Q: Do I need a Travel Medical Plan in addition to the medical insurance I have at work or through my parents?

A: Yes, US medical insurance companies most often provide coverage on a reimbursement basis only. You pay the claim then apply to the medical company for reimbursement. Plus even if there is coverage, you will be out of network in a foreign country so your out of pocket will be much larger. US health care plans do not provide other special need coverage such as evacuation or repatriation or emergency reunion or even luggage or trip cancellation coverage. Also read this article for more details on the need for special medical coverage out of the county. As inexpensive as this coverage is, even if it supplements your current coverage, it is still a good buy.

Q: What are some key selling features of the IMG travel plans?

A: Unlike other plans, the IMG plan is medical coverage with some travel & luggage coverage. Most other plans are travel & luggage with some medical benefits. It works not unlike medical plans we are familiar with here in the US. Here are some key points: (This is a summary, read the brochure & contract for more details.)

• IMG specializes in travel plans like the Patriot. They have years of experience providing travel medical. 
• IMG already has financial relationships with hospital and medical providers all over the world, especially in the major cities of the world. In many places, such as Japan, the provider wants cash or some kind of assurance prior to providing care. This is IMG's specialty.
• Yes, there is luggage and trip cancellation coverage
• Emergency Evacuation - to the nearest medical facility that can provide the proper care
• Emergency Reunion - for the expenses of a relative or friend to be reunited with an insured either to assist evacuation or to reunite
• Repatriation - if a covered illness/injury results in death the costs of returning the remains to the US can be very costly. Up to $25,000 is provided for this line of coverage.
• Returning Minor Children - to the US if the insured is hospitalized and traveling alone with children
• Trip Interruption - if a family member dies or your residence is destroyed, this coverage will return you home one way.
• Lost Luggage - up to $50 per covered item 
• Common Carrier Accidental Death - up to $50,000 to a named beneficiary
• Sports & Activities Coverage - non-professional & non-contact sports for leisure, entertainment or fitness purposes are covered. Optional coverage can be added for more hazardous sports like skiing, surfing and windsurfing.

Q: What is group travel medical versus individual coverage?

A: If 5(five) or more people are traveling together, IMG allows the group to purchase a plan. The cost is less and the application process is simpler. There are some conditions though to be aware of:

• All travelers must have the same coverage, that means the same deductible,  the same maximum and the same options
• One application is needed for the entire group. Individual members do not apply separately. The form is entirely different requiring a list of the members.
• One person applies for the plan as the sponsor. This does not mean this person is taking responsibility for anything other than the applying for the group plan. One common payment is given from this person who then must "collect" the premiums from the other members of the group.
• This application can be done on line
  • Quote / Buy online
  • Download a brochure & application

Q: I am taking a group of students abroad. They are not all citizens of the US. Does that make a difference?

A: Yes, it does. A citizen of the US applies for the citizen coverage. A non-citizen must apply for "non-citizen coverage." The rates are different. If the travelers are applying for group coverage, the non-citizen cannot be included in the same group as the citizens. If there are five or more non-citizens you can have a group for the non-citizens. If there are fewer than five non-citizens, they must each apply for individual coverage instead of the group plan. Call or email for information if you have this situation to discuss alternatives.

Q: If my students or travelers participate in sports in the foreign country are they covered by the IMG plan?

A: Yes, if the sports are amateur, non-contact, and engaged in solely for leisure, recreation, entertainment or fitness purposes. If on the other hand the sport(s) are organized for competition or professional, the base plan does not cover them. Many more hazardous sports are also excluded. Read the brochure for more details. An optional sports rider can be added to cover some of these exclusions such as skiing, snowboarding, water skiing, snorkeling, jet skiing, windsurfing, surfing, and snowmobiling. 

Certain more hazardous sports can be covered with the Patriot Extreme^SM Travel Medical Insurance plan. These sports must also be for entertainment and not professional. The list of sports covered by this plan include: Abseiling, BMX, Bungee Jumping, Canyoning, Flying a Private Plane, Hang Gliding, Heli-skiing, High Diving, Hot Air Ballooning, Kayaking, Inline Skating, Mountain Biking, Mountaineering, Paragliding, Rappelling, Rock Climbing, Scuba Diving, Skydiving, & Whitewater Rafting. Click here for more details: 

• Patriot Extreme Quote / Buy online
• Patriot Extreme Download brochure & application

Q: What is the minimum or maximum amount of days of coverage?

A: Ten days is the minimum length of time for coverage. You can purchase coverage by the number of days or months. If the stay is going to be extended, a long term plan is also available. The Global Medical plan is designed for longer stays.

Q: Will this IMG plan provide total and complete protection for all things that might happen?

A: Of course not. I say the above statement just to make the point that no insurance coverage will take care of everything. But let me say that I have researched products available for my teacher wife to use to take students to Japan and the IMG contract is one of, if not the best, such travel medical available. This is all IMG does.

Q: How does this plan work in the case of a claim?

A: Someone needs to contact IMG immediately by phone. The number is on the coverage card received by insured's. Explain what the situation is to IMG and then let them help work out the situation. IMG already has relations with many hospitals and medical providers around the world. In a developed country like Japan, the issues will be far more minimal than say in Indonesia. 

IMG has people on their staff that speak certain foreign languages. They use outside people for the other languages. IMG will work to arrange for the proper care. That may mean money has to be wired to a provider although sometimes just getting a guarantee from IMG will expedite the medical services.

Q: Do you have a page I can print off to distribute to students and other travelers to help explain the advantages of the IMG travel plan?

A: Yes choose here Why IMG This is a MSWord.doc file that you can download. You can also download the individual brochures as PDF files. The links are below:

1. Individual coverage brochure Download a brochure & application
2. The group brochure Download a brochure & application

Q: How do you make application for IMG coverage?

A: There are three methods:

1. Use the IMG website and purchase it on line. This is the recommended method. The questions are the same but there is no mailing time. You can ask that the "kit" be emailed to the purchaser. The kit is the same whether you have it mailed or emailed. Purchasing on line does require a credit card, though.
2. Mail the application(s) directly to IMG at the address on the brochure. This will save time rather than mailing it to Dennis Begley. You can mail it to me but I will turn around and mail it to IMG taking more time.
3. You can fax the application form(s) to me as well but you must use a credit card to purchase it. My office and direct fax is 952-915-9734. This is a direct fax to a computer and is secure. No one else will see the form and your information.

Thank you for your business. Feel free to call IMG directly or me with questions. If you do have questions, it is preferred to have you email them to me.