Compare
Research a number of companies and different health insurance polices to ensure you get a good overview of what is on offer, and the differences in policy terms and prices.
It is a good idea to get at least three estimates, making sure that the coverage level and policy items included in each quote are comparable.
ExpatFinder can help you compare the major health insurance providers here.
Host Country Medical System
A primary consideration is the level of medical cover you and your family need in the country you are moving to and there are a number of factors to help you decide whether you need a basic or comprehensive policy or something in between.
Take the time to research how the medical system operates in the country you are moving to. You can then understand whether any health insurance cover will be granted under the local government or state system, such as may be the case in the United Kingdom for example, and the level of cover you can expect to receive. If you can expect no state medical provision, then you know you need to take out a comprehensive international or private health insurance.
Research the quality and level of healthcare you can expect in your host country; if you find it to be lacking or inferior to your home standards, then you may consider a repatriation or emergency evacuation policy inclusion as a necessity. You can also check on your embassy or consulate website if there are any specific country related medical issues such as prominent diseases.
Health Insurance Elements
Consider the elements of healthcare that are vital for your family and ensure that those important to you are covered in any quote you request. For example, do you want dentist and wellness benefits to be included or just basic medical coverage?
It is also important to determine the level of excess you want to include in your health insurance policy so you know what costs you will have to meet yourself when you make a claim.
Customer Service
The recent swine flu pandemic highlighted the importance of choosing a health insurer you can reach 24/7 with burning questions and issues. Even if you choose an international provider, you should expect to receive information about your locality. When you are researching your policy, ask insurers what level of information you can expect from them. Think about:
• A list of local doctors, dentists, hospitals and specialist facilities
• Information about pharmacies
• Information about one-off local medical projects e.g. swine flu immunisation programmes
It is also important that you can communicate easily with your health insurance provider so make sure they provide a customer service line in your mother tongue, or at least a language you are comfortable communicating in.
Restrictions
Check any restrictions that an insurance company places on service providers, policy inclusions and cover or waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. You should also check the policy on age coverage, particularly for the coverage of children and seniors.
Make sure you are familiar with any exclusions set out in a policy that you are interested in so that there are no surprises later.
Payments
Research payment methods and instalment conditions provided by the insurance companies so you are not hit by international payments or currency conversions. Some offer discounts for paying the complete annual fee in one go so you could save money.
Enquire what an insurance company needs to reimburse your medical expenses. Ensure that the local medical facilities recognise your preferred insurance provider and that they can provide you with the necessary documents for your claims.
Reputation
Before you sign on the dotted line of any policy, make sure you check what others are saying about the company. The internet is a great source for feedback on any health insurer you are considering. Reading what others say about the level and efficiency of the company service could be the clincher for you to avoid or take the policy.
More Expat Resources
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
