Planning ahead and learning about the type of healthcare facilities that are available, and whether you are entitled to free state healthcare in your chosen country is important. A recent survey by the RAC club in the UK found that many expatriates had not considered their own healthcare provision. In some instances they just assumed that if they became ill treatment was free. Never make these assumptions: there are some countries that will refuse to provide treatment, unless you can prove you are able to pay or have expatriate medical insurance.
Expatriate healthcare products and associated costs vary significantly, depending on the country you intend to go to. For example, the cost of healthcare in the USA and Canada is very high and is reflected in the premium a company charges for expatriate health. Other aspects health insurers consider is the type of occupation you are involved in, your age and, particularly, your general state of health.
Deciding on the type of cover you require, comparing different products can be a daunting task as the choice is immense. It’s best to decide based upon your budget, your healthcare expectations (the type of cover you require), and what medical treatment is available from the state. As with most things in life, the more you pay the better the product and expatriate healthcare is no exception. Take time to think about the consequences of becoming ill in a country thousands of miles from your home country. You want the best treatment and in the worst case scenario you need to know that your healthcare insurance includes repatriation.
Always ensure you complete your application honestly and in full. Don’t leave a pre-existing illness off the application form, as if you need to claim you may be declined. Surprisingly to some, this is true even if the illness is not related to your pre-existing condition. If in doubt, include it. Read the small print. Make certain you know what you’re covered for and the policy limits.
Consider the following when buying expatriate medical insurance:
• Are you covered for pre-existing conditions? Some insurance policies provide cover from inception, others have a waiting period and some exclude them completely.
• Check whether attending a local doctor is covered. Most policies expect you to pay a certain amount per treatment. This is to deter you from attending a doctor for repeatedly minor ailments.
• Find out the list of hospitals your policy covers you for: restrictions often apply.
• Make certain your insurer offers direct payment facilities. If it doesn’t you have to pay the total cost of treatment upfront and claim it back. Medical treatment can be very expensive and you may not be in a position to fund it.
• Always ensure your policy covers emergency evacuation and repatriation.
• Purchase a policy with an excess that suits your budget. The lower the excess, the higher the premium, but it may be cheaper it the long run.
The above list is not exhaustive. The best advice is to buy the best expatriate healthcare you can afford. It is better to be safe than sorry: you never know when you may urgently need treatment when you are abroad.
More Expat Resources
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