WorldMed^SM Insurance - FAQ

Who is eligible to purchase WorldMed Insurance?

U.S. Citizens and Non-U.S. Citizens who are at least 14 days of age and under age 65 and that are traveling outside of their home countries but not to the U.S. or U.S. territories. U.S. Citizens and residents are not eligible for coverage within the U.S, except as provided under home country coverage or an eligible benefit period.

Am I eligible to purchase WorldMed if I have already left my home country (or country of residence)?

Yes. You may enroll in WorldMed regardless of how long you have been living or traveling outside your home country or country of residence.

Will my WorldMed policy go into effect the day I enroll? I need coverage soon.

No. However, your policy can go into effect as early as one day after your Enrollment is received.

Is it possible to renew my policy?

Worldmed Insurance cannot be renewed. However, if you anticipate staying outside of your home country and in a foreign country longer, you can purchase an additional Worldmed Insurance plan to begin at the end of your current plan.

Will I be able to make changes to my policy?

You may make changes to your personal information at any time, such as: address, email address and/or phone number. If you would like to select a different plan, deductible or different upgrade options, you will need to submit a new Enrollment.

How will proof of insurance be sent to me?

Your receipt and Confirmation of Insurance will be emailed to you.

If I need medical care, will I have to pay for my expenses at the time of treatment?

You may have to pay for medical care at the time of treatment depending on the medical facility being used. In the event that the medical facility requires payment up front, you can submit a claim for reimbursement, less your selected deductible and the co-insurance. While not a guarantee, payments for large expenses such as Emergency Medical Evacuations are typically coordinated and paid by the insurance company's Assistance Service.

What is a deductible?

The deductible is the amount that you, the Insured person, pay before the insurance begins to pay for covered medical expenses. All WorldMed plans offer a choice of deductibles.

May I choose any doctor or hospital if I need medical care?

Inbound: Traveling to the U.S.

Yes, you may go to your choice of provider in the U.S. However, the coinsurance will be waived for visitors to the U.S. if expenses are incurred within the PPO network.

Outbound: Traveling Outside the U.S.

Yes, you may use any doctor or hospital when you need medical care. You may call the Emergency Assistance Company to help you locate a doctor or hospital. You may also find a doctor in the International Provider Network.

What is a beneficiary?

The Beneficiary is the person (or persons) who receives the Accidental Death benefit if the Insured dies in an accident while insured under the policy. The Insured will automatically be the Beneficiary for any insured spouse and children. Examples of beneficiaries include: your spouse, your children, your estate or your living trust.

Does WorldMed cover pre-existing conditions?

No. This policy does not cover pre-existing conditions, except charges resulting directly from an Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition subject to the limits set forth in the Schedule of Benefits and Limits.

A Pre-existing Condition is any condition:

1. for which medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment was recommended or received within 18 months* prior to your effective date of coverage
2. which would cause a reasonably prudent person to seek medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment within 18 months* prior to your effective date of coverage
3. that existed (with reasonable medical certainty) with 18 months* prior to your effective date of coverage, whether or not it was known to you

An Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition is a sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence of a pre-existing condition which occurs spontaneously and without advance warning either in the form of physician recommendations or symptoms. Treatment must be obtained within 24 hours of the sudden and unexpected outbreak or recurrence. Chronic and congenital conditions are excluded from coverage.

*For individuals whose travel does not include the U.S. (Outbound), the pre-existing condition exclusion period is 6 months.

See WorldMed's Description of Coverage for a complete list of exclusions.

What is "Home Country Coverage"?

The Home Country Coverage Benefit provides limited coverage under your Medical Expense Benefit while in your home country. For more details, please see the WorldMed Description of Coverage.

If I decide not to take my trip, may I cancel my insurance and receive a refund of premium?

A cancellation and refund will be considered if requested in writing prior to your effective date of coverage. Any refunds are subject to a $25 processing fee. Please mail, fax or email a refund request to us.

Am I eligible for a partial refund if I return home before my policy expires?

Premiums may be refunded after the certificate effective date subject to the following provisions:

1. A $25 cancellation fee will apply for administrative costs incurred by us; and
2. Only the unused portion of the plan cost will be refunded; and
3. You cannot have filed any claims to be eligible for a premium refund.

After I submitted my Enrollment, I realized I entered the wrong Effective Date. What should I do?

Send any corrections to us in writing by email, fax or mail and we will confirm the changes. When sending correspondence, please include a daytime phone number and reference your Online Order Transaction number.

Contact Information

If the correction results in an increase in premium, please submit check or credit card payment by fax or mail. When sending credit card details, please include the number, expiration date and a statement authorizing Travel Insurance Services to charge the additional amount.

Is it safe to purchase WorldMed Insurance online?

Yes. Our programmers keep our forms on a highly secure ordering environment so you can enroll in our travel insurance plans with confidence. We use Secure Socket Layers (SSL), the industry standard in transferring information to process your orders. The SSL encrypts, or translates, your order information into a highly indecipherable code, which is processed immediately. When you are ready to enroll in one of our plans, you will move into the secure area of our site. A warning window may pop up to notify you that you are entering this "safe" area. Once you've entered, the beginning of the page address (URL) will change from "http" to "https", to let you know you are in a secure area. Also, a key or a closed padlock icon will appear in the lower right corner of most browsers to notify you of this change. You will remain in this secure zone for the entire purchase process.