Frequently Asked Questions
• Am I guaranteed to be issued a GeoBlue Xplorer policy if I apply?
o No, GeoBlue Xplorer is not a guaranteed issue plan. Each application is medically
underwritten. Your application may be 1) accepted, 2) accepted with a rate
increase due to your health status, or 3) denied.
• Is the quote I receive binding?
o No, the quote you receive is not binding. The quote you receive may not apply if
1) you provided us with an inaccurate zip code, 2) you mis-stated a material
fact on your application, or 3) we increase the rate due to your health status.
• When determining a rate while overseas, what zip code should I use?
o Policies for U.S. citizens citizens/permanent residents applying from overseas are
issued through the Global Citizens Association office in Washington D.C. The
zip code that applied is 20036. Enter "0" in the quoting tool if applying online
while living overseas.
• How long will the medical underwriting process take?
o The underwriting time frame depends on the medical history listed on the
application. Turnaround can be as quick as one day or as long as one month.
Our commitment is to respond to a submission in writing within 3-5 business
days. This may mean that we send a request for additional information to the
applicant, such as a specific medical questionnaire, or notify the applicant that
he/she erroneously missed a question on the application form. Occasionally we
have to obtain medical records from hospitals or providers. Our turnaround
time in these situations will depend on how quickly the provider responds to
our request.
If we receive the application before the requested effective date, we can honor
the effective date even if the approval comes through thereafter.
• Once I'm approved for coverage do I have to go through medical underwriting again?
o You do not need to go through medical underwriting when you renew into your
current plan design without changes. You may be medically underwritten again
if you decide to select different benefits (see below). Plan changes can only be
requested at the time of renewal.
If a member would like to increase benefits (by lowering a deductible or adding
pharmacy coverage) they must complete a new underwriting application. If a
member would like to reduce their benefits, they do not need to complete a
new underwriting application.
• How do I calculate out-of-pocket expenses and the annual limit?
o Out-of-pocket expenses are defined as the expenses a member incurs when
satisfying the plan’s deductible and coinsurance requirements. The deductible
and coinsurance level varies based on where treatment is delivered as shown
in the illustration below. The total annual out-of-pocket expense limit is
calculated by adding the deductible and coinsurance maximum together.
Deductibles must be satisfied before any benefit is paid by the insurer. Note,
the plan deductible is waived for office visits with physicians.
Coinsurance is applied as a percentage of the payable medical charges, after
the deductible is satisfied. No coinsurance charge applies to care delivered
outside the U.S. and covered benefits are insured up to 100%. Coinsurance
charges do apply to care delivered in the U.S. at a rate of 20% for in network
services and 40% for out of network services. Stated another way, the plan
insurer covers services at 80% in network and at 60% out of network in the
U.S. Members are protected by the coinsurance maximum shown below,
should they incur large medical expenses. The coinsurance maximum is
designed to limit a members out of pocket expenses.
In the table illustration below, the most a member would pay out of pocket,
assuming all care is delivered out of network in the U.S. is $6,000 ($2,000
deductible and $4,000 coinsurance). The most a member would have to pay
out of pocket, assuming all care is delivered in network in the U.S., is $5,000
($1,000 deductible and $4,000 coinsurance).
Xplorer
Plan
Outside
U.S.
U.S. In
Network
U.S. Out of
Network
Coinsurance
Maximum
1,000
$500
$1,000
$2,000
$4,000
Out of Pocket Expense Example
A GeoBlue Xplorer Member is covered under the Xplorer 1,000 plan and
receives services from an in-network hospital in the U.S.
Incurred hospital charges are $80,000. The $1,000 deductible must be satisfied
by the member. After the deductible is paid, a 20% coinsurance charge applies
to the $79,000 balance. The Member pays the 20% coinsurance amount OR
the coinsurance maximum level, whichever is less. In this example, 20% of
$79,000 equates to $15,800. The coinsurance maximum of $4,000 is less than
$15,800 and would apply in this instance.
Member is responsible for $5,000 in out-of-pocket expenses ($1,000
deductible + $4,000 coinsurance).
• How are the deductible and coinsurance calculated for families?
o Deductibles reflected in the Xplorer plan grid are per person deductibles. For a
family, the maximum deductible and coinsurance are increased by a factor of
2.5., regardless of the size of the family. For example, a family covered under
the 1000 plan pays a maximum deductible of $2,500, calculated by multiplying
$1,000 (per person) by 2.5. The coinsurance maximum is $10,000, calculated
by multiplying the coinsurance maximum of $4,000 (per person) by 2.5. The
family’s annual out-of-pocket expenses limit is $12,500 ($2,500 + $10,000).
