International Travel Medical Insurance | FAQ

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 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 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?

You will receive a copy of your visa letter right after purchase, in your fulfillment documents. You can also access your visa letter 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 100% of your eligible expenses up to the policy maximum. In the United States, the Atlas plan uses an optional (Preferred Provider Organization) Network. By going in-network, the provider will typically be able to direct bill the insurance company, so you don’t have to pay for the services up front the time of treatment.

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 or 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 Preferred Provider Organization in the USA. In network providers will typically be able to direct bill the insurance company so you won’t have to pay for the services up front at the time of treatment. Direct billing is always up to the provider, so we suggest calling the provider before seeking treatment to be sure.

• If your plan was purchased prior to July 1st, 2019, or, if your Home Country or Citizenship is in the European Union, your plan uses the First Health Network as the Preferred Provider Organization in the United States.
• If your plan was purchased as of July 1st, 2019, and, if your Home Country or Citizenship is not in the European Union, your plan uses the UnitedHealthcare Network as the Preferred Provider Organization in the United States.
• To find providers in your area that accept these networks, please visit our online provider search tool here.

How do I know which network my plan uses?

Depending on when you purchased your plan, and where you are from, your Atlas plan will either use the First Health Network or the UnitedHealthcare Network when seeking treatment in the United States. The network logo will be included on your insurance ID card, but please also keep in mind the following:

If your plan was purchased prior to July 1st, 2019, or, if your Home Country or Citizenship is in the European Union, your plan uses the First Health Network as the Preferred Provider Organization.

If your Home Country or Citizenship is in the following countries, your plan will use the First Health Network.

EU Countries

Austria, Belgium, Bulgaria, Croatia, Cyprus, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia, Finland, France, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Ireland, Italy, Latvia, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Poland, Portugal, Romania, Slovak Republic, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden and the United Kingdom.

EU Territories

Azores, Canary Islands, Guadeloupe, French Guiana, Madeira, Martinique, Mayotte, Reunion, and Saint Martin

EU Economic Area Countries

Iceland, Lichtenstein, and Norway

If your plan was purchased as of July 1st, 2019, and, if you Home Country is not in the European Union as listed above, your plan uses the UnitedHealthcare Network as the Preferred Provider Organization.

For more help finding a provider in your area that accepts your insurance plan, please contact us.

How are claims paid?

Claims are 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 Preferred Provider Organization, your insurance bill is typically paid directly. You will need to complete a claim form and email this to service@hccmis.com for processing.

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 your bills and receipts, along with 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.

This plan is underwritten by Lloyd's.