What is Home Country Coverage in an International Health Plan
When purchasing international health insurance or travel medical insurance, you may notice a benefit referred to as Incidental Home Country Coverage or Incidental Trips to Home Country. International medical insurance is are designed to cover you outside of your home country (depending on the area of cover you choose), but the added benefit of incidental home country coverage will give you some coverage for emergency medical treatment if you sustain an injury or get sick while on a brief and unplanned trip back home. The Incidental Home Country benefit varies by plan. Some plans only offer a maximum of 14 consecutive days per policy period while others, like the Seven Corners Travel Medical plan, offer five days for every 30 days of coverage purchased, up to a maximum of 60 days. Also, the benefit levels might be slightly reduced for incidental trips home, but then become the same as before when you resume your trip abroad.
Home Country Coverage with International Health Plans
International health insurance plans will cover you within the select area of coverage you choose at the time of purchase. Depending on where you are from and where you will be living, your home country may not be included in that area of coverage. Many plans offer emergency coverage for specific amounts of time when visiting home for leisure, business, or pleasure. You need to assess your need for home country coverage when purchasing an international health insurance plan and check to make sure you have the coverage you need in the areas you want it.
Incidental Home Country Coverage in Travel Insurance Plans
Individuals who have been abroad for either business or pleasure know that the need to return home for brief periods of time during their coverage period sometimes occurs without warning. There is always the possibility for a work-related emergency back home to occur or an unexpected personal event of a friend or family member’s such as pregnancy, funeral, or wedding to come about that you do not want to miss due to your travels.
If you will be traveling abroad and are shopping for international travel medical insurance that will also cover you back home in the event that you need to return for a short period of time during your journey, one popular plan option is the Atlas Travel Insurance plan.
The Atlas Travel Insurance plan includes an incidental home country coverage benefit that provides 15 days of home country coverage for every three months of overseas coverage purchased. Although this benefit can’t be used for trips home that are taken specifically to receive care, it will give the covered individual protection for any eligible illness or injury that may occur while on their trip home. The 15 days of incidental home country coverage are able to be used within the three-month period that the days are earned.
The Atlas Travel Insurance plan can be purchased for a minimum of 5 days, up to 364 days with the option to extend coverage. Other benefits included in the Atlas Travel plan include emergency medical evacuation, hospitalization, emergency dental, emergency reunion, acute onset of a pre-existing condition, hazardous sports coverage, accidental death and dismemberment, natural disaster benefit, and repatriation of remains, lost checked luggage, and outpatient coverage.
If you would like to purchase international travel insurance that includes home country coverage, generate a free Atlas Travel quote and apply online today!
End of Trip Home Country Coverage
A different type of benefit you might be interested in is for the end of a long trip abroad, it is called End of Trip Home Country Coverage. This is important because some travelers may no longer have coverage under their domestic insurance plan and may not be able to re-enroll for a month or more. A continuation of the international health insurance plan in your home country will allow you to receive medical treatment if you sustain an injury or become sick after returning home. The length of coverage available depends on the number of months of international coverage purchased. Typically you will have had to purchase a minimum of five months of international travel insurance to be eligible for one month of Home Country Coverage. Travelers who are planning to stay abroad internationally for an extended period, whether it be for business or students who are studying abroad, should consider a travel plan with these benefits. Long-term travelers should consider this home country coverage because the possibility of sick relatives, weddings, or urgent business back home could require a trip back home on short notice. Students studying abroad should consider home coverage because of school breaks or an urgent matter that could need them to return home.
Some insurers reduce the covered expenses for Home Country Coverage. Be sure to read your policy thoroughly or ask one of our Brokers for clarification.
International Citizens Insurance offers several travel medical plans with benefits to suit your particular needs. Here is a list of benefits for each travel medical plan:
International Medical Group
| Plan Name | Incidental Home Country Coverage | End of Trip Home Country Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Patriot Travel The insured person’s country of residence is not the U.S. | 14 consecutive days maximum limit | One month for every five months purchased for travel outside of the home country; 2-month maximum limit |
| Patriot Platinum | Up to a cumulative two weeks | One month for every four months of travel coverage; up to a maximum of three months (Individual plan only). |
HCC Tokio Marine
| Plan Name | Incidental Home Country Coverage | End of Trip Home Country Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Atlas America | 15 days of incidental coverage for every three months of coverage bought; Must use the time earned after every three months | Not Available |
| Atlas International | 30 days of incidental coverage for every three months of coverage bought; Must use the time earned after every three months | Not Available |
Seven Corners
| Plan Name | Incidental Home Country Coverage | End of Trip Home Country Coverage |
|---|---|---|
| Seven Corners Travel Medical | You will receive five days of coverage per month of coverage purchased up to a maximum of 60 days per 12 months of purchased coverage | Not Available |
If you have any questions about Home Country Coverage that we haven’t answered above, please contact our support team or request a free quote and include your question in the space provided.