International Health Coverage for a Diabetic/Asthma Sufferer

[kelbellene]

What is the name of your state? NE

Hello! I am frantically helping my boyfriend find international health insurance that will cover his asthma and diabetes. He thought he had found a company that would cover him, but today received an email saying they couldn’t. The thing is, he’s leaving to teach in Japan for a year in June and needs to have this sort of paperwork in by the end of next week.

Okay, Ryan is 23. Last spring he was diagnosed with diabetes. He completely changed his diet and lifestyle. He has controlled it so well that last month his doctor said everything seemed to be at normal levels and, as long as he keeps the same diet, the diabetes shouldn’t show up again until he’s older. Around the same time last month, he was diagnosed with mild asthma. This requires one mile daily inhaler, and another inhaler for emergencies.

Is there any way for someone to get international insurance coverage with these conditions? I’m really hoping that something like this doesn’t mess up his chance to live in Japan.

Thank you for any help!

 

[somarco]

Few carriers will cover diabetics stateside. I am not aware of any carriers offering inernational coverage that will extend coverage to a diabetic, no matter how well they have managed their illness.

 

[kelbellene]

Then is there any way then to get coverage that just won't pay for the diabetes? We're both just really confused about the whole pre-existing condition thing.

 

[somarco]

get coverage that just won't pay for the diabetes

Nope.

Problem is, diabetes is a complicated and multi-faceted disease. To exclude diabetes is to also say the carrier wont pay for circulatory problems, eye disease, kidney problems, . . . in other words almost every major organ in the body can eventually be affected by diabetes.

SOMETIMES a carrier will cover a type II diabetic, IF they have had the disease for a few years and IF they have managed their A1c and IF there are no other complicating factors such as obesity, high cholesterol. Type I diabetics are on everyones no list.

 

[kelbellene]

So, are you saying a diabetic just can't get insurance? At all?

SOMETIMES a carrier will cover a type II diabetic, IF they have had the disease for a few years and IF they have managed their A1c and IF there are no other complicating factors such as obesity, high cholesterol.

And this is the case.

 

[somarco]

So, are you saying a diabetic just can't get insurance? At all?

Not 100% of the time . . . maybe 99%.

Varies from state to state. Some states have "no health question" underwriting where they have to accept almost everyone . . . and the prices are sky high. Most states allow individual underwriting. Cant say what NE rules are.

In GA, Blue is about the only carrier that will write diabetics, and then only type II . . . sometimes.

You really need to find a local agent who specializes in health insurance. Look for someone with 5+ years experience and represents more than one carrier. If they know of a carrier who can write your boyfriend, then ask if they will cover him out of the country. Most will extend coverage on out of country trips but a year is pushing the limits. Problem is, even if they do cover out of country, in a medical emergency the stateside carrier wont pay for things like med-evac & repatriation. They also wont pay for translating medical records.

You indicated earlier he was diagnosed last spring. Later you indicated he has had the disease for a few years (in response to my post). Which is it? A year as a type II is not long enough for a carrier to get a good history. Usually 3 years is what they are looking for.

 

[purple2]

OP, I believe your boyfriend already posted this question in this forum.

 

[kelbellene]

In that thread he had asked if his conditions were considered pre-existing. Now I'm asking that, if we assume they are, is there any way in hell for him to get covered.

I still don't believe them to be pre-existing. He has had continuous insurance coverage. He went from his parents' insurance to some crappy temporary insurance, and that's where he is now. There has never been a break in insurance. The company he has now covers his diabetes and asthma, so why can't we find an internation provider that will do the same?

 

[cbg]

Not all coverage qualifies as creditable for purposes of pre-existing conditions.

 

[absconder]

Doesnt Japan have a nationalized health care system? If this guy did go to Japan would he be elidgable???????

 

[cbg]

I was wondering that myself, absconder.

 

[somarco]

In that thread he had asked if his conditions were considered pre-existing. Now I'm asking that, if we assume they are, is there any way in hell for him to get covered.

I still don't believe them to be pre-existing. He has had continuous insurance coverage. He went from his parents' insurance to some crappy temporary insurance, and that's where he is now. There has never been a break in insurance. The company he has now covers his diabetes and asthma, so why can't we find an internation provider that will do the same?

His condition IS pre-existing, despite what you believe.

The coverage you are inquiring about (international travel medical) is (to the best of my knowledge) only issued on an individual (not group) basis. As such, HIPAA restrictions on pre-ex do not apply. That being said, each state has the ability to set their own HIPAA guidelines as long as they are no more stringent than federal law. So, NE may allow creditable coverage toward satisfying any pre-ex clause in their contracts.

This is why I keep referring you back to a local agent. Unless there is someone on this forum who is familiar with NE statutes, you are wasting time trying to get an answer beyond what you have already discovered.

note to absconder - Japan may very well have some form of socialized medicine. Even so, coverage may not be extended to foreign nationals. AFLAC (and a few other carriers) have found a big market for their products (which are supplemental in nature, not primary coverage). The questions posed so far (specifially dealing with NE statutes and coverage for foreign nationals visiting in Japan) are beyond my expertise.

That being said, many overseas programs (work/study) require participants to have medical coverage in place before they leave the US.

 

[kelbellene]

note to absconder - Japan may very well have some form of socialized medicine. Even so, coverage may not be extended to foreign nationals. AFLAC (and a few other carriers) have found a big market for their products (which are supplemental in nature, not primary coverage). The questions posed so far (specifially dealing with NE statutes and coverage for foreign nationals visiting in Japan) are beyond my expertise.

He actually did quialify for the Japanese health care. I can't remember why he opted not to take it. I believe it had something to do with this same asthma/diabetes situation.

Thank you for all of your help! We'll check with an agent here. In the meantime, he may choose to teach for a different company, pushing back his departure date so we will have more time to sort this all out.