Overview
Beacon America is a comprehensive coverage plan for non-U.S. citizens traveling outside their home country when travel includes the U.S. Instant quotes can be obtained on this web site and you can also make an instant purchase. While most other travel medical insurance plans can be effective as early as the next day or any future date you specify, Beacon America allows you to make it effective on the same day of the purchase. Upon making a purchase, you will immediately receive an email confirmation with a link to download your fulfillment documents including the ID card, certificate wording and the visa letter. No physical ID cards are mailed by the postal mail unless you pay an additional amount to be sent to you by courier.
What is covered and not covered?
Beacon America will generally pay for new medical conditions, injuries or accidents that may occur after the effective date of the policy. Any expenses related to routine maintenance of pre-existing conditions, preventive checkups, immunizations, maternity, etc. are excluded.
Additionally, Beacon America provides the coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions, for persons under the age of 70 years. If you purchase $550,000 or higher policy maximum, acute onset of pre-existing conditions would be covered up to $150,000. For policy maximums between $60,000 and $200,000, it would be covered up to $50,000.
Prescription drugs are covered just like any other eligible medical expenses. However, you will have to first pay out of your pocket and then file for reimbursement, using a claim form, that you can download easily. More information.
For Urgent Care visits in the U.S, you will have $35 copay and the deductible is waived. If you go outside the PPO network, it will be subject to the coinsurance.
Acute dental pain is covered up to $500 if the insurance is purchased for a minimum of 90 days. For realistic dental coverage, you should consider purchasing a low-cost dental plan called Careington.
In addition to excellent medical coverage while on the trip, it also provides the coverage for trip interruption, loss of checked luggage, emergency medical evacuation, repatriation of remains and much more.
How do I use the insurance?
Please look at the detailed description.
How much is covered?
Before the insurance plan covers anything, you will have to pay the chosen deductible once per the certificate period (varies from $0 to $5,000), even for doctor visits. (Deductible is waived for urgent care visits in the U.S.) Until you satisfy the deductible, you will continue paying out of your pocket. Except in the case of U.S. Urgent care, there is no copay concept in Beacon America.
After that, within the United Healthcare PPO Network, the plan pays 100% up to the selected policy maximum. When visiting the provider in the U.S. outside the PPO network, the plan pays 80% of the next $5,000 of eligible expenses, you pay 20%. That means, you will have pay up to $1,000 as coinsurance if you visit the provider outside the PPO network in the U.S.
Example:
Let's assume that you have purchased a $60,000 policy maximum with a $250 deductible for 90 days.
Let's assume that the doctor charges you $150 per visit and you need to visit several times.
The first time you visit the doctor within the PPO network, you will have to pay the entire bill of $150 from your pocket. You still have $100 left towards the unsatisfied deductible.
When you visit the doctor within the PPO network the next time, and he charges you $150, you will pay $100 from your pocket. You have now completely satisfied your deductible per certificate period. Out of the remaining $50 after your deductible, the plan pays 100% to the policy maximum; if you had gone out of the network the plan would have paid 80%, which is $40 and you would pay 20%, which is $10.
For any subsequent treatment (whether for the same condition or a different condition), you don't have to pay the deductible again. The insurance company will continue to pay 100% up to $60,000 within the network.
If you visit the providers outside the PPO network, it would pay 80% for the first $5,000 of covered medical expenses, and you pay 20% (that is maximum $1,000). After that, the insurance company will pay 100% for covered medical expenses, up to $60,000. If you incur any expenses beyond $60,000, you will be responsible to pay out of your pocket.
Let's assume that you were in an accident are hospitalized for 3 days in a hospital within PPO network. The hospital charges $10,000 per day for a total bill of $30,000. Assuming this is the first time you are using the insurance, you pay your $250 deductible and the insurance company will pay the rest.
Even if you extend your insurance after initial 90 days, you don't have to pay the deductible again for a total coverage period of 364 days.
Benefits Updated: 04/08/2020