With more and more people moving abroad, it’s not unusual to hear horror stories of illness and injuries taking place in an unfamiliar country. You hear of the medical bills these people face and cringe at the thought of your bank balance taking such a hit, or maybe you wouldn’t have the savings for this in the first place.
This is why it is essential to be aware of the risks prior to moving and plan ahead. One such aspect to research and plan is obtaining health insurance that is specifically for people who move abroad. A health insurance plan that ensures you receive the best quality care if the need arises without the addition of high bills should be the aim.
Although it might be tempting to avoid health insurance and the premiums you need to pay monthly or annually, this post outlines the reasons why good coverage is essential for expats.
Receive Quality Healthcare Wherever You Live
Although the country you live in might offer local healthcare, there are several aspects that can make receiving quality care difficult. This is an additional stress you do not want to deal with when you are receiving routine care, and especially not when you are injured or sick. Being unfamiliar with the country’s social security or healthcare system can make it even tougher. Additionally, language barriers can prove to be an issue when you attempt to get treatment, prolonging what could have been a simple interaction.
If you do not have international health insurance, then you could be putting your health and wellbeing at risk when you are in a foreign country. Health insurance for expats even provides more extensive coverage than local health cover. This can extend to accessing international medical care, private hospitals, and specialist treatment if required.
The quality care provided by a reliable health insurance plan will cover you in your home country as well as in your country of expatriation. You will be covered no matter the country you are in. In most cases when people move abroad, they lose access to the healthcare system in their home country apart from emergency care, but this is prevented with expat medical insurance. To ensure you are covered wherever you go, you should double-check with your provider.
Protection from Higher Medical Costs
Without medical coverage in your country of expatriation, you could face incredibly expensive hospital bills. This will often depend on the country you are in and the treatment you require. Some countries have a two-tier healthcare system; a cheaper but mediocre system, then a private healthcare system that offers quality services at a higher price. These costs will be taken from your pocket as there will be insurance provider there to help you.
It is near impossible to guess how much you will need to pay for treatment in your new country, so conducting research is the best way to move forward. There are stark differences between several countries; according to data from 2015, an overnight stay in a hospital in Switzerland could cost $4,781.00 on average, while it averages at $424.00 in Spain. These costs have likely increased in recent years, and the difference in costs can be the result of the cost of living, inflation, and how strong the country’s economy is.
Even routine care can cost you in some situations, so having health insurance from a reputable provider will protect you and your bank account in the long-run. Paying your monthly or annual premium will ensure the insurance company agrees to pay some or all of your medical costs in line with the terms and conditions of your coverage plan.
Reduce Waiting Times for Treatment
Countries with free public healthcare can sometimes experience long waiting times, even for simple procedures. In 2024, it was found that Canada and Norway had the most people waiting one month or more for a specialist medical appointment. Long waiting times have the potential to become a frustrating experience, and they can cause health problems to deteriorate in worst case scenarios. Obtaining health insurance can help you avoid this from happening.
Expat health insurance policies allows individuals to receive treatment quickly from a private healthcare provider. Most policies will offer access to public health services as well as private care, which gives expats a choice of which healthcare treatment they would prefer. It also gives them more flexibility in choosing their appointment times, consultants, and hospitals.
Cover for Medical Evacuation
There might be cases when your country of expatriation cannot offer the treatment you require for an illness or injury. If this happens, you could be evacuated to a different country that has better medical facilities. This can be costly without expat health insurance, so obtaining extensive coverage should be a priority. Not all policies will include this benefit, though; you will have to research the best coverage to ensure medical evacuation is built-in.
If you are planning to move abroad and become an expat, then planning ahead is essential. Not just for housing and work, you must also look into protecting your health and wellbeing in a foreign country. This is why obtaining an efficient health insurance plan specifically for expats should be a primary task.
