Using Health Insurance when seeing medical specialist in United States

daveyjoe

I'm considering visiting the U.S. to see a medical specialist next month. I'm just wondering is there any possibility of claiming anything back from my health insurance provider? I'm guessing the answer is no but I figured it was worth asking.

I am currently on the Irish Life Select Plus plan: http://www.irishlifehealth.ie/health-insurance-plans/select-plus/?plan=2

coylemj

In the absence of a direct referral by an Irish consultant to a medical centre in the US with the prior approval from your medical insurance company, what you are describing is known as 'medical tourism' and you will not be covered, even for partial payment.

Medical treatment in the US for even the most minor ailment is off the scale relative to costs in this part of the world, don't expect any local insurance company to cover you. Unless you can make a case that the equivalent treatment is not available here, an Irish specialist approves the proposed treatment and you or someone over there can show that there is a reasonable chance of success. Which typically excludes any experimental or unproven treatment.

daveyjoe

Thanks coylemj. That was very helpful.