MyIMG is our member and group administrator portal. Here, you can submit and manage your claims, update your contact information, access your ID card, initiate precertification, obtain insurance documents, and more. For more information, view the full MyIMG Guide.
While not required, it’s highly recommended to create a MyIMG account. MyIMG is the most convenient way to submit and manage your claims, update your contact information, access your ID card and insurance documents, contact us, and more. Create your MyIMG account here.
Go to the MyIMG login page and click “Create an Account.” On the next screen, enter your IMG Certificate Number or Insured ID, and click “Continue.” Once the system verifies this information, enter your date of birth, and click “Confirm.” For more information, view the full MyIMG Guide.
Go to the MyIMG portal log in page and click “Forgot Username?” or “Forgot Password?” and follow the instructions to reset your username/password. For more detailed instructions, view the full MyIMG Guide.
Complete Proof of Claim must be received by IMG prior to making any benefit determinations. Proof of Claim is defined within your plan or Certificate of Insurance. Once all information is received, then claims are promptly processed in accordance with industry standards. However, when additional information is required to complete the Proof of Claim, processing will be delayed. The insured will receive an Explanation of Benefits indicating what is needed for further consideration. Failure to comply may result in the insured's claim being closed for lack of response.
If you are applying for coverage under the Patriot series of plans, IMG will process your application and send your ID card and other documents within one business day. If you are applying for coverage under the Global or Group series, IMG will process your application within three to four business days following the receipt of all required information, and your materials will be forwarded the same day coverage is approved. Every attempt will be made to process your application timely. The specific time frame depends largely on the type of coverage for which you are applying.
IMG will accept faxed documents if, upon receipt, they are legible and do not appear to be altered in any way. Faxes may be forwarded to 1.317.655.4505, Attention Claims Department.
Your ID card contains important information including contact information for IMG should a medical emergency arise. We recommend that you carry it with you at all times.
You are eligible for our Global Medical insurance plan if you reside outside of the U.S. or have a good faith intent to reside outside of the U.S. for six months or more in a calendar year. Please note that IMG’s Global Medical Insurance Plan does not meet the definition of “minimum essential coverage” under PPACA. GMI is not intended to provide U.S. citizens residing in the U.S. with health insurance. While your GMI plan for worldwide coverage will not be affected by PPACA, you should review the information below to see if you are exempt from the requirements of PPACA or not, and whether you will have to pay a tax penalty or not. Under PPACA, all U.S. citizens, nationals and resident aliens will be required to purchase minimum essential coverage (PPACA compliant coverage), unless they are exempt. Exempt U.S. citizens include U.S. citizens who reside outside of the U.S. The exemption applies to a U.S. citizen who has a tax home (main place of work or employment, or if you don’t have a main place of work or employment, your main residence) in a foreign country, and is a bona fide resident of a foreign country. See details under the IRS foreign earned income exclusion test. If a person was required to purchase minimum essential coverage and did not, she/he would be required to pay a tax penalty for not purchasing PPACA coverage (if she/he files a U.S. tax return). In many cases, this tax is far less than the premiums that a person would pay for obtaining PPACA coverage.
General Mailing:
International Medical Group, Inc.
9200 Keystone Crossing
Suite 800
Indianapolis, IN 46240
For Medical Claims:
International Medical Group, Inc.
Claims Department
PO Box 240429
Apple Valley, MN 55124
For Travel Claims:
International Medical Group, Inc.
Claims Department
PO Box 241853
Apple Valley, MN 55124
Claims Email:
CustomerCare@imglobal.com
ATTN: Claims Department
International Medical Group, Inc.
Attn: Claims Department
PO Box 240429
Apple Valley, MN 55124
If you have a medical emergency, seek appropriate medical care. If you need assistance, please call the phone number on the back of your ID card. IMG has medical professionals on call 24/7 to assist you in the case of a medical emergency. If you need to precertify outpatient services you may use the online precertification form.If you are being admitted to a hospital, you may notify us either by submitting an online precertification form or by calling the phone number on the back of your ID card.
