suraj Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 I am seeking advise from folks who are knowledgable in this area; although on previous visits they have bought insurance from India for their stay in US- we keep praying that we never have to use any medical services because the terms seem complicated and too many exceptions to coverage. As they grow older, however, I am looking for the best options for a 4-5 month stay; something that will give peace of mind coverage even if the premium is slightly higher. What are the options out there? I do understand that all of them have clauses against "pre-existing conditions" but want to make sure we are covered other than those and the insurance company does not try to cheat its way out of a reimbursement for any services required specially the urgent ones. Any help will be deeply appreciated- please feel free to ask questions. (they will be on a visa and one of them can be considered senior citizen as >65) Thanks
kumble_rocks Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 I believe that all these so called travel insurances are fake and useless whether taken in India or here. Don't even bother !
Ram Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 I think you'll get the best possible advice from the actual insurers themselves. Why done you call them up and ask them if their policies will cover such and such conditions by listing all possible circumstances (I know its uncomfortable to do such a thing, but you will have to do it if you want to be sure)
Kohum Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 I am seeking advise from folks who are knowledgable in this area; although on previous visits they have bought insurance from India for their stay in US- we keep praying that we never have to use any medical services because the terms seem complicated and too many exceptions to coverage. As they grow older, however, I am looking for the best options for a 4-5 month stay; something that will give peace of mind coverage even if the premium is slightly higher. What are the options out there? I do understand that all of them have clauses against "pre-existing conditions" but want to make sure we are covered other than those and the insurance company does not try to cheat its way out of a reimbursement for any services required specially the urgent ones. Any help will be deeply appreciated- please feel free to ask questions. (they will be on a visa and one of them can be considered senior citizen as >65) Thanks Don't take it from India - I guarantee you, they will find something or another to deny your claims. I used to buy insurance here, I forgot the website name. I'll try to find through email, and PM you the name. I didn't have to go through claim process with them so far, but when the insurance company was TATA AIG, they screwed us big time. They called an operation done 10 years ago as pre-existing condition, even though the clause was to include 5 years ago only and denied all claims. We had to take them to court to get money back, which they only gave half of the total bill.
suraj Posted April 12, 2009 Author Posted April 12, 2009 Don't take it from India - I guarantee you, they will find something or another to deny your claims. I used to buy insurance here, I forgot the website name. I'll try to find through email, and PM you the name. I didn't have to go through claim process with them so far, but when the insurance company was TATA AIG, they screwed us big time. They called an operation done 10 years ago as pre-existing condition, even though the clause was to include 5 years ago only and denied all claims. We had to take them to court to get money back, which they only gave half of the total bill. Let me know the website- thx
suraj Posted April 12, 2009 Author Posted April 12, 2009 I think you'll get the best possible advice from the actual insurers themselves. Why done you call them up and ask them if their policies will cover such and such conditions by listing all possible circumstances (I know its uncomfortable to do such a thing' date=' but you will have to do it if you want to be sure)[/quote'] will try that MM
fineleg Posted April 12, 2009 Posted April 12, 2009 suraj, Get atleast 300K coverage "per person". (dont try to scrimp on coverage by choosing the 50K or 100K ones). Some will offer 300K or 500K coverage. Choose that even if premiums are costly. One unfortunate situation and you will need a good coverage amounts. Emergency and medical situation in US is very, very expensive as you may know. Dont buy them from India. But do it in US - again higher premium, but the Indian ones are a rip-off. I will send you email on more info.
coffee_rules Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 None of them work. But you have to buy to get a doctor to see your folks. I had bought from Travellers' Insurance. They asked me to co-pay 75 $s on a visit. When the doctor sent them a bill, they didn't half of it. The doctor then sent me a bill..I called up and ask him to deal with the Insurance. And that the end of it. So..I don't think it works the way it is supposed to. But you have to buy it atleast for some doctor to see the patient. US health system sucks!
Kohum Posted April 13, 2009 Posted April 13, 2009 I don't think that's true coffee_rules. In my case, when we were asked - whether you have insurance, I initially said no. Doctors still saw us but the service was on a "as-needed" basis. Initially the service was on a as needed basis. It turned out that we had to hospitalize for surgery, when we showed insurance cards. The service immediately increased to have 2 hour blood removal for culture and monitoring, which was absent before we showed the cards. In the end I had a bill of about 30K [hospital and doctors bill separately]. This bill was reduced to ~10K when I told them that insurance has refused to pay the bill.
Desi Cartman Posted April 14, 2009 Posted April 14, 2009 My parents use ICICI's insurance whenever they travel to the US or come to stay with me here in Aus... We have never ever used it. You guys have confused me now and I think I will have to be more careful about their insurance now. As I understood they can refuse to pay if its an elective surgery .. How would they know if its pre-exisiting since they dont do any medical check ups at the time of issuing policies? :hmmmm2: I think dhondy should be able to guide us
fineleg Posted April 14, 2009 Posted April 14, 2009 ICICI is cra.p based on what I've heard. Never buy the ones from India. I've heard they are total rip off if and when you need to use them. They wont pay and they'll just make you run around, phone call, fax etc.
Holysmoke Posted April 14, 2009 Posted April 14, 2009 Actually the ones from India are much much better. I know that for a fact. But you have to get the right one.
bhaveshshah Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 Suraj, You are seeking the advice from persons knowledgeable in this area and I can certainly advice you on that. ..........
ganeshran Posted March 27, 2011 Posted March 27, 2011 I hope BhaveshShah is not a call center rep who keeps his customers on hold and searches for an answer
flamy Posted March 28, 2011 Posted March 28, 2011 I just called Insubuy. They hung up on me. I feel so ill-treated. :((
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