Warden Messages

Overseas Health Insurance for Visiting Relatives and Friends

May 10, 2006

Before your friends and relatives leave the United States this summer to travel to Mongolia or elsewhere, we urge you to advise them to check with their health insurance company to find out what medical services overseas are covered and to purchase supplemental overseas health insurance if necessary.  Obtaining overseas health insurance is particularly important for American citizens planning even short trips to Mongolia.  Medical facilities in Mongolia are very limited and do not meet most Western standards, especially for emergency health care requirements.  Ulaanbaatar, the capital, has the majority of Mongolia’s medical facilities; outside of Ulaanbaatar medical facilities and treatment are extremely limited or non-existent.  Specialized emergency care for infants and the elderly is not available.  This is also true for unusual medications or prescriptions, so travelers should bring an ample supply properly documented with them.  Individuals requiring care often need to be evacuated to a third country and/or back to the U.S.  This requires advance payment, in cash prior to providing service.  Uninsured travelers or Americans whose U.S. health insurance does not cover overseas care, such as Medicare patients, who require medical care overseas will face extreme difficulties.
 
The Embassy’s Consular Section often receives inquiries from the families of American citizens who are unexpectedly hospitalized in Mongolia.  We can provide, without endorsement, information regarding medical care in Mongolia, but there is no special U.S. Government financial assistance available in such cases.  U.S. Medicare and Medicaid programs do not provide payment for medical services outside the United States.  Many U.S. medical insurance plans do not cover health costs incurred outside the United States unless supplemental coverage is purchased.  Many travel agents and private companies offer insurance plans that will cover health care expenses incurred overseas, including emergency services such as medical evacuations.  A list of some of these companies can be found on the State Department's travel website:
 
http://www.travel.state.gov/travel/tips/health/health_1185.html
 
Two agencies that offer short-term policies including medical evacuation coverage are:
 
International SOS Assistance: 1-800-523-8930
 
Access America: 1-800-851-2800
 
It is a good idea to carry both the insurance policy identity card as proof of such insurance and a claim form.  Useful information can also be found on the Consular Information Sheet:
 
http://travel.state.gov/travel/cis_pa_tw/cis/cis_973.html
 
**U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar Contact Information
--------------------------------
 
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar
Ikh Toiruu, Micro-district 11
Ulaanbaatar, Mongolia
 
Or
 
Consular Section
U.S. Embassy Ulaanbaatar
PSC 461 Box 300
FPO AP 96521
 
Tel: (976-11) 329-095
Fax:(976-11) 320-776
Website:  http://mongolia.usembassy.gov/
E-mail: cons@usembassy.mn