Pre-Existing Medical Conditions and International Health Insurance - The Facts

Pre-existing medical conditions are perhaps one of the most important areas of International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) and quite often one of the most overlooked areas of IPMI.

What is a pre-existing condition?

Put simply, it is any condition, illness or injury that you have ever been treated for in the past or are currently receiving treatment for now.

Crucially, this also includes conditions that most people may not consider are existing conditions – those that are well controlled by medication such as hypertension. Many people think that as a condition is managed by medication that it is not a pre-existing condition – this is NOT the case, this IS a pre-existing condition to an insurer.

Can I get my pre-existing condition covered?

Until recently it was a fact of IPMI that individuals and small corporate plans would usually be issued with exclusions of pre-existing conditions.

However, in the last couple of years, several plan providers have approached underwriting from a different angle. We now have plans that will look at your medical history and your pre-existing medical conditions and will try and include them in cover, albeit with a potential premium loading if they do.

What if I take a plan that excludes pre-existing conditions?

Where a provider excludes your pre-existing condition they will also exclude any consequences of the condition also. For the example of hypertension (or high blood pressure) an exclusion would not just exclude your relatively cheap medication but also any related treatment. You would find yourself faced with a whole host of exclusions on your policy, such as Angina, Aneurysm, Heart Attacks, Stroke, Thrombosis, and Phlebitis etc. The potential cost of someone having to pay their own medical bills following a heart attack is astronomical. In more costly countries even the ambulance alone can be much as $1,000.00, with a heart bypass being as much as $140,000.00.

How do the different types of underwriting work?

If you have a pre-existing condition then you should be aware of the implications of the different types of underwriting;

·         Full Medical Underwriting – This is where you declare your medical history to the insurer and depending on the provider and the condition they will either accept the condition, accept the condition with a premium loading, exclude the condition or decline the application altogether.

·         Moratorium Underwriting – No medical declarations are made at the time of application but any pre-existing conditions suffered in the past 2 years, five years or ever (depending on the insurer) will automatically be excluded from cover for at least the first two years of your plan. Once you have been completely free from the condition for, usually, two years then this can be included in your cover – by completely free from the condition this means no treatment, medication, symptoms or doctor’s advice or visits.

Which type of underwriting is best for me?

This will depend on your medical history. If you have a medical condition that you want included in cover then you will need to look at a plan that offers Full Medical Underwriting. Please note however that not all providers carry out Full Medical Underwriting in the same way, most underwrite to exclude existing conditions whereas a small number do underwrite to try and include your pre-existing conditions where ever possible, albeit with a premium increase for doing so.

Moratorium works well if you have a clean medical history, certainly for the last couple of years. Alternatively you may have been treated for a condition that is not anticipated to reoccur and so you are happy for this to be excluded.

One thing we do know is that this is a very complex area and our expert advisors will be able to provide the best advice to you.

For free advice and information on covering your pre-existing medical condition on an International Medical Insurance Plan visit us at Medibroker.com

International Medical Insurance when you are in a War Zone

As relocation around the world becomes more commonplace, so a greater number of factors need to be taken into account by those leaving the safety of their safe home country. Currently, the Middle East and Asia remain important destinations for UK, US and other nationalities, with increasing numbers now heading towards reconstruction zones such as Iraq and active conflict areas including Afghanistan. After yesterday, we must also sadly include Palestine, parts of Israel and not forgetting of course the flashpoints of emerging African states.

 

War zones are occupied not only by traditional armies, but also by huge numbers of businesses involved in post war reconstruction and aid work. As a member of these groups, it is vital that expatriates carefully choose a policy which is tailored to suit their needs and which takes into account the particular dangers of working in a country such as Iraq or Afghanistan. Finding the right policy is not always straightforward, as many insurers have special clauses relating to war and terrorist threats. 

