Medical insurance for in-law visit

[davet]

Has anyone had experience (good or bad) buying short term ( 1 month) medical insurance for an in-law visit?  Any suggested vendors?  Any caveats?  My father-in-law is planning a visit during the summer and I would like to protect him and myself against any possible medical care costs.
Thanks
Dave

[Jersey Mike]

... in response to Medical insurance for in-law visit, posted by davet on Apr 6, 2004

I had some experience with this issue that I will pass along.  My ex-wife's sister was visiting the US two years ago and suffered a fatal stroke while in New York.  She was in intensive care in a como for about 6 days and the costs were astronomical.  The hospital medical costs were completely covered by the State of New York under a Medicare program that applies to legal foreign visitors.  It was my understanding that the costs were covered only because she was in the country legally, and illegals do not get the same coverage and they would have pursued my ex-wife for costs.

However, transportation costs of her body back to her homeland were not covered and were our responsibility.

[Stan]

... in response to Medical insurance for in-law visit, posted by davet on Apr 6, 2004

Try "International Medical Group",, I haven't used them yet,,,,,,, my MIL will be here in a few dyas but I asked this question a year ago and no one could help? This was what I found on the web, tried Blue Cross/Blue Shield, all the big ones and they didn't have any policies for tourists. Hope it helps! By the way, I don't think you could be held responsible for any medical bills, It would be up to their home country.

[davet]

... in response to Re: Medical insurance for in-law visit, posted by Stan on Apr 6, 2004

I found one with a web search too - https://www.specialtyrisk.com/insurance/inboundusa/

It seems to have cheaper rates for my application than IMG.  My concern is with performance however.  Will either one of the come through -- that's the question.

Thanks for the lead!

Dave

[AllenB]

... in response to Re: Re: Medical insurance for in-law vis..., posted by davet on Apr 6, 2004

USE EXTREME CAUTION HERE!!!

First, most of these policies are meant to be purchased by the visiting party and not the U.S. Citizen which, if you purchase the policy for the MIL, you immediately void the policy.  Another caveat is that the language states that the visiting party had read the policy and understands the coverage available and agrees to this coverage.  How many of your MIL's can read English let alone legaleze.  Their attorneys can very easily disclaim all rights based upon this alone.  Lastly,  most of these policies are issued through syndicates of Lloyd's of London and most people do not understand this operation other than hearing its name.

My career is as a wealth management advisor to wealthy families in the U.S. and I am exposed, almost daily, to the petty crap that goes on in international business.  Lloyds of London is not an insurance company but a cooperative of syndicates that work to provide specialty insurance where there would not otherwise be insurance coverage.  This is almost always higher risk insurance coverage.  The syndicates are backed by investors who pay in large sums of money and hope that the underwriters make reasonable bets with thier money in order to make higher than normal rates of return.  With higher potential returns always comes higher risk.  Where do the syndicates make most of thier money?  Not from insurance premiums but from denied claims!  Notice that the most health insurance you can purchase for an individual is $100,000 for 30 days in most instances.  What are the chances that somebody will run up a health insurance claim in 30 days?  If they do then what are the chances that they truly understood the legal language in the policy that "they purchased"?  Yep,  you get back your insurance premium and they move onto the next person.  If there is a claim for a smaller amount and they can find a way to disclaim this then the insured, your MIL must stay in the states to testify.  If your MIL is like mine she has to return in 30 days.  Do our courts work that fast? I don't think so.

To me this insurance is like going to one of the electronics stores like Circuit City or Best Buy and they give you good prices on the equipment but then pressure you to purchase their insurance at a 25% premium because they are not in the home entertainment business but in the insurance business.

Be careful out there!!!

[david hagar]

... in response to Re: Re: Re: Medical insurance for in-law..., posted by AllenB on Apr 7, 2004

This is a great post on medical insurance.  Sometimes, we have to take risks and hope that nothing happens.  We must remember that everything we do or have in life is not insured.

The Pharmacist