Travel to the US - health insurance?

[Bob Loblaw]

Hi folks -
Nothing particularly HK about this thread, but I figured I'd ask all of you in case you have any familiarity with the issues.
My family and I are going to be back in the states for a good chunk of the summer. We aren't signed up for an American health insurance right now, and want to be covered in case anything happens to us while we're home. (We all have US citizenship). I don't fully trust the insurance I have from work that covers us while here.
Thanks!

[HowardCoombs]

I don't fully trust the insurance I have from work that covers us while here.

Thats a bit of an odd statement...
You dont like it (its not covering enough) or you dont trust it...I'm assuming its from a reputable and fairly large insurance company. Whats there not to trust?

USA is a tricky destination - many travel & health insurance plans have all sorts of exclusions in place for USA. You just need to sit down and read fine print carefully; I would start with the one you already have and see what is missing from it.

[huja]

Hi folks -
Nothing particularly HK about this thread, but I figured I'd ask all of you in case you have any familiarity with the issues.
My family and I are going to be back in the states for a good chunk of the summer. We aren't signed up for an American health insurance right now, and want to be covered in case anything happens to us while we're home. (We all have US citizenship). I don't fully trust the insurance I have from work that covers us while here.
Thanks!

Travel insurance. Often times, when you book a airline ticket, an option will be there to buy travel insurance. Despite the name, it can also cover health/medical. Not sure a US citizen is eligible while in the US, however. Be sure to look into that.

Another option is Gap insurance.

And also, what makes you think your current health insurance won't be sufficient? It's basically for medical emergencies, right? Not routine checkups and such which you'd do in HKG.

[Trance Omega]

Not sure if this link will help you but seems to be close to what you are looking for.
We have a really good policy worldwide apart from one country in the world...USA.

[Bob Loblaw]

Thats a bit of an odd statement...

I'll restate - I don't fully trust that the insurance that my employer provides will cover us while we're there. I can accept that this is an odd statement.But odd or not, I will be getting supplemental insurance. I'm just not sure where to start looking.

[Bob Loblaw]

Thanks to Huja and Trance for the links, will try to see if I can figure these out...

[HowardCoombs]

I'll restate - I don't fully trust that the insurance that my employer provides will cover us while we're there. I can accept that this is an odd statement.But odd or not, I will be getting supplemental insurance. I'm just not sure where to start looking.

Look at the one you already have and read the fine print carefully.
If that doesnt satisfy, then the usual suspects : Bupa & PPP/AXA and dont forget to check with your Bank too. Many local banks offer (sometimes as part of their credit cards) travel insurance for free or very small premiums.

[huja]

Look at the one you already have and read the fine print carefully.
If that doesnt satisfy, then the usual suspects : Bupa & PPP/AXA and dont forget to check with your Bank too. Many local banks offer (sometimes as part of their credit cards) travel insurance for free or very small premiums.

Good suggestion on the credit card angle.

[bibbju]

I'll restate - I don't fully trust that the insurance that my employer provides will cover us while we're there. I can accept that this is an odd statement.But odd or not, I will be getting supplemental insurance. I'm just not sure where to start looking.

Makes sense to me! One thing I've noticed with HK insurance (when compared with UK insurance) is that the limits on medical expenses etc are much, much lower. (And don't even look at the death benefits!!) It's always made me very nervous when travelling, especially to the US, as I never felt comfortable that I had sufficient coverage with HK-issued insurance if something went wrong. Totally agree that you're doing the right thing taking out extra coverage.

[Bob Loblaw]

Good suggestion on the credit card angle.

yes, thanks. definitely worth checking out.