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0 of 3 Premium Clicks used this month SUBSCRIBE Print + Online Subscriber Activation | Register x Forgot Password | Need an Account? e-edition | subscribe | newsletter | deals Classifieds Jobs Autos Real Estate FEATURED » NEWS NOW FERC rejects Jordan Cove LNG project ... Wet storm will bring mountain snow, valley rain ... A question of intent ... FERC rejects Jordan Cove LNG project ... Wet storm will bring mountain snow, valley rain ... A question of intent ... SINCE YOU ASKED Since You Asked: Travelers should be aware of overseas health insurance laws Comment MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 7, 2016 at 12:01 AM Posted Mar. 7, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Social News If a person who has health insurance through healtchare.gov travels out of the country for an extended period of time — a few months or longer — how is that handled? Must the person continue paying premiums when they are away? Are they required to inform the IRS? What are their legal obligations? With vacation season approaching, people may appreciate knowing these answers. — S. Webb, via email According to the Internal Revenue Service, which enforces the Affordable Care Act through tax penalties, the law allows a single short coverage gap lasting no more than three consecutive months. Individuals who spend at least 330 days outside the United States in a year, or U.S. citizens with residency in other countries, are also exempt from the healthcare law. You'll notify the IRS at tax time through the 8965 "Health Coverage Exemption" form, to be filed along with your 1040 federal tax return. But before you go get that passport stamped, keep in mind the country you're visiting may have its own laws and regulations regarding health insurance. For example, if you're backpacking through Europe, proof of insurance is a requirement for a Schengen visa, which allows visitors access to 26 European countries, including Germany, Italy, France, Spain and Norway, for a period of up to 90 days. Insurance is also a requirement for student visas in many European countries. American health insurance companies offer traveler insurance polices covering one or multiple visits, as do agencies based in the country you're visiting. Along the same lines, it's worth checking with the consulate and customs agency regarding any prescription medication you may take, lest you end up like former Toyota executive Julie Hamp, who was arrested in June 2015 for smuggling Oxycodone into Japan. Although the drug was for her pain management, the medication is banned in the country. Japan's case against her was eventually dropped, but not before she resigned from the company. Send questions to “Since You Asked,” Mail Tribune Newsroom, P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501; by fax to 541-776-4376; or by email to [email protected] . To see a collection of columns, go to mailtribune.com/youasked . We’re sorry, but the volume of questions received prevents us from answering all of them. MailTribune.com Writer Posted Mar. 7, 2016 at 12:01 AM » Comment or view comments Reader Reaction » STAY INFORMED Email NewsLetter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Southern Oregon Directory Featured Businesses Loading... Business Name address Location, ST | website.com Find Southern Oregon Attractions Bars Restaurants Beauty Salons Entertainment Doctors Medical Specialists Contractors Education Lawn Services Lawyers Shopping Travel Tanning Used Cars Wedding Services ▼ Add your business here + Events Calendar Connect with MailTribune.com Facebook Twitter RSS Back to top Reader Services Reader Services Home Subscriptions Subscriber controls Contact us Submissions Photos Events Letters to the editor Corrections Announcements Obituaries Story ideas Since you asked Alerts Email Alerts RSS Feeds Text Alerts Advertise Media Kit Home Products and services Ad rates Advertising contacts Propel Marketing Mail Tribune Daily Tidings The Nickel Shop Our Valley Blogs Mobile Site Stay Informed Email newsletter Sign Up Today Sign up for our newsletter and have the top headlines from your community delivered right to your inbox. Your privacy is important, read our privacy policy. © Copyright 2016 Local Media Group, Inc. All Rights Reserved. Privacy Policy | Terms of Service | Local Media Group Publications Original content available for non-commercial use under a Creative Commons license, except where noted. MailTribune.com | P.O. Box 1108, Medford, OR 97501