International and Expat Health Insurance Guide
Introduction What is international and expatriate health insurance Types of international and expatriate health insurance Arranging health insurance with a local policy provider Summary| Introduction | Top |
For those of you who are thinking about new opportunities and careers in far off lands, or those of you who are contemplating seeing out their remaining years in a sun kissed tropical paradise, or those of you who just want to explore the world for a year or two, then the subject of international health insurance is one that you should investigate very carefully.
In the ‘good old days’, if, whilst on your travels overseas, you were unfortunate enough to suffer from some illness (an in growing toenail perhaps) or contracted some strange disease that turned you a bright shade of orange, you did not worry as you could always hotfoot it back to the UK and get yourself treated by the NHS free of charge.
Not so today as the rules and regulations have changed. If you live in the United Kingdom, the NHS will provide treatment free of charge, however, if you spend some or all of your time living outside the UK, there are rules to follow.
If you live in an EU country, you will not receive NHS treatment if you are away from the UK for more than six months in any one-year.
If you live outside the EU, you will not receive NHS treatment if you are away from the UK for more than three months in any one-year.
And what about the country you are moving to? Do they have an equivalent NHS, or do you have to staple your credit card to your head before you receive treatment?
Even if you have the money to pay for treatment, there is no guarantee that the medical treatment you receive will be any good, and do you speak the language even when you are in pain, one misunderstood sentence could result in the loss of the wrong limb.
“I have some good news and some bad news, what do you want to hear first?
- Well doctor, tell me the bad news.
- OK, we have cut the wrong leg off!
- Oh doctor, what is the good news?
- Your other one is getting better!”
A little far fetched but food for thought.
| What is international and expatriate insurance | Top |
International health insurance provides cover for short-term illnesses and injuries that are curable. Illnesses such as cancer are not usually covered by international health insurance policies. There are literally hundreds of international health insurers and specialist providers, so the range of international and expatriate health insurance cover is very wide indeed, and is usually tailor made to suit the needs of the individual, including film stars, professional sportsmen and women, businessmen and women, travelers and retirees.
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Types of international & expatriate insurance |
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Standard international and expatriate health insurance policy
Because of the many international and expatriate health insurers and providers operating in the market, there isn’t a ‘Standard Policy’ as such. Most international and expatriate health insurance policies provide cover for in patient and day patient care, also included are medical and treatment fees, diagnosis fees, operating theatre costs, ambulance costs, aftercare, medication, specialist fees and many other services, depending on the international and expatriate health insurance policy and of course, the cost of the premiums (remember, ‘the higher the premium the wider the cover’).
Out patient treatment is also covered by some international and expatriate health insurance policies, and this includes medical and treatment fees, diagnosis fees, operating theatre costs, ambulance costs, aftercare, medication, and specialist fees.
International and expatriate health insurance cover can also be obtained for pregnancy, childbirth, dental treatment, evacuation and other requirements.
International and expatriate health insurance policies are now also including cover for health checks for various conditions including general health, prostrate and cervical cancer.
Choice of international and expatriate health insurance cover
Starting with a basic level of international and expatriate health insurance cover policy, additional options can be added or taken off depending on the needs of the individual.
Package international and expatriate health insurance
The policy consists of compulsory cover and some options; this is the standard format for many international and expatriate health insurance policies or plans.
International and expatriate health insurance cover for dangerous sports or activities
If you are planning to undertake any dangerous sport or activity, you must tell your international and expatriate health insurance policy provider, as although some of the international and expatriate health insurance policies provide such cover, others do not.
Top up insurance
In many countries in Europe the state provides free or charged for health care, this can, to put it mildly, be a little basic. Top up policies cover the difference between what the state pays the hospital and the real cost of treatment. Other benefits include private rooms, outpatient treatment, medicine and dental costs.
Travel Insurance
A number of international and expatriate health insurance policy providers now offer travel insurance as an option, If you have to travel back to the UK because one of your relatives has fallen very ill of even died you need to see them as soon as possible, and having travel insurance arranged through the same of international and expatriate health insurance policy provider will help speed the procedure.
Do not make the mistake of thinking that travel insurance is a replacement for of international and expatriate health insurance. It should be looked on as another option of the total international and expatriate health insurance cover.
Most travel insurance policies only cover the medical expenses after you have paid the hospital and the level of cover usually only extends to emergency treatment and not longer term medical conditions and associated treatment.
Family and Children international and expatriate health insurance policy
With the majority of international and expatriate health insurance policies there is an
option for including partners and children of the international and expatriate health insurance policyholder.
Student international and expatriate health insurance
There are a number of specialist providers of international and expatriate health insurance policies that cater for the individual need of students.
| Health insurance with a local policy provider | Top |
In some countries it may be possible to arrange health insurance locally, as with all insurance, some policies are good and some not so good, again, depending in what country you are considering taking out health insurance, will determine the level of medical treatment you will receive. After studying the small print (and if it is written in the local language, ask for a translation into English) you may well find that you will not be covered for transportation to the UK or another country which has suitable facilities for treatment or recovery, the local health policy may also not provide for the evacuation or repatriation for you and your family.
| Summary | Top |
As with all forms of health insurance, we all hope that we never have to make a claim, it is however, inevitable that some of you who travel to other countries will at some time during your stay need the services of the local health service or medical practitioners.
With the peace of mind that you are covered for all eventualities with international and expatriate health insurance, you can turn your attention to achieving the aims and aspirations that made you go forth into this world of ours. I hope you have found this guide on international and expatriate health insurance useful, and I wish you every success.