Policies which include limited cover against terrorist attacks are available, but with conflicts not solely confined to war zones nowadays, effective cover which reflects this new global reality is now ever more important. . Medibroker have available policies that have a ‘stand out’ benefit that really makes a difference to those expatriates living and working in world hot spots. For these individuals, Medibroker can  provide policies with ‘passive war’ cover including war and terrorist attack, in contrast to other insurers whose policies may often have a full war risk exclusion. 

Passive war cover is likely to be of particular interest staff in aid agencies and rebuilding contractors working elsewhere in the Gulf area, especially in Lebanon, Kuwait or indeed Africa. Policyholders would benefit from the full range of International services, including hospital benefits and evacuation, in the event of injury by terrorists or as part of a broader war conflict. Evacuation is likely to be particularly relevant in conflict zones, where local medical facilities may be damaged or supplies of medication and blood for transfusions may be an issue.
With over 14 years experience of supporting the international business community worldwide, and clients from 86 nationalities in 114 countries, Medibroker are used to facing the challenges of covering individuals in some of the most inhospitable parts of the world.

For free impartial, independent advice and quotations on plans offering this service, please contact Medibroker and one of our expert advisors will be in touch.

Expats in the UAE prefer medical care overseas.

Ineffective communication, a lack of specialist services and the length of time it takes to consult with a doctor are among the reasons residents are seeking medical treatment abroad. the National www.thenational.ae write.

"The Dubai Health Authority (DHA) and the Dubai Statistics Centre questioned expats who had treatment outside of the UAE.Eight per cent of respondents said they did not even seek medical advice in the UAE before opting for treatment overseas. More than half of this group (56 per cent) cited the lack of medical skill and equipment as the reason. Almost a fifth of respondents blamed long waiting times, a lack of medical skills and a lack of equipment. The cost of care was also listed as a factor in their refusal to consider treatment here.The three most popular treatments sought overseas were for cancer (19.7 per cent), bone and joint diseases (14.1 per cent) and cardiovascular diseases (12.5 per cent).More than half of those who travelled abroad cited a lack of specialist treatment as their reason for doing so, while 15 per cent did not know. Just under a third said they were aware the necessary treatment was available here.Of those, long waiting times, privacy concerns, the anticipation of unwanted outcomes and improper behaviour of service providers pushed them towards going abroad.The top places to travel for all types of treatment were Germany - favoured by 43.1 per cent of respondents - Thailand, Singapore, India, the UK and the US."

Of course you can only do this if you have international medical insurance that covers you on a worldwide basis with or without USA cover and not just in the UAE
Medibroker is an independent broker specialising in international medical insurance solutions for expatriates. One of the major advantages of using a broker based in the UK is the assurance that they are regulated by the Financial Services Authority (FSA). The FSA is noted the world over for its overseeing of the global markets operating from the city of London.

As our customer, you can be confident in the quality and value of advice being offered by our expert advisors in any and all circumstances. For free impartial information, advice and quotations from thirty+ international insurers visit Medibroker

Health insurance brokers are on your side

Steve Nelson of Medibroker Speaks to Privatehealth UK

Seasoned expatriates understand the importance of international medical insurance when working abroad, so for many employees, ensuring an appropriate international healthcare package is in place before any posting is a high priority. For the employer, sending people overseas represents both a cost and a risk. Ensuring they have access to treatment if they fall ill is a vital part of business as well as human resources planning. Private medical insurance is available for both self-employed individuals and employees working abroad. Policies can be designed to offer cover for major events such as evacuation and hospital treatment, but cover levels can also be varied depending upon the territory. Choosing a provider can uncover a range of difficulties. Few expatriates fit into any convenient one size fits all category, with some having complex medical protection needs that could include, for example, a medical condition such as hypertension. With individuals, this can give rise to a need to negotiate bespoke policies, whilst for groups, depending on the number of lives to be covered, a skilled broker can arrange medical history disregarded terms and of course discounted premium rates. Another fact often overlooked when selecting a provider is that where a pre-existing condition is declared, it is not only that condition but related ones too which some insurers can choose to exclude from the cover, unless this has been specifically negotiated at the outset. So if hypertension is declared, heart attacks and strokes may be omitted from cover. Specialist international insurance brokers Medibroker play an important role ensuring the most appropriate cover levels are in place across all international territories, with cover being varied according to individual need and local regulations. Steve Nelson at www.medibroker.com explains, "Companies sending employees overseas understand that a significant investment in time and money is being undertaken so any placement has to be carefully planned. Their health is essential."