Precertification is a requirement under your certificate for certain medical services. Please see your certificate for a list of services which require precertification. During the precertification process, medical professionals review the planned medical services against standard medical criteria to ensure that the services are within accepted medical standards and are medically necessary. Precertification may be initiated by you, your representative or your medical provider. This can be done through MyIMG, through the Client Resources page of IMGLOBAL or by calling IMG at 1.800.628.4664 (within the U.S.) or 1.317.655.4500. Most U.S. hospitals and physicians are familiar with the precertification process and will make the phone call for you, though they are not required to do this. You are responsible for ensuring the precertification process is done five days before you are hospitalized or within 48 hours of an accident or emergency illness.
The Claims department encourages all insureds to complete a Claim Form for each new onset of an illness or injury. This process gives IMG knowledge that you are receiving medical treatment and allows us to watch for appropriate billing to be filed on your behalf. If you fail to submit a Claim Form and additional information is requested, IMG will contact you with an Explanation of Benefits and attach a Claim Form if one is required.
There are several ways to obtain a duplicate ID card. The Client Resources page features an ID card link as a menu item on the right side of the page. Simply click the link and follow the instructions. IMG's quick links also features a link to print a duplicate card. Additionally, if you have a MyIMG account, once you are logged in you have the ability to print another card.
IMG plans include customization options and add-ons, including add-on coverage for high school sports, interscholastic, intramural, or club sports, personal liability and legal assistance.
To show proof of insurance, simply download or print a copy of the ID card and/or confirmation letter and provide it to your school's program administrator.
Check with your school to get your waiver status.
Once your plan is purchased and you have your plan documents, you will have the information you'll need to complete your school's waiver.
In addition to the medical and health coverage, healthcare provider access, and other benefits you expect from IMG plans, we offer missionary-specific insurance benefits like coverage for furlough and political evacuations. See your plan befits information for more!
If you were to suffer an injury or get sick while visiting the United States, you might be surprised by the cost of medical care. You may also be surprised by the limited assistance your domestic insurance provider can provide while you're visiting. Visitor insurance coverage in the U.S. helps to ensure that you don't incur any unforeseen expenses, receive excellent care, and get home quickly and safely if anything were to happen during your visit.
Visitors should plan to get insurance after they plan their trip and receive their visa, but before they arrive in the U.S. The effective dates for coverage should match their visa.
IMG plans provide you access to more than 17,000 providers through our International Provider Access (IPA) while you're outside of the United States. Our multilingual customer service centers, claims administrators, and 24-hour emergency care coordinators are ready if the unforeseen does happen during your mission trip.
Insurance prices are regulated by the government - you won't find a better price on IMG insurance plans anywhere else.
The "Patient Protection and Affordable Care Act," commonly known as PPACA, was first introduced as a measure to deal with rising healthcare costs and numbers of uninsured.
The heart of PPACA consists of three provisions: guaranteed issue (insurers must offer coverage regardless of the applicant's health status or pre-existing conditions), community rating (insurers must offer policies within a given territory at the same price regardless of health status, age, gender, or other factors), and an individual mandate. The individual mandate assures that everyone has a minimum amount of coverage: those above a certain annual income are required to purchase coverage or incur a tax penalty; those who cannot afford it will have their coverage paid for by the government.
As PPACA continues to be implemented and challenged throughout the country, understanding the issues and implications for the international insurance industry and your business becomes all the more important.
Tax Calculations
Taxes begin in 2014 and rise in years following. In each year, the tax consists of the higher of a dollar amount or a percentage of household income. For a given household, the tax applies to each individual, up to a maximum of three. Following is the schedule of taxes:
Tax Examples
2014 - family of 2; taxable income = $26,000;
tax = $260 because $260 ($26,000 x 1%) is higher than $190 ($95 x 2 persons).
