Global Navigator FAQs
- Who is eligible to buy the Global Navigator Plan?
The Global Navigator plan is available to both Career Missionaries and Maritime Crew Members. See the Eligibility page for details.
- Am I guaranteed to be issued a Global Navigator policy if I apply?
No, Global Navigator is not a guaranteed issue plan. Each application is medically underwritten. Your application may be 1) accepted, 2) accepted with a rate increase due to your health status, or 3) denied.
- Is the quote I receive binding?
No, the quote you receive is not binding. The quote you receive may not apply if 1) you misstated a material fact on your application, or 2) we increase the rate due to your health status.
- When determining a rate while overseas, what zip code should I use?
Policies for applicants residing outside the U.S. are issued through the Global Citizens Association office in Washington D.C. The zip code that applies is 20036. Please enter "20036" or "0" in the quoting tool if applying online while living outside the U.S.
- How long will the medical underwriting process take?
The underwriting time frame depends on the medical history listed on the application. Turnaround can be as quick as one day or as long as one month. Our commitment is to respond to a submission in writing within 3 - 5 business days. This may mean that we send a request for additional information to the applicant, such as a specific medical questionnaire, or notify the applicant that they erroneously missed a question on the application form. Occasionally we have to obtain medical records from hospitals or providers. Our turnaround time in these situations will depend on how quickly the provider responds to our request.
If we receive the application before the requested effective date, we can honor the effective date even if the approval comes through thereafter. - Once I'm approved for coverage do I have to go through medical underwriting again?
You do not need to go through medical underwriting when you re-enroll into your current plan design without changes. You may be medically underwritten again if you decide to select different benefits (see below). Plan changes can only be requested at time of re-enrollment.
If a member would like to increase benefits (by lowering a deductible) they must complete a new application. If a member would like to reduce their benefits, they do not need to complete a new underwriting application. - How do I calculate out of pocket expenses and the annual limit?
Out-of-pocket expenses are defined as the expenses a member incurs when satisfying the plan’s deductible and coinsurance requirements. The deductible and coinsurance level varies based on where treatment is delivered as shown in the table below. The total annual out-of-pocket expense limit is calculated by adding the deductible and coinsurance maximum together. In this example, it is $2,250. Deductibles must be satisfied before any benefit is paid. Coinsurance is applied as a percentage of the payable medical charges. This percentage is only applied to care delivered inside the U.S. and varies depending on whether the care is delivered in-network or out-of-network.
Table illustration
Global Citizen
Plan 1,2,3,4,5Deductible Coinsurance Maximum Outside U.S. U.S.in Network U.S.out of Network 250 $125 $250 $500 $2,000 Out of Pocket Expense Example
Member is covered under the Global Navigator 250 plan and receives services from an in-network hospital in the U.S.Payable medical expenses are $20,000, the $250 deductible must be satisfied, and 20% coinsurance applies.
A member is only responsible for $2250 in out-of-pocket expenses. This is due to the fact that there is a Coinsurance cap of $2,000.
- How are the deductible and coinsurance calculated for families?
Deductibles reflected in the Global Navigator plan grid are per person deductibles. For a family, the maximum deductible and coinsurance are increased by a factor of 2.5., regardless of the size of the family. For example, a family covered under the 250 plan pays a maximum deductible of $625, calculated by multiplying $250 (per person) by 2.5. The coinsurance maximum is $5,000, calculated by multiplying the coinsurance maximum of $2,000 (per person) by 2.5. The family’s annual out-of-pocket expenses limit is $5,625 ($625 + $5,000).
- Will my policy automatically renew? At what rate?
You can enroll in a Global Navigator policy up to age 75. The policy does not automatically renew upon your request. You will be notified of your new plan rate at least 30 days prior to your policy expiration date. You must confirm your new policy rate in writing or by accepting the rate when logged in to our secure website. Plan rates are based on age at time of enrollment and are impacted by medical inflation. You will not be asked any medical questions and your personal health history will not determine your new rate. Global Navigator rates are standard rates for all members re-enrolling.
- When does my coverage end?
We may terminate your policy if:
- You no longer meet the eligibility requirements
- You fail to pay your premium
- We discover that you committed fraud or misrepresented a material fact to HTH
- We terminate the plan in your state or geographic service area
- Will my pre-existing condition be covered under a Global Navigator plan?
