Emergency Medical Stabilization &Evacuation to YOUR Hospital
When medical emergencies strike abroad, we stabilize you locally and transport you home. Your doctors. Your hospital. Your support system. That's the Expat Guard difference.
The Coverage Gap
Why Expats Need Emergency Coverage
Expat Guard fills a critical gap in the international insurance market by providing catastrophic medical coverage specifically designed for permanent expatriates.
Medicare Won't Cover You Abroad
Medicare Advantage plans don't cover you abroad if you don't reside in your coverage area. You lose protection the moment you need it most.
Traditional Travel Insurance Falls Short
Travel insurance assumes you're visiting temporarily. Trip limitations, destination restrictions, and coverage gaps make it unsuitable for permanent expats living abroad.
International Health Plans Cost Too Much
Full international coverage costs thousands monthly for benefits you don't need if you maintain home country insurance. Why pay for preventive care you'll never use?
The Expat Guard Solution
Emergency stabilization and evacuation insurance that bridges the gap between local care and your home country health insurance. No redundant benefits, no excessive premiums - just the protection you actually need.
Core Coverage
What's Covered
Emergency stabilization locally + evacuation to YOUR hospital
Emergency Medical Stabilization
Hospital, surgery, ICU, physician visits - covered 100% after deductible up to plan maximum
Up to $100,000 Essential / $250,000 Premier
Medical Evacuation to YOUR Hospital
Full AirMed membership - private medical jet to YOUR choice of hospital in US/Canada
100% covered - No caps or limits
Acute Onset Pre-Existing Coverage
Sudden flare-ups of stable chronic conditions covered (120-day stability required)
Reduced limits: $15K Essential / $20K Premier
30-Day Emergency Coverage
Coverage for emergency stabilization until you're medically stable or 30 days
Then evacuate home for ongoing care
🌟 AirMed Evacuation Advantages
Important: This is Supplemental Coverage
Expat Guard supplements your home country insurance. You must maintain Medicare, employer coverage, or private insurance in the US or Canada. We provide emergency coverage when you're outside your primary insurance area, then get you home for ongoing care.
Simple, Age-Based Pricing
Choose Your Coverage Level
Designed for expats who maintain home country coverage. No redundant benefits you don't need.
Essential
Basic emergency protection with higher deductible
Age-based pricing • Ages 18-84
- Up to $100,000 emergency medical
- $5,000 deductible per incident
- Full AirMed evacuation membership
- Choose YOUR hospital destination
- Family flies FREE on evacuation
- Acute onset pre-existing coverage
- 30-day emergency stabilization
- 24/7 emergency support
Premier
Comprehensive protection with low deductible
Age-based pricing • Ages 18-84
- Up to $250,000 emergency medical
- $1,000 deductible per incident
- Full AirMed evacuation membership
- Choose YOUR hospital destination
- Family flies FREE on evacuation
- Enhanced acute onset coverage
- Higher per-service limits
- Priority 24/7 support
"When medical emergencies strike abroad, we stabilize you locally and transport you home."
Your doctors. Your hospital. Your support system. That's the Expat Guard difference.
Operational Excellence as Our Differentiator
Claims paid in 14 days
Not 45-60 like competitors
24/7 support in your time zones
Not outsourced call centers
Real evacuation membership
Not insurance reimbursement
Transparent limits
No surprise exclusions
Expat-specific design
Not adapted travel products
Purpose-built coverage
Emergency + evacuation specialists
Is Expat Guard Right for You?
Expat Guard isn't trying to be everything to everyone. We're emergency medical and evacuation specialists for a specific market.
✓ Best For
- US/Canadian citizens permanently residing in Mexico, Central, or South America
- Those with Medicare or comprehensive insurance in home country
- Expats who want to choose their evacuation destination hospital
- People who value getting home for medical care, not just "somewhere adequate"
- Ages 18-84 seeking affordable emergency-only coverage with premium evacuation
- Those who understand this supplements, not replaces, primary insurance
Not Suitable For
- Families with young children (under 18 not eligible)
- Those seeking primary healthcare coverage
- People wanting low or no deductible options
- Travelers on short trips (use traditional travel insurance instead)
- Those needing any routine or preventive care
- Expats without primary insurance in home country
- Those living within 100 miles of US/Canada border
Our Target Markets
The Practical Retiree
Ages 60-75, living in Mexico, Costa Rica, Panama, or Ecuador
They have Medicare plus a supplement, own property abroad, and understand insurance. They don't need full coverage - they need catastrophic protection and a way home if something serious happens.
The Digital Nomad Professional
Ages 35-55, maintaining US employment and health benefits
They need gap coverage for emergencies until they can return for scheduled care. The AirMed benefit resonates as "business class medical transport" that protects their career and family.
The Part-Time Expat
6-11 months abroad annually, maintaining full US ties
They're too permanent for travel insurance but not permanent enough for local coverage. Our annual structure fits their lifestyle perfectly.
"When members have their worst day abroad, we get them home."
That's our success metric. That's the Expat Guard difference.
Eligibility Requirements
Who Can Apply
Currently launching exclusively for US and Canadian expats in Latin America
Residency
requiredMust be a US or Canadian citizen (ages 18-84) residing in Latin America
Billing Address
requiredValid US or Canadian billing address required for payment processing
Home Country Coverage
requiredMUST maintain Medicare, ACA, or Provincial coverage where you will be evacuated to
Medical Records
requiredComplete medical records required for pre-existing conditions and claims approval
Critical: Home Country Coverage Required
You MUST maintain your Medicare, ACA, or Provincial coverage. Hospitals WILL NOT accept medical evacuation without proof of coverage at your destination. Our plan bridges the gap - we stabilize you abroad and evacuate you home where your primary insurance takes over.
