Health Insurance a Must for Expats

By Albert Jefferson


The sheer numbers of expatriates heading to regions like Central America, Europe and Asia is mounting every day. According to an ExpatForum.com report, health care insurance needs to be the primary priority for expatriates moving away from the USA. To meet the needs of the mounting numbers of expats in and out of the country, the number of insurance carriers has also significantly expanded, tending to make it somewhat tough to decide on the best insurer. A good number of insurance carriers offer only an overview of their products and services and that's exactly why it is essential to conduct in-depth research prior to leaving the states.

What precisely expats must analyze

In advance of calling insurance carriers and brokers, you'll want to assess your circumstances and define the minimal criteria you are seeking from an insurance plan. Think about the period of time you will be remaining abroad. Should you be staying a couple weeks overseas, it is futile to purchase an annual plan. Conversely, if your trip is stretched out for more than a year, there are many cost-effective annual international health plans you may pick from. It is calculated that an annual insurance policy valued at $1.6 million is satisfactory to insure health care obligations abroad. However, should you be vacationing for a couple of weeks, a $25,000 policy is more suitable.

As a possible expat, you should also consider the area you are heading for. Regions that are isolated or prone to risks of natural disasters or terrorism ought to include emergency evacuation services in the expat health insurance plans. If the area is secure and peaceful, you should focus on medical attention and hospital benefits. Be sure that the insurance carrier can provide a 24 hour help line during healthcare emergencies. It's also sensible to clear up all doubts you have concerning payment options, renewals and insurance services provided in foreign countries. Pick insurance coverages which are flexible enough to suit your personal needs.

Choosing international healthcare policies

Expats may choose between a variety of travel insurance plans based on the duration of the trip. For short trips up to two weeks, a straightforward medical insurance package is sufficient. Choosing 24x7 support services with optional evacuation services can bring the overall coverage figure to between $25,000 and $30,000. Slightly longer journeys between 2 weeks and 6 months typically range between $100,000 and $1 million. If appropriate, it's also wise to cover dangerous pursuits like adventure sports in the plan. Voyages more than half a year should really include all standard medical services, hospital stay, emergency treatments, air evacuation along with other health benefits. An annual $1.6 million policy is suggested.

Treatment claims and various other benefits

You'll want to be sure that the insurance firm features a 24 hour multi-lingual health care support line. It is a good idea to determine if the company supplies direct settlement, otherwise you may actually need to pay the costs out of your individual resources. In case the settlement of insurance claims is done by way of reimbursement, ask how fast the provider can pay. A large number of international health plans will not pay for treatments for chronic ailments, and some offer you coverage for stabilization only. If you're looking for particular supplemental treatments such as physical rehabilitation, preventative health care, dental care, mental, or maternal healthcare etc, you can expect to pay a slightly larger premium. Selected international health plans also cover lawyers and court costs in the event the damage is caused by a 3rd party.




About the Author: