Introduction to Furlough and Sabbatical Insurance

U.S. missionaries visiting the U.S. for a short time either on furlough or sabbatical need medical insurance to protect themselves in case of unexpected sickness, injury or accident.

• Furlough

  U.S. missionaries who are serving abroad may get a home assignment back in the U.S.; such assignment is called a furlough.

• Sabbatical

  U.S. missionaries who are stationed outside the U.S. sometimes take a break in their work, and return to the U.S. for various purposes such as for education, completing their degree, meet family members, fund raising, taking vacation, or any other reason; this is also called sabbatical.

Difficulty

Even while in the U.S. for a short term either on furlough or sabbatical, it is extremely important to have proper medical coverage in case of unexpected illness or injury.

U.S. citizens or other residents who normally live in the U.S. are required to maintain PPACA (Obamacare) compliant domestic health insurance year round. It provides a broad coverage in the U.S. However, you can enroll into such insurance plans only during the open enrollment period, unless eligible for a special enrollment period, and you have to stay enrolled in the plan all year.

U.S. citizens on furlough or sabbatical may not be able to enroll into PPACA compliant plans at the time of their stay. Moreover, their overseas insurance plan may either not provide coverage in the U.S. at all or for a duration shorter than they plan to stay.

Plans

Fortunately, there are many short term medical insurance plans available, as described below:

• Diplomat America

  Diplomat America is available for non-U.S. citizens as well as U.S. citizens visiting the U.S. U.S. citizens must have the intention to return to their home country after a limited duration.

• Domestic Short Term Medical

  Domestic Short Term Health Insurance can be purchased up to 364 days at a time. State specific limitations apply for total duration. There is no requirement of intention to return to their home country after a limited duration. Therefore, it is more suitable for those who are planning to return to the U.S. and settle down. However, it should only be purchased if you are not eligible to purchase other plans.

• Patriot America Lite

  Patriot America Lite is available for non-U.S. citizens as well as U.S. citizens visiting the U.S. U.S. citizens must have the intention to go back to their home country after a limited duration.

• Patriot America Plus

  Patriot America Plus is also available for non-U.S. citizens as well as U.S. citizens visiting the U.S. The difference from the Patriot America plan is this plan includes the Acute Onset benefit.