International Travel Medical Insurance | FAQ's

As with any insurance plan, there will most likely be questions about the finer details of the plan benefits and exclusions. Included in our frequently asked questions section are some of the more common questions that we receive on a daily basis. If you would like further clarification on these or any other questions you may have, please do not hesitate to contact our friendly customer support team who will be more than happy to assist you.

Who underwrites the Atlas Travel plan?

Lloyd’s of London is the underwriter of the Atlas Travel plan. They are rated A (Excellent) by AM Best Company and A+ (Strong) by Standard and Poor’s, meeting all visa requirements for the USA and countries around the world.

Am I eligible for the Atlas Travel plan?

The plan is available to anyone who is traveling outside of your Home Country and are at least 14 days old, you are eligible for coverage. This includes international students, study abroad students, ESL students, foreign scholars, dependents living internationally, travelers, chaperones, international business groups, etc.

Where will this plan cover me?

The Atlas Travel plan will cover you anywhere in the world, outside of your home country. If you are a US citizen, your home country is automatically the USA regardless of your principal residence. For non-US Citizens, Home Country is the country where you principally reside and receives regular mail.

When can I purchase my plan online?

You can purchase your plan up to six months in advance of your selected policy start date, however please note that the full premium will be charged immediately at the time of the application. You are also able to purchase coverage even if you have departed for your travels and in another country other than your home country.

When does my coverage become effective?

Your coverage becomes effective on the latest of:

• We receive your application and payment (if application and payment is made online or by fax)
• 12:01am US Eastern Standard Time on the date we receive your application and payment (if application and payment is made by mail)
• The moment you depart for your home country, or
• 12:01am US Eastern Standard Time on the date you request on your application

When does my coverage end?

Your coverage will end on the earliest of:

• 12:01am US Eastern Standard Time on the last day of the period for which you have paid a premium,
• 12:01am US Eastern Standard Time on the date requested on your Application, or
• The moment of your arrival upon return to your Home Country (unless you have started a Benefit Period or are eligible for Home Country Coverage).

Will I get my documents immediately?

Yes, when you apply online we will send all your documents to you immediately via email. You can download these documents, print them off and show them as proof of coverage. If you have applied for a plan and haven’t received your policy documents, be sure to check your spam or bulk folder. Once you have applied online, within an hour you will be able to log into the “Student Zone” to download your ID card, visa letter, or get claims information.

Will I get my ID card and documents in the mail?

No, all documents are automatically emailed to you – however you can opt to have hard copies mailed to you when you apply so please make sure to indicate this on the application form when you apply if this is your prefered option.

How do I get a visa letter?

Your visa letter is available by logging into the “Student Zone” and selecting the “Visa Letter” option after you have applied.

What forms of payment do you accept?

We accept Visa, MasterCard, Discover and American Express credit and debit cards online. You are also welcome to use a friend or family member’s credit or debit card with their permission. If you would prefer to pay using a check and wire transfer, please contact us for more information.

What is a beneficiary?

A beneficiary refers to someone who is eligible to receive distributions from your insurance plan in case of your death while covered under the policy. Under the Atlas Travel plan there are death benefits that will pay out a financial sum if that were to happen, and so on the application you would need to define who would receive these benefits. Typically you would put down your mother, father, brother, sister, husband, or wife as a beneficiary – but you have the option to put anyone you want even if they are located outside your host country.

Can I extend or renew my coverage?

• If your Atlas plan includes the US or if you are a US citizen – you can purchase coverage and extend up to a total of 364 days.
• If your Atlas plan excludes the US and you are not a US citizen – you can purchase and extend coverage up to 365 days. Once you have a full 365 days of coverage, you can renew your coverage up to two additional years.

Please note – Extensions and renewals may be completed through the Student Zone before the plan expires and there is a $5 fee per extension or renewal.

My plan has expired, how can I reinstate it?

Once a plan has expired or lapsed, it cannot be reinstated or restarted. You can instead purchase a new plan and begin coverage as soon as the same day. Apply now for the Atlas Travel if you’d like to purchase a new plan.

Can I cancel my Atlas Travel plan?

Yes, to be eligible for a full refund the cancellation request must be received prior to the effective date of your insurance plan. Cancellation requests received after the effective date will be subject to the following conditions:

• a $25 cancellation fee; and
• only the unused portion of the plan cost will be refunded; and
• only members who have no claims are eligible for premium refund.

