expatriate

noun [ C ]

US 
 /ekˈspeɪ·tri·ət/
 

someone who does not live in his or her own country

Many expats traveling worldwide do not realize that the cost of medical treatment overseas can be extremely expensive. Expat
health insurance is a great solution not only to protect you and your family’s well being but also to avoid an impact on your finances.
In this article, we will discuss why expat health insurance is important and how to acquire proper coverage.
Global Multiple Countries Coverage
Many international health insurance plans can cover expats in multiple countries. And the plans usually have many benefits and offer customization that can influence the
premium you pay. This is very important for travelers and expatriates living and working overseas. As a foreign national, you and your family members are generally not covered
for medical treatment abroad. No matter where you are, or you wish to travel elsewhere for medical treatment, most global medical plans will offer medical coverage all over the
world either including or excluding the USA.

Financial Security 
In most of the countries around the world, expats are required to prepay the cost before receiving medical treatment, and some of the medical procedures can be extremely
costly. With an adequate expat international health insurance plan, you will be protected from any short and long-term medical expenses including emergency
evacuation and repatriation. It will help you avoid the financial risk of uninsured medical costs while living and working overseas. Besides, most of the insurance providers have
developed trustworthy medical network centres and medical staff worldwide. This will be able to keep pace with you and your family as your medical needs change. If you wish
to be able to seek medical treatment in the United States, you should get the USA coverage option, but this will increase your premium.
Flexible Plan Design
International health insurance is usually easy to adjust to challenges with a variety of individual and family health insurance needs such as life insurance, disability, and more. If
you are an employer sending your employee overseas, an international group health benefits plan and insurance solutions will help retain talented employees. Please also read
our blog post “The Benefits Of An International Group Insurance Plan.” 
Aid Workers, Missionaries and NGO Organizations
Whether you are traveling overseas for a short missionary assignment, volunteer position or a long-term aid worker assignment, it is vital that you obtain a global travel
insurance or expat health plan that will adequately cover your stay overseas.
How To Acquire International Health Insurance 
Expat Financial offers several international health insurance plans for expatriates across much of the world. Our insurers will help provide you with peace of mind during your
stay overseas. We are also able to source international health insurance for Non-Governmental Organizations around the world sending aid workers overseas.  The insurance
companies that we work with also offer excellent service before and after you purchase your international health insurance plan – our firm can also assist as your independent
advocate. If you have special questions about our international medical insurance plans or if you want to discuss your needs and produce a customized quote, please contact
us or complete the quote form. The Cigna Global Health Options plan is our most popular international health plan for expatriates.

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Five Advantages of International Health Insurance for Expats
Moving abroad can be an exciting and life-changing event. However, expatriates working and living abroad may face diverse healthcare needs. In order to access the desired
healthcare facilities and services, it is critical to obtain an international health insurance plan. In this article, we will explore five advantages of an international health
insurance policy if you are an expatriate planning to live, work or retire abroad or are already an expat.
 You Have Freedom to Choose Your Doctor Internationally 
An international health insurance plan provides an extensive medical care network. Therefore, you have the freedom to choose healthcare professionals and facilities globally.
This is very helpful when your destination healthcare facilities do not meet your medical requirements, or your family members need certain medical specialists. Note that some
plans will restrict you to receiving medical coverage in a particular region or offer global coverage. Most plans will offer you the ability to add treatment in the USA.
 Avoid Long Lineups 
In most countries around the world, many public hospitals and clinics are often overcrowded, with long lineups and extended waiting periods. However, private medical facilities
are often able to provide faster medical appointments and surgeries. With an international insurance plan, expatriates can use private medical facilities through a medical
network and avoid long lineups.
 No Language Barrier
One of the most challenging issues that expats might experience while abroad is the language barrier. Sometimes expats can’t access the local healthcare system because they
don’t speak the language. For example, in China, though some public hospitals have opened international medical departments to serve expats, these healthcare facilities are
only available in major cities. If expats are residing in smaller commercial centres or visiting some rural area, then they may fail to access the medical assistance they need.
Note that private hospitals in China are very expensive, so make sure you have adequate coverage.
With an international insurance plan, you can be connected to local private medical facilities with English speaking medical staff and doctors. They often provide a higher quality
of care and better service than public facilities. Most of them have also received Western training. Additionally, an international insurance provider such as Cigna can provide
language assistance and interpretation service at no cost to you. This is very helpful for expats with an international background during every step in seeking medical
assistance.
 You are Often Covered Wherever You Go
Many expatriates may already be covered by their local medical plan; however, most local plans are not designed for expats. An international health insurance plan can provide
complete coverage for you and your family around the world. This is very important for expats who often travel from one country to another. Obtaining an appropriate global
medical insurance plan will not only protect you and your family from health risks but will also provide you with peace of mind. Note that expat health plans are not generally
portable back to your country of citizenship or to some countries where local regulations don’t allow the insurer to maintain your coverage.
 Avoid Financial Risks
As reported in the news, research, and surveys, the cost of medical care is increasing globally, especially emergency care. An international health insurance plan will help you
avoid financial risks while living and working overseas. Most plans will provide hospital coverage, routine medical checkups, prescriptions, etc. You can also add dental, vision
and wellness care. Expats should make sure that the insurance plan has medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. In some severe situations, evacuation is required to
receive urgent medical care.
Obtain International Health Insurance from Expat Financial
Whether you are living or working abroad, or planning to, Expat Financial is your trustworthy companion with proven expertise in financial and insurance services area. As a
division of TFG Global Insurance Solutions Ltd, we have extensive experience in working with individual and group expats to assess their global insurance needs. Expat
Financial offers several different international health insurance plans for expatriates across much of the world. We also provide excellent service before and after you purchase
your international health insurance plan. If you have any particular questions regarding expat health insurance, please contact us or complete the quote form.
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8 reasons why you need expat insurance
Mar 12, 2019 | 0 comments
Home » Blog » Insurance » 8 reasons why you need expat insurance

