AmbergrisCaye.com Home Forums Talk Belize Chat Area US expat health ins and Obamacare

For US expats w/health insurance not recognized by the IRS(like IMG)does anyone know if there is a way around paying the annual tax penalty?

OR - does anyone know of affordable intl. catastrophic coverage that IS acceptable to their highnesses? (BUPA does but is expensive.)

Hi Knox. I have been checking into this as well since I will be moving to Belize in October.
Try Cignaglobal.com. They offer much the same as Bupa but not sure if they comply with OC either. I will certainly be watching this thread for any updates to your question.

Hold the phone! There was just a news release last week ( try googling it i think it hitbyahoo) it clearly stated if you are an expat you do NOT have to comply with obama care if you can prove you are OUT of the US full time. When we signed up for our expat insurance we were told since we are outnof the us full time it does not apply to us. No penalty.

Try here
Americans who are NOT residents of the USA, do NOT have to participate if you meet the requirements of being a resident of another country (or if you are outside the USA for 330 days or more per year). You can find more details below on Exemptions to ACA and how to qualify as a Non-Resident US citizen at:

https://www.healthcare.gov/exemptions/

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Great info, iperdue!
I will check out this website. Do you know if the exemption applies for QRP residents also as long as they are living out of the US for 330 days?

Just want to put a plug in for BUPA. My doc in Belize called them Friday to get me an apt with a specialist. BUPA replied today with an appt Wed morning at the Cleveland Clinic. You try getting an appt with a specialist in the US in less than 6 weeks. They did similar when I had an issue with my back yrs ago and had an appt with the head of neurology at Miami Spine Institute within days. And excellent docs and hospitals. Hard to beat and well worth it. I get mine via Joyce Perdomo at RFG insurance.

Thank you for the info Katie. I had narrowed my search to Cigna and BUPA but it sounds like BUPA has contracts with excellent doctors and facilities in the US when care is needed outside of Belize.

Do you use BUPA in Belize as well or just pay cash since services are so much cheaper than in the US?

I have worked in healthcare all of my career and am thrilled with the low cost of care outside of the US even if it is not up to the exact standards. Fortunately, I do not have any health issues that require monitoring or meds so I am hoping healthcare really won't be a concern in Belize.

Good luck with your appointment on Wednesday.

Yes, my policy covers treatment in BZ. I have confidence in my docs here, but need diagnostics tests we do not preform here. Im fine, thanks

You can use BUPA in your home country (Belize) when you reach your deductible limit, but most docs here don't bill a company and wait. You will likely pay the local provider and then submit for reimbursement. For sure the private clinics don't bill and wait.

BUPA also covers treatments in facilities in Mexico. I had surgery ages ago at ABC Hospital in Mexico City and found the facilities & care-providers to be excellent.

Good info everyone. Thank you.
It sounds like BUPA is the insurance of choice for most of the expats in Belize.