I am a 61 year old US citizen living in Italy. I have very good health
insurance in Italy ? both private and state run .I am in excellent
health and have no history of drug use, tobacco or alcohol and have
never been diagnosed with a serious illness. I am not overweight and
am very physically fit (a distance swimmer) I have had yearly
check-ups and am up to date on prevention. Up until this year I had a
health policy with Mutual of Omaha for emergency health care with a
high deductible and high limit to coverage. The idea was ? and is -
that I would prefer to have the option of going to the US where my
family is closer if I were to suffer a serious calamity while abroad
requiring long hospitalization. The problem is that Mutual of Omaha
has discontinued its health coverage. Can you suggest another reliable
company that might cover treatment? I would like to find a company
before I am 65 (since I read that as a cutoff in several policies) and
one that wouldn?t suddenly stop selling health insurance. I would be
interested in emergency service (not daily care or prevention) and
evacuation (if necessary) to a city (Boston where I have relatives,
for example) in the USA.
I have looked on line at a few companies specializing in ex-patriot US
citizens and might be interested but would like to be advised by
someone with experience and insight who, having no vested interest in
a sale, could make concrete suggestions.

---

Request for Question Clarification by keystroke-ga on 13 Nov 2006 05:25 PST

Hi Wilbur,

Could you clarify exactly what you mean by a high deductible and high
limit to coverage?  To different people, that might mean totally
different numbers.

--keystroke-ga

Hi Wilbur,

I believe that I have found a good solution for you by researching the
insurance companies found on the U.S. Department of State Travel
website. Here is that list:


TRAVEL INSURANCE COMPANIES
U.S.-based Companies
ACCESS AMERICA, INC.
Richmond, VA
866-807-3982
---
AIGAssist
American International Group, Inc.
New York, NY
800-382-6986
---
Air Rescue Card
Austin, TX
866-500-0333
512-330-0306
www.theAirRescueCard.com
info@TravelAssistNetwork.com
Worldwide rescue and medical transportation to hospital of choice
---
ASA, INC.
International Health Insurance
Phoenix, AZ
888-ASA-8288
---
AXA ASSISTANCE
Bethesda, MD
301-214-8200

CLEMENTS INTERNATIONAL
Washington, DC
800-872-0067 / 202-872-0060
http://www.clements.com
e-mail: info@clements.com
---
CSA TRAVEL PROTECTION
San Diego, CA
888-873-5484
http://www.csatravelprotection.com
---
GATEWAY
Seabury & Smith
Washington, DC
800-282-4495 / 202-457-7707
e-mail: gateway.dc@seabury.com
---
HEALTH CARE GLOBAL
(also known as MEDHELP or WALLACH & COMPANY or HEALTHCARE ABROAD)
Middleburg, VA
800-237-6615 / 540-687-3166
---
HIGHWAY TO HEALTH
Fairfax, VA
703-322-1515
(Also provides destination-based travel health information for cities worldwide.)
---
INTERNATIONAL MEDICAL GROUP (IMG)
Indianapolis, IN
800-628-4664 / 317-655-4500
---
MultiNational Underwriters, Inc.
Indianapolis, IN
800-605-2282
e-mail: insurance@mnui.com
---
MUTUAL OF OMAHA
Tele-Trip Company
Omaha, NE
800-228-9792
---
PETERSEN INTERNATIONAL UNDERWRITERS, INC.
Valencia, CA
800-345-8816
e-mail: piu@piu.org
---
TRAVELEX
Omaha, NE
800-228-9792
---
TRAVEL GUARD
Stevens Point, WI
800-826-1300/715-345-0505
---
TRAVEL BCISURED INTERNATIONAL
E. Hartford, CT
800-243-3174
---
TRAVEL INSURANCE SERVICES
InterMedical Division
Walnut Creek, CA
800-937-1387/925-932-1387
---
UNIVERSAL SERVICE AND ASSISTANCE
Alexandria, VA
800-770-9111 / 703-370-7800
---
WORLDWIDE ASSISTANCE
Washington, DC
800-777-8710 ext. 417 
http://travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html

It was easy enough to come up with a good solution for medical
evacuation, such as Air Rescue:

Air Rescue Card
"The Air Rescue Card by Travel Assist Network is a single, life-saving
source for medical evacuation and emergency assistance. Medical
evacuation coverage is available from any country worldwide, has no
age limit and starts 99 miles away from home to a hospital of your
choice. All plans are activated over the internet without the
inconvenience of paperwork and coverage can be immediate or purchased
for a future trip. A variety of non-emergency benefits are also
included in the membership such as language translation, prescription
refill and shipping, lost luggage compensation, etc..."
http://www.theairrescuecard.com/

Individual Air Rescue Card up to age 75
"For quick trips, annual coverage for frequent travelers or full-time
coverage for Expatriates, the Individual Plan gives you freedom to
travel the world without compromise."
http://www.theairrescuecard.com/