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If you become ill or are involved in an accident, what quality of healthcare would you receive in your expat country? Or worse, what if you can’t work due to a disabling illness or lose your life? Who
would provide for your family? Many expats find out about the social security system of their expat country only once they experience it… And often wish they had known more about it earlier and
subscribed to private expat insurance.
Beyond the convenience, having an expatriate insurance in place is not a luxury; it’s often a necessity for people living abroad.
Here are 8 reasons why private international insurance is so important for expats.

1. Get quality healthcare wherever you live

It can be stressful to experience an unexpected illness or even receive routine medical care, in a country where you are not familiar with the local social security system, and where you do not
necessarily speak the language. There are in fact several factors that can make the process of going through treatment difficult for an expat such as the difference in culture, the language barrier or the
low quality of healthcare in the expat country. An international medical insurance gives you the guarantee that you will get quality private health care regardless of which country you move to and
whatever local healthcare system is in place.
2. An expat insurance is often better than a local health cover
Besides an international medical insurance, you may also consider an expat income protection plan or an expat life insurance. An expat income protection insurance provides you with a replacement
income in case of accident or disabling illness that prevents you from working, while an expat life insurance will pay a fixed amount to your dependents should you pass away.
3. An expat insurance is more suited to the expat lifestyle
Depending on the country you are going to live in, there is sometimes the possibility of signing for local insurance plans for health, life insurance and income protection. However local insurance often
comes with restrictions, such as a limited network of doctors or healthcare providers you can have access to, or a limited geographic area where you can claim your insurance. Be it with a medical
insurance, an income protection plan or a life insurance, the international cover will often be a better option than the local one as it gives you the freedom to be covered worldwide (as long as it’s
included in your zone of cover).
If you travel extensively, often move around for work or often move from one country to another, expat insurance plans are the best solution as you will generally remain insured within your zone of
cover, and the insurance travels with you.
4. Be covered in your home country as well as in your country of expatriation
Thinking about their health, expats often feel the need to stay connected to their home country, where their family doctor knows their medical history, where they are familiar with the health system and
procedures, where they know which consultant they would like to see. However, when moving to a different country you lose your access to the social security system of your home country, as you are
no longer a resident or tax payer. Access to healthcare in your home country becomes limited to emergency care and becomes a service you may have to pay for. With an expat medical insurance, you
can be covered for medical care in your home country (as long as it’s included in your zone of cover).
5. Keep control of your health costs
Not having an international health insurance cover in place puts you at risk of paying your medical bills out of your own pocket. These costs can quickly become very high.
This is often the case in countries with a two tier health care system: a public health care system which is free but of mediocre quality and a private health care system which is excellent but extremely
expensive. For example, in some countries, the cost of one night in a private hospital room can easily be around £800. In case of emergency, an international health insurance policy allows you to be
treated in the private sector without having to worry about the financial implications.
6. Get treated faster
In countries where public health care is free, the public institutions are oversubscribed and the waiting lists for certain treatments or specialists are extremely long. This is the case in the  UK for example;
there is a good quality, free public healthcare system however sometimes the long waiting lists can mean waiting weeks or even months for something as simple as an appointment with a specialist.
Health insurance allows you to be treated quickly, in the private sector, and to avoid long waiting lists.
7. Freedom of choice
If your health insurance is a local insurance, your choice will often be restricted to a network of pre-approved doctors and medical centres, or sometimes limited within the city or region where you
subscribed to your insurance. An international health insurance offers more flexibility in terms of allowing you your choice of doctor, hospital and the time of your appointment.
8. Be treated by a doctor in your native language
In many countries, to be treated by a doctor speaking your native language you will need to turn towards the international medical centres. These establishments are often expensive and a private health
insurance allows you to be treated within these international medical centres whilst enabling you to keep your costs in check.
Why is it important to subscribe to an international health insurance as early as possible?

