Overview
Carrier Information
International Medical Group has been a leader and innovator in the international health and travel insurance marketplace since 1990. IMG has provided medical security for hundreds of thousands of expatriates and travelers in more than 150 countries.
IMG maintains a European service and assistance center in the United Kingdom to ensure they are available when and where needed. IMG Europe, Ltd. provides administration support, emergency medical assistance and the world class services of IMG, plus the added benefits of similar times zones, timely postal delivery and services unique to local practices and administration.
The Geo Group medical insurance plan is underwritten by Sirius International Insurance. Sirius is a globally recognized underwriter offering the financial security and stability of a well established insurance company. SIRIUS International has received the high rating of A (excellent) by A.M. Best and an A- by Standard & Poor’s. SIRIUS International is a White Mountain Re company.
Why does my organization need Expatriate Group Benefits?
If your company or organization has expatriate employees (employees physically residing outside their country of nationality for more than 6 months out of the year), we encourage you to review your current health insurance policy. There are key contractual clauses that limit the amount of time an employee can reside abroad and still receive appropriate levels of care. For expatriates and long-term travelers, these clauses, and other problems unique to expatriates, create serious coverage problems.
- Residency Clause - The primary function of a residency clause is to ensure people live in the state where the policy was purchased. For groups, this clause will stipulate that the member reside within the U.S. at least 6 months out of the year. If the residency clause is violated, then coverage is automatically void for that employee and dependents.
- Coverage Outside the U.S. – The majority of U.S. health plans offer emergency care only when outside the U.S. Also, most U.S. health carriers are not able to assist with claims or services when the employee is outside the U.S. The employee is responsible to arrange for care, pay claims, handle emergencies and then submit claims back to the U.S. carrier for reimbursement later.
- Self-Insured Coverage - In the case of self-insured plans, the Residency and Out-of-U.S. coverage may not apply. However, there are other considerations that you may want to consider. For example:
- Can international claims be effectively managed from the U.S.?
- What sorts of medical evacuation and assistance are in place?
- How will expatriate employees find and access quality medical care?
Many self-insured groups utilize an international health plan to protect and manage their global employees. When in the U.S. the employee reverts back to the self-insured plan. This provides a tremendous premium savings yet gives the employees the proper insurance, services and support they require while overseas.
The purpose of purchasing an expatriate medical plan is to avoid placing the burden of care on the member. It provides parity of coverage for those who take overseas assignments and the services and support needed to ensure their well being.
Benefits Summary
The GEO Group plan offers a high level of coverage for international employers that need to provide benefits for local nationals, expatriates and third country nationals under one plan. Most international group benefits plans do not offer this level of flexibility. International Medical Group combines this flexibility with the latest in online tools so your international employees can access important information about their plan 24/7.
ITG Worldwide is one of the largest independent brokers for International Medical Group. Our ability to work directly with International Medical Group gives us the ability to design benefit plans that meet our clients' needs. If your organization has expatriate employees and require unique international benefit solutions, please contact ITG Worldwide.
Unique Plan Features
Global Coverage
Coverage is available worldwide including the United States.
One Plan Flexibility
The GEO Group was designed for expatriate employees, and third country and local nationals. This simplifies an international employer’s global benefit to just one plan, one carrier and one premium payment.
Low Cost
IMG is able to deliver high quality benefits at a very competitive price point by allowing an unusually high level of customization. Also, IMG is able to price benefits based on the country(s) or region(s) where international employees will be primarily residing.
High Benefit Limit
International employers can elect up to $8,000,000 lifetime benefits coverage.
Include Local Nationals
GEO Group can accommodate international employers with a high percentage of local nationals. Typically, an international benefits plan allows only 10% or less of the group population to be locals. IMG is able to greatly exceed this amount. This is especially helpful for organizations that operate in countries where local health insurance is inadequate or nonexistent.
Note that in some countries and in certain situations, it is not possible to add local nationals to the GEO Group. ITG Worldwide can refer your organization to a specialist that handles Local National Benefits.
Customizable
International employers can choose from a wide range of deductible, benefit and out-of-pocket options. Also available is the ability to design coverage with or without continuation benefits.
Benefits
The GEO Group offers a complete level of international medical benefits including coverage for office visits, physical examinations, prescription drugs, maternity, surgery, emergency care and hospitalization.
For a complete list of benefits, please open the PDF listed below.
Benefits Summary (PDF)
Plan Design Options
Most carriers will offer “off the shelf” coverage only for groups with fewer than ten international employees. IMG created the GEO Group as one of the most customizable international group benefits plans available. This flexibility also allows an employer to add employees like local nationals not typically allowed under traditional expatriate benefit plans.
This high level of customization also extends to the policy terms. For example, some international employers do not need continuation of coverage if they do not employ American expatriates. By removing this clause from the contract, it provides lower costs while still maintaining employee satisfaction.
