Atlas America Travel medical Insurance - Forum

Hi,

Dear American Visitor Insurance,
Does Atlas America do direct billing?
Thank you
Fiaz


Dear Fiaz,,

Thank you for contacting American Visitor Insurance with your inquiry!

Hi! We get that question quite a lot from both visitors and friends and family who want to buy insurance for their loved ones' travel to the US. The answer is "Maybe." Whether you can get direct billing depends totally upon the provider of the medical service (doctor or hospital). If they are unwilling to call the insurance company to arrange payment, then, they may say, "We don't take this insurance." Which simply means they don't want to make the phone call to arrange payment. You can still use that provider if you want to, but you will have to pay for your services up front and submit a claim to get reimbursed for what you over paid.

Many companies we work with, like WorldTrips, have a Preferred Provider Network (PPO) they work with. If you stay in this network, they really should make the phone call for you, but, unfortunately, we have had clients in the network and they refused to call. No one can make them do that, so no company can guarantee direct payment.

On the positive side, your policy will work for any covered illness at any doctor or hospital. It is meant to be used in an emergency and in such a situation you may not get a choice of where you are taken (then again, you might, so it would be good to know the hospitals in the network, just in case). Still, we have not heard of a case where someone was in a hospital situation and they refused to call. It is much more likely at a doctor's office, clinic, urgent care center, or pharmacy where they will just want an upfront payment.

Not to worry! We have all the necessary documents on our website and would be happy to help you move forward with the claims process. Just be sure to fill out the correct form completely, submit it in a timely manner, and after the company has had a week or so to process it, check their client zone or call them to check up on it.

I hope this will put your mind at ease. If you have further questions or concerns, please call or email us at your convenience.

Here is a link to Atlas America plan on our website:

Feel free to call or email us with any questions or comments you may have.

Regards,
Customer care
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
(877) 340 7910

Hi,

Me and my wife (age 70) and (age 64) will be traveling from the US (Virginia) to Iceland for vacation. We depart the US on Sep22 and arrive in Keflavik on Sep 23. We will be staying until Oct 6. Our itinerary has us traveling the ring road and visiting the West Fjords. In reviewing the comparison of Atlas International, Travel Medical Choice and Travel Medical Plus, it appears that the Atlas International would serve us best, but before selecting, I would welcome any thoughts or additional information you can provide.

Thank you
William


Dear William,

Thank you for contacting American Visitor Insurance with your inquiry!

Yes, Atlas International plan is a good comprehensive choice with international provider network and coverage for acute onset of pre-existing condition. This policy is very popular with international travelers and has many excellent features. In particular, their coverage of "acute onset" of pre-existing conditions up to the maximum of the plan for medical expenses and an additional $25,000 for emergency medical evacuation can put your mind at ease. Also, if you family has citizenship from different countries, you will be able to list this accurately for each person on the policy.

Feel free to call or email us with any questions or comments you may have

Regards,
Customer care
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
(877) 340 7910

Hi,

I just did an insurance with you I just have a few questions

1)In the case that I need to use the insurance I chose the option of zero dollars deductible meaning I don't have to pay anything right?

2)How do I get the refund in case I have to use the insurance?

3)My second issue is that I'm traveling in India at the moment around February I need to get out of the country to renew my visa will I be covered while traveling outside of the original country that I did the insurance for?

4)Is there may be a way I can speak to someone directly instead of using this email?

Thank you!
Oram

Dear Oram,

Thanks for contacting us at American Visitor Insurance with your inquiry! Here are the answers to your questions:

Question:In the case that I need to use the insurance I chose the option of zero dollars deductible meaning I don't have to pay anything right?

Answer: In case you chose zero as the deductible, you do not have to pay the deductible amount when an expense is incurred. It looks like you have purchased the Atlas plan. This plan has a PPO network. If you happen to visit a facility within the PPO network, then the co-insurance is waived. If you visit a facility outside the network, then there is a 20% co-insurance that is applicable on your side and you will have to pay the 20% of the expense incurred. This is applicable to the first $5000 of the expense and after that, the insurance company will pay 100%.

Question:How do I get the refund in case I have to use the insurance?

Answer: It is dependent on the provider if they are willing to do the direct billing. If they are not you can fill the claim form and get the money reimbursed. You can check with the company directly about the claims by calling 1-800-605-2282.

