COVID-19 Expat Updates

Care related to the coronavirus is covered under an expatriate medical plan . MetLife Worldwide Benefits will waive expatriate employees’ out-of-pocket expense (such as coinsurance, deductibles, or copayments) related to testing and treatments for COVID-19 when rendered at an in network provider in the U.S. and at all providers internationally.  The waiver will be effective until June 30th, 2020 . We will also waive, until June 30,2020 pre-authorizations for any treatment for COVID-19 by a  licensed provider.

IBTM plans provide coverage for urgent and emergent medical care, so medically necessary tests, office visits, and treatment for COVID-19 are covered. If an insured employee or dependent is admitted to the hospital because of a COVID-19 diagnosis, they will be covered for care related to the diagnosis, provided they meet the plan requirements. MetLife Worldwide Benefits will waive out-of-pocket expense (such as coinsurance, deductibles, or copayments) related to testing and treatment for COVID-19 at all in-network providers in the US and all providers internationally. The waiver will be effective until June 30^th, 2020. We will also waive until June 30th, 2020, pre-authorizations for any treatment for COVID-19 ordered by a licensed provider. For more information as to what is covered under the plan, eligible employees should contact their employer.

COVID-19 has no impact on life insurance plans.  Claims for life insurance benefits may be filed regardless of the insured’s cause of death and will be processed as usual in accordance with the terms of the plan. 

There are no policy limitations that would apply to disabilities caused by COVID-19. MetLife will evaluate each claim in accordance with the terms of the policy and use claim processes already in place for disability claims.

Expatriate employees should contact Customer Service using the information on their ID cards if they have any questions or concerns. Our staff are trained and wellprepared to handle inquiries and guide employees to nearest medical facility for care. 

Expatriate employees can review the critical alerts and health warnings available on the “Travel Tools” section of our website, eBenefits, available any time.

Telemedicine allows covered employees and their families to seek care without traveling to a healthcare facility and potentially risking their health or the health of others. MetLife Worldwide Benefits is offering access to our  network of virtual medical providers to all employees of all customers without cost, through June 30, 2020. Services provided through the telemed network are covered at 100% for all conditions.   Instruction on how to access the telemedicine network is being provided to all new users; current users are sent reminders on how to access.

MetLife Worldwide Benefits offers a nurse line that is available 24/7 for medical advice to help expatriate employees avoid unnecessary trips to the doctor or emergency room. Insured employees with access to care in the U.S. are eligible to use this service. We are enhancing our nurse line options to introduce a nurse line that is available for expatriate employees outside the U.S. as well. It can be used for the same reasons – advice on disease symptoms, concerns, and medical advice. This line is available at no cost until June 30, 2020.

If an expatriate employee’s medical plan includes IEAP through MetLife Worldwide Benefits, critical incident support can be accessed 24/7. To get more information, employees can access the IEAP tab on eBenefits for information on how to get started.

·         If an expatriate employee’s medical plan includes emergency medical evacuation through MetLife Worldwide Benefits, they may be eligible for emergency medical evacuation if they suffer an emergency sickness, including COVID-19. MetLife will use any and all available resources to ensure a safe and timely evacuation, should one be needed. Expatriate employees should ask their employer if emergency medical evacuation is included in their medical plan or review their Schedule of Benefits on eBenefits.

There are no policy limitations that would apply to a pandemic event. MetLife is required to evaluate each claim in accordance with the terms of the policy and to use the same claim processes as it does for any other sickness or injury claim. Each claim will be reviewed consistent with policy terms and applicable insurance law.

MetLife Worldwide Benefits is waiving patient responsibility (including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays) related to the testing and treatment (including hospitalization) for COVID-19, when medically necessary until June 30^th, 2020.

An insured expatriate employee and  their insured family members may be eligible for emergency medical evacuation due to COVID-19 if they suffer an emergency sickness that warrants emergency medical evacuation while outside their country of primary residence.

