Inbound USA FAQ's

 

Q1: What does a limited coverage plan actually cover? Why is it so much cheaper then the comprehensive plans?

ALimited coverage plans have limited benefits and pay it's benefits according to a fixed schedule of benefits. Which means the insurance has a maximum coverage for each possible treatment or service you would receive from a doctor/hospital.

View the Fixed Schedule of Benefits for Inbound USA.

Why Limited Coverage plans are cheaper:
  • Provides only basic coverage and has limited or restricted benefits. Benefits may not be adequate in case of any major medical problem.
  • Insurance company takes limited risk and leaves more risk on you.
  • Less choice of maximum available coverage amount.
  • Less choice of deductible selection.
  • No PPO Network.
  • No travel related coverage.

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Q2: What information do I need to purchase this insurance?

AName(s), date of birth, and passport number of the visitor(s).

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Q3. While filling up the application do I use the visitors age at the time of the insurance application OR the age at the time of the policy start date?

Example: Visitors Age is 59 yrs and 8 months as on the day the policy coverage starts, so should I select the age group as 59 yrs OR 60 yrs?

AUse the age as on the policy start date. So, in this example the age should be 59 yrs and NOT 60 years.

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Q4. I am confused about the Age OR Age group of the visitor I should be selecting. Should I select the completed years OR running year?

AThe age is calculated according to the number of years the person has completed and NOT the running year.

The easiest way to calculate it, is to take the last year the insured had celebrated his/her birthday and minus it by the birth year. For example, let's say the visitor was born on December 19th, 1947 and the start date of the insurance is November 1, 2007. The last time the visitor had celebrated his/her birthday was on December 19th 2006; so 2006 - 1947 = 59. The age of the visitor is 59.

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Q5: How much coverage (policy maximum) do I need?

AThe coverage amount can depend on several factors, including the type of policy you're purchasing, age of the person, domestic travel plans, and your budget.

Benefits & Coverage
The higher the coverage amount the better the benefits are. So if you are looking for better and more benefits choose higher policy maximum limit. Example $100,000 or more.
Cost/Budget
The higher the coverage, better the benefits and hence the premium/cost will be more. Choosing the lower policy maximum limit can cost you less on premium, but the benefit will also be reduced. So choose the right combination of policy maximum and deductible. Our compare plan and interactive Quoting tool can be helpful to make the right choice.
Domestic Travel
Most of the time higher bill comes due to accidents /injuries/hospitalization OR inpatient medical services. So if the visitor has any domestic travel plans/road trips involved, choosing a higher policy maximum can be a wise idea.
What do we recommend?
Since limited coverage plans have limits and less benefits, we would suggest choosing a higher policy maximum ($100,000 or $130,000);  unless you have budget or age constraints.    

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Q6: Does this plan have coverage while the insured is traveling from their home country to USA?

ANo, in this type of plan the coverage begins only once the insured lands in USA.

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Q7: What is a Deductible and how does it work?

AThis is the amount that must be satisfied by the insured (you) before the insurance company begins to pay for any covered expenses. The deductible for this plan is per incident; i.e. you will be responsible for the deductible amount for each new sickness or injury for which you take any medical services for. The deductible is deducted from the Allowed Benefits rather then the total expenses.

For Example: You have a limited coverage policy with $100 deductible and $50,000 maximum coverage. And you have taken some medical services for which the combined bill is $700 ($200 for Doctor Visit and $500 for some Lab Work).

Insurance company will apply the Schedule of Benefits rate for the Allowed Benefits which is $55 for Doctor Visit and $450 for the Lab Work.

So Insurance will pay = (Total Allowed Benefits [calculated as per the fixed Scheduled of Benefits] ) – (Your Chosen Deductible)

In this example insurance pays:
Benefits ($55 + $450) – Deductible ($100) = $405 Total Benefit
Insurance will pay $405 out of the $700 bill..

The remaining amount will be your responsibility which is $295 in this case.

Note: The Schedule of Benefits can be seen in the plan brochure; must review these rates before purchase.

What do we recommend?
Since limited coverage plans anyway have limits and less benefits and deductibles for these plans are per injury and sickness, we would suggest lower deductibles ($0 or $50) for maximum benefit.

