International Health Insurance

Travelling abroad is an exciting experience, whether for work, study, or leisure. However, unexpected health emergencies can turn challenging sometimes. This is where having an adequate short-term international health insurance plan can be a lifesaver. It ensures you are covered for medical expenses that may arise during your stay abroad, allowing you to focus on making the most of your trip.

Let’s explore the importance, benefits and coverage details of overseas health insurance and guide you on how to buy international health insurance effectively.

The international health insurance plan is designed to help you avail of medical services, whether planned or unplanned, seamlessly anywhere across the globe. There are times when people travel abroad to avail themselves of medical treatment. Under circumstances like these, being adequately covered is important.

An international health insurance plan offers comprehensive health care both domestically and abroad over the policy term.

At Bajaj General Insurance, we offer an array of health insurance solutions that take care of your needs and help you keep safe. Our Global Health Care is a comprehensive health Indemnity Insurance product that provides seamless cover to the policyholder for planned as well as emergency treatment availed by Domestic (Within India) as well as International (Outside India) healthcare providers.

The global health insurance policy allows the insured members to plan the treatments abroad hassle-free and access the best medical facilities around the world.

Why Do You Need International Health Insurance?

Travelling without insurance is a risk many people take, but the consequences can be dire. Here are the reasons why international health insurance is not a luxury, but a necessity:

1. Medical expenses are very costly abroad. According to Peterson KFF, over 41% of people in the United States have healthcare debt.

2. In cases where airlifting or repatriation is needed, the costs can exceed $50,000. Without insurance, this entire expense would have to be borne out-of-pocket.

3. Without international health insurance, your visa application for Schengen countries may get rejected, preventing you from travelling.

At times, choosing global medical insurance could seem to be a tough task. However, being adequately covered is the need of the hour. Medical inflation can take a toll on your pocket. And, if you are abroad, it becomes extremely crucial to have a global health insurance policy in place. You surely would not wish to spend money from your pocket or settle for any mediocre health care services. Read on to know about some of the features of our Global Health Care plan:

Cashless Facility

The overseas mediclaim facility offers a cashless facility to the insured members. The incurred medical expenses are directly settled with the network hospital by the insurance company as per the terms and conditions of the policy.

Adequate Coverage

With our Global Health Care plan, you remain worry-free; you need not compromise on availing of the best medical services or treatment, whether domestic or international. If you have an overseas medical insurance policy, you will be provided with suitable cover for expenses related to hospitalisation, maternity consultations, etc.

Daycare Procedure Cover

Any medical expenses that are incurred during the process of treatment, as per the listed daycare procedures or any surgery as an inpatient remains covered by international health insurance India.

Hospitalization Expenses Cover

International medical insurance provides coverage in case the insured is admitted to a hospital for a minimum of 24 hours for procedures/ treatments. The reason for hospitalisation could be due to an illness, injury, or accidental bodily injury during the policy term.

Mental Health Treatment

Another key feature of Global Health Care is that the insurer will pay the customary and reasonable costs for inpatient treatment of mental illness as specified in the policy. The mental health illness treatment is to be availed in a recognised psychiatric unit of the hospital as per the specified sum insured.

Annual Preventive Health Check-Up

With every renewal of the Global Health Care insurance policy, the policyholder is entitled to an annual preventive health check-up. The annual preventive health check-up is offered only under the domestic cover. The proposer will be reimbursed the amount as per the specified limits in the policy.

What is the Difference Between Global Health Insurance and Travel Insurance?

When it comes to global health insurance, it is natural to wonder how it differs from travel insurance and whether a separate overseas health insurance plan is really necessary.

While both offer protection during international travel, they differ in their own ways. Let’s explore below:

How Does Global Health Insurance Work?

Global health insurance operates by giving you access to a network of hospitals and doctors worldwide who have agreements with your insurance provider. The goal is to provide seamless medical care where the insurer pays the medical facility directly, minimising the need for you to pay upfront and claim reimbursement later.

Imagine Sarah, who is an expatriate architect living in Singapore, suffers from acute appendicitis and needs immediate surgery. She opens her insurance provider's mobile app to find a hospital within her ‘Global Network’.

Upon arriving at the hospital, she presents her digital insurance ID card at the admission desk. The hospital staff contacts her insurer to verify her policy and receives a guarantee of payment, which authorises the surgery costs. Sarah undergoes the procedure and stays in the hospital for 2 days.

When she is discharged, the hospital sends the bill directly to the insurance company. Sarah walks out without paying the substantial hospital bill herself, having only to cover a small deductible if her specific plan requires it.

What are the Global Health Insurance Plans Bajaj General Insurance Offers?

We offer 2 types of plans for our policyholders. They are: Imperial Plan and Imperial Plus Plan. Although both of these cover domestic and international hospitalisation, they have their own differences.

Imperial Plan

Imperial Plus Plan

How to Choose International Health Insurance in India?

Choosing the best international health insurance requires a thorough understanding of your needs and market rate. However, to make your process a little easier, we have prepared some non-negotiables for overseas health cover. They are:

1. Comprehensive Medical Access: You do not need to worry about hospitalisation expenses or accessing the best medical care if diagnosed with an illness.

2. Cashless Settlement: The policy prioritises cashless benefits, allowing the insurance company to settle bills directly with network hospitals.

3. Reimbursement Option: If medical services are availed at a non-network hospital, the insured can utilise the reimbursement facility.

