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Globaline™: Life Insurance and So Much More
While international health insurance is our focus, we recognize that the globally mobile need other protections. This is especially true for expats. That’s why we’ve joined forces with MetLife Worldwide Benefits and created Globaline, a single solution that offers health, life and long-term disability (LTD) products and services for expat employees.
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Best-in-Class Coverage
You’re already familiar with the many ways GeoBlue supports expats’ healthcare needs. Here’s an overview of what MetLife delivers through Globaline: |
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Life, accidental death & dismemberment (AD&D) and LTD through MetLife
- Unrivaled experience in administering complex life and LTD claims globally
- Complete plan design flexibility with a variety of benefit options
- Competitive Guarantee Issue amounts that help expats save time and money
- Plans written specifically for expats ensure employees are covered at the time of claim
- Solid foundation of life protection expanded with a broad range of value-added services:
- Will Preparation & Digital Estate Planning—A vast network of over 18,000 plan attorneys can provide valuable guidance and resources to assist expats with creating or updating a will
- Estate Resolution—Expats receive unlimited legal guidance to help them navigate the complexities of settling an estate
- Grief Counseling—Whether expats are coping with a loss or major life change, professional counselors are there to provide comfort and confidential support
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A comprehensive plan that’s easy to implement and manage
Globaline makes administration easy, with a single proposal for the entire suite of coverage and a single point of contact, from implementation to account servicing through to eligibility, billing and renewal.
GeoBlue is proud to offer this joint solution with MetLife, making it easier to deliver the critical life insurance and health insurance expats need. Globaline provides simplicity—without sacrificing quality or expertise. Get the best of both worlds with Globaline. |
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Understanding the Canadian Healthcare System |
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Canada has a free and public universal healthcare system that’s funded by taxpayers. The individual provinces and territories administer and deliver most of Canada’s healthcare services, and all provincial and territorial health insurance plans must meet national principles set out under the Canada Health Act.1 Known to Canadians as “Medicare,” the system provides access to a broad range of health services.
While the system provides high-quality care, it doesn’t always meet patients’ needs. Long wait times to see physicians, lack of emergency room beds and limited coverage for some procedures and medications often cause frustrated patients to seek out private healthcare options. And although the system is “universal,” that applies to Canadian citizens and permanent residents. Non-residents, including expats, are often not eligible for coverage under the system and must secure private healthcare. |
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Here’s how the Canadian healthcare system breaks down for expat employees living in Canada:
- Expats with temporary residency are not eligible to benefit from Canada’s public healthcare system and must choose private health insurance. It’s the only way they can have coverage.
- Expats who are going to stay in Canada permanently are eligible for public healthcare, but there’s a waiting period. These expats should apply for a Medicare card immediately after arriving in the country but can expect to wait around three months to receive the card and start using the plan. Keep in mind that if the expat is traveling with a family, every family member needs a unique personal identification number and their own Medicare card.
Expat employees and family members cannot risk going without medical coverage. A non-resident in Canada can pay upwards $3,761 USD per day if they require a hospital stay—and that amount can double for intensive care.2 It’s critical that your clients with expat employees living in Canada protect those employees with private healthcare coverage. |
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Furthermore, if Canadian employees travel to other countries, the universal healthcare system offers them little to no coverage. If they require medical repatriation, they often face delays due to bed shortages and hospital staffing issues.3 These employees will also need additional coverage.
You can help make sure these employees have the protection they need. GeoBlue offers both long-term and short-term comprehensive international medical coverage to meet the unique needs of globally mobile employees. |
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The information and materials provided are for general informational purposes only and are not intended to be legal advice, opinions or serve as a substitute for advice from licensed, legal professionals. The law changes frequently and varies depending on jurisdiction. All risk of loss or damage is solely that of the user and Company disclaims any liability thereof.
Sources: 1. Canada’s Health Care System, Government of Canada, 2019. 2. Health Insurance and Health Care in Canada Explained, InterNations. 3. A Message for Canadian Medical Repats: Get to the Back of the Line, ITIJ, 2024. |
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Meet the GeoBlue Medical Staff
Spotlight on Dr. David Farnie |
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As Medical Director, Dr. David Farnie oversees GeoBlue’s medical case management activities. This includes developing and implementing clinical programs and policies and supporting network development and provider engagement. David also plays an active role in supporting product design, strategic planning and market engagement with our clients and brokers.
David is a board-certified emergency physician whose passion for global healthcare is evident through his years of working with teams around the world. |
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In a previous role as Global Medical Director, Aviation and Maritime Services at International SOS, David led the global delivery of assistance services to the aviation and maritime industry. His teams provided industry-leading telemedicine services for clients including commercial airlines, business and general aviation aircraft, luxury yachting and commercial shipping vessels.
David also developed and managed highly trained operational and medical team members in multi-platform delivery operations in the U.S., Europe, Africa and Asia. He served as a member of the International SOS Medical Director Team in support of regional Americas and international operations assistance service delivery.
Early in his career he practiced military, hyperbaric, travel, remote bare base and aerospace medicine while serving 15 years in the Air Force with deployments throughout Europe, the Middle East and Africa.
Every day, our organization benefits from David’s experience navigating medical services and managing teams all over the world. We’re lucky to have him on the GeoBlue team as one of our three Medical Directors—and so are our members! |
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What You Should Know About Mpox
You may have heard that mpox cases are on the rise, so it’s important to know more about the virus.