All cancellation requests must be submitted in writing, we cannot accept cancellation requests over the phone. You can send this request by email through our contact page.

Does this plan have vision or dental coverage?

The Atlas Travel plan does not cover routine vision or dental services, however it does offer a limited emergency eye exam benefit, as well as limited coverage for dental accidents and emergency dental treatment for unexpected pain. Please see the plan benefits page for full details.

Please note – routine dental check-ups such as cleanings are not covered — if you are looking for a more comprehensive dental insurance plan, please see our dental discount plans.

What does Usual, Reasonable and Customary (URC) mean?

URC — which stands for Usual Reasonable and Customary — is either the lesser of 150% of the charges payable under the United States Medicare program for claims incurred outside the PPO network within the U.S., or the average cost charged by a provider for a specific procedure in a specific geographic area. For example, if a particular procedure costs $5,000 on average in the New York City, the insurance company will not pay your provider in New York City $10,000 for the same exact procedure. Instead, they will limit their payment to "Usual Reasonable and Customary" — in this example, $5,000.

What is a deductible?

The deductible is the amount you are required to pay to your provider before the insurance company pays toward your eligible expenses. On this plan, you can choose your deductible (options are: $0, $100, $250, $500, $1,000, $2,500, or $5,000) which is paid once per certificate period.

What is coinsurance?

Coinsurance is the percentage that the insurance will pay toward your medical bill after you have already paid your deductible.

Outside the USA

After your deductible, the insurance plan will cover 100% of your eligible expenses up to the policy maximum.

Inside the USA

After your deductible, the insurance plan will cover the Usual, Reasonable, and Customary (URC) amount. You may be responsible for any charges exceed the payable amount.* However, if you go to a provider that is in the First Health Healthcare Network (applies only in the US), after the deductible, the insurance company will cover 100% of your eligible expenses up to the policy maximum.

Does the Atlas Travel Plan provide any home country coverage?

Yes, the plan provides the following home country coverage options:

Incidental Home Country Coverage

For every three months of coverage, the Atlas Travel will provide you with 15 days (for US citizens) or 30 days (for non-US citizens) of medical expense coverage for incidental trips back to your Home Country. Return to your Home Country must not be taken for the purpose of obtaining treatment of an Illness or Injury that began while traveling, and you must return to your host country to be eligible for this benefit.

Benefit Period Medical Coverage

A Benefit Period begins on the first day you receive a diagnosis or treatment of a covered Illness or Injury while outside your Home Country and lasts for 90 days. If you started a Benefit Period while this insurance was in effect, you are covered only for Medical expenses for the duration of the Benefit Period, regardless of whether you are at home or abroad.

What is the VantageAmerica Discount Card?

For policies purchased with a United States destination, you will be provided with a VantageAmerica Discount Pharmacy Card. This card will provide discounts on most FDA approved prescription drugs at over 54,000 participating pharmacies across the United States, and will save you an average 5%-15% off the cash price for brand drugs and an average 15%-40% of the price of generic drugs.

Once you have received your instant discount, the remaining prescription expenses can still be submitted for reimbursement as usual.

• Card NOT Valid in AK, MA, MN, MT, VT, and Canada.
• Pharmacy discounts are NOT insurance and are NOT intended as a substitute for insurance.
• The discount is only available at participating pharmacies.

What doctors of hospitals (providers) can I go to?

You are free to visit any provider you wish with the Atlas Travel plan, however the plan does have an optional network called the First Health Healthcare Network in the USA. If you stay inside the network you will have 100% coverage after your deductible (if you have one). You can locate a nearby provider by visiting our provider network search tool.

How are claims paid?

Claims will be paid depending on where you are located and where you seek treatment:

In-network while inside the USA

When you visit a provider that is part of the plan network your insurance bill is typically paid directly, without the need for an insurance claim form. This setup will depend on the particular provider you go to and so you will need to ask the provider before you seek treatment.

Out-of-network while inside the USA

When you visit a provider that is outside the network, you will need to pay for all services up front and then submit a claim form for reimbursement.

Outside the USA

When visiting a provider around the world, please pay for the services up front and then submit a claim form for reimbursement.

If you are hospitalized for an emergency or planned hospitalization you will need to call the 24 hour emergency assistance number located on the back of your insurance ID card and they will assist you further with settling the hospital bills.