insured person. Typically medical aids would include hearing aids, speaking aids, wheelchairs, crutches, braces and artificial limbs. Many Insurers have restrictions/exclusions in respect of these.
Medical Evacuation
Refers to reimbursement to cover transport costs to the nearest suitable medical center, when the emergency, or lifesaving, treatment you need is not available nearby. It may also cover additional expenses such as the cost of a return flight back to the insured's principle country of residence.
Medical History Disregard (MHD)
Refers to insurance companies waiving pre-existing conditions of one or more insured members. Typically, Group Schemes of 20 or more people can offer MHD meaning that members suffering from pre-existing conditions can receive treatment and claim medical expenses that arise as a result of their pre-existing condition or associated conditions.
Medical Necessity
Is the determination that a person requires medical treatment and services.
Medical Practitioner
Is a physician who is licensed to practice medicine under the law of the country in which treatment is given.
Medical Questionnaire (Health Declaration)
Asked during the application process, this is a document that applicants use to provide details of their medical history such as pre-existing or chronic condition details. It is used in conjunction with the general application form to determine if an applicant is insurable or not and at what price.
Disclosing details of your medical history allows the international medical insurance companies to better assess your case during the application process and can quicken approval. It can also help speed up future claims handling as well.
Medical Repatriation
Refers to a policy benefit that covers costs for transport to your home country to be treated in familiar surroundings. It also sometimes covers costs for the return trip back to your principle country of residence.
Medical Underwriting
The process of determining if you are insurable or not based on your medical history.
Moratorium Cover
Moratorium cover is where after a period of time has elapsed of continuous cover, some pre-existing medical conditions may become eligible for benefit. Pre-existing conditions may be covered after a set period only if you haven't consulted with any doctor or specialist for advice or treatment or if you haven't suffered any symptoms for that medical condition or any related condition for a continuous period determined by the Insurer.
Moratorium cover allows you to get cover for pre-existing conditions provided that your condition appears to have fully subsided.
MRI Scan
Magnetic resonance imaging is primarily used to visualise the internal structure and function of the body. It provides detailed images of the body in any plane. MRI has much greater soft tissue contrast than Computed tomography (CT) making it especially useful in neurological diseases.
Newborn Care
A specific medical maternity benefit associated with examinations and diagnostic test required to determine the health of a newborn child. They are carried out immediately following childbirth. Some plans but not all, also include more comprehensive diagnostic newborn tests such as blood type and hearing. If problems are discovered, then sometimes Insurers may include cover for more complex medically necessary treatment and diagnostic tests.
Refer to the full policy wording or contact XactExpat should you require clarification with regard to newborn care under a particular plan.
No Claims Discount
Refers to a discount that you can potentially receive should you renew your policy on condition that you haven't filed any claims over the insurance year, some companies also offer a ‘low claims’ discount as well. Not all insurance companies offer a no, or low, claims discount.
Nursing at Home
Refers to treatment and / or care at your home typically for patients that require long term attention or those suffering from chronic conditions.
Oncology
Refers to treatment associated with tumours such as diagnostic tests, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other hospital fees associated with the treatment of cancer.
Orthodontics
The dental practice and use of devices to restore teeth to proper alignment and function.
Osteopathy
Treatment based on the manipulation of bones and muscles.
Out of Area Cover
Refers to treatment and services that are outside your geographical area of cover (Worldwide, Europe, etc) that are none the less deemed eligible for treatment and reimbursement.
Out-Patient Surgery
A surgical procedure performed in a day-care or out-patient facility that does not require you to stay overnight in hospital.
Out-Patient Treatment
Refers to treatment provided in the practice or surgery of a medical practitioner, therapist or specialist that does not require the patient to be admitted to hospital.
Parental Accommodation
A benefit designed to provide cover for reasonable costs incurred by parents when having to stay in accommodation due to their child being admitted to hospital.
Payment Terms / Payment Frequency
International expat health insurance premiums can usually be paid for on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. The lower the payment frequency, the lower your total overall premium will be.
Policy Holder
The person who owns or is subscribed to an international medical insurance policy.