• What is the COVID-19 coverage under this plan?
o Click here for the latest information about plan coverage, cancellation, provider
availability and other FAQs related to COVID-19.
• Will my policy automatically renew? At what rate?
o You can renew a GeoBlue Xplorer policy up to age 84. Your policy does not
renew automatically. You will be notified of your new plan rate at least 60 days
prior to your policy expiration date. You must confirm your new policy rate in
writing or by accepting the rate when logged in to our secure website. Plan
rates are based on your age at time of renewal and are impacted by medical
inflation. You will not be asked any medical questions and your personal health
history will not determine your new rate. If you have any questions or need
assistance in renewing, please email renewals@geo-blue.com.
• When does my coverage end?
o We may terminate your policy if:
a. You no longer meet the eligibility requirements.
b. You fail to pay your premium.
c. We discover that you committed fraud or misrepresented a material fact to
GeoBlue.
d. We terminate the plan in your geographic service area.
• Why would I want this insurance if the country I am going to offers me National Health
Insurance?
o National or Public Health Insurance can be very different to what most Americans
are used to and can be of limited service for mobile citizens. Many public plans
offer less in terms of medical services than what is covered under a private
plan. In particular, public plans generally only cover you in your host country or
region. For an expatriate that travels for business or returns home throughout
the year, benefits stop at the border. When covered under a national plan you
may not have access to the leading private facilities or specialists. You may
experience different treatment protocols or long waiting periods for elective
surgeries. It is unlikely you will be covered for medical evacuation benefits
under a public health plan. With GeoBlue you are covered all around the world
with comprehensive coverage and access to the best treatment options. If you
select one of our plans with the US coverage area, you are free to return home
for treatment and to convalesce. You can also keep the coverage for up to 9
months upon repatriation, guaranteeing future insurability.
• Will my pre-existing condition be covered under a GeoBlue Xplorer plan?
o If you were previously covered by a group or individual U.S. health plan and the
carrier provides a letter verifying evidence of prior health insurance along with
enrollment dates, GeoBlue will apply this prior coverage to the pre-existing
conditions waiting period, provided you meet GeoBlue's medical underwriting
criteria. GeoBlue will also consider (on a case-by-case basis) private health
insurance issued in other countries as satisfactory. There are several reasons
why coverage would not be considered creditable: 1) The medical benefit limits
are too low 2) The plan is not comprehensive in nature and does not cover
both inpatient and outpatient coverage 3) There is a time lapse where there
was no coverage up until your effective date of your new plan.
The number of months of coverage shown on evidence of prior health
insurance letter will reduce or eliminate the six-month pre-existing condition
waiting period. If you have six or more months of prior creditable health
insurance, your waiting period will be eliminated. If you have less than six
months creditable coverage, your waiting period will be reduced by the
number of months you had prior coverage. For example, if you have two
months of creditable coverage, your waiting period will be reduced from six
months to four months. You cannot have more than a 63 day break in health
insurance coverage prior to the effective date of your GeoBlue plan.
• How do I access participating medical providers outside the U.S. and avoid claim forms?
o GeoBlue's Global Health and Safety services help members identify, access, and
pay for quality healthcare all over the world. This includes a contracted
community of elite providers in 190 countries. Members can access these
carefully selected providers and arrange for the bills to be sent directly to
GeoBlue for payment as follows: go to www.geobluetravelinsurance.com.
GeoBlue will automatically arrange for direct settlement of the bill for this visit.
Please note, direct billing may not be available everywhere.
Direct billing can also be requested by calling the assistance telephone
number listed on your member ID card, or by emailing globalhealth@geo-
blue.com Please note that in the U.S. a member can simply show their ID card
at time of service and participating providers will only bill the member for any
required deductible or co-payment.
A claims instruction page is available online and can be accessed by
visiting www.geobluetravelinsurance.com and selecting "Contact Us" from the
top right navigation bar. Claim forms are downloadable from this section of the
site as well.
• I am based in the U.S. Can you help me find participating doctors in my hometown?
o GeoBlue members with coverage inside the U.S. have access to the Blue
network -- over 700,000 providers. You can find a doctor in the network by
using the National Doctor and Hospital Locator tool.
• I am trying to find a doctor in the U.S. in your network, but there is no one listed within 25
miles of where I am searching. What should I do?
o In the U.S., if a member does not have a participating physician in an appropriate
specialty available to them within 25 miles, GeoBlue will apply in-network
benefits (80%) to the provider they see.