Currently Serving
More countries coming soon • Coverage valid worldwide for emergencies while traveling
Coverage Details
Pre-existing Conditions Coverage
Evacuation always covered. Medical treatment covered for acute onset only. 120-day stability period required for pre-existing conditions.
Evacuation Coverage
FULLY COVEREDFull evacuation coverage regardless of your medical history - no exclusions
- All pre-existing conditions covered for evacuation
- No waiting periods or exclusions for evacuation
- No medical questions required for evacuation
- Evacuation coverage begins immediately
Medical Treatment Coverage
ACUTE ONSET ONLYCoverage only for sudden, acute onset of pre-existing conditions that have been stable
- Sudden, unexpected worsening of stable pre-existing conditions
- Condition must be stable for 120 days prior to policy start
- Coverage up to policy maximum
- Must require immediate emergency treatment
- Medical records required to verify stability
Examples of Covered vs. Not Covered Scenarios
COVERED Examples
- Heart attack in person with stable, controlled hypertension
- Diabetic coma in person with well-controlled diabetes
- Stroke in person with stable blood pressure medication
- Sudden kidney failure in person with stable kidney disease
NOT COVERED Examples
- Routine dialysis for known kidney disease
- Regular insulin for diabetes management
- Planned surgery for known condition
- Prescription refills for ongoing medications
Claims & Support
How to Get Help When You Need It
24/7 emergency support with claims paid in 14 days
24/7 Emergency Hotline
For medical emergencies and evacuation coordination
Critical: Time-Sensitive Requirements
48-Hour Notification: Contact us within 48 hours of hospitalization or face a 50% penalty on benefits.
90-Day Claims Deadline: All claims must be filed within 90 days from date of service or they will be denied.
Claims Process
1. Emergency Contact (Within 48 Hours)
24/7 emergency hotline for immediate assistance
- Have your Policy Card ready
- Provide hospital name, address, and contact
- 48-hour notification REQUIRED (50% penalty if missed)
- Direct line for air ambulance requests
2. Document Collection
Essential documents to collect from the hospital
- Complete medical records with diagnosis
- Itemized billing statements
- Treatment summary from attending physician
- Prescription records and medications given
3. Guarantee of Payment (GOP)
Direct billing when available - conditional approval
- GOP issued for covered emergencies only
- Surgical team limits apply (assistant + anesthesia max)
- Must meet acute onset criteria if pre-existing
- Member liable if claim denied after GOP issuance
Guarantee of Payment (GOP) Conditions
All Guarantees of Payment are conditional upon:
- The condition being a covered emergency under the policy - Not routine or preventive care
- Not being excluded as a pre-existing condition - Must meet acute onset criteria if pre-existing
- Medical records confirming sudden onset if requested - May be required within 48 hours
- Hospital providing itemized bills within 30 days - Required for claim processing
- Surgical team limits apply - Maximum coverage for assistant surgeon and anesthesiologist per policy limits
Member Financial Responsibility
- • If a claim is denied after GOP issuance due to policy exclusions (including pre-existing conditions or non-emergency care), the member agrees to be fully responsible for all hospital charges.
- • The claims administrator reserves the right to recover any payments made to the hospital directly from the member, protecting the hospital from non-payment risk.
- • GOP for surgical procedures includes primary surgeon to plan maximum, plus the defined maximums for ONE assistant surgeon and ONE anesthesiologist. Any charges exceeding these limits or for additional surgical personnel are the member's responsibility.
Tips for Faster GOP Approval
Hospital Network & Selection
Choose Your Hospital
You can go to any hospital. We pay usual, customary, and reasonable rates for your region.
Avoid Scam Hospitals
Research reputable hospitals ahead of time. Check with local expat groups and embassy advisories.
Get Second Opinions
If pressured for immediate treatment, seek a second opinion when possible to avoid unnecessary procedures.
Know Your Rights
You can request evacuation for any serious hospitalization if uncomfortable with local care.
Beware of Medical Fraud
Some international hospitals may pressure you for unnecessary procedures or charge excessive rates. We've seen cases of unnecessary surgeries and 10x standard pricing. Always maintain a trusted local physician for guidance, and remember - you can request evacuation if you're uncomfortable with your care. Check embassy warnings like the St. Luke's advisory in Cabo.
Documents to Collect Before Leaving the Hospital
Hospitals abroad can be difficult without proper documentation. Always request these:
Why Choose Expat Guard
Protection That Travels With You
Emergency stabilization and evacuation coverage for US and Canadian expats in Latin America.
Emergency Stabilization
Coverage for emergency medical stabilization in Latin America up to plan maximum.
Unlimited Evacuation
Unlimited medical evacuation via AirMed to your home country after stabilization.
Acute Onset Coverage
Coverage for sudden onset of pre-existing conditions that were stable for 120+ days.
Annual Policy
12-month coverage for US and Canadian expats aged 18-84 residing in Latin America.
Bridge Insurance
Fills the gap between local care and your home country health insurance.
Two Plan Options
Essential ($100k max, $5k deductible) or Premier ($250k max, $1k deductible).
Ready to Protect YourAdventure Abroad?
Join thousands of expats who trust Expat Guard for their emergency medical coverage. Get early access and exclusive launch pricing.
"Finally, insurance that understands expat life. Simple, affordable, and actually there when you need it."— Sarah M., Expat in Mexico City