Medical Insurance
Volunteers are required to provide their own health and accident insurance (typical traveler's health insurance) which must be in effect for the duration of their stay on the VFI / Sar-El program. This insurance must cover hospitalization, emergency room, and doctors' bills, for treatment due to illness or accident in ISRAEL. Volunteers must provide proof of insurance in the form of a copy of their insurance card and a copy of the policy, if available.
Medicare will not cover you while you are overseas.
Many, if not all, PPO's and HMO's will not cover expenses in Israel.
Each applicant should consult with their insurance provider to determine if their policy will provide coverage in Israel.
Any health care expenses occurring in Israel during the program, on or off base, will need to be paid directly to the care provider in Israel at the time of service. If the volunteer's insurance policy does NOT provide for direct payment to the doctor or hospital in Israel, the volunteer must cover the expenses and seek reimbursement after returning home. Please clarify this point with your company prior to your trip.
PLEASE NOTE - VFI does not endorse or vouch for the service, product and performance of this vendor but merely offers these internet links as a convenience to our volunteers. You should evaluate carefully the product and pricing being offered.
Here are some options for your to consider and investigate:
- Your current Health Insurance provider
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Contact your current Medical Insurance provider to see if they will cover you while in Israel. If they do - ask for a statement to that affect and check to see what they will and will not cover
::NEW OPTION:: - Medical Insurance coverage from an Israeli insurance company-
VFI is pleased to offer an new option to our volunteers. The advantages to this option are:
- Inexpensive - 65 years old and under without pre-existing medical conditions - $1USD/day.
- 66 years old and above - $7/day.
- No out-of-pocket expenses for most situations.
- This option must be paid for by a check
- The Application must be submitted no sooner than ONE month before and no later than 2 weeks before departure for Israel.
To download a description of coverage, application form and instructions - (PDF, 160K).
If you have questions about this option, contact your VFI Regional office.
- Inexpensive - 65 years old and under without pre-existing medical conditions - $1USD/day.
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Travel Insurance
There are many web sites that offer travel insurance over the web. The insuremytrip.com site is an interesting site because after submitting some basic preliminary information it will offer quotes from several insurance companies with a variety of options.
Travel Guard is listed here because some of our past volunteers have used their services.
It is important that you focus on the medical coverage and not get distracted by some other features that they offer. - insuremytrip.com
- travel guard international
- Check With Your credit card provider
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Some credit card companies will offer you travel insurance if you use their card to purchase the airline ticket. Call their 800 number and check. Ask for a statement as to what they will cover and what it will cost
Your local VFI regional representative will be able to answer any question you might have on this subject.