In order to be sure of benefiting from a comprehensive medical cover, it is advisable to subscribe to your international health insurance before you move to your new country of residence, or to do it soon
after your arrival. This is because if you develop a medical condition before you subscribe to an insurance contract it is possible that it will not be covered. Find out more in our article Expat medical
insurance and pre-existing conditions.
This advice is also valid for life insurance and income protection, where signing up as early on as possible will guarantee you better yearly premiums.

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How Important is International Health Insurance?

No one wants to have a medical emergency, and particularly not in a country that is unfamiliar territory- or when there is a language barrier. It is
safe to say that merely thinking about this kind of situation is exhausting, let alone having to go through it. Situations like these give you the answer to your question of how important is
international health insurance, since it allows you to travel with ease and rest assured knowing that you will be taken care of, should the unforeseen occur.

Whether you will be traveling for weeks, studying for a few months or living abroad for years, contemplating your international health insurance is essential to a great trip. Of course international
health insurance varies depending on the type of trip you are taking, however, it’s an important consideration to make prior to flying across the world.

Why International Health Insurance is a Good Idea

While it may be a tedious process to research what type of insurance plan would be best for you, and it’s not pleasant to think about having an accident abroad, there are a few reasons why it’s
necessary to think about it.

1. International health insurance covers you away from home- Whether you are marveling at the Taj Mahal in India, eating baguettes on the street in Paris or scaling Macchu Picchu in Peru, international
health insurance can follow. You can think of it as protection and an investment in your health during your journey.
2. It makes sense financially- Not many people are excited to pay for medical bills out of their own pocket and we are sure you’re included in this group. Medical bills can be hefty, but international health
insurance can assist with these costs. If you are severely injured, you are not going to want any additional stress.
3. US Insurance does not always cover you outside of the US- Because you have health insurance inside the US, this does not mean it will automatically cover you overseas. You will want to check with
your US plan as to where it will cover you and what benefits are included in that coverage. If it doesn’t cover everything you need when traveling, or provide any international coverage any at all, you
may want to explore your international options.

What Should Your International Insurance Cover?

There are multiple items you will want to review when researching international health insurance. Therefore, it is important to understand exactly what each individual insurance plan is offering
you, and if it does or does not meet your needs.

It is crucial to make sure that your insurance plan covers the following:

 Accidents and Injuries– Make sure both of these are covered and you know what exclusions are on the plan.
  Emergency Evacuation– In the event that the health facility is unable to provide you with the treatment needed, this coverage transports you to a nearby location that can.
 Hospital Services– If you need to have surgery or undergo emergency care, hospital services are necessary. Find out how much coverage there is for hospitalization and if it includes a shared or private
room.
 Mental Health– Mental health is just as crucial as physical health. Not every health insurance plan will automatically include mental health, if you would like coverage for this make sure your plan will
include it.
 Pre-existing Conditions– A pre-existing condition is a condition that you had prior to purchasing your plan. If you will need coverage for a pre-existing condition, research if the plan under consideration
will have a waiting period that needs to me bet before it is covered, if it will be at all.
 Return of Remains– Although a benefit that many forget to consider when buying a plan, it’s a very important one to remember to avoid leaving a large medical bill behind. In the event that you or the
insured dies due to a covered illness or injury- this will make sure they return home.

Remember, this list is a guide of items you will want to look for when you begin the international insurance hunt. While the aforementioned points are all of significance, there are others that
may pertain to you.

Tip: Click to Compare International Health Insurance

Individual, Group and Student Plans

 Group vs. Individual Insurance Plans– If you will be traveling with a group of individuals, you might want to consider a group plan! This not only allows each traveler in the group to purchase the plan at
the same time but you might even receive a slight discount.
 Student Insurance Plans– If you are a student, international insurance is imperative and many times mandatory. If your university does not have a mandatory plan for you to purchase, research
companies and compare to find the best option for you.

Although planning international travel is exciting when it comes to thinking about the travels that are to come and not the potential dangers, it is important to prepare for those as well. The best
way to do this is to not only purchase health insurance, but to purchase a plan that includes the major benefits you need. Bon voyage!
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