India Network announced today that all policy holders of India Network Health Insurance programs would be automatically covered for accidents and medical problems during their travel from the home country to the United States, Canada or Mexico. Policy holders must purchase the insurance on or before they embark on their journey to avail this coverage. Typically, visitors traveling from India start the coverage one or two days before their arrival in the United States, Canada or Mexico to avail this benefit.

India Network offers comprehensive insurance plans that limit individual exposure by availing network negotiated rates for services and pay 80% for such covered service. The second set of plans are known as scheduled benefit plans or fixed benefit plans that reimburse policy holders or provides a predetermined amount for each covered service. A special feature of India Network Health Insurance programs is that they also cover pre-existing conditions for both inpatient services and outpatient services.

Dr. KV Rao, President, India Network Foundation, said that the travel insurance coverage is very important for visitors traveling to the United States or Canada. Recently, an elderly person insured by India Network Health Insurance was injured during travel. ACE American Insurance Company, the underwriter ofIndia Network programs is helping the policy holder just because they choose to purchase the plan covering the travel date.

Life Expectancy in India is slowly increasing. Life expectancy at birth for women was 67.7 years and it was 64.6 years for men. Longer post retirement time creates several health problems for elderly visitors. Several health conditions such as diabetes, blood pressure, etc. go undetected for years. India Network today offers plans to cover pre-existing conditions to help those elderly with medical conditions that they may or may not know. Many other insurance plans often reject any claims for these elderly visitors under pre-existing medical coverage exclusions.

India Network advises everyone traveling to the United States to take the best medical coverage. Only proper medical insurance with pre-existing conditions coverage can help visitors with any unexpected medical problems during their overseas stay. It is very important to understand the definitions and exclusions in various plans. India Network Health Insurance is the only that treats pre-existing conditions on par with new problems and accidents and premiums are bit higher than other plans due to this improved coverage.

Clements Worldwide, a global provider of international insurance products and reinsurance capabilities, today announced the launch of a partnership with Starr China to deliver insurance coverage to expatriates and international organisations in China.

Starr China, a premier China-based insurer, is joining forces with Clements to target the international individual and group segment in this growing insurance market. Starr China, under license by Clements Worldwide, will introduce Clements Scholars®, a group health program for expatriate educators and school staff, to serve the international school community in China. Clements Scholars is unique in that it provides comprehensive insurance coverage, extensive member access to medical facilities and standardised benefits to educational institutions with locations in multiple countries.

“China has one of the world’s largest number of international schools, with more than 300 educational institutions employing expatriate teachers and personnel,” said Chris Beck, president of Clements Worldwide. “China is a fantastic market for Clements Scholars. The program is already recognised for helping teachers and staff access medical facilities, top providers and resources around the world. With Starr China’s local market leadership, Clements Scholars will soon be the reference in China as well.”

“Clements Scholars offers an affordable, wide-reaching, and comprehensive plan, a best-in-class network of providers and rich member benefits,” said Kevin Liang, president of Starr China. “We are confident about the potential of Clements Scholars in China, as well as the opportunity present in this market for products covering international property, school directors’ liability and others, for a complete suite of expatriate and international risk management coverage solutions.”

Starr China and Clements Worldwide seek to provide insurance coverage to the estimated 633,000 expats living in China, a community growing by about 5 percent each year alongside growth in China’s economy. The partnership affords expatriates access to more choices for international health and other insurance products, addressing the rising costs of medical care at private clinics used by foreigners in China. Mr. Beck adds, “Our expertise in serving the international school market and expatriate markets, in addition to broader multinational corporate market, will ensure our customers receive world-class medical treatment and save money in the process in China and worldwide.”

Take out comprehensive travel and medical insurance before you travel. 1105,000 British nationals visited Cambodia in 2012. Most visits are trouble-free. The Foreign and Commonwealth Office (FCO) advise against all travel to the Preah Vihear (Khaoi Pra Viharn in Thai) temple area and the Ta Krabey/Ta Moan temple area located on the Thai-Cambodian border. There is a low threat from terrorism. 

Cambodia held its general election on 28 July in a mostly peaceful environment. Under Cambodian electoral law, the political parties now have a period of several weeks to lodge complaints before final results are announced. On Monday 29 July, the main opposition party announced it was disputing the results and has called for an investigation into alleged irregularities in the electoral process.

Various peaceful opposition rallies have taken place in Phnom Penh and elsewhere and there is potential for further political rallies or protests until the dispute is resolved. A mass protest took place peacefully on 7 September. On 15 September a second mass protest took place. Roadblocks were set up around Phnom Penh causing traffic disruption and some clashes occurred between protesters and police in central Phnom Penh.

The protests are set to continue on 16 and 17 September. You should avoid such gatherings, follow local media and monitor Travel Advice for updates.

There have been a number of security alerts over recent weeks about small explosive devices found around Phnom Penh, the most recent on 13 September.

Independence Blue Cross (IBC) announces the availability of GeoBlue Travel Medical and International Health Insurance products for individuals and families in Bucks, Chester, Delaware, Montgomery, and Philadelphia counties. Since 2011, IBC and GeoBlue have collaborated to offer group coverage for international business travel and expatriate insurance products and services. This coverage is now available for both IBC members and the general public. The new IBC travel and expatriate plans offered through GeoBlue will expand the availability of Blue coverage for all travelers. As well, expatriates will be covered in both the country where they live and anywhere they visit.

For example, if a GeoBlue customer relocates to a European nation, but travels to Asia or Africa, the customer will have health care coverage in each destination. Additionally, GeoBlue policies are available for purchase for both single-trip purposes and multi-trip needs.

"Consumers who purchase GeoBlue products can travel with confidence knowing they are covered worldwide by the trusted Blue brand," said Richard J. Neeson, IBC executive vice president and president of expanding markets. "At IBC, we're working to help the residents of our region stay healthy and ensure that, when they do get sick, health care is safe, coordinated, and available -- no matter where they are in the world."

"GeoBlue provides peace of mind to world travelers and expatriates as they pursue their personal goals," said Brendan Sharkey, director of individual products at GeoBlue. "Given the global arc of business and leisure activities today, the need is clear: timely access to an international network of carefully selected doctors and hospitals to meet whatever health needs arise, and GeoBlue delivers."

In order to use GeoBlue for short-term travel insurance, consumers must have U.S.-based primary health coverage in place. However, that coverage does not need to come from a Blue Cross® or Blue Shield® health plan. GeoBlue is a trade name of Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC, an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association and a subsidiary of Highway to Health (HTH). GeoBlue markets a full line of group and individual health insurance programs for expatriates and business travelers through arrangements with local Blue plans.