Recently GeoBlue announced the introduction of their BASIC Upgrade option. This option was an answer to a problem that has existed for quite a while. GeoBlue offers three versions of their Xplorer for Expats plan and up til now the only option one had for coverage while visiting the United States was their Flagship plan the Xplorer Premier. However the Premier was designed for those who not only live abroad but spend part of each year also at home in the United States or her territories. The introduction of the BASIC option now provides for a cost-effective way to provide coverage for those who currently live abroad but have need for coverage during short-term visits home.
Prior to the Basic Option if a GeoBlue member was living abroad without the U.S. Coverage option for the plan selected then any inbound trips to the U.S. went uninsured or they had to purchase a separate Travel Medical plan for that one inbound visit. This post shares the comparison chart below showing the primary differences between the Flagship Xplorer Premier (includes U.S. Cover) and the Xplorer Essential (No U.S. Cover) with the BASIC upgrade option selected. This new optional upgrade solves a problem we have all had to accept until now.
GeoBlue Expat U.S. Coverage Options
| Comparison Highlights | Comprehensive Coverage inside the U.S. Available with Xplorer Premier Plan | Basic U.S. Benefits Upgrade Available with the Xplorer Essential Plan |
| U.S. Coverage Options Overview | ||
| Coverage Area | Inside the U.S | Inside the U.S. |
| Description of U.S. Coverage Options | Major medical coverage allowing members freedom to seek care in the U.S. for up to 9 months per year. Comprehensive U.S. benefits for emergent, urgent, routine, preventive and elective care. | Basic travel accident and sickness coverage inside the U.S. for short trips to the U.S. Covers incidental illness and injury. Not designed to cover preventive, elective care or extended stays in the U.S. |
| Benefit Information | ||
| Medical Maximum | Unlimited | $1,000,000 |
| U.S. In-Network Coinsurance | 80% to coinsurance maximum (100% thereafter) |
80% to coinsurance maximum (100% thereafter) |
| U.S. Out-of-Network Coinsurance | 60% to coinsurance maximum (100% thereafter) |
60% to coinsurance maximum (100% thereafter) |
| Coverage for U.S. Citizens Inside the U.S. | Capped at 9 months | 21 days per trip, three trips maximum per calendar year |
| Deductible Waiver | Waived for all physician office visits and preventative care | Waived for all physician office visits |
| Preventive Care | Unlimited | Not Covered |
| Patient Responsibility for In-Network Physician Office Visits | $30 copay per visit | $50 copay per day |
| Ability to Travel to the U.S. for Treatment | YES | NO |
| Elective Care In The U.S. Including Cancer Treatment, Heart Surgery, Orthopedic Surgery, and Other Elective Care |
COVERED | NOT COVERED |
| Mental Health Benefits | Inpatient: 100% up to 60 days Outpatient: 75% up to 40 visits (60% thereafter) |
NOT COVERED |
| Speech Therapy | 12 visits per calendar year, deductible waived, up to $30 per visit | NOT COVERED |
| Acupuncture | In-Network: 80% up to $2,000 Out-of-Network: 60% up to $2,000 |
NOT COVERED |
| Chiropractic Care | In-Network: 80% up to $2,000 Out-of-Network: 60% up to $2,000 |
NOT COVERED |
| Nursing Home Expenses | As many as 50 days per calendar year under skilled nursing services benefit |
NOT COVERED |
| Substance Abuse | Inpatient 100% up to 60 days detox / Outpatient 75% up to 40 visits and 60% thereafter |
NOT COVERED |
| Inpatient Prescription Drugs | Unlimited | $1,000,000 |
| Outpatient Prescription Drugs | $1,000 Basic Prescription Benefit Enhanced Prescription Upgrade available: $25,000 | $1,000 |
| Injectables | 70% to coinsurance maximum (100% thereafter) |
NOT COVERED |
| Birth Control | Up to outpatient prescription drug limit | NOT COVERED |
| AD&D | $50,000 | NOT COVERED |
| Newborn Care | ||
| Routine Nursey Care of a Newborn Child of a Covered Pregnancy | UNLIMITED | NOT COVERED |
| Neonatal Intensive Care Unit | Newborn is automatically covered; Unlimited | Covered due to complications of pregnancy only |
| Pre-existing Conditions | ||
| Pre-existing Condition Exclusion Period | 180 days Exclusion waived with evidence of prior health insurance |
180 days Any evidence of prior health insurance does not apply to pre-existing condition wait period. |
| Pre-existing Condition Look Back Period | 180 Days | 2 Years |
| Pre-existing Annual Maximum Once Covered | Unlimited | $500 |
Individualhealth.com for expats and seniors 