Americans - Still Paying Medical Insurance In The States?

[Jaredberryman]

Does anyone know if when obamacare goes into effect if even though we have health coverage in Argentina, will we have to pay for coverage in the US anyways? Obamacare kind of seems a bit of a mystery on that one...

 

[tangueraintrepida]

Does anyone know if when obamacare goes into effect if even though we have health coverage in Argentina, will we have to pay for coverage in the US anyways? Obamacare kind of seems a bit of a mystery on that one...

That's a good question, Jared. Looks like if you are a "legitimate" expat you are exempt. Did a little research and here is what I found at this website: http://www.globalsurance.com/blog/the-final-us-health-reform-package-what-you-need-to-know-66920.html

"But what does this all mean for American expatriates living abroad? While some of the healthcare reform bill, such as the increased Medicare payroll taxes, may affect expatriates, in general the mandate for health insurance and the penalties for not obtaining it will not affect them. In the new Internal Revenue Service (IRS) tax code, expatriates are treated as if they have health insurance regardless of whether they do or not. Although in order to be exempted from the insurance mandate, American expatriates must already be eligible for the IRS’ foreign earned income exclusion.
In order to meet the criteria for the exclusion that allows U.S. expats to avoid paying U.S. taxes on their first US$91,500 worth of income, the expatriate must have a tax home (the general area of your main place of business or employment where you happen to be permanently or indefinitely engaged) in a foreign country, as well as be either a legitimate resident in that country, or spend at least 330 days a year outside the United States."

 

[High Plains Drifter]

To Tangueraintrepida:

Thanks for the good info. I have a similar question for you: I will be moving to BA in April. Realistically I will be down there about a year and I was trying to figure out if I should keep insurance in the US while I am down there. I'm just concerned about worst case scenario even if the chances are slim. So what if I drop my coverage and then I get cancer or something before 2014 when the healtcare legislation goes into effect. What happens then? What are my options?

I know its low probability but if I have learned anything in life it's the probability of bad stuff happening is low until it actually happens to you!

Thanks for any info.

 

[Boogalou]

I would like very much to discuss insurance options, how do I get in touch with you.

 

[Hybrid Ambassador]

I send you a private message with my contact information. Call me anytime and we can discuss your situation. Sounds like you do NOT have a grandfathered plan if you are not on COBRA and were forced to an individual plan this year. You may want to give Kaiser a quick call to confirm your official policy effective date before you make any changes. Look forward to talking with you.

Hello Dear, I have called Kaiser member;s services and the person at the other end said that Iam no longer in COBRA
but only in _Close Individual Deductible Plan- I have forgptten that I had gone back to Japan and had seised the COBRA
plan therefore had to re-open a new policy when I came back but this time as an individual paying plan..! Also she said by the time
of USoA national health care system act implemetation, my rate is/will be unknown at this time if they can give me credit for the time
I had the COBRA coverage..

 

[tangueraintrepida]

To Tangueraintrepida:

Thanks for the good info. I have a similar question for you: I will be moving to BA in April. Realistically I will be down there about a year and I was trying to figure out if I should keep insurance in the US while I am down there. I'm just concerned about worst case scenario even if the chances are slim. So what if I drop my coverage and then I get cancer or something before 2014 when the healtcare legislation goes into effect. What happens then? What are my options?

I know its low probability but if I have learned anything in life it's the probability of bad stuff happening is low until it actually happens to you!

Thanks for any info.

Hi, HPD! I have PM'd you with my direct contact information so we can discuss more specifics, but here are some general answers to your questions that may help others as well.

If you currently have a grandfathered health insurance plan (one that was started prior to March 23, 2010), you may want to consider keeping your health insurance coverage, especially if you plan on returning to the U.S. in a year or so. Here's why: We have NO idea yet what rates are going to be like on the new Obamacare plans that start January 1, 2014. With all the mandates that impact these plans (i.e. maternity coverage, preventative care, birth control, unlimited lifetime maximums, $2000 maximum individual deductibles), it's POSSIBLE, the rates on a grandfathered plan will be more favorable than an Obamacare plan. If you are still in Argentina in 2014 and you find the Obamacare rates are comfortable for you, you can drop that granfathered plan like a hot potato January 2014 and enroll in Obamacare when you return home.