Mpox is a virus that usually affects rodents in Africa, but it can also infect humans and monkeys. According to the World Health Organization (WHO), it can cause a painful rash, enlarged lymph nodes, fever, aches and low energy. While most people who contract mpox fully recover, some get very sick. In some cases, mpox can be fatal.1 Mpox is usually spread through skin-to-skin contact, but it can also be spread through contact with contaminated objects or surfaces.2 |
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In August 2024, WHO determined that the upsurge of mpox in the Democratic Republic of the Congo and other countries in Africa is a public health emergency of international concern.3
If your clients and/or their employees are at risk of contracting mpox based on where they live, work or travel, the best way to protect themselves is through vaccination. The Centers for Disease Control (CDC) recommends that people in the U.S. who are at risk of mpox receive two doses of an mpox vaccine.2
Learn more about mpox through our FAQs. |
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| Member Self-Service: Benefits Usage |
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Is it covered? What will my share of the cost be?
This is the information members need to know when considering a medical treatment or procedure. And while they can call and ask about their benefits, sitting on the phone to request information may not be the most efficient use of their time. That’s why there’s a faster and easier way for members to check their benefits—just log in! |
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All registered members have access to the Benefits Plan section within the Member Hub. They can search by benefit to see what’s covered under their plan and find out what their share of the cost will be. With these details at their fingertips, they can make smart decisions about their medical care.
Encourage your customers to use this important self-service feature! To access it, just log in to the Member Hub. The Benefits Plan section appears at the bottom of the Benefits Usage page. |
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Catch the Headlines: Be among the first to hear about news and issues impacting the globally mobile |
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Grab a Seat: Register for upcoming events and webinars featuring relevant topics and industry experts |
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Get to Know Us: Catch snippets of who we are and how we’re simplifying the international healthcare experience |
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Missed our live webinars? View them on The Pulse LIVE archive page.
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 Contact our sales team to learn more about our group health plans and services. |
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 Want to refer to a previous issue of The Pulse? Visit our archive page. |
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Blue Cross Blue Shield Global® is a Brand owned by Blue Cross Blue Shield Association. GeoBlue is the trade name of Worldwide Insurance Services, LLC (Worldwide Services Insurance Agency, LLC in California and New York), an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association: made available in cooperation with Blue Cross and Blue Shield companies in select service areas. Coverage is provided under insurance policies underwritten by 4 Ever Life Insurance Company, Oakbrook Terrace, IL, NAIC #80985. 4 Ever Life Insurance Company is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross and Blue Shield Association.
Life, Accidental Death & Dismemberment and Long term Disability coverage for U.S. clients is underwritten by Delaware American Life Insurance Company, an affiliate of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and domiciled at 600 North King Street, Wilmington, DE 19801.
GeoBlue is authorized to use the Globaline trademark. Globaline includes coverage under insurance policies underwritten by separate carriers.
Political Emergency and Natural Disaster Evacuation (PEND) services are provided under a contract with Crisis24. Full terms, conditions and exclusions are contained in the Crisis24 agreement. GeoBlue assumes no liability and accepts no responsibility for information provided by Crisis24 and the performance of the services by Crisis24. Support and information provided through this service does not confirm that any related support is covered under a health plan.
Will Preparation is offered by MetLife Legal Plans, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. In certain states, legal services benefits are provided through insurance coverage underwritten by Metropolitan General Insurance Company, Warwick, Rhode Island. Tax Planning and preparation of Living Trusts are not covered by the Will Preparation Service.
Estate Resolution Services are offered by MetLife Legal Plans, Inc., Cleveland, Ohio. In certain states, legal services benefits are provided through insurance coverage underwritten by Metropolitan General Insurance Company, Warwick, Rhode Island. Certain services are not covered by Estate Resolution Services, including matters in which there is a conflict of interest between the executor and any beneficiary or heir and the estate; any disputes with the group policyholder, MetLife and/or any of its affiliates; any disputes involving statutory benefits; will contests or litigation outside probate court; appeals; court costs, filing fees, recording fees, transcripts, witness fees, expenses to a third party, judgments or fines; and frivolous or unethical matters.
Grief Counseling services are provided by a vendor not affiliated with DelAm, and the services provided are separate and apart from the insurance provided by DelAm. The vendor’s network of Counselors have master’s or doctoral degrees and are licensed professionals. The Grief Counseling program does not provide support for issues such as: domestic issues, parenting issues, or marital/relationship issues (other than a finalized divorce). For such issues, members should inquire with their human resources department about available company resources. Events that may result in a loss are not covered under this program unless and until such loss has occurred. This program is available to Employees and their family members, as well as to beneficiaries at the time of a death claim. Family members are defined as an Employee’s lawful spouse, domestic partner, natural child, adopted child, and stepchild. Services are not available in all jurisdictions and are subject to regulatory approval.
© 2024 GeoBlue and Delaware American Life Insurance Company.
Delaware American Life Insurance Company is a licensee of Metropolitan Life Insurance Company and authorized to use the METLIFE® mark, METLIFE WORLDWIDE BENEFITS and MWB marks, and the stylized M logo, which are owned by Metropolitan Life Insurance Company. Delaware American Life Insurance Company is authorized to use the Globaline trademark.
Like most group insurance policies, these policies contain certain exclusions, exceptions, waiting periods, reductions, limitations and terms for maintaining coverage. Please consult each certificate for complete details.
CORP169783-BRK-10/24 |
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