INF - FAQ's, Frequently Asked Questions

This is a multifaceted answer. All INF Plans come with our $0 Copay Telemedicine service. Telemedicine allows your clients to get treatment from their home with ease. INF has two telemedicine provides: Teladoc & MeMD. Telemedicine is a great tool because it works just as well as going to an urgent care, it's much faster, it does not cost anything, and there is no claims paperwork involved.
We've helped members in the past set up their account and get treatment for issues like toe infections, leg infections, depression, sore throat, leg pain, UTI, and even chicken pox! Even if your client has a preference to go to a physical location- this is a free first opinion they can use. The telemedicine physician will also give their opinion on what next steps should be for treatment.
For doctors & hospitals - it depends on the plan which you enroll in. INF Fixed Benefit Plans (Premier & Standard) all have a deductible which must be met, and then the plan pays according to a schedule of benefits. It is important to remind the client that fixed benefit options have limited benefits.
INF Comprehensive plan (Elite & Traveler USA), have a deductible as well, and then pay 80% up to the policy maximum. When compared to other plans which claim to pay 100% after the deductible.

The answer to this question depends on the policy your client wants to enroll in.
For Fixed Benefit Plans: After the deductible is met, INF will pay a fixed amount. Any remaining part of the bill will be the client's responsibility.
For example:
Your client enrolled in the Premier $150K policy with a $75 deductible and $1,000 pre-existing deductible, paying $336 in premium. They see a cardiologist who charges $500 per visit, and order an EKG ($300 charge), blood work ($400 charge), and 3 follow up visits ($1,500 charge).
After the $1,000 deductible has been met, the plan will pay $200 for the blood test, & $375 for the follow up doctor visits (a total for $575). This means the patient is responsible for the other $1,125 (before PPO discounting).
As you can see in this example, the client got their money's worth from the plan- but because it is a fixed benefit option, only a portion of their total costs were paid.

For Comprehensive Plans:
After the deductible has been met, the plan will pay 80% of the eligible charges up to the policy maximum.
For example:
Your client has an episode of Syncope and is rushed to the ER. They are stabilized and discharged within 1 day and now are faced with a bill of $30,000. The bill is negotiated down to $22,500 and the plan will pay the remaining $18,000. Your client only pays $4,500 out of a $30,000 bill.

Again, we have a question that can have multiple answers. All INF plan will cover new accident & sicknesses. Under INF, new sicknesses include:

• Urinary Tract Infections
• Kidney Infections
• Bladder Infections
• Influenza
• Pneumonia
• Appendicitis
• And many more diseases which can be considered "new"

INF Plans typically do not exclude new sicknesses under the guise of pre-existing conditions like other plans (such as Patriot America & Safe Travels).
INF Plans typically do not exclude new sicknesses under the guise of pre-existing conditions like other plans. Some INF Plans (Elite & Premier) cover all pre-existing conditions. Known as "Full Pre-Existing Coverage," this means we cover the gradual worsening of pre-existing conditions, and we treat pre-existing conditions like new sicknesses (in-patient, out-patient, and specialist care). Full Pre-Existing plans have no look-back period, and will cover any pre-existing issue, as per the policy. That being said , medical tourism, maintenance, and preventive care are not covered by full pre-existing plans.
Other INF Plans cover only the acute onset of pre-existing conditions. This means we only cover pre-existing issues related in-patient hospitalization or emergency room. Our definition of acute onset is "emergency sickness," meaning if your client thinks they will experience an adverse health consequence without immediate medical attention, it may be considered Acute Onset.

Pregnancy & Childbirth: Some INF Plans provide benefits for pregnancy & childbirth. It is important to note that pregnancy is not considered a "pre-existing condition" but rather new condition. In any case, pregnancy is not covered if conception happens before the start date of the policy.
INF Plans which provide some coverage for pregnancy include:

• INF Standard
• INF Premier

Dental & Vision:
INF Plans provide all members with a Careington POS Discount Card, which allows them to access dental savings benefits of around 50% and savings on glasses and frames of around 30-40%. Clients can see the dentist and know they do not have to pay full price for complicated dental procedures.
For eye illnesses, such as pink eye, eye allergies, etc- these are considered sicknesses and covered by INF Plans, as per the policy.

Reflection on INF Plans:
When you advise your client to enroll in an INF Plan, you are making the right decision. INF is known for paying claims, having responsive customer service, ensuring the claims process is smooth, and being there when members need us.
If an insurance plan does not pay a claim- it's not just a reflection on the insurance company, but a reflection on yourself as a trusted advisor to your client. Our advice: don't sell your clients a lemon, advise them to enroll in INF.
Remember- always feel free to reach out with any questions you have about INF.

Yes, they can buy INF travel insurance

Yes, Europeans and other nationalities can buy the INF travel medical insurance plan for travel to Canada. With respect to Canada, many Canadian Snowbird travelers also buy INF plans for their travel to the USA do to the excellent pre-existing coverage policies.