2014 - family of 3; taxable income = $26,000;
tax = $285 because $285 ($95 x 3 persons) is higher than $260 ($26,000 x 1%).
Under PPACA, all U.S. citizens, nationals and resident aliens will be required to purchase minimum essential coverage (PPACA compliant coverage), unless they are exempt.
IMG’s Global Medical Insurance Plan does not meet the definition of “minimum essential coverage” under PPACA. While your GMI plan for worldwide coverage will not be affected by PPACA, you should review the information below to see if you are exempt from the requirements of PPACA or not, and whether you will have to pay a tax penalty or not.
The IRS provides a questions and answers page on the individual mandate. Question 11 asks whether all individuals living in the U.S. are subject to the mandate. The answer is that U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents are subject to the mandate, as are “foreign nationals who are in the U.S. long enough during a calendar year to qualify as resident aliens for tax purposes.” Thus, non-resident aliens are not subject to the individual mandate, even if they have to file a tax return.
Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien?
The IRS states that you are a non-resident alien unless you meet either the green card test or the substantial presence test.
According to IRS Publication 519, Tax Guide for Aliens, under the green card test, green card holders are resident aliens for tax purposes. The substantial presence test uses a formula to count the number of days present in the U.S. over the past 3 years. Generally, you are a resident alien after six months of presence in the U.S. – unless you are exempt.
Exempt non-U.S. citizens include:
Here are some Alien Residence examples to assist you.
IMG’s international travel medical products are not a substitute for minimum essential coverage that you may need to have under PPACA. If you are a U.S. citizen, national or legal resident alien in the U.S., you will need to maintain minimum essential coverage unless you are exempt. Exemptions include:
You will not need PPACA coverage for short-term travel to the U.S., unless you are considered an “alien lawfully present” in the U.S. See I am a Non-U.S. citizen covered under a Global Medical Insurance Plan.
In general, PPACA does not govern short-term limited duration insurance, like IMG’s short-term travel medical insurance programs.
However please understand that under PPACA, as of January 1, 2014, extensions of short-term coverage will be limited to less than 12 months to meet the definition of a short-term limited duration plan.
IMG’s international travel medical products are not a substitute for minimum essential coverage that you may need to have under PPACA. However, since most PPACA plans do not provide the types of international benefits and assistance that travelers need, you should strongly consider purchasing an international travel medical plan such as IMG’s Patriot Lite Travel Medical Insurance for coverage while you travel outside of the U.S.
If you are a U.S. citizen, national or an “alien lawfully present” in the U.S., you will need to maintain minimum essential coverage unless you are exempt. Exemptions include:
In general, PPACA does not govern short-term limited duration insurance, like IMG’s short-term travel medical insurance programs.
However, please understand that under PPACA, as of January 1, 2014, extensions of short-term coverage will be limited to less than 12 months to meet the definition of a short-term limited duration plan.
As non-resident aliens, international students on F, J, M and Q visas (and certain family members of students) are not subject to the individual mandate for their first 5 years in the U.S. All other J categories (teacher, trainee, work and travel, au pair, high school, etc.) are not subject to the individual mandate for 2 years (out of the past six).
Since international students are not subject to the mandate, they are not required to purchase a plan that meets PPACA requirements and can purchase an appropriate IMG plan.
International Students – Exempt as Non-Resident Aliens
Under the IRS international student exemption, anyone “temporarily in the United States on an “F”, “J”, “M”, or “Q” visa for the primary purpose of studying at an accredited academic institution or vocational school (and certain family members of students), and who substantially complies with the requirements of that visa,” is exempt from being treated as a resident alien, and is therefore exempt from the individual mandate as a non-resident alien.
That exemption applies for 5 years. After 5 years, a student is no longer exempt, and the substantial presence test must be applied. See examples here.