Question:My second issue is that I'm traveling in India at the moment around February I need to get out of the country to renew my visa will I be covered while traveling outside of the original country that I did the insurance for?

Answer: Yes, you will be covered anywhere outside your home country. Please make sure that you have selected your destination as that country so that you get the right coverage.

Question:Is there may be a way I can speak to someone directly instead of using this email?

Answer: Yes. If we are not available on the phone while you called, we will call you back or get back to you on email.

Please let us know if we can help you in any further.

Regards,
Customer care
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
(877) 340 7910

Hi,

I just bought Atlas international insurance. Can you please confirm if the below requirements are satisfied by the insurance I have bought? These are the specifications by the Italian embassy. Also, can you please provide a letter specifying that I am covered for the below:

"Medical Insurance Coverage Abroad for the entire period of travel in the Schengen area with a minimum coverage of Euro 30,000 for hospitalization, emergencies, evacuation and repatriation. Make sure that these 4 benefits are itemized on the policy issued by your current US Health Insurance company, or by a US Travel Insurance company. If your US insurance provider cannot issue a letter specifying the above, you contact a travel insurance company which will be able to do so. (we do not accept insurance card or insurance booklets)"

Thank you!

Piyush


Dear Piyush,

You may obtain your visa letter by logging into ClientZone. It is not a passport protected option. You may access this resource by choosing FOR LIMITED ACCESS, LOGIN WITH INSUREDS DATE OF BIRTH when clicking the ClientZone link below.

You may visit ClientZone for many self-service options as well.

If you have any questions or concerns please contact us and a customer service representative will be glad to assist you.

Regards,
Customer care
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
(877) 340 7910

Hi,

Would like options for Health insurance while in the US. Wife and I are Canadian but will be traveling back and forth to the US for a few months at a time over the next few years.

Thank you!

John


Dear John,

Thank you for contacting us at American Visitor Insurance for your travel health insurance needs!

Here is a plan that you can use for the multiple trips to US:

ATLAS MULTI TRIP:

This plan is available in the interval of 30 days and 45 days. This plan covers up to the policy maximum of sudden recurrence of pre existing condition up to the age of 70. If there are expenses incurred within PPO network, the coinsurance is waived in this plan. Outside PPO there is a 20% co insurance is applicable after the deductible.

To get quote and purchase this plan, please visit the below BUY link:

Please let us know if we can help you in any further.

Regards,
Customer care
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
(877) 340 7910

Hello,

I am interested to purchase the Atlas plan for my Columbian friend with whom I will be visiting US.I am in Canada and we both are visiting New York state in US. I read the eligibility requirements and it says that I am ineligible if purchasing when physically in Canada and will be in New York State which is where my friend and I will be visiting...I am purchasing the insurance for my friend who is coming from Colombia...but reading the eligibility, it would see that i cannot apply because I live in Canada...is this correct?

Thank you,

Mauro


Dear Mauro,

Sorry for the inconvenience! Yes. If you are physically located in Canada you will not be able to buy it. If you are specifically interested in Atlas plan your friend can buy it by giving Columbian address. But Atlas cannot be cbought if you are physically located in Canada and the issue is the same with the New York state in US.

I can suggest another equally good comprehensive visitor plan which does not have the location issue for you.

PATRIOT AMERICA PLUS from the company IMG(International Medical Group):

This plan is a very good comprehensive plan and has coverage for pre-existing condition up to age 70.

You can get all the information about the plan, brochure, PPO network on this below link.

Please let us know if we can help you any further

Regards,

Customer care
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
(877) 340 7910

Hello,

We tried to buy for the period 07/16/2013 to 08/05/2013, but the system doesn't accept. The maximum time allowed are 12 months. What should we do on this matter? Our trip will be more than that.

Thank you,

Andresa


Dear Andresa,

You will be able to purchase the policy initially for a time period of 12 months. You can extend this policy to a maximum of 36 months by renewing the policy online on our website. Renewal needs to be done well before the expiration of the policy. So, we recommend to perform the renewal action at least 3 days before the expiration to be on the safe side.