Outside the U.S., 100% coverage always applies after any applicable
deductible or co-payment.
• I am a Canadian citizen planning to move to the U.S. Am I eligible for your GeoBlue
Xplorer plan?
o In order to be eligible for the GeoBlue Xplorer plan, you must be a citizen or a
resident of the United States. As a Canadian, once you arrive in the U.S. you
can apply for coverage. To ensure that you meet our medical underwriting
standards prior to arrival in the U.S., you may wish to complete a GeoBlue pre-
screening form.
• I purchased a plan, but would like to cancel my insurance prior to its expiration. Is there
an enrollment minimum? Will I have to pay any cancellation fees?
o At the time of enrollment, most GeoBlue plans have a 6-month enrollment
minimum. However, customers are not locked into a contract. GeoBlue
understands that life plans change, therefore we allow our members to cancel
any month they choose with no cancellation fees or penalties. All cancellation
requests must come from the primary insured and be received by GeoBlue in
writing to C/o GeoBlue/Enrollment Dept, 933 First Ave, King of Prussia, PA
19406, via email at enrollme[email protected] or fax at 610-293-3529. GeoBlue
does not refund premium for a partial month. Cancellations are effective the
last day of the monthly billing cycle. Retroactive cancellations are not
permitted. Members are responsible for paying all premium up to their
cancellation date as coverage is not contingent on claims usage.
• Are acts of terrorism covered under this plan?
o Yes. The GeoBlue Xplorer plan does not exclude illnesses or injuries related to
terrorism or a terrorist act. In order to be covered in countries where there are
open hostilities, such as Iraq and Afghanistan, a member must not be engaged
in hostile or combative activities. If you are moving to or are in a country with a
state department travel warning, contact your agent or GeoBlue to see if you
are eligible to be issued a plan. Note, once issued coverage is afforded to
members in all countries.
• What is prescription prior authorization?
o We are expanding our pharmacy review process to include prior authorization
for prescription medications obtained in the U.S. beginning on July 1, 2023.
Certain medications, generally specialty drugs, will have additional
requirements before they may be covered by your GeoBlue® plan. This helps
to make sure you are receiving coverage for the right medication, at the right
cost, in the proper amount and for the right situation.
There is no action you need to take. If a medication is subject to prior
authorization, the pharmacy will initiate the prior authorization request.
GeoBlue will review the information provided by your doctor to make sure you
meet the coverage guidelines for the medication. If approved, your plan will
cover the medication.
This enhancement only impacts prescriptions filled in the U.S., and there are
no changes to the pharmacy benefit for prescriptions filled outside the U.S. If
you have any questions, you can contact our 24/7/365 Global Service Center
via the number listed on the back of your ID card.
• How does the optional pharmacy benefit work?
o The GeoBlue Xplorer plans include a basic prescription drug benefit. The basic
prescription drug benefit covers inpatient drugs up to policy maximum and is
subject to the plan deductible and coinsurance. It also covers outpatient drugs
at 100% up to a $2,500 annual limit.
The optional pharmacy benefit increases the base plan's $2,500 maximum per
insured person per calendar year to $25,000. While the base plan pays 100%
of actual charges worldwide, the optional plan pays 100% of actual charges
outside the U.S., but within the U.S. has a $10 copay for generic drugs and
brand name medications and pays 70% of the cost of injectables.
Both plans offer members the convenience of a direct billing service inside the
U.S. Most major U.S. pharmacies participate in this program administered by
Universal RX. Outside the U.S., members pay the pharmacy directly and then
submit a claim to GeoBlue for reimbursement. Members are also eligible to use
our mail order pharmacy service.
• How are medical evacuations decisions made?
o The evacuation benefit pays for a medical evacuation to the nearest Hospital,
appropriate medical facility or back to the U.S. Transportation must be by the
most direct and economical route. All evacuations require written certification
by the attending physician that the evacuation is medically necessary.
• How do I qualify for maternity benefits?
o After 364 days of continuous coverage, GeoBlue Xplorer members are eligible to
enroll in a new plan that covers maternity costs in the same way as all other
conditions. Members do not need to submit a new health statement.
• What is the Global Citizens Association?
o The Global Citizens Association (GCA) is a non-profit association located in
Washington, D.C. serving the needs of the globally mobile with the goal of
helping its members successfully pursue international living experiences
through safe and healthy world travel that increase cross-cultural
understanding.