Even after 5 years in the U.S., an international student may continue to be a non-resident alien for tax purposes under the “Closer Connection” exception if they can prove that they still have a closer connection to their home country than to the U.S.
The Individual Mandate and Alien / Non-Alien Status
The IRS provides a questions and answers page on the individual mandate. Question 11 asks whether all individuals living in the U.S. are subject to the mandate. The answer is that U.S. citizens and permanent legal residents are subject to the mandate, as are “foreign nationals who are in the U.S. long enough during a calendar year to qualify as resident aliens for tax purposes.” Thus, non-resident aliens are not subject to the individual mandate, even if they have to file a tax return.
Am I a Resident or Non-Resident Alien?
The IRS states that you are a non-resident alien unless you meet either the green card test or the substantial presence test.
Under IRS Publication 519, Tax Guide for Aliens (the green card test), green card holders are resident aliens for tax purposes. The substantial presence test uses a formula to count the number of days present in the U.S. over the past 3 years. Generally, you a resident alien after six months of presence in the U.S. – unless you are exempt.
"Expatriate health plans" are defined as a group health plan or health insurance coverage offered in connection with a group health plan meeting all of the following:
This definition includes both fully insured and self-insured plans. Prior transitional relief had applied only to insured expatriate plans.
To qualify as an “expatriate health plan,” substantially all of the primary enrollees must be “qualified expatriates.” A “qualified expatriate” is a primary insured meeting all of the following:
Qualified Expatriates in the U.S.:
The individual’s skills, qualification, job duties, or expertise is of a type that has caused the employer to assign him to the U.S. for a specific temporary purpose or assignment tied to employment; and
In connection with such transfer or assignment, the plan sponsor reasonably determines that the individual will require access to health insurance in multiple countries, and is offered other multi-national benefits on a periodic basis (e.g., tax equalization benefits, cross-border moving expenses, compensation to enable the expatriate to return to his home country);
Qualified Expatriates Outside of the U.S.:
The individual is working outside the U.S. for a period of at least 180 days in a consecutive 12-month period that overlaps with the plan year. For purposes of the definition, “U.S.” includes the 50 states, D.C., and Puerto Rico.
There are also special provisions for members 501(c)(3) and 501(c)(4) organizations who are traveling or relocating internationally for the organization, including students and religious missionaries.
Expatriate Health Plans are Minimum Essential Coverage
Expatriate health plans qualify as minimum essential coverage. This means that an expatriate health plan will satisfy the employer mandate and the enrollee’s individual mandate.
Employers are Still Subject to §6055/§6056 Reporting and Cadillac Tax on Certain Expatriates
The exemption from ACA requirements does not apply for the new health information reporting requirements for the beginning of 2016.
However, the information statements (primarily the Forms 1094-C and 1095-C for employers) may be provided electronically to individuals covered under an expatriate health plan even if the individual has not consented to electronic distribution (as long as the individual has not explicitly refused electronic distribution).
Expatriate health plans will be exempt from the §4980I excise tax on high cost employer-sponsored health coverage (generally referred to as the “Cadillac tax”) that is scheduled to take effect in 2018, except for expatriates assigned to work in the U.S.
Effective Date
These provisions related to expatriate health plans apply to expatriate health plans issued or renewed on or after July 1, 2015.
No. Under PPACA, the term “health insurance coverage” means insurance benefits offered by a “health insurance issuer,” which is an insurance company that is licensed to engage in the business of insurance in a State of the U.S. and which is subject to State law that regulates insurance. IMG’s international plans are underwritten by Sirius International Insurance Corporation, a Swedish insurance company, for persons that are not eligible for or required to purchase a PPACA plan. If you are now eligible for or required to purchase a PPACA plan and the PPACA plan application asks you whether you currently have “health insurance coverage,” you should answer that question “No.”
Yes, the insured does not have to be the one that fills out the application. You can purchase a travel medical plan for your parents, friends, or relatives as long as you have the necessary information.
