International Health Insurance for Missionaries

International missionary health insurance plans are designed specifically for the missionaries who travel abroad for work purposes. Domestic health insurance plans do not offer comprehensive medical coverage outside the homeland and hence, the missionaries need to purchase and missionary insurance plan during the overseas travel.

Various international travel health insurance plans offer worldwide coverage for non US as well as US missionaries traveling overseas. These beneficial plans can be purchased right from 10 days up to maximum duration of 2 years. For longer periods of overseas stay long term international insurance plans are suitable.

Many of these long term international insurance policies restrict the missionaries on the duration of stay in the US. However, certain specific insurance plans designed for longer stay address the needs of these missionaries and their families by providing health coverage without many restrictions.

International health insurance for missionaries 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 homeland.

Long term missionary insurance plans cover the insured for maternity, pre-existing conditions and wellness after an initial waiting period which is pre-determined. The missionaries can also choose coverage for leisure sports and adventure activities.

The effective start date of the short term missionary insurance plans begins after the insurance provider receives the initial payment as well as the completed application form and you depart from the homeland. Otherwise, it starts on the date that is mentioned in the enrollment form. Missionaries have to fill a lengthy questionnaire if they opt for long term insurance plans along with the application. Coverage begins once the application is approved.

The international health insurance policy designed for missionaries remains valid until the date mentioned in the application form or the expiry of the insurance plan or when the missionary returns back to the homeland, whichever event occurs first.

Short term missionary health 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.

Ray Sondeo often writes about international insurance.