Policy Wording
The policy wording is the contract of insurance and the exact offer from the international medical insurance company to you. It is (usually) a document that contains full terms and conditions of the coverage offered, including any applicable exclusions, conditions and limitations to cover.
Post-natal Care
Refers to medical treatment received by the mother, the child or both after birth.
Pre-certification
Is a general term referring to the requirement that the insured must obtain authorisation / approval from the international medical insurance company before proceeding with treatment if the treatment is to be deemed eligible for reimbursement.
Pre-existing Conditions
Medical conditions or any related medical conditions for which one or more symptoms have surfaced over a number of years (usually 1-5 years or longer depending on the Insurer) prior to commencement of cover.
Pre-natal Care
Treatment for women during pregnancy/prior to childbirth such as diagnostic tests.
Premium
The amount made payable to the international medical insurance company according to your policy wording. Typically premiums can be made on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. Premiums are determined by the Insurer based on a variety of factors but primarily age, level of cover, geographical area of cover, and country of residence. Premiums can often be paid in a range of different currencies.
Prescription Drugs
Pharmaceutical drugs available only on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner and available only from pharmacies.
Preventative Treatment
Refers to treatment that is undertaken without any symptoms being present at the time of treatment in order to promote and encourage good health to thereby prevent ill health.
Primary Care
A broad term referring to routine care of common health problems and chronic illnesses that can be managed on an out-patient basis.
Psychiatry
Cover associated with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Psychotherapy
Refers to personal counseling used to treat problems of living such as depression.
Reconstructive Surgery
Surgery used to restore function and tissue form to the body such as plastic surgery
Rehabilitation
Refers to treatment aimed to restore normal form and function after a serious illness or injury.
Reimbursement
Amount of money that you receive for a claim, expenses, damages or losses as determined by your Insurer
Renewal Date
The date on which your international health insurance policy will expire unless extended (renewed).
Repatriation
To return to your home country on a permanent basis.
Repatriation of Mortal Remains
Refers to the transportation of the deceased’s mortal remains from the country of residence to the country of burial.
Routine Health Checks
Refers to tests and screening performed when no medical symptoms of illness are present. They are used as a preventative and early warning mechanism to promote and encourage good health and can include things like checking vital signs, the cardiovascular system and cancer screening.
Routine Maternity
Refers to medical costs incurred during pregnancy and childbirth such as hospital accommodation, fees associated with normal pregnancy and midwife fees.
Specialist (Consultant)
An expert doctor / physician that specialises in a particular branch of medical science.
Specialist Fees
Expenses associated with consultations or treatment by a specialist.
Surgical Prostheses (Surgical Appliances)
Refers to artificial body parts or devices that are medically necessary following surgery.
Term life insurance
A life insurance policy that is in effect for a set number (a term) of years which pays out a defined amount in the event of death.
Terrorism Benefit
Refers to cover for injuries and illnesses that arise from an act of terrorism.
Therapist
Someone who provides therapy (care) for someone.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is designed for holiday makers and those travelling for less than one year. Travel insurance does not provide comprehensive levels of cover and usually provides only basic forms of emergency in-patient treatment benefits. They will normally require you to return home for continued treatment once you are fit to fly. Furthermore some of the benefits that travel insurance provides are different to international expat health insurance such as cover for lost baggage or missed departure.
Treatment
Refers to any medical procedure or practice with the intention of curing or relieving illness or injury.
Underwriting
Refers to the process that an international medical insurance company uses to assess the eligibility of an applicant to get approval for expat health insurance.
URC (Usual, Reasonable and Customary)
This refers to the standard or most common charge for a particular medical service when rendered. It is often seen in table of benefits meaning roughly that the Insurer will pay out whatever amount is usual or reasonable for that specific benefit in the location your receive treatment.
Vaccinations
Refers to immunisations and booster injections in addition to the cost of consultation for administering the vaccine.
Waiting Period
A period of time during which you are not entitled to cover for particular benefits.
An age range in which an international medical insurance company will only accept applications or renew policies.
Applicant
Refers to a person that is applying for international health insurance coverage.