If you're planning a trip with multiple destinations, such as a vacation to Europe, you'll want to select the country that you plan on spending the most time in. Your travel medical insurance will cover you for the entirety of your trip and in countries outside of your own.
With an international health plan from IMG, you have medical coverage worldwide. Our plans give you the freedom to choose your own health care provider wherever you are in the world.To view IMG's exclusive provider list, visit the Find A Doctor page in the myIMG member area.
Log in to the MyIMG portal and click “Manage Account.” In the drop-down menu, click “My Profile.” On the next screen, you can change your username, password, email address, and social security number. For more detailed instructions, view the full MyIMG Guide.
Log in to the MyIMG portal and click “Manage Account.” In the drop-down menu, click “Addresses.” On the next screen, you can edit saved addresses or add a new address. For more detailed instructions, view the full MyIMG Guide.
Log in to the MyIMG portal and click “Claims.” In the drop-down menu, click “My Claims.” On the next screen, you can submit a new claim or view existing claim statuses for all insured persons on your plan. For more detailed instructions, view the full MyIMG Guide.
Log in to the MyIMG portal and click “Documents.” On the next screen, you can download a PDF of plan documents (ID cards, declaration page, certificate wordings, etc.) for all insured persons on your plan. For more detailed instructions, view the full MyIMG Guide.
Log in to the MyIMG portal and click “Help.” In the drop-down menu, click “Contact.” On the next screen, you can submit your secure message to our customer care team. For more detailed instructions, view the full MyIMG Guide.
Our Visitors Protect plan offers coverage for pre-existing conditions that gradually develop or worsen over time (such as diabetes or high blood pressure). This plan is designed specifically for individuals and families traveling from their home country to the United States, Canada, and Mexico. For more information, view the full Visitors Protect benefits table.
Other IMG international travel medical plans may cover “Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions.” This is different than a more traditional definition of “Pre-Existing Conditions.” Patriot America Plus, Patriot America Platinum, Patriot International, and Visitors Care plans cover acute onset of pre-existing conditions, but they are only covered prior to age 70 and are subject to the language in the insurance plan. Here is our definition of what would be considered an acute onset of a pre-existing condition (according to a sample insurance plan from October 2022):
A sudden and Unexpected outbreak or reoccurrence that is of short duration, is rapidly progressive, and requires urgent medical care. A Pre-existing Condition that is chronic or congenital, or that gradually becomes worse over time is not an Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition. An Acute Onset of Pre-existing Condition does not include any condition for which, as of the Effective date, the Insured Person (i) knew or reasonably foresaw he/she would receive, (ii) knew or reasonably foresaw he/she should receive, (iii) had scheduled, or (iv) were told that he/she must or should receive, any medical care, drugs or Treatment.
Proof of Claim is defined within your plan or Certificate of Insurance. Complete Proof of Claim must be received by IMG prior to making any benefit determinations. Once all information is received, then claims are promptly processed in accordance with industry standards. However, when additional information is required to complete the Proof of Claim, processing will be delayed. The insured will receive an Explanation of Benefits indicating what is needed for further consideration. Failure to comply may result in the insured's claim being closed for lack of response.
For Medical Claims:
You can submit a claims appeal on MyIMG by navigating to the claims page and clicking the details of a specific claim. A claims appeal may also be sent to IMG in writing requesting a review of previously processed claims.
It is important that you submit your appeal and any supporting documentation within 90 days of the original claims determination. Your appeal will be reviewed and promptly responded to in accordance with your particular insurance plan or certificate. Claim appeals should be forwarded to:
International Medical Group
Attn: Claims Appeals
PO Box 9162
Farmington Hills, MI 48333, USA
For Travel Claims:
A written formal claims appeal may be sent to IMG requesting a review of previously processed claims. It is important that you submit your appeal and any supporting documentation within ninety (90) days of the original claims determination. Your appeal will be reviewed and promptly responded to in accordance to your particular insurance plan or certificate. Claim appeals should be forwarded to:
IMG iTravelInsured® Claims
Attn: Claims Appeals
PO Box 241853
Apple Valley, MN 55124, USA
You can access your claim forms through MyIMG. They are also available for download below.