Yes. The INF travel insurance insures many green card holders (especially those who are above the age of 65 years) in INF medical insurance. INF plans also offer ancillary benefits such as dental and telemedicine, something that is typically separate policies for domestic health insurance. Green Card holders can enroll in INF plans up to 1 year at a time, and then must renew their policy. There is however no "term limit" for INF plans

The standard answer is that any plan offering Acute Onset coverage will only pay claims for emergencies related to pre-existing issues. However- we all know that *most acute onset plans never pay claims. *We've put together some examples on Acute Onset of Pre-Existing conditions plans you can share with your clients:
Examples to show how INF offers coverage for Pre-existing conditions

*Example 1: James with cardiac issues*
James is visiting his daughter from the UK. He is 67 years old with a history of high blood pressure. His physician recommended an increase in his dosage of a blood pressure medication before his visit to USA and to stay away from flying. Nevertheless, James went ahead with his flight, regardless of his doctors form of physician recommendations. While walking in the park, James experiences a sudden recurrence of chest pain, and has a heart attack. Would this be covered?

*Example 2: Sony with chronic kidney issues*
Sony is visiting her son from India. She has a chronic medical condition which affects her kidneys. While visiting her granddaughter's college she has a sudden recurrence of her pre-existing kidney issues. The symptoms are of short and rapidly progressing. Is there coverage for this acute onset event through her travel insurance?

If you are looking for a plan that will cover parents no matter what happens- You can buy the INF Elite plan. This plan covers any worsening of pre-existing conditions, including issues related to kidney, thyroid, blood pressure, diabetes, and much more. INF Elite plan treats pre-existing conditions like new sickness. INF Elite visitors insurance covers all pre-existing conditions.

*Example 3: Amit with mild BP and Sugar*
Amit is visiting the USA for the birth of his grandson. Amit is quite healthy, and has only the things that come with age- a little bit of BP, diabetes, and the occasional leg pain. This is his first time visiting the USA, and his body takes a bit of time to adjust to the new air, water, climate, and food. After a few days after Amit arrives to the US, he contracts a Urinary Tract Infection. The infection rapidly progresses, and it ends up with Amit having acute kidney failure. Is this going to be covered by an Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions plan?

Only the INF Plans cover urinary tract infections.

INF Elite visitor medical insurance will cover on a per incident (sickness) basis up to the policy maximum. And the deductible is applied per sickness as well. There's no "lifetime maximum" for the plan - theoretically you could go to the hospital 10 times and get $1.5 million in claims.

They must go through special membership approval for INF Elite / Premier / Standard / Traveler USA for Greencard holders.

Yes, they can buy INF travel insurance.

No time limit- but special approvals are much faster within 1 week after arrival.

Yes. All of these expenses are covered. Since your dad is in a stable condition when he had a heart attack - this acute onset of pre-existing conditions are considered as "new sickness". Since the heart attack is "new sickness" - you do not have to meet a separate deductible for out-patient services.

Complications specifically related to the bypass surgery would be considered "pre-existing" and be subject to the pre-existing condition maximum. However, other heart complications may be considered new sickness, depending on the doctors observation & medical records.

No. Even if your father has high blood pressure, a heart attack would be considered a "new sickness" under the INF Elite travel insurance & INF Premier visitor health insurance.

Yes, INF Elite Network insurance and INF Premier visitor health insurance cover any acute onset of pre-existing conditions.

No. Although these are acute onset of pre-existing conditions, they are treated like new sicknesses if there is no history of such condition in the last 12 months.

No. Since she has been stable and has not visited a doctor for lightheadedness is the last 12 months - this would be considered a "new sickness" and covered until the policy maximum.

INF Elite Network insurance & INF Premier travel insurance with pre-existing coverage is for any out-patient care related to pre-existing conditions. All "acute onset" events are new sicknesses if there is no history in the last 12 months, and therefore are subject to the policy maximum

Yes. However, we treat these like new sicknesses. Meaning you are always covered underneath an INF plan.

If the Asthma condition has been stable for 12 months, it is NOT pre-existing in INF Elite or Premier. If it has been unstable (treatment required) in past 12 months- it IS pre-existing, and covered as a pre-existing condition.

Yes – INF travel insurance will cover the worsening of the condition, but not maintenance or preventive care.

No.

If the Arthritis condition has been stable for 12 months, it is NOT pre-existing in INF Elite or Premier. If it has been unstable (treatment required) in past 12 months- it IS pre-existing, and covered as a pre-existing condition.

No.

Yes – INF US travel insurance will cover the worsening of the condition, but not maintenance or preventive care.

If the Diabetes has been stable for 12 months (no change in Medication / sickness related to diabetes), it is NOT pre-existing in INF Elite or Premier. If it has been unstable (treatment required) in past 12 months- it IS pre-existing, and covered as a pre-existing condition.

Yes - INF US visitor insurance will cover the worsening of the condition, but not maintenance or preventive care.

No.

Yes- INF travel insurance for USA will cover a heart attack either as a new sickness or pre-existing condition, depending on how stable to insured’s condition was in the past 12 months.

Yes - INF visitors insurance for USA will cover the worsening of the condition, but not maintenance or preventive care.