Area of cover / coverage area
The geographic region (the set of countries) in the world where the insured is entitled to claim for medical treatment. This is usually Worldwide or Worldwide excluding USA. Because of the unproportionally high medical costs in the USA, Insurers will demand a higher premium (+ 150% - 300%) if you want to be covered. Some international medical insurance providers will have more location specific areas of cover such as Europe, Africa, The Middle East and Asia as areas of cover.
Benefit
A broad term which describes any treatment, service or otherwise help under an international expat health insurance plan that will restore, maintain, facilitate or encourage good health. Benefits are segmented by type (in-patient, out-patient, dental, etc) and carry specific definitions, exclusions and limitations as described in the table of benefits (also known as ‘schedule of cover’) and other supporting documentation.
Benefit Limit
Describes specifically the financial limit beyond which the international medical insurance company will not, or under what conditions reimburse the insured for a specific benefit.
Benefit Period
A benefit period is a length of time during which the insured can be reimbursed for the costs of the benefit incurred.
Cancellation Period
The period of time within which you are entitled to change you mind and request a refund where applicable in the event you decide to cancel or not proceed with your cover.
Chronic Condition
A sickness, illness or disease which has one of the following characteristics:
- is recurrent;
- is without a cure;
- does not respond well to treatment;
- requires prolonged supervision / care;
- leads to permanent disability.
Claim
A request made by the insured or the insured's sponsor to pay for services rendered.
Claim Form
A form sometimes required to be submitted when claiming a refund of costs from the international medical insurance company. Can be paper or digital.
Co-Insurance
Refers to the shared amount of money that you are obligated to pay for covered medical services/treatment. In the table of benefits, you may see something like: "Dental - 20 % Co-Insurance". This means that you must share the cost of dental treatment with the Insurer where you will pay 20% of the bill and the Insurer will pay the remaining 80% subject to you remaining within the benefit limit.
Compassionate Home Visit
In the event of a relative passing away some Insurers will cover the cost of an economy class return fare air ticket for you to return home.
Complementary treatment
Refers to therapeutic treatment as an alternative or is outside conventional Western medicine such as Chinese herbal medicine or acupuncture.
Complications of childbirth
This definition differs from Insurer to Insurer however generally this refers to abnormal conditions that arise during childbirth such as postpartum hemorrhage, retained placental membrane and medically necessary caesarean sections.
Complications of pregnancy
This refers to the health of the mother during the pre-natal (preceding) stages of pregnancy such as miscarriage or stillbirth.
Convalescent home
Refers to a medical facility designed to treat and care for patients with long-term or chronic illnesses.
Country of Residence
The principle country in which you spend most of your time during a year living in.
Cover (Coverage)
A general term describing the fact that the insured is insured. It could refer to a specific benefit or expat health insurance broadly.
Coverage Period
The timeframe in which the insured can receive and claim for medical expenses as detailed in his or her international medical insurance policy documentation.
CT Scan (CAT Scan)
Or computerised axial tomography is a sophisticated x-ray / imaging procedure for showing bone detail primarily.
Day-care treatment
This is similar to In-Patient Treatment, but in most cases you will be ‘admitted’ to a hospital bed but not stay overnight in the hospital.
Death Benefit
A Death Benefit is an amount that shall be paid should the insured person pass away during the period of insurance as a result of sickness, illness or accident. Restrictions vary from Insurer to Insurer and plan to plan should the insured person(s) have a pre-existing and/or chronic condition(s).
Deductible / Excess
This is the amount of money that you must pay before the insurance company will start paying for medical expenses. Your deductible / excess is subtracted from your reimbursable sum when a claim is made. They can be per sickness/injury, per insurance period or per year and usually applies to each insured member of the policy separately.
For example, assume that you have bought an expatriate health insurance policy with a deductible / excess of "$500 per person per injury" and that unfortunately you break your leg. You go to hospital and receive treatment costing $1,000. In this case, you would need to pay the first $500 (your deductible amount) and your international medical insurance company would pay the remaining $500.
Dental prostheses
Amongst other things, dental prostheses usually includes or excludes cover for crowns, inlays, onlays, reconstructions, restorations, bridges, dentures and implants.