Groups that have specific deductible, co-pay and benefit requirements can option for a custom designed plan. Please consult an ITG Worldwide broker for more information about a bespoke plan.
Optional Coverage
The GEO Group offers a complement of optional benefits. Optional benefits include:
Dental Insurance
IMG offers three different levels of dental insurance. Each plan includes diagnostic/preventative, basic service and major services at varying levels of reimbursement. Orthodontia is also available on two of the plans.
Term Life and AD&D Insurance
Coverage is available for up to 3 times the annual salary and higher. Groups with 10 or fewer lives are required to purchase a minimal amount of term life and AD&D coverage.
Daily Indemnity
The daily indemnity benefit pays the employee $100 per day for every day spent hospitalized. This benefit is designed to help the employee offset expenses not covered by typical medical insurance.
Services
International Medical Group offers a number of unique tools and services to provide expatriate members the resources they need to be successful. By using these tools and services, members can locate quality healthcare quickly, review health and safety reports and consult with expert physicians about complex medical issues.
Assistance Center
International Medical Group operates an assistance center in the U.S. and one in the U.K. to ensure your employees can contact IMG in the event of an emergency. IMG’s medical advisors can assist your employees in the event of a medical emergency, pre-certification or evacuation.
MyIMG
IMG members have the ability to access the information you need to manage your account online 24/7 from anywhere in the world with MyIMG. Some features of this cutting-edge tool include:
- Claim status check
- Read announcements
- Initiate pre-certification
- Obtain certificate documents
- Get explanation of benefits
- Request ID cards
- Search for U.S. physicians within the First Health Network (PPO)
- Search for overseas physicians with the International Provider Access (IPA)
To log onto MyIMG please click on the link below.
http://myimg.imglobal.com/unauth/homepage.aspx
International Provider Directory
IMG offers Global Medical Insurance members the ability to locate international healthcare professionals by utilizing the online International Provider Access (sm) (IPA) database. Members can locate over 8,600 facilities outside the U.S.. Searches can be viewed by facility, physician, specialty, dentist or location.
https://www.imglobal.com/clients/ipa/Authenticate.aspx
Claims and Providers
International Medical Group has developed networks of providers, claims procedures and tools to simplify the claims process. By following these procedures and utilizing the Provider Networks, your covered claims will be expedited.
Filing Claims
If you need to be reimbursed for medical expenses, complete the claim form and submit your original itemized bills and paid receipts within 90 days to IMG. Do not hold your bills or receipts until the end of the year. Mail the completed claim form and all required information to:
Note that some conditions require members to pre-certify their claims.
Medical Claim Form
Online Tools
As an IMG insured, you have the ability to access the information you need to manage your account online 24/7 from anywhere in the world with MyIMG. Some features of this cutting-edge tool include:
- Claim status check
- Read announcements
- Initiate pre-certification
- Obtain certificate documents
- Get explanation of benefits
- Request ID cards
- Search for U.S. physicians within the First Health Network (PPO)
- Search for overseas physicians with the International Provider Access (IPA)
To log onto MyIMG please click on the link below.
http://myimg.imglobal.com/unauth/homepage.aspx
Providers
Utilizing doctors and hospitals that bill International Medical Group directly can save you time and energy. Within the U.S., these providers have contractually agreed to accept IMG’s reimbursement schedule. Outside of the U.S., IMG can direct members to hospitals and doctors in nearly every major destination.
International Providers
IMG offers Global Medical Insurance members the ability to locate international healthcare professionals by utilizing the online International Provider Access (sm) (IPA) database. Members can locate over 8,600 facilities outside the U.S.. Searches can be viewed by facility, physician, specialty, dentist or location.
https://www.imglobal.com/clients/ipa/Authenticate.aspx
U.S. In-Network Providers – First Health
Under the Global Medical Insurance plan, you may seek treatment with the hospital or doctor of your choice. However, in the U.S. there are advantages to using providers in the PPO network. IMG uses the First Health Group PPO network with 500,000 physicians and 4,700 hospitals. By using an in-network provider, you will save money as your deductible will be reduced by 50% and any applicable co-insurance will be waived.
http://www.firsthealth.com/medicalEd/servlet/MedicalEdServlet
Appointments and Hospital Admissions
Physician Appointments
IMG members are free to seek treatment with any provider they choose. IMG is ready to assist the member with finding the appropriate provider for the situation and area 24/7.
