PLAN YOUR TRIP
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE
IMPLEMENTATION IN COLOMBIA
To visit our country for academic purposes, it is necessary to have an International Health Insurance which must be purchased before your mobility and its minimum validity must be from the day you travel until the day you finish your academic activities.
It is very important that you check with your host institution the minimum requirements they establish for this insurance. Remember that there are different types of insurance according to the values and specifications covered and how they operate when needed.
For your well-being and peace of mind, it is essential that you purchase an international health insurance that guarantees a wide coverage in terms of values, services covered and policy’s implementation modality.
- Values: : As for the amount of coverage, it is advisable that it be a minimum of US$ 35,000, or its equivalent in the currency of your country of origin, and that you keep in mind that life insurance and personal accident insurance policies do not replace international health insurance. However, you should check with your host institution to see if they have a minimum amount.
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Services Covered: Generally, the international health insurance policy should provide coverage for the following situations:
+ General illness and accidents: the policy must cover medical assistance due to accident, medical assistance due to non-pre-existing illness, medical assistance due to pre-existing illness, special illness, emergency dentistry, medicines and hospitalization.
+ Coverage of Excess Hospital Services: these refer to hotel expenses for convalescence, emergency hospital care without hospitalization, diagnostic aids and specialized examinations.
+ Psychological assistance.
+ Health transfer or repatriation: this is the repatriation of the insured in the event that his/her health conditions do not allow him/her to continue his/her mobility.
+ Funeral repatriation: repatriation of the insured in case of death.
+ Legal assistance: legal assistance in case of traffic accident and transfer of funds for legal bail.
+ Other recommended coverage: transfer of a family member due to hospitalization of the insured, return trip due to death of a first degree relative, interruption of trip due to catastrophe, among others.
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Modality of implementation of the policy: : it is necessary that the provider of your international health insurance informs you about the operation of your insurance in Colombia, since it can operate in two ways:
a) a) By Reimbursement: You must pay for your medical expenses on your own and later request your insurer the reimbursement of the money.
b) By Insurance Authorization: In case of any eventuality, the insurer authorizes the care in a Medical Institution in Colombia and makes the payment directly to that institution.
Do not forget to ask for the contact numbers of the Insurance Company in our country as well as to keep with you the documentation related to any special health condition that must be known in case of an emergency, such as if you suffer from allergies or a disease that requires permanent medicines or special attention.