Dental surgery
Exact definitions differ from Insurer to Insurer however generally dental surgery refers to extraction of teeth, apicoectomy, treatment for jaw deformities, fractures and tumours. It does not cover surgical treatment that is related to artificial dental implants or wholly cosmetic.
Dependent
Refers to your spouse or partner (husband / wife / same sex partner) and children. Age definitions of children vary from Insurer to Insurer however they are usually eligible to be regarded as a child if they apply up until the day before their 18th birthday. Some Insurers will also accept 'children' up until the day before their 24th birthday if they are enrolled in full-time education.
Diagnostic tests
Refers to tests such as blood tests, x-rays, CT, ultrasound and MRI scans to investigate and determine the cause of patient symptoms. Exact definitions differ from Insurer to Insurer and plan to plan so it is worth checking the table of benefits and other supporting documentation.
Due date
Refers to the day on which your international expat health insurance policy premium must be paid for your policy to continue. Most insurance companies offer the following payment terms / frequency options: annually, bi-annually, quarterly and monthly. Failing to pay for your policy on your due date may terminate your policy.
Effective date
The date on which international health insurance coverage comes into effect / provides insurance cover.
Exclusions
Refers to conditions / situations / events which are not eligible for reimbursement under an international medical insurance policy. These usually include things like war, self-harm, terrorism, HIV/AIDS, cosmetic surgery, injuries arising from dangerous hobbies and usually, pre-existing conditions treated in the past two years.
Expatriate (Expat)
A person temporarily, or permanently, residing in a country and culture other than that of the person's upbringing or legal residence.
Hazardous Sports Cover
Refers to cover for "dangerous" sporting activities such as but not limited to mountaineering, hang gliding, parachuting, bungee jumping, motor vehicle racing, snow mobiling, skiing and snow boarding.
Home Country
Is the country for which the insured person holds a current passport and/or to which the insured person would want to be repatriated.
Homeopathy
A form of alternative medicine that attempts to treat patients with heavily diluted preparations which are claimed to cause effects similar to the symptoms presented.
Hospital / Provider Network
A directory / list of medical providers which are recognised by the international medical insurance company and which usually the insurance company has an established relationship with. This is not to say that you cannot go to a hospital of your choice that is outside your insurance company's network but it is usually advantageous to do so in respect of claims handling.
Many Insurers have online hospital network databases where you can easily find information about hospitals close to wherever you are in the world.
Hospital Accommodation
Refers to the type of room that you stay in when receiving treatment in hospital. Private, semi-private deluxe and executive suites are common benefits of international expat health insurance plans.
Hospitalisation
Being placed in medical care at a medical care facility.
In-Patient Cash Benefit
Refers to an international health insurance benefit where monies are paid by the insurance company when treatment and/or accommodation for medical treatment, that would otherwise be covered under the insured's plan, is provided in a hospital where no charges are billed, such as when you receive treatment in a state, or charitable, hospital and aren’t charged for services.
In-Patient Dental Treatment
Refers to emergency dental treatment due to a serious accident that requires you to be admitted to hospital.
In-Patient Treatment
Refers to treatment in a hospital / clinic where you are admitted to a bed and overnight stay is medically necessary.
Infertility treatment
Refers to reproductive treatment and technology for either sexes used primarily to achieve pregnancy by artificial or partially artificial means. It may also refer to treatment used to investigate procedures necessary to establish the cause for infertility.
Insurance Certificate
A document which details what you as a policyholder are entitled to. It simply proves that a contractual relationship exists between the insured person(s) and the international medical insurance company.
Lifetime Maximum / Maximum Benefit / Policy Maximum
The maximum amount that the insurance company will pay out during the entire term of the insurance policy.
Loading (Premium loading)
The amount that an insurance company adds to the basic premium to cover those that are applying. Sometimes premium loading is applied during the application process if you would like to cover pre-existing conditions.
Local Ambulance
Is ambulance transport that is required in the event of emergency or otherwise deemed medically necessary to transport an insured person(s) to hospital.
Maternity
Refers to cover for medical costs incurred during pregnancy and childbirth, including hospital charges, specialist fees, mother's pre- and post-natal care, as well as newborn care.