For free impartial information, advice and quotations on working and living overseas come to www.medibroker.com

Why Expats in the Far East are facing large premium increases in the cost of International Health Insuranceinsurance

Health insurers take a new look at world

The Daily Telegraph writes:

Gone are the days when international medical insurers divided the world into two blocs.

Radical changes in global trade triggered by the growth of emerging economies have caused international medical insurance companies to “slice up” the world in different patterns.

Until the 2000's, most insurers simply regarded the world as two blocs. One was the world, less the USA. The other was the entire world (which included the USA). Sometimes Europe would be taken as a separate entity.

China has changed that. Set to rival the USA as the leading economy, it is also set to rival it in terms of medical costs – at least for hospitals used by the expatriate community.

Medical bills faced by the international community in China far outstrip the other BRIC countries – Brazil, Russia and India.

The swing to the Far East has been pronounced and rapid, according to Kevin Melton, sales and marketing director of AXA PPP International. “I can see it in the sort of service that expatriates are expecting now in China and the Far East,” he said.

“In the UAE it was absolutely the norm that customers expected direct settlement of their bills – the policyholder would not have to produce his cheque book or credit card. The insurer would pay direct. In East Asia, the customer paid the bill and was reimbursed.

“That changed with the exodus from Dubai in 2008/9. Some of the reports of cars abandoned at the airport have been exaggerated, but you can see the fall-off in numbers – there’s much less traffic on the road. The expats have moved East and taken their expectations with them.”

So insurers are adapting. They are making direct-payment arrangements with hospitals and clinics. At the same time they have priced up premiums for people in Beijing and some other Far East locations.

Moves to selective premium setting are inevitable, according to one broker consultant.

He said: “As we see health care costs increasing in emerging markets where more and more expats are moving, so we are going to a more selective approach to pricing. It’s not just China, Singapore prices are also a worry.”

Bupa International has gone furthest down the road of splitting the globe so that premiums more exactly reflect risk and medical fees. In July 2009 the company made its first policy revision in 21 years. It split the world seven ways. Until then, no international insurer of individuals, and probably of groups, had divided the globe into more than three parts.

The World Health Options plan, which followed a £250,000 market research exercise by Bupa, also introduced pick-and-mix, allowing policyholders to choose what they wanted covered.

To see how precision pricing of premiums can pay off, take the cost of a routine appendix removal within Asia. In Beijing, it is US$12,000-15,000, in Thailand US$4,500. In Malaysia, an appendectomy costs US$6,000.

Insurers other than Bupa might well have pioneered the move to precision pricing earlier than 2009. But they lacked the data and the number-crunching facilities available to the market leader.

Bupa International then had 850,000 customers in 190 countries – figures that have subsequently increased.  “If you look at premium increases year on year in those seven different pricing zones, you’ll see the difference in pricing dependent on cost.”

The size of an insurance company’s database largely determines the extent to which it can set premiums in line with risk. Also, the greater an insurer’s customer base, the easier it is to set up good settlement terms. Hospitals need regular customer flow, just like hotels. They reward insurers accordingly. So the trend to selective premiums will mean that smaller insurers will have to depend on their traditional strengths of personal service and niche benefits.

“Bupa International is still the global name. Cigna say they are the largest in terms of number of people covered, but people still look to Bupa as market leader.”