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Q8. The plan says that the deductible is per incident or per injury or sickness. Does this mean I have to pay the deductible each time I make a visit to a Doctor or hospital?

ANo. Per incident / per injury or sickness means that the deductible is one time only for all the services (including doctor visit, pharmacy, lab work, etc.) for one particular sickness/injury.

Example: If you have flu and visit the doctor 2 times for the same problem and the doctor asks you to take some lab test, then you pay the deductible once for all the services/treatment related to the flu.

However if you go to doctor for a different problem, say, an ankle sprain, then the deductible will be applicable again, once for all services /treatments taken for the ankle sprain.

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Q9. If I select $50,000 policy maximum with zero deductible does it mean that I don’t have to pay anything and the insurance pays all expenses up to $50,000?

ANo, the policy maximum is just the overall limit; sub-limits apply for each type of possible treatment/service according to a pre-defined Schedule of Benefits. The sub limits are more of significance to you.

Example: If you go a doctor and the doctor fee is $300, insurance will pay according to the pre-defined amount listed in the Schedule of Benefits, which is $55 per visit for a non surgical physician visit. Thus insurance company covers only $55 specifically for the doctor visit and the remaining $245 will be your responsibility.

We recommend you to please review the Schedule of Benefits given in the plan brochure for the pre-defined benefit rates for each type of service or treatment.

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Q10: What is AD&D and who's name should I put for the beneficiary on the application?

AAD&D stands for Accidental Death & Dismemberment. It provides insurance protection if the insured's death during the coverage period is a result of an accident. AD&D also provides benefits for the accidental loss of hands, feet, eyesight, speech or hearing.

The "AD&D Beneficiary" should be any close relative of the insured who will receive the insurance benefit in the event of the insured's death.

For example: If the insured is your parent you can be the beneficiary and the relationship would be "child".

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Q11: Which doctor or hospital can I go to?

AInbound USA is a limited coverage plan and does not have a specific list of doctors or hospitals.  That means you can visit any doctor or hospital.

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Q12: How do I use this insurance?

APlease refer to the following article about the policy usage: How to use my insurance?

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Q13: I want to purchase insurance for more then one visitor. Should I purchase two separate policies for them or have a combined policy?

AThe benefits and cost does not differ if you buy individually or combined policies. If the visitors have different travel plans (might be coming together but leaving on different dates, etc.) it is recommended to buy separate policies.

Having separate policies gives your more flexibility in renewals and cancellations.

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Q14: When I buy this plan, do I need to make the full payment at once or do I have the option of paying it on a monthly basis?

ABased on the desired coverage length you have selected, you have to make the full payment at once.

Since this plan is renewable you can renew it anytime you would like to before the policy expires. There is a renewable fee of $5 that’s associated with the renewal.

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Q15: When will I receive my ID card?

AThe print out of the on-line buying receipt/virtual ID card is the proof of insurance and can be used as an ID card. If applied online and the premium is lower then $100, then you won't be receiving anything in the mail. You can print out the ID card after you purchase the insurance and it will be emailed to you as well. Keep the email safe and keep a printed copy as well.

If your premium is over $100 then you have the option of the ID card sent to your mailing address in addition to the email ID card. If you do not select the mailing option you will NOT receive the ID card in mail. You should receive your insurance package at your mailing address within 5-10 business days of purchase.

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Q16: What will I receive in the mail?

AIf you purchase this plan online you'll have the option of receiving an insurance KIT in mail at the correspondence address you have specified on the application which includes the ID Card and claim form, etc. Although, all you need is the ID Card which will be emailed to you automatically which you can print and take to the doctor/hospital.

You can find all other information you need, like the plan brochure and details, on Path2usa.com.

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Q17: How do I file a claim?

APlease refer to the following article concerning the claim process: How do I File Claims?

Having separate policies gives your more flexibility in renewals and cancellations.

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Q18: Where can I find answers to other questions I have?

APlease refer to the General FAQ’s section of this website.  You may also want to look at the knowledge section of this website for lots of informative articles.

If you still  have questions, please call our support line toll free:  1.866.384.9104

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