As many countries around the world are in the midst of a second wave of COVID-19, it is only natural that people are questioning their international private medical insurance and wanting to confirm if they have sufficient cover.

The short answer is yes, your international health insurance does provide cover for medical attention or treatment that you may need as a result of COVID-19. However, it isn’t always so simple, which is why we will examine the situation further.

Will my international health insurance cover me if I am diagnosed with Coronavirus COVID-19?

All of the international health insurance providers that ASN is partnered with do provide cover for COVID-19 related treatment and care, as they would for other viruses.

Conditions regarding cover are specific to your policy and they will vary depending on the insurance provider. For instance, if you require out-patient care, then your policy must include out-patient cover.

There may be certain exclusions due to medical history or other circumstances.

If you are unsure or wish to confirm your level of cover for COVID-19 and future pandemics, you can contact your ASN customer care consultant. They will be able to provide you with a detailed insight into the terms of your policy.

I don’t have international health insurance and I have tested positive for Coronavirus COVID-19. Can I get international health insurance to cover my treatment?

If you have COVID-19 and are uninsured, you will not be able to purchase a health insurance that will provide cover for COVID-19 related treatment or care.

If you have recovered from COVID-19, the chance of receiving cover from an international health insurance provider will depend on their conditions, as well as the severity of which you were infected.

Every application for an international health insurance policy is studied individually, as every case is unique. The insurance specialists at ASN are able to provide guidance and consultation if you have questions or concerns about your eligibility for cover.

Does health insurance cover COVID-19 testing?

This is very specific to the insurance provider and your policy. For example, if your health insurance provides cover for routine screenings, you may be eligible to receive reimbursement for COVID-19 testing.

Again, this is specific to your policy and the provider. If routine screenings are not covered on your policy, you may only be reimbursed for testing if you display symptoms.

Does international health insurance cover the costs of face masks, screens, disinfectant and other preventative medical equipment?

No. There is currently no international health insurance provider that covers the costs related to the purchase of face masks and other preventative medical equipment.

Will my health insurance cover phone and video appointments with my doctor?

This is possible, but it is specific to the insurance provider. As in-person consultations are currently discouraged in order to avoid further spread of the virus, some insurance providers are reimbursing telephone medical consultations. Please note that some providers only allow this via a specific phone application.

Before you make an appointment for a telephone medical consultation, you can confirm whether it will be covered by contacting your ASN customer care consultant.

Am I able to use my evacuation and repatriation benefit if I test positive for Coronavirus COVID-19 and become seriously ill?

If you test positive for COVID-19 and become seriously ill, you may be eligible to receive your medical evacuation and repatriation benefit if you are unable to access sufficient medical care where you are. As international health insurance is used by expats all over the world, only those truly in need of evacuation will be considered.

Further, due o the global border restrictions in place as a result of the pandemic, evacuation and repatriation may not be possible. This is dependent on the country you are in and the country you wish to return to.

Non-medical evacuations and repatriations are not covered.

If you have further questions regarding your level of cover during the Coronavirus COVID-19 pandemic, you can contact an insurance consultant at ASN.

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For detailed information about the virus and global restrictions, you can refer to the Coronavirus COVID-19 information site published by The World Health Organization.

For more specific information from some of ASN’s insurance provider partners, you can review their COVID-19 information resources here: Axa Global, Bupa Global, Cigna Global and Now Health International.