Cigna, a US company, has traditionally concentrated on group cover, largely corporate business. But it recently entered the expat market for individually bought insurance. “Their plan is modular and very similar to the Bupa Worldwide Health Option,” 

To have such a big insurer as Cigna focusing on the market for individual buyers can only be good for customers

Ends.

Medibroker provide independently sourced, International Health Insurance for expatriates working, living or regularly travelling abroad. For free impartial quotations, information and advice visit www.medibroker.com

Check before you click when buying online insurance

Take care when buying an insurance plan online

Providers of medical insurance report an increasing proportion of sales online. Insurers like it. It saves back-office time. For customers, there’s the attraction of instant and easy cover. Insurance kicks in now. Job done.

However, buying insurance of any type is trickier than buying, say, a washing machine. And international medical insurance is more complex than domestic insurance. You can fall into the trap of buying cover from a respectable company only to find, as you arrive at immigration in Abu Dhabi, that your plan is not recognised. You are on the next flight home.

As countries across the globe find their health budgets rocketing, so compulsory insurance for expats becomes a legal necessity.

It gets worse. Governments tend to demand insurance from a local provider, or at least an international insurer with local connections – effectively a brokerage with a local businessman on the board.

Germany, for instance, is particularly reluctant to recognise some top-rated insurance plans from UK providers who are dominant in the international market. Some claim that the German position breaks EU competition rules. But it’s not quite that simple, because under German law insurers have to provide all-embracing cover, such as aspects of elderly and long-term care cover. That is beyond the scope of most international companies. Switzerland is particularly awkward, with each canton setting its own rules, the francophone cantons being somewhat more flexible than the German-speaking sector.

Japan, Germany, Holland, France and Spain are among those who have made insurance compulsory, or who are changing their regulations.

One broker candidly admitted to me that he could not keep abreast of the ever-changing regulations as to which insurance plans had the stamp of approval of a specific country and which were likely contenders. “I always say to customers it’s down to them, in the last resort, to check that their plan is recognised wherever they may be going,” he said.

All brokers agree that it is essential to read your plan carefully. You might assume that insurance with a company such as Bupa International automatically includes emergency evacuation. Not so.

Problems are usually averted because most people buying online have the sense to ring their prospective provider before clicking on Pay. As well as underlining the growth of online sales – up to 50 per cent with some providers – industry figures show that most buyers like to hear a human voice before completing an expensive transaction.

But it’s still a hassle. The alternative is to use a broker. Here the absolute rule is to check the broker is just that and not a tied agent of one or two companies. It’s also worth asking what commission your friendly broker is on. Commissions up to 40 per cent of the first year’s premium are far from unknown. That simply encourages “churning” – moving your client from one provider to another to maximise the rake-off.

One reputable broker says there are two ways of buying international medical insurance: “You can either do it the hard way and flog through all the documents yourself – and that presupposes a certain familiarity with insurance – or you scan it to a broker and say: is this what I want, and if not, can you suggest an alternative? I always recommend that people do have in-patient and day-patient cover, and that CAT scans and MRIs are covered.”

It’s been said that the only people who shouldn’t buy medical cover are the very poor and the very rich. There’s some truth in that for the indigenous citizen, but not for those who live overseas, where services are either inadequate or denied to expats.

From the Daily Telegraph 2nd Nov. 2012

Do not take the decision to buy medical insurance lightly, for true impartial advice contact an expert advisor at www.medibroker.com

Are expats in UAE ‘ignorant of local culture’

The majority of foreigners in the UAE have no real knowledge of Emirati culture and traditions, a recent survey has revealed.

A survey of over 2,000 expatriates carried out by the UAE's Ministry of Interior found that 60 per cent confessed to having only a "basic" knowledge about their host country's culture, with 12 per cent admitting that they knew “next to nothing”.

Although most expats (70 per cent) said that there were enough resources available to help them learn about the local culture, only a third said they set aside enough time to research it, while 11 per cent confessed they had never tried to learn at all.