If you were previously covered by a group or individual U.S. health plan that issues you a Certificate of Creditable Coverage, HTH Worldwide will apply this prior coverage to the pre-existing conditions waiting period, provided you meet HTH's medical underwriting criteria. HTH will also consider private health insurance issued in other countries as creditable coverage. HTH does not consider surplus lines insurance sold in the U.S. as creditable coverage.
The number of months of coverage shown on the Certificate will reduce or eliminate the 12 month pre-existing condition waiting period. If you have 12 or more months of creditable coverage, your waiting period will be eliminated. If you have less than 12 months creditable coverage, your waiting period will be reduced by the number of months you had creditable coverage. For example, if you have two months of creditable coverage, your waiting period will be reduced from 12 months to 10 months. - How do I access participating medical providers outside the U.S. and avoid claim forms?
HTH's Global Health and Safety services and mPassport help members identify, access, and pay for quality healthcare all over the world. This includes a contracted community of elite providers in 180 countries. Members can access these carefully selected providers and arrange for the bills to be sent directly to HTH Worldwide for payment as follows: go to www.hthtravelinsurance.com and click on "Member Login" then click on "Register Here". After registering, you are able to create a Well Prepared profile and use the related web tool to request an appointment with the participating provider. HTH will automatically arrange for direct settlement of the bill for this visit. Please note, direct billing may not be available everywhere.
Direct billing can also be requested by calling the assistance telephone number listed on your member ID card, or by emailing globalhealth@hthworldwide.com. Please note that in the U.S. a member can simply show their ID card at time of service and participating providers will only bill the member for any required deductible or co-payment.
A claims instruction page is available online and can be accessed by visiting www.hthtravelinsurance.com. Claim forms are downloadable from this section of the site as well. - I am currently based in the U.S. Can you help me find participating doctors in my hometown?
Inside the U.S., HTH has a network of over 700,000 providers available to its members. You can find a doctor in the network by searching Aetna (search Passport to Healthcare Primary and Secondary network). Always speak directly with the provider you have chosen to confirm that they are currently participating with the Aetna Open Choice PPO network.
- I am trying to find a doctor in the U.S. in your network, but there is no one listed within 25 miles of where I am searching. What should I do?
In the U.S., if a member does not have a participating physician in an appropriate specialty available to them within 25 miles, HTH will apply in-network benefits (80%) to the provider they see.
Outside the U.S., 100% coverage always applies after any applicable deductible or co-payment. - I purchased a plan, but would like to cancel my insurance prior to its expiration. Will I have to pay any cancellation fees?
Any cancellation requests must be received by HTH in writing via email, fax or regular mail. There are no cancellation fees or penalties. However, HTH does not refund premium for a partial month. Retroactive cancellations are also not permitted.
- Are acts of terrorism covered under this plan?
Yes. The Global Navigator plan does not exclude illnesses or injuries related to terrorism or a terrorist act. In order to be covered in countries where there are open hostilities, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, a member must not be engaged in hostile or combative activities.
- How are medical evacuation decisions made?
The evacuation benefit pays for a medical evacuation to the nearest Hospital, appropriate medical facility or back to the U.S. Transportation must be by the most direct and economical route. All evacuations require written certification by the attending physician that the evacuation is medically necessary.
- Is birth control covered?
Use of birth control is not automatically excluded on the policy. HTH reviews the medical condition for which birth control is being used. If it is being used solely as a contraceptive, it is excluded. If it is being used to treat an approved condition, it will be covered. In this instance, the member will have to pay for the prescription up front and submit a claim to HTH, along with a letter from the prescribing doctor indicating the medical necessity of the contraceptive.
- What is the Global Citizens Association?
GCA is a not-for-profit association serving those who travel the world for business, study and leisure. GCA promotes health and safety around the world through online knowledge tools and email news alerts. GCA members also benefit from the Association's group purchasing programs for travel, insurance, entertainment and telecommunication services. GCA benefits are available through its Rewards Worldwide program at www.rewardsworldwide.com.
- Where can I read the fine print?
To see plan definitions, limitations or to review a sample certificate visit: hthtravelinsurance.com/gl_citizen/gl_ctzn_cert_sample.pdf.