Expat health insurance covers accidents, emergencies, and new illnesses, with a €25 copay per medical event and no deductible. Claims and cost estimates are submitted through your online account along with itemized invoices, prescriptions, or referrals depending on the treatment type. Most claims are processed within 2 to 4 weeks, and approved reimbursements are paid directly to the IBAN provided at submission.
How does payment work for expat health insurance appointments?
Expat health insurance does not include a healthcare card, so you attend appointments as a private patient and pay the provider directly at the time of treatment. For larger bills, you can ask the provider about arranging a payment plan.
You can find more information about this in our dedicated FAQ about how to use your insurance.
Is there a deductible or copay for expat health insurance claims?
There is a €25 copay per medical event, which applies once per event rather than per individual appointment, and there is no deductible.
What documents do I need to submit for a claim?
The required documents depend on the type of treatment received:
Outpatient appointments require an invoice that includes the diagnosis and an itemized breakdown of all services provided.
Medication claims require the prescription from your treating doctor along with the pharmacy receipt for the medication.
A referral is not required for general practitioners or specialists, but a referral from a medical doctor is required for aids and physical therapy claims.
Hospital visits and inpatient stays require the final invoice issued after treatment, not any pre-payment or initial payment receipts, as the final invoice contains the complete breakdown of treatment and costs.
Which documents cannot be accepted for a claim?
The following documents are not accepted as evidence for a claim:
Invoices without diagnostic information or a breakdown of individual costs, such as a flat rate with no detail on the service provided.
Pre-payment receipts issued before treatment.
Payment reminders issued by the provider.
Payment receipts submitted on their own without an accompanying invoice or prescription.
Invoices from non-medical practitioners, such as acupuncturists.
When is it recommended to submit a cost plan or estimate?
We recommend submitting a cost estimate in the following situations:
The proposed treatment costs more than €800.
You want to confirm how much your insurance policy will cover before proceeding.
Cost estimate reviews take the same amount of time as standard claim reviews. If the treatment is medically necessary, relates to a new illness, and is not connected to a known pre-existing condition, you can proceed with treatment and submit the claim afterward.
How do I submit a claim or cost estimate?
You can submit a claim through your online account by following these steps:
Sign in to your account.
Open your expat health insurance policy.
Select the option to make a claim.
Complete the form, including the total amount, your IBAN, and all relevant supporting documents.
Submit the claim for review.
What if I receive additional documents for a claim I already submitted?
If you receive new documents for a treatment you have already claimed (for example, a final invoice that arrived after submission), you can add them to an existing expat health insurance claim within 7 days after the initial submission. To do so, log into your Feather account, select the claim, and upload the new documents. If you miss the 7-day window, you can upload your new documents in the form of a new claim which automatically link to the original claim.
How long do claims take to process, and how are reimbursements paid?
Most claims and cost estimates are processed within 2 to 4 weeks when all required documents are submitted, though processing can take up to 6 weeks in some cases. You will receive an email notification in both cases once a decision has been reached.
If your claim is taking longer than expected, this is usually due to incomplete documentation or a coverage verification check. You can find more detail on common causes of delays and what documents may be requested in our dedicated FAQ.
What IBAN do I need to provide, and how is the reimbursement paid?
You must provide a European IBAN when submitting your claim. If a reimbursement is approved, the amount is sent directly to the IBAN you provided.
If you do not have a European IBAN, you may use the IBAN of a trusted friend or family member.
Any other questions?
Feel free to reach out to us, and our team will help assist you further.