MetLife will use any and all available resources to ensure a safe and timely evacuation, however, we will not be liable for failure to render services or for delays in service due to circumstances beyond our control.

Brokers, clients, and expatriate employees should reference their certificate for plan-specific definitions.

No. An insured expatriate employee or their family members must meet the definition of emergency sickness to qualify for an emergency medical evacuation.

Brokers, clients, and expatriate employees should reference their certificate for plan-specific definitions.

We are happy to make referrals for providers that are appropriately staffed and capable of testing for and treating COVID-19. As a result of the fluid situation, we advise expatriate employees to contact Customer Service when assistance is needed locating a provider.

For health and travel advisory members should be directed to: World Health Organization and US Department of State.

There are no policy limitations that would apply to a pandemic event. Each claim will be reviewed consistent with policy terms and applicable insurance law.

Expatriate employees or their family members should consult with and follow the advice of their treating physician in circumstances where they have been diagnosed with COVID-19.

Please see list above in “Resources” section.

Brokers, clients, and expatriate employees should reference their Schedule of Benefits for benefit definitions and to determine access to benefits.

Please refer to the “Policy updates” section above for information on actively-at-work.

In order to address pandemic concerns, we have incorporated a loss of personnel scenario into our Global Resiliency program. This scenario provides a combination of solutions for employee and work area recovery. Testing is performed throughout the year. All plans and scenarios in our Global Resiliency program are reviewed annually.

What up-to-date educational resources are available to learn more about novel coronavirus, how it spreads, regions impacted, travel alerts, and how to avoid exposure and stay healthy?

For health and travel advisory: World Health Organization and US Department of State.

No. MetLife is not able to add plan-specific benefit language on a Certificate of Coverage. This document is used to provide verification of insurance and contains the group name, participant name, certificate number, and covered dependents. It also validates coverage for each product (i.e., medical, dental, prescription, emergency evacuation, etc.).

Please see telemedicine bullet above in the “Resources” section.

Voyageur Global Benefits members do not have access to our preferred telemedicine network through AXA Assistance; however, Voyageur Global Benefits members plan  still have coverage for medically necessary telemedicine services through a licensed provider of their choice. Since COVID-19 is a communicable disease, expatriate employees may choose to seek medical advice through these virtual services instead of in-person health care. Patient responsibility (including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays) will be waived when medically necessary telemedicine services are utilized for a coronavirus-related consultation.

The terms and conditions of the policy and certificate will apply. If a medical evacuation is warranted in accordance with the terms of the policy, the evacuation will be performed, subject to any restrictions imposed by the country in question. We are required to comply with all applicable laws, rules, and regulations in every jurisdiction in which we do business.

The travel restrictions placed by countries have no effect on insurance coverage. The terms and conditions of the policies are applicable.

For group life insurance, there are no policy limitations that would limit a claim payment resulting from coronavirus, provided the individual met all other certificate requirements. Each claim will be reviewed consistent with policy terms and applicable insurance law.

The expatriate employee must meet the other certificate requirements which include: The Waiting Period, the definition of total disability, and that the disability must continue through the end of the Waiting Period. Being exposed to the virus, in and of itself, is not necessarily considered a Total Disability.

AD&D policies do not cover diseases. Therefore, death due to coronavirus is excluded, as are all other diseases.

We do not anticipate special handling will be necessary. However, if such a situation should arise, MetLife will assess and make appropriate adjustments to ensure claimants are assisted in a caring and timely manner.

There are no policy limitations that would apply to a pandemic event. Each claim will be reviewed consistent with policy terms and applicable insurance law.

We do not anticipate that special handling will be necessary, if such a situation should arise, MetLife will make appropriate adjustments. Claims submitted with a diagnosis of coronavirus will be administered the same as any other disability claim. MetLife’s current claim processing standards and procedures apply.

No. Claimants are unlikely to satisfy the definition of disability in the applicable plan solely due to being quarantined. If the expatriate  develops coronavirus or even some other qualifying sickness while quarantined, the claim would be reviewed for payment.