Frequently Asked Questions related to single trip plans for travelers with primary insurance
- Who should buy this plan?
Anyone in need of a short term international travel medical plan when leaving the U.S. for leisure, educational, missionary or business travel.
- Who is eligible to purchase a policy?
The eligibility requirements vary slightly by plan type.
- What is the minimum and maximum trip length?
A trip can be as short as 1 day or as long as 6 months (180 days). The minimum charge assessed is 7 days.
- What methods of payment are accepted?
Premiums can be paid by a major credit card online. If paying by check, please make checks payable to Worldwide Insurance Services and mail to:
WIS
Attn: Enrollment
933 First Avenue
King of Prussia, PA 19406 - 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 and must be approved by the Global health and Safety team.
- Are acts of terrorism covered under this plan?
Yes. These plans do 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.
- What is the difference between the plan options?
Single Trip Plan Differences* BENEFIT Plan option for traveler with primary health insurance Plan option for traveler without primary health insurance Pre-existing Conditions Coverage Covered for all benefits, subject to terms of policy. Note: certain congenital conditions and elective care, not covered Covered for medical evacuation, repatriation of remains and bedside visit benefits Accidental Death & Dismemberment $50,000 (Principal Sum) $25,000 (Principal Sum) Prescription Drugs 100% of Covered Expenses 50% Emergency Dental $500 $300 Primary Health Insurance Required YES NO *Please note that this grid illustrates differences between the plan options only. For a complete benefit schedule, please view the full benefit schedule visible after a quote is provided.
- How do I access participating medical providers outside the U.S. and avoid claim forms?
To find a doctor outside the U.S., visit Member Services or use our mobile app to access a contracted community of elite providers in over 190 countries. Members can access these carefully selected providers and arrange for the bills to be sent directly to us. Please note, a member is responsible for their deductible at time of service, if applicable.
Direct Pay can be requested by calling the assistance telephone number listed on your member ID card.
A claims instruction page is available online and can be accessed by visiting the Claims page. Claim forms are downloadable from this section of the site.
- Will my pre-existing condition be covered?
Pre-existing medical conditions are treated differently depending upon the plan you have selected. For travelers who enroll in the single trip plan option that requires maintaining a primary insurance inside the U.S., this plan will cover medical treatments for pre-existing conditions. Please refer to the definition of a primary health plan for more specific information on what plans qualify as a primary insurance.
For travelers who enroll in the single trip plan option that does not require maintaining a primary insurance inside the U.S., benefits are not available for any services received on or within 6 months after the Eligibility Date of an Insured Person, if those services are related to a Pre-existing Condition as defined in the Definitions section of the Plan Description. This exclusion does not apply to a newborn that is enrolled within 31 days of birth or a newly adopted child that is enrolled within 31 days from either the date of placement of the child in the home, or the date of the final decree of adoption.
The pre-existing conditions exclusion under this second plan option does not apply to the Medical Evacuation benefit, Repatriation of Remains benefit, or the Bedside Visit benefit and does not require that insureds have primary insurance at the time of enrollment.
- How do I read the fine print?
To view a sample policy, first you will need to run a quote. After you are presented with your quote results, you will have access to policy details. Click here for a quote.
- Will either plan cover me inside the U.S.?
No. Both are designed to cover a member anywhere outside the continental U.S.
*As of April 2022 we are no longer offering products to US residents traveling to Russia or Belarus.
*As of October 2023 we are no longer offering products to US residents traveling to Israel. - Do I file claims with my primary insurance first?
These plans are secondary insurance. However, we will process and pay claims as a primary payor and reserves the right, where applicable, to contact your primary insurance company to coordinate benefits.
- I am leaving before my policy materials arrive in the mail. How will I receive the information I need in time?
Upon a successful purchase, you will receive an email confirmation which contains all your necessary policy information and important contact information for emergencies. Once enrolled, members can instantly log in to the Member Services area of the website and download an electronic ID card and other policy documents.
- How far in advance do you need to purchase a plan?
A plan may be purchased up to one day before your departure date. Customers wishing to receive a hard copy ID card should allow 2 weeks prior to their effective date when purchasing.
- I already left on my trip. Can I buy one of the plans when I am already outside the U.S.?
No. These plans have been approved to be sold to customers purchasing from inside the U.S. You may request a policy extension up to 180 days.
- Who is eligible to be on the same policy?
For travelers who enroll in the single trip plan option that requires maintaining a primary insurance inside the U.S., dependents may include your spouse, age 95 or younger, and/or your eligible child(ren) or other eligible dependent(s) - see Eligible Dependents.
For travelers who enroll in the single trip plan option that does not require maintaining a primary insurance inside the U.S., age 95 or younger, and/or your eligible child(ren) or other eligible dependent(s) - see above link.
- Does this plan meet all Schengen Visa requirements?
Yes, HTH plans meet all of the Schengen Visa requirements. If you will be traveling to any of the countries within the Schengen area and depending on your nationality, you may be required to show proof that your insurance plan has certain benefits. HTH can provide you with a Visa letter that you can use as proof to show the consulate that your policy meets all the Schengen visa requirements. The Visa letter contains all the specific wording the consulate is looking for.
The countries within the Schengen area requiring a short-stay visa and proof of insurance include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France and Monaco, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia, Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland, Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. See how to apply for Schengen Visa and what is needed for travel insurance.