Pre-certification
Prior to receiving treatment, you may need to contact IMG to pre-certify your treatment and/or verify benefits. Pre-certification means calling IMG’s Utilization Management and Review Company to receive a determination of medical necessity for the proposed treatment or service. It is important to note that Pre-certification is only a determination of medical necessity, not an assurance of coverage, verification of benefits or a guarantee of payment. Pre-certification may be undertaken by you, the doctor, a hospital administrator or a relative. The following treatments and services must be pre-certified or certain reductions of benefits will result:
- Any surgery or treatment requiring hospitalization
- Outpatient surgery
- Within 48 hours after an emergency admission to the hospital
- Care in an extended care facility
- Home nursing care
- CAT scans, MRIs
- Durable medical equipment including artificial limbs
- Transplants
The Pre-certification process is administered by Akeso Care Management, a subsidiary of International Medical Group. Akeso Care Management averages a 2 day turn-around time for pre-certification. Akeso’s staff is available 24/7 to assist Global Medical Insurance members.
Telephone: 1 317 655 4500 or 1 800 628 4664
To help simplify the process Akeso Care Management has developed an Online Pre-certification Form.
Online Pre-certification Form
For a brochure outlining IMG's Pre-certification process, please click below.
PDF of Pre-certification Brochure
Verification of Benefits
Verification of benefits is the process of verifying your general coverage and the available benefits under the plan. You may do this by contacting IMG’s Customer Care department whether or not your treatment or service requires pre-certification. Verification of benefits is not a guarantee of payment or assurance of coverage, and all medical expenses must meet eligible payment guidelines in accordance with the terms and conditions of the plan. While pre-certification and verification of benefits are separate determinations, both are made with the reliance on the completeness and accuracy of the information provided by you and your healthcare providers to IMG.
Contact Information
International Medical Group
2960 North Meridian Street
Indianapolis, IN 46208-4715 United States of America
Telephone: 1.317.655.4500 or 1.800.628.4664
Fax: 1.317.655.4505
Email: insurance@imglobal.com
IMG Europe Ltd.
36 - 38 Church Road
Burgess Hill
West Sussex RH15 9AE United Kingdom
Telephone: 44 (0)1444 465577
Fax: 44 (0)1444 465550
Email: info@imgeurope.co.uk
Eligibility
The GEO Group plan was designed for groups of 2 or more expatriate employees. If your organization has only one expatriate employee, please see our International Health section or contact ITG Worldwide.
Company Eligibility
IMG requires that groups have 2 or more employees. No more than 20% of the group can reside in the U.S.
Coverage can be terminated by International Medical Group if there are less than two employees on the plan. Other factors such as nature of work preformed, local insurance laws and location of employees may influence whether coverage is issued or rescinded.
Employee Eligibility
Eligible employees must work full time for the company and can include expatriates, third country nationals and local nationals. U.S. employees residing in the U.S. are not eligible for coverage. Residency is generally determined as physically spending more than six months a year abroad.
Currently, there is basic medical underwriting for groups of 2 to 10. A simple one page medical form must be completed by each eligible employee and submitted for review. There is a modified medical underwriting for groups of eleven to 24. Groups of 25 or more can have coverage issued without medical underwriting. Coverage may not be issued for such factors as age, nature of work preformed, local insurance laws or location of expatriate employee.
Dependent Eligibility
Eligible dependents include the employee’s lawful spouse and unmarried children under age 19, and unmarried children ages 19 though 24 years if they are full-time students. Dependents who reside in the U.S. are eligible, provided the expatriate employee resides outside the U.S.
Next Steps
Please click on the Quote tab to download a Request for Quote form or contact ITG Worldwide directly. We can help you start the evaluation process and make sure your international employees are properly covered.
Quote
How ITG Worldwide Provides Quotes
ITG Worldwide uses a four part process to provide clients with a proposal and secure coverage: evaluation, research, recommendation and implementation.
- Evaluation – We will review your organization’s international insurance needs, weigh your short-term goals, long-term business objectives and review budgetary requirements.
- Research – We assess which carriers can deliver products that best fit your organization's needs. To begin this step, we require an RFQ (Request for Quote). This will provide us the necessary information to communicate with carriers and identify appropriate solutions.
- Recommendation – Finally, we present to you the best solution or solutions that will meet your goals and review them with you.
- Implementation – We then manage all aspects of the plan's implementation and provide ongoing servicing which includes:
- Communication of benefits to eligible employees
- Enrollment
- Delivery of policy materials and ID cards
- Direction on how to use online tools
- Billing
- Claims
Download the Request for Quote Form
If you have already spoken with an ITG Worldwide representative and wish to complete an RFQ, or would like to provide the RFQ first before discussing your needs, please download and complete the RFQ form below. An ITG Worldwide broker will follow up with you once it is received.
Request for Quote Form (PDF)
ITG Worldwide Flyer (PDF)
Please email or fax the RFQ to our office:
Email – info@ITG Worldwide.com
Fax – 415 898 0584
Contact ITG
If you would like our assistance in solving your international employee benefits needs, please contact us. We’re here to answer questions and guide you through the process.
How to reach ITG Worldwide
Phone
Toll Free 877 598 8646
Novato Office 415 898 0584
San Diego Office 858 271 5300
Dallas Office
972 722 6399
Email
info@ITG Worldwide.com