That being said, here's the other perspective to consider. If you are coming down here for a year or more, it may not make sound financial sense to keep an expensive U.S. policy that will give you virtually no coverage while you are out of the country. (I personally have rolled the dice and gave up my U.S. coverage.) Fortunately, since the full benefits of Obambacare are only about a year away, the risks regarding pre-existing conditions are virtually gone. U.S. citizens with declinable health conditions can now get covered under the pre-existing condition insurance plan (PCIP) if they have gone without coverage for 6 months or more. (Traveler's medical coverage does not count has coverage.) You can get more info on PCIP plans in your state at: https://www.pcip.gov/.

So in answer to your cancer scenario, once you have been out of the country for 6 months with no U.S. coverage, you can apply for the PCIP and return to the U.S. for treatment with no waiting period. In the meantime, if you are waiting out your 6 months, you can start your treatment here in BsAs under a traveler's medical policy or local insurance plan and return home once you have been approved for coverage. Traveler's policies will also usually cover an emergency medical evacuation to help you get home for treatment.

If anyone wants to go over their own personal situation, please PM me and I will send you my direct contact information so we can discuss your individual scenario.

 

[TomAtAlki]

Please post more info about travelers insurance. Thanks.

 

[arlean]

Hmmm, if it's going in for sure (national health care) that's bad news for us over 60. You and your doctor won't be able to make the decision whether you get treated. Some panel that knows nothing about you will decide whether to spend money on a "useless eater." I hope everybody knows that. There isn't enough money to treat everyone, and when it's free, it gets ripped off. I should know. I had my mother for 12 years and watched the doctors practically fight over who ordered what tests. That's the problem with socialism. Certain ones are able to get their hand in the till and eventually it breaks the system. And no there is no way to stop it! It's human nature. It's the way of socialism. Canadians come to the states all the time for treatment they can't get in Canada. I roomed with an R.N. from the UK when working in Israel. I asked her about socialized medicine and her answer was, "It's legalized euthanasia." She explained how it worked--same plan as now in the U.S. She had a damaged shoulder from an accident that the UK would not fix. She was losing use of her arm and the Israeli doctor she worked with proposed, since they had a reciprocal agreement with Israel, he would operate on her shoulder and fix it and collect from the UK. He did. Otherwise she would have become disabled. I'm operating under no illusions about socialized medicine.

About Blue Cross, I fell some years back in Santiago Chile in the street over some construction stuff and cut my face wide open. Went to the ER, saw three doctors or interns (whatever) it was Sunday, they called a plastic surgeon from home, I spent 2 hours in the operating room getting sewed. Cost was $600, including follow up and removing stitches. Blue Cross/Blue Shield paid $300 of it. Medicare pays nothing outside the states. I was afraid of medical care down here (after all, what did I know then?) but it turned out great!

I have not carried insurance for years. Yes for preexisting conditions I'd have problems. 13 years ago I had had skin cancer for several years, excised surgically, and then was really sick, weak, my family took me in. Doctor found a tumor about the size of an orange and scheduled immediate surgery. I had seen a doctor on TV a few months earlier who recovered from advanced breast cancer after two surgeries (unsuccessful) so I postponed surgery and tried what she did (raw fruits, veggies, no animal products, daily sunshine for Vitamin D, etc.) and even my arthritis, diagnosed when I was 33, went away. Skin cancer cleared up in less than 5 months. Three years later I got a clean bill of health from the doctor,. I dropped my insurance and I have no idea how much money I've saved that I could invest in medical if I need to. My one concern is if I were to get hit by a truck or something. I cross the street with care!

 

[tangueraintrepida]

Please post more info about travelers insurance. Thanks.

Tom, I sent you a private message with my contact info. Everyone's situation is a little different so traveler's insurance options vary from person to person.

I personally use International Medical Group when I travel and have been happy with their services as both an agent and a consumer. I have used them many times over the years on my trips abroad and have never had an issue with them paying my claims. They just paid 100% of a claim I made in October for a sinus infection.