Coronavirus (COVID-19) Precautions and Coverage

Be Prepared and Get Insured!

Coronavirus Outbreak

On December 31st, 2019, the World Health Organization (WHO) was informed of a cluster of cases of pneumonia of unknown cause detected in Wuhan City, Hubei Province of China. The novel (new) coronavirus, has been names “Coronavirus Disease 2019” (COVID-2019). Earlier in March, the outbreak was characterized as a pandemic by the World Health Organization, spreading to majority of countries globally.

Centers for Disease Control and Prevention (CDC) has issued Warning Level 3, Avoid Nonessential Travel to the following countries or areas of the world: Austria; Belgium; China; Czech Republic; Denmark; Estonia; Finland; France; Germany; Greece; Hungary; Iceland; Iran; Italy; Latvia; Liechtenstein; Lithuania; Luxembourg; Malta; Monaco; Netherlands; Norway; Poland; Portugal; Slovakia; Slovenia; South Korea; Spain; Sweden; Switzerland; San Marino; Vatican City.

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On March 19th, the U.S. Department of State – Bureau of Consular Affairs has issued a Global Level 4 Health Advisory, “DO NOT TRAVEL!”.

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Symptoms of Disease

Patients with COVID-19 have experienced mild to severe respiratory illness that’s spreading from person-to-person. Common symptoms can include fever, dry cough and shortness of breath. Less common symptoms are sore throat, fatigue, aches & pains, headaches and runny or stuffy nose. The symptoms may appear 2-14 days after exposure.

The most severe illness occurs in people with underlying health issues and older adults. People at higher risk of infection are individuals that have traveled to an area with community transmission or have been in contact with a person who has contracted the virus. Most people healthy people will recover with mild to moderate symptoms.

Insurance Before Sickness

For worldwide traveling yacht crew it’s essential to be covered under a crew medical plan that will work while working onboard the yacht, during time off and in between jobs anywhere in the world (or where the yacht and you travel).

If the yacht doesn’t have a group policy in place for the crew, it’s important to enroll into your personal crew medical plan. Be aware that you must enroll into an individual health plan BEFORE you show symptoms or get ill. Most insurers will not cover pre-existing medical conditions, especially not under an individual insurance policy.

If you already have an insurance plan in place, educate yourself on the benefits and coverage, read the policy wording and get familiar how the policy works, should you have to go to the doctor and file a claim. For questions about coverage and benefits, reach out to your insurance agent or the insurance company directly to find out what that plan covers, concerning COVID-19 testing and treatment.

At all times, have your insurance documents within short reach and keep your ID card in your wallet. Register with Member/Policy Holders Services on the insurance companies’ websites. Some insurers offer an APP where your policy documents and ID card are stored electronically and can be easily accessed from your smart phone or pad. Preparation is everything.

Coronavirus Coverage

For existing GeoBlue members with long-term insurance policies, Coronavirus (Covid-19) has no impact on the coverage. These plans include the Navigator individual crew medical, the Xplorer Premier, Xplorer Essential and the Blue Cross, Blue Shield Global Expat group plans. For NEW long-term applicants who have noted China or South Korea as Host Country, there’s currently a pending status in underwriting review.

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Coronavirus (COVID-19) treatment is often covered as any other flu or illness under the crew medical insurance policy. The eligible medical expenses that may be considered for coverage include, but are not limited to, charges for Coronavirus COVID-19 testing, doctor visits, urgent care clinics, hospitals, prescriptions and medical evacuation.

The GeoBlue Navigator individual crew medical and Expat group policies offer FREE Coronavirus (COVID19) testing to its policyholders. The insurance policy will cover, with NO COST to the insureds, medically necessary, prescribed diagnostic testing for the virus, consistent with U.S. Centers for Disease Control (CDC) guidelines. The cost for the testing is covered, the physician consultation fee and associated costs related to the administration of the test. But be aware that most countries have insufficient testing kits and healthcare professionals and individuals with chronic health conditions are prioritized at this time.

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The IMG Global Crew Medical Insurance plans for groups and individuals, the Crew Select plan and Global Medical Insurance Plans for Expats, may provide coverage for COVID-19 related care if you have purchased and entered the destination country prior to either: 1) the CDC issuing a Warning Level 3 (avoid nonessential travel) for your Destination Country; or 2) a government agency of your Home Country publishing or issuing a Travel Warning or Emergency Travel Advisory regarding your Destination Country. Eligible Medical Expenses that may be considered for coverage include, but are not limited to, charges for illness, injury or medical evacuation.

Tele- Medicine is another useful benefit being offered by some insurance companies, where policy holders can receive medical guidance and consultations through virtual appointments and doctor consultations globally. Subject to local regulation, Doctors may be able to prescribe medicine and provide referral letters.

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For questions about a specific policy, benefits and to verify coverage, insureds should always refer to the certificate of Insurance as the definitive source for the terms, conditions and exclusions of coverage.

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Or contact your insurance agent or the insurance company directly. The toll-free or collect-call phone numbers are usually listed on the back of the ID card or go to their websites for more details.

What are some of the precautionary measures we can do to prevent the spreading of the COVID-19 virus? According to the CDC

Precautionary Measures

• Handwashing is probably the most important protective measure. Wash hands often with soap and warm water for at least 20 seconds.
• Use alcohol-based hand sanitizer that contains at least 60% alcohol.
• Avoid close contact with people who are showing symptoms or are sick.
• Cough etiquette. Maintain distance, cover coughs and sneezes with
• Avoid touching your eyes, nose and mouth.
• Avoid sharing personal items.
• Avoid Crowded places.
• Keep your distance from others (about 6 feet, or 2 meters).
• Don’t use public transportation.
• Clean and disinfect frequently touched objects and surfaces, including but not limited to, counter space, table-tops, bathrooms, doorknobs, handrails, cell phones, computers etc.
• Avoid social gatherings, large crowds and unnecessary traveling
• Use mask in specific circumstances, such as if you’re sick, or caring for a sick person and or traveling to countries where mask use is common practice.

If You Get Sick by Coronavirus (Covid-19)!

Per guidelines from the CDC:

• Take your temperature twice a day. Wait 30 minutes after eating, drinking or exercising before taking your temperature. Fever is 100.4 degrees F/38 degrees C or higher. Monitor your symptoms.
• Watch for dry cough or difficulty breathing.
• Call ahead before visiting a doctor.
• Wear a facemask if you are experiencing symptoms, when you are around people and before you enter a doctor’s office.
• Seek prompt medical attention if your illness is worsening.
• Patients with confirmed COVID-19 should remain under isolation. COVID-19 concerns everybody. Let’s work together to limit the spreading of the virus, the more we follow the guidelines, the faster we will return to our normal lives.

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We are all in this together. Let’s do our part to slow the spreading of the coronavirus. The stricter we are following the guidelines and recommendations, the faster we can return to our normal lives.

Be safe and feel free to reach out should you have any information you wish to share or have any questions about insurance and Coronavirus (COVID-19).

Coronavirus (Covid-19) References

Phone Numbers to local and state health departments

For article references and continuously updated information about Coronavirus Disease 2019, please visit the following websites:

The Center for Disease and Prevention (CDC) www.cdc.gov

The World Health Organization (WHO) www.who.int

U.S. Department of State www.state.gov

European Center for Disease Prevention and Control www.ecdc.europa.eu