I landed in Ho Chi Minh City and bought health insurance the next day. Three days later, I woke up with severe Dengue Fever. I went to the hospital ($1,500 bill). Insurance denied it. “Illness occurring within the first 14 days of the policy is excluded.”
Key Takeaways
- The “Probationary” Period: Many health insurance policies have a waiting period (7, 14, or 30 days) for illness. Accidents are covered immediately, but sickness is not.
- Why? To Stop “Buy-on-the-Way-to-Hospital”: Insurers want to prevent people from only buying insurance after they feel sick.
- Travel Insurance vs. Global Health:
- Travel Insurance (SafetyWing/WN): usually active immediately for new illness (check terms).
- Global Health (Cigna/GeoBlue): Almost always has waiting periods for non-emergency care.
- Pre-Existing link: If you get sick in Week 1, they will aggressively investigate if you had symptoms before you bought the policy.
The “Why” (The Trap)
The trap is “Effective Date vs. Coverage Date.”
Your policy might be “Effective” on Jan 1st, but “Sickness Coverage” might start Jan 15th.
- Dengue Example: Dengue incubates for 4-10 days. If you claim for Dengue on Day 3, they know you were bitten before you bought the policy. Denied.
The Investigation: I Called Them
- SafetyWing: Active immediately for accidents AND sickness, provided it is not pre-existing. This is a huge “Pro” for them.
- Genki: Active immediately for accidents. 14-day waiting period for illness if you are already abroad when you sign up. (If you sign up from home, no wait).
- Local Vietnamese Insurance: I looked at a local plan. 30-day waiting period for any illness. 1-year waiting period for cancer/special diseases.
Comparison Table: Waiting Periods
| Feature | SafetyWing | Genki | Cigna Global |
| Accidents | Immediate | Immediate | Immediate |
| Illness (Sign up from Home) | Immediate | Immediate | Immediate |
| Illness (Sign up Abroad) | Immediate | 14 Days | Immediate (usually) |
| Maternity | N/A | 10 Months | 12 Months |
[IMAGE: Calendar graphic with the first 14 days crossed out in red, labeled ‘Waiting Period’]
Step-by-Step Action Plan
- Buy Before You Fly: Always buy insurance while you are still in your home country. This avoids the “already abroad” waiting penalties.
- Read the “Waiting Period” Clause: Search the PDF for “Waiting” or “Probationary.”
- If You Forget: If you are already abroad and need insurance, buy SafetyWing or World Nomads. They are lenient on the “already traveling” status compared to Genki or local plans.
- Don’t Go to Doctor for Minor Issues in Week 1: If you have a headache on Day 2, take Tylenol. If you go to the doctor, you create a medical record that might flag “pre-existing” for future claims.
FAQ
What if I get hit by a bus on Day 1?
That is an accident. Covered immediately.
Does the waiting period apply to renewals?
No. Only the first month.
Can I bypass the wait?
Some Global Health plans waive the wait if you can prove you had “Continuous Creditable Coverage” (prior insurance) with no gap