Medical Aids (Durable Medical Equipment)
Any instrument or device that is designed to help or increase the function of the insured person. Typically medical aids would include hearing aids, speaking aids, wheelchairs, crutches, braces and artificial limbs. Many Insurers have restrictions/exclusions in respect of these.
Medical Evacuation
Refers to reimbursement to cover transport costs to the nearest suitable medical center, when the emergency, or lifesaving, treatment you need is not available nearby. It may also cover additional expenses such as the cost of a return flight back to the insured's principle country of residence.
Medical History Disregard (MHD)
Refers to insurance companies waiving pre-existing conditions of one or more insured members. Typically, Group Schemes of 20 or more people can offer MHD meaning that members suffering from pre-existing conditions can receive treatment and claim medical expenses that arise as a result of their pre-existing condition or associated conditions.
Medical Necessity
Is the determination that a person requires medical treatment and services.
Medical Practitioner
Is a physician who is licensed to practice medicine under the law of the country in which treatment is given.
Medical Questionnaire (Health Declaration)
Asked during the application process, this is a document that applicants use to provide details of their medical history such as pre-existing or chronic condition details. It is used in conjunction with the general application form to determine if an applicant is insurable or not and at what price.
Disclosing details of your medical history allows the international medical insurance companies to better assess your case during the application process and can quicken approval. It can also help speed up future claims handling as well.
Medical Repatriation
Refers to a policy benefit that covers costs for transport to your home country to be treated in familiar surroundings. It also sometimes covers costs for the return trip back to your principle country of residence.
Medical Underwriting
The process of determining if you are insurable or not based on your medical history.
Moratorium Cover
Moratorium cover is where after a period of time has elapsed of continuous cover, some pre-existing medical conditions may become eligible for benefit. Pre-existing conditions may be covered after a set period only if you haven't consulted with any doctor or specialist for advice or treatment or if you haven't suffered any symptoms for that medical condition or any related condition for a continuous period determined by the Insurer.
Moratorium cover allows you to get cover for pre-existing conditions provided that your condition appears to have fully subsided.
MRI Scan
Magnetic resonance imaging is primarily used to visualise the internal structure and function of the body. It provides detailed images of the body in any plane. MRI has much greater soft tissue contrast than Computed tomography (CT) making it especially useful in neurological diseases.
Newborn Care
A specific medical maternity benefit associated with examinations and diagnostic test required to determine the health of a newborn child. They are carried out immediately following childbirth. Some plans but not all, also include more comprehensive diagnostic newborn tests such as blood type and hearing. If problems are discovered, then sometimes Insurers may include cover for more complex medically necessary treatment and diagnostic tests.
Refer to the full policy wording or contact XactExpat should you require clarification with regard to newborn care under a particular plan.
No Claims Discount
Refers to a discount that you can potentially receive should you renew your policy on condition that you haven't filed any claims over the insurance year, some companies also offer a ‘low claims’ discount as well. Not all insurance companies offer a no, or low, claims discount.
Nursing at Home
Refers to treatment and / or care at your home typically for patients that require long term attention or those suffering from chronic conditions.
Oncology
Refers to treatment associated with tumours such as diagnostic tests, radiotherapy, chemotherapy and other hospital fees associated with the treatment of cancer.
Orthodontics
The dental practice and use of devices to restore teeth to proper alignment and function.
Osteopathy
Treatment based on the manipulation of bones and muscles.
Out of Area Cover
Refers to treatment and services that are outside your geographical area of cover (Worldwide, Europe, etc) that are none the less deemed eligible for treatment and reimbursement.
Out-Patient Surgery
A surgical procedure performed in a day-care or out-patient facility that does not require you to stay overnight in hospital.
Out-Patient Treatment
Refers to treatment provided in the practice or surgery of a medical practitioner, therapist or specialist that does not require the patient to be admitted to hospital.
Parental Accommodation
A benefit designed to provide cover for reasonable costs incurred by parents when having to stay in accommodation due to their child being admitted to hospital.
Payment Terms / Payment Frequency
International expat health insurance premiums can usually be paid for on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. The lower the payment frequency, the lower your total overall premium will be.
Policy Holder
The person who owns or is subscribed to an international medical insurance policy.