It is best to check all of your existing coverages or insurance policies before traveling abroad so that you're aware of how you're covered and where you have gaps in your existing coverage.
To be eligible for trip cancellation reimbursement, you must cancel your trip due to one of the reasons covered in your plan. Additional terms apply. You may add Cancel for Any Reason coverage to our LX plan. This allows you to cancel for any reason not otherwise covered by your plan and receive a partial refund. Additional cost and terms apply. Not available in NY.**
Coverage begins at 12:01 a.m. on the day after the date the appropriate payment for this plan is received. This is your “Effective Date” and begins the trip cancellation benefits. Most other coverages begin when you depart on the first travel arrangement for your trip.
The perils protected against are listed in your plan document. These perils are similar (but not identical) to the trip cancellation perils except they provide coverage once you depart for your covered trip. The insured can be reimbursed for unused, non-refundable travel arrangements plus additional transportation costs paid to join/re-join your interrupted trip or be transported back to your originally scheduled return destination.
Do you know if any type of travel insurance coverage is included with your credit card? How about your domestic health care policy? Maybe your homeowner’s plan? Medicare?
Travel insurance is designed to provide coverage where none exists, or at least fill in gaps that exist in other types of insurance programs. Review your personal credit card, health, homeowner’s and other insurance programs that you already own to make an informed decision about the purchase of travel insurance.
Check your other insurance carefully to understand what benefits are offered with your credit card and how those benefits are activated. Airlines, cruise lines, hotels, tour operators can sometimes have cancellation penalties. A discussion with your travel agent can help you become aware of travel exposures should the unexpected happen.
Protect your financial investment with an iTravelInsured plan.
The iTravel Insured Lite, SE, LX, and GT plans contain (Lite, LX, SE and GT) have travel insurance underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company. This website contains highlights of the plans developed by International Medical Group, which include travel insurance coverages underwritten by United States Fire Insurance Company, Principal Office located in Morristown, New Jersey, under form series T7000 et al, T210 et al and TP-401 et al, and non-insurance Travel Assistance Services provided by International Medical Group. The terms of insurance coverages in the plans may vary by jurisdiction and not all insurance coverages are available in all jurisdictions. Insurance coverages in these plans are subject to terms, limitations and exclusions including an exclusion for pre-existing medical conditions. In most states, your travel retailer is not a licensed insurance producer/agent, and is not qualified or authorized to answer technical questions about the terms, benefits, exclusions and conditions of the insurance offered or to evaluate the adequacy of your existing insurance coverage. Your travel retailer may be compensated for the purchase of a plan and may provide general information about the plans offered, including a description of the coverage and price. The purchase of travel insurance is not required in order to purchase any other product or service from your travel retailer. CA DOI toll free number is 800-927-4357. The cost of your plan is for the entire plan, which consists of both insurance and non-insurance components. Individuals looking to obtain additional information regarding the features and pricing of each travel plan component, please contact International Medical Group 9200 Keystone Crossing, Indianapolis, IN 46240 USA. +1(317) 655-9796. Insurance@imglobal.com. CA Non-Resident Producer License No. 0F17093. While International Medical Group markets the travel insurance in these plans on behalf of USF, non-insurance components of the plans were added to the plans by International Medical Group, and International Medical Group does not receive compensation from USF for providing the non-insurance components of the plans.
The information provided above is for general informational purposes only. While we have attempted to provide current, accurate and clearly expressed information, this information is provided "as is" and IMG makes no representations or warranties regarding its accuracy or completeness. The information provided should not be construed as legal or tax advice or as a recommendation of any kind. External users should seek professional advice from their own attorneys and tax advisers with respect to their individual circumstances and needs.