Regards,

Customer care
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
(877) 340 7910

Hello,

1. Most of time we will be at New York State (US). But the first 2 weeks we will be in Germany, and from time to time maybe you pass a few days in Canada as well, because we will be very close to it. Are we covered by the insurance either in Germany and Canada? Our home country (permanent resident is Brazil).

2. In case of an emergency in US and outside, what should we do concerning medical treatment? What are the procedures?

3. As soon as I buy this health and travel insurance plan, how could I receive a signed receipt from this purchase, with the insurance cards and the brochure with explanations? Will the company send it to my home abroad (in Brazil)?

Thank you

Aloisio


Dear Aloisio,

Following are the answers to your queries:

1. This policy provides coverage inside and outside of USA. So you will be covered when you are outside USA.

2. In case of an emergency, WorldTrips will cover you to take the applicant/insured to the nearest medical facility when you are far from your home. Please see the "Enrollment and Claim filing" section in the brochure of the policy. In this section, read the instructions under 'Precertification' and 'Claim Filing". Also see the 'What's covered by Atlas Travel" page for the "Emergency Evacuation " information:

The toll free number of WorldTrips insurance company customer care is 800-605-2282. The below link makes the claim form available and also has the contact information of WorldTrips Insurance Claims

3. The purchase of the plan is online on our website. You will receive a confirmation email from WorldTrips once the transaction is completed successfully with the insurance card that you can print out. You can also print out the PDF format of the brochure from the link that I mentioned above.

Regards,
Customer care
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
(877) 340 7910

Hello,

1. How much we will pay for a year? We will pay month by month or at one time. The maximum plan life is 12 months. Could we buy another 6 months? How to renew? 2. Dental Benefits Sudden pain means you will pay 100 dollars, and I will pay the others. Right? 3. Pregnancy (Yes, Only complications during the first 26 weeks) It means it only insurance the 26 weeks, after 26 weeks I will pay myself Right? 4. I don't know the plan renewals. It means I could buy a new insurance? Thank you,
Sharon

Dear Sharon,
Following are the answers to your queries:

1. I'll answer these together. With the Atlas plan, you can purchase for as many days/months as you like up to 12 months. You will be charged for the full time you sign up for. You can pay month by month as long as you remember to renew or extend the policy before it runs out and they will charge you an additional $5 fee. After the policy has gone for 12 months, you simply buy a new policy and again, you can buy it for as long as you like (up to 12 months).

2. Yes. If a tooth is injured in an accident, then it is fully covered. If you have a sudden pain, then the insurance only pays $100 of any charges and you must pay any other charges that are incurred.

3. The maternity coverage is limited only to the first 26 weeks of gestation or the first 26 weeks of the pregnancy AND only complications of pregnancy. So a later term pregnancy is not covered, also wellness visits, ultrasound, etc on a healthy baby are not covered. Birth is of course, not covered.

4. Yes. You can extend a single policy up to 12 months. After that, you buy a new policy and you can do that with the Atlas America. It is a very good choice. I often recommend it.

Regards,
Customer care
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
(877) 340 7910

Hello,

1. Is there a co-payment for the student?

2. Does the student need to pay the full bill at the time of treatment and get reimbursed once the claim is filed? Or will the insurance cover the cost with the student only paying a copay.

3. Is there flight insurance? If so, what is the limit? My question is concerning accidents that may happen on the flight to the US. I am thinking that as long as it is inside the coverage dates, accidents will be covered but I just wanted to double-check.

Alex


Dear Alex,

Following are the answers to your queries:

1. The policy works off of a deductible amount (one-time) which must be paid before the insurance begins to cover any amount. After the deductible, if the provider is in the network of providers, the insurance pays 100%. If you are out of network, then you pay 20% of the next $5,000 in bills (so, up to an additional $1000).

2. This depends upon the provider. In a hospital situation where there is likely going to be a high bill, the hospital will generally call the insurance company an arrange payment, so that the student will simply pay their portion to the provider. However, if the provider is unwilling to call and/or deal with the insurance company, then the insured may have to pay up front and submit a claim for reimbursement from the insurance company. All these forms are provided after your purchase and can also be found on our website.

3. You should insure from the day the student leaves their home country until the day they return. Travel is included in the policy. There is some minor travel component, too, such as baggage loss by an airline.

Regards,
Customer care
www.americanvisitorinsurance.com
(877) 340 7910