Edie_09

I've searched the one-way travel insurance posts on here but couldn't find an answer. I'll be moving to the US and cannot get insurance to cover the month I am there before my college coverage begins. All the insurance companies (DU, Gowalkabout, Direct, Post Office etc) will cover a maximum of 17-21 days, leaving me with no health insurance for a week Go Walkabout told me they used to offer up to 3 months but that's all been changed recently.

I applied for short term coverage through UHC but was declined as I have not lived in the US for the past 12 months.

Has anyone had a similar experience and found a solution? I'd appreciate any suggestions you have.

Englishtart

Are you travelling on a one way ticket? If you have a return ticket, why does the travel agent not offer insurance? Apart from that, I have nothing, sorry.

The Horticulturalist

google expats insurance you may find a uk based company that will cover you. try seven corners, don't know if they'll only do a month though.

Edie_09

I am on a one-way ticket, so most insurers will only let me use the emigration insurance. I've now been told that some do allow single trip insurance with a one-way ticket so I'll check that out as well. Thanks for your replies.

Bob

Check out that crappy student travel place for insurance, they'd probably offer it...but they are a bit shit.

dunroving

Have you tried Endsleigh? I think they specialize in students so might cover you for a situation like this.

Be careful about getting travel insurance on the basis that you are taking a holiday - this might become null and void if it became apparent that you were intending to live in the US (you probably already know this, but thought I'd point it out anyway).

Ozzidoc

If you are currently living in the UK, there may be a way for you to be covered immediately..... this is some information from one of the lovely posters on here called Tracym.

Your goal is to be HIPAA eligible. Then, all sorts of rules apply.

If you are HIPAA eligible, without a significant break in coverage (more than 63 days) group plans must cover all pre-existing conditions.

Here is what I had found on HIPAA and the NHS (aargh, well hidden):

http://www.bcbsil.com/PDF/legislative_update_405.pdf

Look at the bottom of page 2, re. creditable coverage - it specifically includes the NHS.

There is such a thing as a "certificate of creditable coverage" - your NHS doc simply provides a letter. In a friend’s case, they just had a doctor write a letter stating that as a British citizen, he had been covered continuously since birth by the NHS. Which was accepted.

I would suggest re-speaking to the insurers what they will accept as proof - if they even need anything specific, or will just understand that British citizens are covered. Also speak to the international officer at the college you're going to attend - they must come across this all the time.

Some info at:
http://www.dol.gov/ebsa/faqs/faq_consumer_hipaa.html
and
http://www.dol.gov/federalregister/P...px?DocId=10270

If you search the document for 'foreign' you will find the references. It also talks about how to prove that you had the coverage satisfactorily.

Bob

I think he can't get coverage because he'd not have started college and the problem he is having is travel insurance he's looking for as a stop gap won't cover one way travel.

frrussre

http://www.medexassist.com

Try this company, know they have student medical plans & travel insurance.

Reg. Frank R.

Jerseygirl

That would be travel/visitor's insurance and he won't be a visitor...so if he made a claim he could run into problems with the insurance company.

Edie_09...a return ticket is usually cheaper than a one way. I know you said you've used the search function for this forum but did you go to advanced search? There's been a few threads about this subject in the last few months...someone posted details of the company they used.

rew1000

What we did in a similar situation was contact an old-fashioned insurance broker rather than trying companies directly. They arranged normal travel insurance but contacted the underwriters and got them to waive in writing the clause in the fine print that required us to be planning to return in under x days. However we only needed cover for 10 days.

I think the problem with just pretending you're taking a holiday is that you'll have no problem buying a piece of paper saying you're covered, but can't know what would happen if you had to claim.

Jerseygirl

You can't pretend to be on holiday if you enter the US with a UK PP and a one way ticket. Immigration wouldn't let you in without a via...which means you are not a visitor. If insurance companies can wriggle out of paying up they will.

ukintexas

There was a similar thread on this recently:
http://britishexpats.com/forum/showthread.php?t=616627
I haven't read through it all, but there's likely to be some good info on there. Good luck.

Edie_09

Thanks for all your advice! I was surprised as I've been over to study before and had no problems, just went with one-way travel insurance, so I hadn't expected the length of coverage offered to have reduced so much. I'll look into all your suggestions and hopefully find something.

Jerseygirl

You haven't had a problem probably because you've never made a claim...you will not be a tourist therefore please make sure you get the correct insurance.