COVID-19 Expat Updates

We are here for you.

For over 152 years, MetLife has been committed to protecting the health and well-being of our customers, their families, and our communities. 

MetLife Worldwide Benefits coverages include Medical, Dental, Vision, Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment (AD&D), Long Term Disability (LTD) and short-term traveler products. For expatriate employees, employers and brokers who have benefits with MetLife Worldwide Benefits, below are plan details and frequently asked questions to support you during this uncertain time. 

We want to assure you that MetLife is prepared, and has taken action to ensure our customers get the service they expect, the coverages they need are maintained, questions are answered, and claims are processed in a timely manner.

Below you will find important updates on available resources, benefit coverage and answers to common questions.

Supporting Expatriate Employees Through a COVID-19 Diagnosis

If an insured expatriate employee or their eligible family members who are covered by  a MetLife Worldwide Benefits policy is diagnosed with COVID-19, or experiencing symptoms, we recommend they consult with their treating physician.

Please note, MetLife Worldwide Benefits plans are unique for each company. Please refer to the certificate of insurance for information on an employer’s plan. For information as to what is covered under the plan, expatriate employees may also refer to their Schedule of Benefits, which can be found on eBenefits. Read about  the impact of the coronavirus on the various coverages below.

Resources

Below are other resources and benefits that are available for insured expatriate employees or their eligible family members with medical insurance through MetLife Worldwide Benefits:

Below are resources and benefits that are available for short-term travelers with an International Business Travel Medical (IBTM) plan through MetLife Worldwide Benefits:

• If short-term travelers should need to obtain additional support and guidance while on a business trip, they should contact Customer Service 24/7 at +1 302-594-8400 – our staff are trained and well-prepared to handle:
  • inquiries on plan benefits
  • hospital and clinic referrals
  • emergency medical evacuations

Policy updates

We understand that the COVID-19 pandemic may require employers to unexpectedly furlough, temporarily lay-off or reduce hours/salary for employees.  We also understand that employees working overseas who have temporarily returned to their primary country of residence may not be able to go back to their worksite countries for the duration of the pandemic.  As a response to these unique events, and provided premium continues to be remitted to MetLife Worldwide Benefits:

• 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, through June 30th 2020. In order to receive benefits at 100%, treatment must be with in-network providers in the US. Treatment with all providers will be covered at 100% outside the U.S.  We will also waive pre-authorizations for any treatment ordered by a licensed provider, both in and outside the U.S. until June 30, 2020.
• For prescriptions filled in the U.S., our pharmacy benefit manager, CVS Caremark, is extending many clinical prior authorization records set to expire between March 23rd and June 30th.  CVS Caremark is also waiving early refill limits on 30-day prescription maintenance medications.
• For group medical, dental, and vision coverage as well as life coverage MetLife is willing to allow employees who are furloughed, temporarily laid-off or have reduced hours/salary to continue their coverage for 12 months from the date of the furlough, temporary lay-off or reduced hours/salary (collectively, “temporary salary reductions”).
• For employees who temporarily return to their primary country of residence, and are unable to return to their worksite country because of national or international restrictions on travel applicable to the employee, we are extending coverage beyond the contractual 90-day period for up to 6 months from the date applicable travel restrictions have been lifted.
• For purposes of group life, the coverage amounts will not be reduced as a result of temporary salary reductions and will remain in effect just as they were prior to the furlough, temporary lay-off or reduced hours/salary. Accordingly, premium needs to be remitted based on the volume for the regular (non-reduced) coverage amounts.
• For group disability, MetLife will  allow employees who experience a furlough, temporary lay-off or have reduced hours/salary between March 1, 2020 and May 31, 2020, to continue their coverage for 60 days from the date of the furlough, temporary lay-off, or reduced hours/salary. Coverage amounts will not be reduced as a result of temporary salary reductions and will remain in effect just as they were prior to the furlough, temporary lay-off or reduced hours/salary. Accordingly, premium needs to be remitted based on the volume for the regular (non-reduced) coverage amounts.
• Expatriate employees seeking telemedicine services for any condition rendered by a telemedicine provider based in the United States will be covered for a period of 90 days (until June 30th, 2020) even if coverage in the United States is limited to emergency services only. Any additional services, including referrals to providers within the United States, will be subject to plan provisions.
• In all instances, if your group policy allows for longer periods of continued coverage under any of the circumstances outlined above, we will honor the longer period of time.
• MetLife is not imposing any travel restrictions. If expatriate employees are actively working while quarantined or working virtually from their work site country, we will continue to cover them under the plan.

Keeping You Informed

Product FAQs

For expatriate employees, employers and brokers who have benefits with MetLife Worldwide Benefits, below are some frequently asked questions and answers as they may relate to a plan with us.

For specific questions or questions not answered here, clients and brokers should contact their MetLife Worldwide Benefits Account Manager; expatriate employees should contact Customer Service using the information on their ID card

Can't find what you are looking for?

Let us help . For brokers and employers please reach out to your Account Managers and expatriate employees please reach out to customer service using the information on their ID cards if they have any questions or concerns.