Expatriate Coverage, Individual
"In addition to the Short Term and Annual Coverage programs, we are
pleased to announce the Expatriate Coverage, designed for individuals
traveling for extended periods of time, ranging from 180 to 365
consecutive days away from home. This coverage provides reliable round
the clock trip protection for the expatriate. These plans are an
effective and affordable way to avoid the unnecessary financial stress
often associated with emergency medical care abroad. You can travel
with confidence knowing the power of Travel Assist Network is working
for you."
1 Year Plan: Up to 365 days: $525
2 Year Plan: Up to 365 days: $945
3 Year Plan: Up to 365 days: $1386
5 Year Plan: Up to 365 days: $2231
http://www.theairrescuecard.com/

Member Benefits
 * Worldwide Medical Evacuation
 * 24-Hour Emergency Hotline
 * Transport to Hospital of Choice
 * Guaranteed Hospital Admission
 * Medical Monitoring & Consultation
 * Guaranteed Return of Spouse
 * Guaranteed Return of Dependent Children
 * Foreign Language Translation
 * Emergency Medical & Dental Cash Advance
 * Medical & Legal Referrals
 * Emergency Message Relay
 * Lost Luggage Compensation
 * Lost Document Assistance
 * Visa, Passport & Immunization Requirements
 * Travel, Health & Safety Precautions
 * Prescription Refill & Shipping
 * Medical Record Transfer
 * Guaranteed Vehicle Return
 * Transport of Mortal Remains
 * Cultural, Social & Political Intelligence
 * Hotel Arrangements
http://www.theairrescuecard.com/

However, that didn't solve your problem about needing medical coverage
once you are safe and sound Stateside.  Reading further, I found that
many companies either didn't offer "home country coverage", or if they
did it had severe limits (such as you would be eligible only if you
lived abroad for no more than three years), for example:

Who is eligible to purchase WorldMed Insurance?
"Individuals traveling or residing outside their home country or
country of residence for up to 3 years may purchase WorldMed."
What is ?Home Country Coverage??
"Home Country Coverage is for covered medical expenses associated with
follow-up care provided in an insured?s home country for a covered
accident or sickness that commenced during the insured?s travel
outside his home country. The benefit period is twenty-six weeks from
the date the covered accident or sickness occurred."
http://www.travelinsure.com/faq/wmed.htm

However, I do believe I've found just what you are looking for.  HTH
Worldwide (HIGHWAY TO HEALTH in the government's list) is looking
pretty good for these reasons:

1) Home Country Coverage / Large Network / HIPAA Compliant

Worldwide health insurance and services for international living
    * Annual, renewable plans that include comprehensive, major
medical coverage inside and outside the U.S.
    * Designed for individuals and their families 
Ready access to quality care - inside the U.S.
    * Access to U.S. provider networks from Beech Street Corporation
    * Founded in 1951, Beech Street is the oldest independently owned
PPO in the U.S.
    * Networks include 380,000 providers, 3,500 hospitals and 50,000
ancillary providers, including Centers of Excellence.
Better Coverage
    * Global Citizen has met the standards of state regulators and
thus features coverage more generous than plans sold as non-admitted
'surplus' coverage.
    * Global Citizen is the only international health plan that is
HIPAA compliant.
http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/glCitizens_plans.cfm

2) Available in Boston

Beech Street Provider
You selected Hospital within 5.0 miles of Boston, MA.
Your Search was specific to Health Benefits.
Hospitals or facilities matching your criteria: 12 in 12 locations.
http://beechplus.beechstreet.com/IPLU/Control?hJSPName=splash.jsp&hButtonMode=Search

3) Includes Medical Evacuation

Why should you buy HTH's Global Citizen Plan?
Here are six reasons you should consider the Global Citizen health plan:
Reason 2: Medical Evacuation and Other Coverages
In addition to Medical Benefits, the Global Citizen plan provides
other valuable benefits, including:
    * Medical Evacuation Coverage
    * Accidental Death & Dismemberment Coverage.
    * Optional Pharmacy Coverage, which includes coverage for
prescription medications inside and outside the U.S.
http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/gl_citizen/faqs.cfm

Global Citizen Health Plan Benefits
Medical Evacuation - Up to $100,000 - Insurer Pays Without a Deductible
Repatriation of Remains - Insurer Pays Without a Deductible
http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/gl_citizen/benefits.cfm

4) Who is eligible to buy a Global Citizen plan?
All U.S. citizens living abroad who are 74 or younger at the time of
application are eligible to apply for coverage.
http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/gl_citizen/faqs.cfm

5) HTH is available through the Global Citizens Association
"GCA is a not-for-profit association serving those who travel the
world for business, study and leisure. GCA promotes health and safety
around the world through online knowledge tools and email news alerts.
GCA members also benefit from the Association's group purchasing
programs for travel, insurance, entertainment and telecommunication
services. GCA benefits are available through its Rewards Worldwide
program at www.rewardsworldwide.com."
http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/gl_citizen/faqs.cfm

6) * Online assistance tools with full telephone support 
http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/glCitizens_plans.cfm

Unfortunately, prices aren't available online but you should be able
to get a free online quote easily. I don't expect the prices to be low
but hopefully you'll find them affordable.

To purchase a Global Citizen health plan, first get a free, no
obligation Quote by completing the form below
http://www.hthtravelinsurance.com/purchase/quote/quote_ctzn.cfm


I was glad to work on this for you and I hope you find the results of
my research exactly what you were hoping for. If you have any
questions, please post a clarification request and wait for me to
respond before closing/rating my answer.

Thank you,
hummer

Search strategy: explained above.