IN A NUTSHELL

Fee-for-Service (also known as indemnity or traditional) plans generally offer complete freedom to choose your own doctors (including specialists) and hospitals. These plans, however, tend to be more expensive to the consumer. In addition, many employers do not even offer a Fee-for-Service option. (It's expensive!)

Managed care plans, on the other hand, have agreements with certain doctors, hospitals and health care providers to give a range of quality health services at a reduced cost. The secret? Patients have to stay within the plan's network of providers and health facilities to get the best benefits. HMOs, PPOs and POS plans are all types of managed care.

Health Insurance Overview What is health insurance?

he term refers to a variety of insurance policies, ranging from those that cover the costs of doctors and hospitals to those that meet a specific need -- like long-term care or dental coverage. When most of us talk about health insurance, however, we refer to the kind of plan that covers doctor bills, surgery and hospital costs.

You may have heard terms like "managed care," "Fee-for-Service" and "indemnity." These words define different types of coverage or health plans widely used by today's consumers. Confused? Don't worry. HealthInsurance.com will help you make sense of the lingo.

SKY RESCUE

Sky Rescue offers emergency medical evacuation coverage for international travelers. This product provides scheduled coverage for individuals under the age of 65 traveling outside their home country for a minimum of three months. The plan may be purchased for three months, six months or twelve months and can be rewritten for succeeding or subsequent periods. New deductible, eligibility, conditions of coverage and pre-existing condition exclusions will apply, and a new application must also be completed.

GLOBAL MEDICAL INSURANCE

Global Medical Insurance offers worldwide coverage to a wide variety of international clientele, including expatriates, international executives, diplomats, students, entertainers and other international travelers. Global Medical Insurance offers you the choice of three plan options: Silver, Gold and Platinum. You also have the opportunity to select a coverage area: worldwide or worldwide excluding the U.S. and Canada. Simply choose the plan option and coverage area that best fits your needs. Each one offers a full range of benefits suited for individuals and families, provides coverage 24 hours a day, and you have the freedom to choose any doctor or hospital for treatment.

As part of the eligibility requirements for Global Medical Insurance, U.S. citizens must reside abroad or plan to leave the U.S. on their effective date and plan to reside abroad for at least six of the next 12 months. Non-U.S. citizens may reside anywhere, including their country of citizenship, although certain eligibility restrictions may apply to non-U.S. citizens residing in the U.S.

You also have the option of adding Global Term Life Insurance and Global Daily Indemnity to your Global Medical Insurance coverage. Global Term Life Insurance provides protection for your family at the time of a traumatic loss and is available with no additional underwriting. This coverage is available for a standard annual premium of $240 and includes an Accidental Death and Dismemberment benefit. Global Daily Indemnity pays you $100 for each covered overnight hospital stay other than those related to maternity.

Lifetime medical coverage is available if you are enrolled in the Global Medical Insurance plan by your 65th birthday and maintain continuous coverage to age 75. Prior to your 75th birthday you will receive a summary of benefits of a new plan, Global Senior Plan, and an enrollment form for coverage. There is no additional medical underwriting. You simply need to review the benefits and complete and return the enrollment form with your premium.

STUDENT HEALTH ADVANTAGE

As a global student, assurance and peace of mind are a priority when you study abroad. That's why IMG has developed Student Health Advantage, an international health care plan designed to specifically meet the needs of international students involved in long-term educational programs. The plan offers a complete package of international benefits available 24 hours a day.

The following conditions apply to all persons applying for and/or enrolling in Student Health Advantage:

• the group member must be a full-time student or scholar at a college or university
• the group member must be residing outside his/her home country for the purpose of pursuing international, educational activities including but not limited to college course work, conducting research or teaching for a temporary period of time
• must not have obtained residency status in Host Country
• dependents have to be legal dependents, traveling with the group as a dependent of a group member and traveling outside their home country

PATRIOT GROUP EXCHANGE PROGRAM

The Exchange Program Group Plan is designed for those who are:

• actively engaged or participating in an educational or cultural exchange program in the country of assignment through a sponsoring organization or school
• traveling in a group to a destination that is not the home country of any of the traveling members

Obtaining coverage is as simple as:

• filling out the Enrollment Form with information on Sponsoring Organization
• filling out the Census Form with information on each Group Member

PATRIOT GROUP TRAVEL MEDICAL INSURANCE

Patriot Group Travel Medical Insurance is designed for organizations who:

• have a group of 5 or more that will be traveling together, and
• are traveling to a destination that is not the home country of any of the traveling members

Obtaining coverage is as simple as:

• each group must have 5 or more members
• fill out the Enrollment Form with information on Sponsoring Organization
• fill out the Census Form with information on each Group Member
• calculate your premium and select desired payment mode