4. Hospitalisation Coverage: The plan provides substantial coverage for both daycare procedures and inpatient hospitalisation to ensure you are adequately protected during treatment.

5. Cumulative Bonus (Domestic Cover): For every claim-free year with continuous renewal, the indemnity limit for the domestic cover base sum insured increases by 20%.

6. Hassle-Free Claims: The policy focuses on providing a smooth and efficient claim settlement process for international coverage.

Which Global Health Insurance Policy is Right for You?

Selecting the ideal global medical insurance policy is crucial. The key objective of international medical insurance in India is to choose a plan that fulfils your needs and is not heavy on your pocket.

Imperial Plan: The Essential Choice

1. Best For: First-time expats or travellers seeking a cost-effective safety net for major medical events.

2. Coverage: Offers an international sum insured ranging from $100,000 to $200,000.

3. Key Features: Covers inpatient hospitalisation, day care procedures and mental illness treatment. It provides solid protection for emergency hospitalisations but excludes outpatient (OPD) coverage abroad.

Imperial Plus Plan: The Comprehensive Choice

1. Best For: Frequent flyers, long-term expats or families wanting extensive coverage similar to what they have at home.

2. Coverage: Offers a significantly higher International Sum Insured ranging from $300,000 to $1 Million.

3. Key Features: Includes all Imperial benefits plus International OPD coverage (for doctor visits and pharmacy), medical evacuation, and higher limits for air ambulance services. It is ideal if you want zero-compromise healthcare access globally.

With this handy checklist, now you know how to get international health insurance and remain anxiety and stress-free, whether domestically or abroad.

When you move abroad, your healthcare needs change from occasional to everyday. Choosing Bajaj General Insurance and our Global Health Care plan means securing a partner that combines trust and network.

Here is why this policy stands out as the superior choice for expatriates and global citizens:

Unmatched Global Network: Leveraging our Bajaj network, you gain access to various medical providers worldwide. Whether you are in New York, London, or Singapore, you are likely near a network hospital that offers cashless treatment, saving you from paying exorbitant foreign medical bills upfront.

High Sum Insured Options: Healthcare costs in countries like the USA and UK can be staggering. Bajaj offers coverage up to $1,000,000, ensuring that even complex surgeries or long-term hospitalisations are fully covered without draining your savings.

Comprehensive and Modern Coverage: Unlike basic plans, this policy covers mental illness, modern treatment methods such as robotic surgeries, and palliative care. It also includes medical evacuation and repatriation, ensuring that if local facilities are inadequate, you are flown to the nearest centre of excellence.

Seamless Digital Claims: With the Bajaj General app, managing your policy is effortless. You can track claims, locate network hospitals, and store digital health cards, ensuring you have support 24/7, no matter your time zone.

Lifelong Renewability: Your health status may change, but your coverage won't. The plan offers lifelong renewability, providing a permanent safety net for your life abroad.

What is the Claim Procedure for International Health Insurance?

In case you need to file a claim under your overseas health insurance policy, follow these steps:

Contact the Insurer

Inform your insurer about the emergency immediately. Bajaj General Insurance Limited offers a 24/7 helpline for assistance.

Submit Required Documents :

Provide the necessary documents such as the claim form, medical reports, and bills to the insurer. Ensure all documents are original and authentic.

Review and Approval :

The insurer will review your claim and verify the details. If everything is in order, the claim will be approved.

Claim Settlement :

Once approved, the claim amount will be settled per your policy's terms. The insurer will directly settle the bill with the hospital for cashless treatment.

By understanding the claim procedure, you can ensure a smooth and hassle-free experience in case of any medical emergency during your travels.

For the Global Health Care policy, the documentation depends on whether you are availing of cashless treatment or seeking reimbursement.

For Cashless Claims

If you are at a network hospital, the paperwork is minimal as the hospital coordinates with the insurer. You primarily need:

1. Health Card: A copy of your Bajaj Global Health Care card (digital or physical).

2. Identity Proof: Passport is mandatory for international claims and a valid photo ID is required.

3. Pre-Authorisation Form: Filled and signed by you and the treating doctor at the hospital.

For Reimbursement Claims

If you pay for treatment upfront, you must submit the following documents to the Health Administration Team (HAT):

A. Medical Document

1. Original Discharge Summary: Detailed report from the hospital mentioning the diagnosis, treatment given, and dates of admission/discharge.

2. Original Final Hospital Bill: Must show a cost-wise breakup of all charges (room rent, doctor fees, OT charges, consumables, etc.).

3. Original Paid Receipts: Proof of payment for the final bill and any interim payments.

4. Laboratory & Diagnostic Reports: All original test reports (X-Ray, MRI, Blood tests, etc.) along with the bills and receipts for them.

5. Pharmacy Bills: Original bills for medicines purchased, supported by the doctor's prescription.

6. Implant Invoices: If an implant (e.g., stent, mesh) was used, the invoice or sticker for the implant is required.

B. Administrative & KYC Documents

1. Claim Form: Duly filled and signed by the policyholder.

2. KYC Documents: Self-attested copy of ID proof (Passport/Aadhaar/PAN Card) and Address Proof.

3. NEFT Details: A cancelled cheque or bank passbook copy (showing the account holder's name, Account Number, and IFSC code) for the transfer of funds.

C. Essential for International Claims

1. Passport Copy: Clear copy of the first and last pages of the passport.

2. Visa & Travel Stamps: Copy of the Visa and the page with Entry and Exit stamps to prove the travel dates align with the policy period.