COVID-19 Expat Updates

Care related to the coronavirus is covered under your expatriate medical plan. MetLife Worldwide Benefits will waive expatriate employees’ out-of-pocket expenses such as coinsurance, deductibles, or copayments related to diagnostic visits and testing for COVID-19 when medically necessary, through September 30^th, 2023. Benefits will be payable at in-network rates or at Medicare rates, as applicable, when applicable in-network rates are not available. As of January 15^th, 2022, MetLife Worldwide Benefits covers approved at-home, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests without prescription for those enrolled in the plan. Coverage is expected to continue for the duration of the current U.S. public health emergency. 

MetLife Worldwide Benefits covers medical care for COVID-19 treatment at plan benefits. 

In addition, MetLife will cover the cost of approved vaccinations at 100% with no cost sharing.

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.

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 is waiving patient responsibility (including deductibles, coinsurance, and copays) related to the testing for COVID-19, when medically necessary, through September 30^th, 2023. Coverage for COVID-19 treatment is covered at a member's plan benefit level. 

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 well prepared 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.

COVID-19 PCR Testing Labs are available in the provider search tool on Travel EYE. There are approximately 2,300 testing sites in several countries. To find a testing site, enter the city and country of your choice under the medical network section and select COVID-19 PCR Test as the specialty.

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 offers a network of virtual medical providers to all employees of all customers. Services provided through the telemed network are covered at 100% for all conditions.

If an expatriate employee’s medical plan includes IEAP through MetLife Worldwide Benefits, critical incident support can be accessed 24/7. 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 for COVID-19, when medically necessary, through September 30^th, 2023. Benefits will be payable at in network rates or at Medicare rates, as applicable when applicable in-network rates are not available.

Beginning January 15^th, 2022, MetLife Worldwide Benefits will cover approved at-home, over-the-counter COVID-19 tests without prescription for those enrolled in the plan. Coverage is expected to continue for the duration of the current U.S. public health emergency.

Coverage for COVID-19 treatment is covered at a member's plan benefit level. 

These tests are covered according to plan benefits when medically necessary.

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 of Insurance for plan-specific definitions.

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.

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.

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.

FDA approved COVID-19 immunizations will be covered at 100% when medically necessary. Vaccine availability and distribution is a public health response driven by local health authorities. MetLife recommends consulting with local health authorities for vaccine availability and distribution. 

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.

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.