I work for a global multi-national company, and my role requires me (and our group) to travel frequently to 3rd world countries where there is a higher than average likelihood of medical need (ranging from potential to hospitalize due to food poisoning to gunshot wounds and snake bites). We have US based insurance coverage (HMO) which offers coverage at a significantly reduced rate while out of network - obviously 3rd world countries are out of network for this insurance.
The assumption has always been that should we require medical attention while in the field, the company would cover those costs. Recent events with a coworker have cast that into significant doubt, with the company indicating that the individual's primary insurance is their fallback protection, and any out of network costs - regardless if they're incurred as out of network as a result of business sanctioned/mandated travel - are the employees responsibility.
From a US employment law perspective, is there a legal expectation of full medical backing from your employer due to medical costs incurred while travelling abroad for business?
The assumption has always been that should we require medical attention while in the field, the company would cover those costs. Recent events with a coworker have cast that into significant doubt, with the company indicating that the individual's primary insurance is their fallback protection, and any out of network costs - regardless if they're incurred as out of network as a result of business sanctioned/mandated travel - are the employees responsibility.
From a US employment law perspective, is there a legal expectation of full medical backing from your employer due to medical costs incurred while travelling abroad for business?