When you're abroad, the rules are different. In most countries, medical care is expensive. Unlike the United States, they may require cash payment up front before any medical treatment occurs. International health insurance not only covers your medical care costs when you're overseas, it also provides protection. Your insurance provider can settle the claim with the health care provider so that you can get on with your life.

There are a couple of different situations when you might need to get international health insurance:

- If you are traveling overseas and your current insurance policy doesn't cover you when you leave the country.

- If you are a student studying overseas for an extended period of time.

- If you are an expatriate living in a foreign country.

In any situation where you will be overseas for some length of time and want to make sure you're covered, you'll need international health insurance.

There are also international group plans. If you are going overseas to work, you will probably be eligible for one of these with your company. This is an ideal situation because it's less expensive, and also because the company will handle all the claims for you.

International Student Insurance

If you are studying abroad, your school will probably require you to have some form of health insurance. This is common practice in most of the world. They may offer an international student health insurance package directly to their students, but it may be more advantageous to you to keep a policy in your home country.

Individual International Health Insurance

Most companies offer different international health insurance packages, depending on how long the carrier plans to be overseas. For example, they may have some policies good for up to 30 days (travel insurance), or there are programs for students that are renewable every year. If you plan to live for a long time in another country, you can get a regular long-term policy.

Travel insurance is usually similar to a short-term insurance policy. Application is relatively simple. You can usually be approved on the same day that you apply. Because the policy is for a short time, there is less risk to the company, and premiums are usually quite low. They will also be less concerned about your medical history or pre-existing conditions.

Long term insurance policies will be more like regular health insurance policies. There are many companies that specialize in offering international health insurance, and you do not have to use one from your home country. These companies are a good option, because they are used to dealing with international claims. Certain companies service certain countries, so they are familiar and comfortable with how that country's healthcare system works.

For payment purposes, you may need to keep a US bank account open. Even if you plan to live overseas for an extended period, you'll need to have a bank account where the company can reimburse you with US dollars.

When you are shopping around for insurance, always ask about traveling. Most policies have some limited coverage options, and others offer extended options for longer stays overseas. If you plan to spend more than 30 days abroad, you should definitely take out a separate international insurance policy. If your provider doesn't offer a deal you like, shop around.