Policy Wording
The policy wording is the contract of insurance and the exact offer from the international medical insurance company to you. It is (usually) a document that contains full terms and conditions of the coverage offered, including any applicable exclusions, conditions and limitations to cover.
Post-natal Care
Refers to medical treatment received by the mother, the child or both after birth.
Pre-certification
Is a general term referring to the requirement that the insured must obtain authorisation / approval from the international medical insurance company before proceeding with treatment if the treatment is to be deemed eligible for reimbursement.
Pre-existing Conditions
Medical conditions or any related medical conditions for which one or more symptoms have surfaced over a number of years (usually 1-5 years or longer depending on the Insurer) prior to commencement of cover.
Pre-natal Care
Treatment for women during pregnancy/prior to childbirth such as diagnostic tests.
Premium
The amount made payable to the international medical insurance company according to your policy wording. Typically premiums can be made on a monthly, quarterly, semi-annual or annual basis. Premiums are determined by the Insurer based on a variety of factors but primarily age, level of cover, geographical area of cover, and country of residence. Premiums can often be paid in a range of different currencies.
Prescription Drugs
Pharmaceutical drugs available only on the prescription of a registered medical practitioner and available only from pharmacies.
Preventative Treatment
Refers to treatment that is undertaken without any symptoms being present at the time of treatment in order to promote and encourage good health to thereby prevent ill health.
Primary Care
A broad term referring to routine care of common health problems and chronic illnesses that can be managed on an out-patient basis.
Psychiatry
Cover associated with the diagnosis and treatment of mental disorders.
Psychotherapy
Refers to personal counseling used to treat problems of living such as depression.
Reconstructive Surgery
Surgery used to restore function and tissue form to the body such as plastic surgery
Rehabilitation
Refers to treatment aimed to restore normal form and function after a serious illness or injury.
Reimbursement
Amount of money that you receive for a claim, expenses, damages or losses as determined by your Insurer
Renewal Date
The date on which your international health insurance policy will expire unless extended (renewed).
Repatriation
To return to your home country on a permanent basis.
Repatriation of Mortal Remains
Refers to the transportation of the deceased’s mortal remains from the country of residence to the country of burial.
Routine Health Checks
Refers to tests and screening performed when no medical symptoms of illness are present. They are used as a preventative and early warning mechanism to promote and encourage good health and can include things like checking vital signs, the cardiovascular system and cancer screening.
Routine Maternity
Refers to medical costs incurred during pregnancy and childbirth such as hospital accommodation, fees associated with normal pregnancy and midwife fees.
Specialist (Consultant)
An expert doctor / physician that specialises in a particular branch of medical science.
Specialist Fees
Expenses associated with consultations or treatment by a specialist.
Surgical Prostheses (Surgical Appliances)
Refers to artificial body parts or devices that are medically necessary following surgery.
Term life insurance
A life insurance policy that is in effect for a set number (a term) of years which pays out a defined amount in the event of death.
Terrorism Benefit
Refers to cover for injuries and illnesses that arise from an act of terrorism.
Therapist
Someone who provides therapy (care) for someone.
Travel Insurance
Travel insurance is designed for holiday makers and those travelling for less than one year. Travel insurance does not provide comprehensive levels of cover and usually provides only basic forms of emergency in-patient treatment benefits. They will normally require you to return home for continued treatment once you are fit to fly. Furthermore some of the benefits that travel insurance provides are different to international expat health insurance such as cover for lost baggage or missed departure.
Treatment
Refers to any medical procedure or practice with the intention of curing or relieving illness or injury.
Underwriting
Refers to the process that an international medical insurance company uses to assess the eligibility of an applicant to get approval for expat health insurance.
URC (Usual, Reasonable and Customary)
This refers to the standard or most common charge for a particular medical service when rendered. It is often seen in table of benefits meaning roughly that the Insurer will pay out whatever amount is usual or reasonable for that specific benefit in the location your receive treatment.
Vaccinations
Refers to immunisations and booster injections in addition to the cost of consultation for administering the vaccine.
Waiting Period
A period of time during which you are not entitled to cover for particular benefits.