Founded in 1994 to serve international students, the GCA has grown to
encompass world travelers and expatriates in all corners of the globe. The
Association has sponsored GeoBlue and affiliated insurance programs for
travelers for more than 25 years and is organized as a not-for-profit corporation
under the laws of the District of Columbia. More information can be found here:
http://www.gcassociation.org.
• Who is the insurer?
o GeoBlue Xplorer is underwritten by 4 Ever Life International Limited. 4 Ever Life
International Limited enhances protection with unique underwriting solutions
nationwide for brokers, agents, administrators, employers, employees and
individuals. 4 Ever Life International Limited is an independent licensee of the
Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and a wholly owned subsidiary of BCS
Financial Corporation. BCS Financial has been GeoBlue's insurance partner
since inception. BCS is owned by a consortium of Blue Cross and Blue Shield
plans and the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. 4 Ever Life International
Limited is Rated A- (excellent) by AM Best Company.
• Does this plan meet the Affordable Care Act's requirement?
o This plan does not provide Minimum Essential Coverage and therefore does not
meet the requirements of the Affordable Care Act (ACA). Coverage by the
insurer can be 1) accepted, 2) accepted with a rate increase, or 3) denied
based on the health history of the applicant(s). A waiting period for pre-existing
conditions applies unless you have 6 months of prior creditable coverage.
There is no tax penalty for purchasing this policy if you are outside the U.S. for
330 days or more in a calendar year.
Visit GeoBlue Affordable Care Act FAQ's for more information.
• Does this plan meet all Schengen Visa requirements?
o Yes, GeoBlue plans meet all of the Schengen Visa requirements. If you will be
traveling to any of the countries within the Schengen area and depending on
your nationality, you may be required to show proof that your insurance plan
has certain benefits. GeoBlue can provide you with a Visa letter that you can
use as proof to show the consulate that your policy meets all the Schengen
visa requirements. The Visa letter contains all the specific wording the
consulate is looking for.
The countries within the Schengen area requiring a short-stay visa and proof of
insurance include Austria, Belgium, Czech Republic, Denmark, Estonia,
Finland, France and Monaco, Germany, Greece, Hungary, Iceland, Italy, Latvia,
Liechtenstein, Lithuania, Luxembourg, Malta, Netherlands, Norway, Poland,
Portugal, Slovakia, Slovenia, Spain, Sweden, Switzerland. See the most current
list of countries within the Schengen area and find out which nationalities
require a visa and Schengen travel health insurance.
• Who is the provider for rendering the telemedicine service?
o We have partnered with the global telemedicine leader, Teladoc Health, to
provide our members with compliant remote doctor consultations.
Learn more on our telemedicine service
• What services are provided under the telemedicine offering?
o Members can receive medical guidance, diagnosis (if the necessary medical
information is provided), and a treatment/prescription (when legally possible
and available). They can also inquire with the doctor about a suggested
treatment. Diagnosis and treatment will require that the provider receive the
appropriate clinical information.
Additionally, it should be noted there may be limitations regarding the type of
care that can be provided through telemedicine as opposed to a traditional
face to face visit. Furthermore, there may be local governmental restrictions
regarding prescriptions and the ability to prescribe medication will depend on
the local laws and the licensure of the medical practitioner.
Telemedicine is not appropriate for emergency situations and should only be
used for minor acute medical conditions.
Learn more on our telemedicine service
• What is the size of the telemedicine network?
o Teladoc Health has over 3,500 doctors in their network located worldwide. There
are approximately 450 doctors licensed around the globe and over 3,100
healthcare professionals covering all 50 states in the US. All doctors are
actively practicing medicine in a traditional office setting as well as remotely. In
some countries, the doctors are employed by Teladoc Health and some
countries they are contracted, but all have gone thru Teladoc Health's training
process and protocols.
Learn more on our telemedicine service
• Where can I read the fine print?
o To see plan definitions, limitations or to review a sample certificate, visit:
Xplorer Premier Certificate
© 2023 GeoBlue. All Rights reserved.
GeoBlue is the trade name of Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC (Worldwide Services
Insurance Agency, LLC in California and New York), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross
and Blue Shield Association. GeoBlue is the administrator of coverage provided under insurance
policies issued by 4 Ever Life International Limited, Bermuda, an independent licensee of the
Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
South Dakota Residents: GeoBlue is the trade name of Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC
(Worldwide Services Insurance Agency, LLC in California and New York), an independent
licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and is made available in cooperation
with Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies in select service areas. Coverage is provided under
insurance policies underwritten by 4 Ever Life Insurance Company, Oakbrook Terrace, Illinois
NAIC #80985 under policy form series 55.1301. 4 Ever Life Insurance Company is an
independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
