GMMI expatriate medical insurance is not U.S. Affordable Care Act compatible here in the U.S, nor has to be. Good Neighbor Insurance gets questions throughout the month on why international medical insurance is not ACA (Affordable Care Act) compatible. Below are some reasons why international expatriate medical insurance are not and do not have to be compatible:
ACA (also known as PPACA – Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act) medical insurance policies are only for those residing in the U.S.
- U.S. domestic long term (not short term U.S. domestic plans) insurance are the ones that have to be ACA compatible
- All international expatriate and international travel plans (those for coverage outside the U.S.) are not ACA compatible nor have to be
- All U.S. domestic short term medical plans (note that all non-ACA plans in the U.S. may not be called insurance, but just plans. Thus, a short term U.S. domestic plan can be called a health plan or medical plan, but not health insurance or medical insurance.
- These types of plans are meant to be a “bridge” for the time you can get on an ACA policy.
- These types of plans are not meant for “long term” health coverage.
- Since these types of health plans are not ACA compatible, penalties from the IRS can be given depending on your status.
Good Neighbor Insurance provides international medical insurance for groups (employers) and individuals and families. Here is more information –
- There are international group (employer based) medical insurance that are ACA compliant. Good Neighbor Insurance provides more information on these types of group medical insurance here at https://www.gninsurance.com/group/international-group-health-insurance-for-employers/
- Expatriate individual and family medical insurance are not ACA compliant and you may find all of Good Neighbor Insurance career expatriate medical insurance options here at https://www.gninsurance.com/long-term-international-health-insurance/ as well as here at https://www.goodmissionaryinsurance.com/long-term-career-missionary-insurance/.
Here is more information on coverage in the U.S. with the GMMI insurance when you renew your international medical insurance policy, https://www.goodmissionaryinsurance.com/gmmi-career-long-term-insurance-plans/.
- To be eligible to renew a IMG policy at the time of your renewal, you will have to answer the following questions:
- 1) Will you be residing outside the United States as of your renewal? If you still maintain a residence outside of the U.S. and intend to return to that residence and happen to be in the US on your renewal date, then you would want to answer this question YES because you are still “residing” outside of the U.S. and only visiting the U.S.
- 2) As of your renewal date, is your expected length of residence outside the U.S. at least 6 of the next 12 months?
- This is where GMMI renewal eligibility has been tightened up due to PPACA concerns. If you expect to be in the U.S. for more than 6 months during the next 12 month policy year you will be ineligible to renew.
- As long as you are able to answer “Yes” to those two questions on your GMMI renewal(s), you will be eligible to renew.
- If needing a 9 month furlough. You will need to plan it so that you don’t have more than 6 month in the U.S. in any one policy year (12 month). Please note a policy year is the 12 months of your policy, not base on calendar year)
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www.goodmissionaryinsurance.com works in collaboration with Good Neighbor Insurance. Good Neighbor Insurance has been in business since 1997! Every one of our international trained and licensed insurance agents has a heart to serve you, our guests. It is a joy to know that we can provide you all with peace of mind with one of our many overseas medical insurance options to safe guard from financial calamity as well as providing you the best medical care while on your travels. To connect with Good Neighbor Insurance, please email us at or call us here in our Gilbert, Arizona office at 480-633-9500 or toll free at 866-636-9100.
