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Could anyone tell me what health insurance options are available in the USVI for residents who are not eligible for Medicare and not covered by an employer or a spouse's employer?
I am moving down on Nov 1 for at least 6 months with the intention of making the move permanent. I am looking for options for health care coverage. If there's no health care insurance, what do people do when they get sick/injured? I'm a healthy person, but is the attitude just "take your chances"? I've heard that medivac policies exist and it's suggested to get one with an option to go to Florida or somehwere of your choosing (not just closest available). And if there's no way to get coverage that is comprehensive of both the US & USVI, do people then also keep policies with coverage in the US in the event of something catastrophic?
@knowlesstak Does your policy cover you as just 1 single individual, or are you on a company/group policy?
@thibodeaux Have you had any luck finding anything?
Thanks to any input provided!
I am fortunate enough to be retired and have been able to keep my group coverage with United Health Care through my former employer in the states. To my knowledge, unless a person 1) can get coverage through through an employer (or spouse's employer) or 2) starts a business of their own, there are no other options. My wife and I do also have a medivac policy with MASA.
Med-evac insurance works with your existing health insurance. To med-evac, an off island hospital/clinic needs to accept you as a patient before you fly at the recommendation of JFL and/or a local physician. The medical service you seek cannot be available on the island.
If your first intended longer-term visit is for 6 months, you might be able to use a travel or short term health insurance policy plus Med-evac. My advice would be that you do your best to keep coverage in the states for as long as you can - though many HMOs are very specific to your current local and won't work in the USVI (or PR or FL) except for emergencies.
FYI - my husband was Med-evacuated from STX to PR in 2019. My employer insurance picked up the bill for $50K though we had Aero MD. Aero MD, working with JFL, coordinated the air ambulance service and arranged ground transport in the VI and PR. Aero MD works with Boehlke in the VI so a jet is nearby.
Right now, PR has a better handle on COVID-19 than FL does.
USVI is not part of ACA nor are any individual health insurance policies available here.
Few years ago I applied for health insurance. I get lots of benefits, the main advantage is financial coverage and medical expenses. You are financially protected against the costs of treatment for a wide range of conditions up to a certain limit.
Sure, buddy. What's your scam?
If you work for an employer (mainland or local), there's a chance you can get insurance through them.
Regrettably, when they passed ACA they excluded the territories. On the mainland, small businesses can also get group insurance through the SBA but once again, it's not offered here.
Elan insurance out of Florida is now providing a couple plans for small local employers ( https://viconsortium.com/vi-health/virgin-islands-elan-insurance-launches-v-i-smartcare-a-health-plan-for-small-to-mid-sized-usvi-employers) and has an emergency evac plan for individuals and families in addition to the evac plans offered through MASA and AeroMed.
Depending on what you do and how entrepreneurial you are, you could also look at starting your own small business to get one of the small business plans.
Health insurance availability and quality schools have killed or postponed the plans of many good people (and shortened the stay of many others)...
