For international patients, we have agreements with most major insurance companies, which allow us to present claims directly. Other insurers may require you to pay the claim directly at the time of service, and request reimbursement from the insurance company when you return home.

International insurance can be divided into several categories:

• Insurance for scheduled medical treatment
• Insurance for medical emergencies while traveling
• Insurance for routine medical situations or minor circumstances while traveling
• Special corporate agreements with Hospital CIMA

Most people rely on their primary medical insurance, or purchase travel-related medical and accident insurance. Whether you are traveling for medical care or leisure, we encourage all international travelers to contact their insurance company before traveling abroad to find out what conditions may apply.

In many cases, primary insurance may only cover medical expenses outside your home country when you have an accident or an unforeseen medical emergency. They often do not cover minor medical situations. Other insurance plans, as mentioned above, require you to pay the hospital or provider bill, and then request reimbursement from the insurance company. In a medical emergency, these bills can grow quite rapidly. Some insurance companies, and particularly travel assistance companies, will offer a payment guarantee to the hospital. This will help minimize the amount you have to pay immediately, but there may still be amounts you will need to pay before leaving the hospital.

Also remember that your insurance company may have a deductible, copayment, or other amount you are required to pay as part of receiving medical care. There may also be limitations on the payment for certain types of services or out-of-network provisions that apply. Because we are outside your home region as an international patient, it is difficult to know what those amounts are, so you may need to pay an estimated amount greater than the actual amount your insurance company ultimately decides is your responsibility. You can work with your insurance company to have them refund you under the terms of your insurance coverage; however, we ask that you understand these arrangements are beyond our control.