This was despite the fact that the majority of expats surveyed (77 per cent) had lived in the UAE for more than a year, while more than two-fifths (43 per cent) had lived there at least five.

When it came to the UAE's religious holidays, only four in ten (39 per cent) said that they knew when they fell and what their significance was, while the majority (61 per cent) said they were "not really" aware, or knew just "some of the time".

Writing in the Ministry of Interior's magazine 999, where the results were published, Karen Remo-Listana and Emma Procter said expats' apparent "complacence" could go some way towards explaining why stories of foreigners being arrested for offences “from kissing to swearing in public flood the papers on a regular basis”.

“The survey data suggests a serious case of ignorance of the country's moral boundaries and thus explains the increasing incidents of expats falling foul of the law,” they added.
 
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
 
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

Hong Kong looks to lure expat workers

The Hong Kong government is stepping up plans to attract talented foreign workers to the island as it predicts a huge labour shortage.

The former British colony has one of the world’s most rapidly ageing populations coupled with one of the lowest birth rates. The Hong Kong government forecasts a shortfall of 14,000 employees by 2018, as the growth of its workforce slows to 0.6 per cent a year. It needs to be double this growth rate. This 14,000 shortfall is needed just to maintain its existing labour force, without taking into account any growth in jobs as the economy expands.

Labour and Welfare Secretary Matthew Cheung said: "The government has put in place a host of measures to attract and nurture talents and upgrade the skills of our workforce in order to ensure an adequate manpower supply. It is noteworthy that the growth in both the manpower requirement and supply is projected to tilt towards workers with higher education qualifications.”

This opens a gap for educated foreign workers to relocate to the city as there will be a surplus of low-skilled workers. But While Hong Kong is hoping to lure professionals from overseas, it is facing stiff competition from cities such as Singapore, Tokyo and Shanghai.

It also faces the triple challenges of pollution, high home prices and difficulties in finding school places for expatriate children, common reasons why foreign professionals choose not to live in Hong Kong.

Mr Cheung added: “Aging population is one of the key population policy issues on which the government has been focusing its efforts. As the retirees leave the labour force, the growth in manpower supply will be hindered.”

About 17 per cent of Hong Kong’s population will be at least 65 years old by 2018, compared with 13 per cent last year, according to its Census and Statistics Department.

Raymond So, dean at the business school of the Hang Seng Management College in Hong Kong, said: “Some international companies may opt for Singapore over Hong Kong because of pollution and education concerns, but Hong Kong still has an edge in its proximity to China.”

Demand for professionals in the financial services industry is expected to increase 2.5 per cent to 253,100 by 2018. The number of workers needed in the manufacturing sector however may drop 3.1 per cent, according to a government report.

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
 
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

Failure to secure expat health insurance risks more than money

Insurance is now an integral part of life. When it comes to your home, you may well have both buildings and contents cover. Meanwhile, if you own a vehicle, you will have car insurance. Also, if you book a holiday, you might also take out cover in case your trip is cancelled or to protect you in the event of an emergency while you are abroad. Without such policies in place, your finances may be at considerable risk. Therefore, not taking out the relevant policies can be highly irresponsible and may cause you financial strife in the long-term. Indeed, in some cases insurance is a legal requirement.

However, when it comes to international medical insurance, the stakes are even higher. It is not only your finances you place in jeopardy if you fail to take out the appropriate cover, but also your wellbeing.

If you are living abroad and suffer an illness or sustain injuries and you are not covered for treatment, your suffering will be increased and you might even place your life at risk.

Therefore, if you are planning to make the transition to life in a new country, it is vital that you investigate the relevant expat health insurance. It is only by ensuring you have the necessary policy in place that you can protect yourself.

Health issues can seem abstract and remote if you are currently healthy and fit, but there is no way of ruling out the possibility that problems will arise and it is therefore only prudent to take out international medical insurance.

Remember, it is not only your bank balance that you place at risk by failing to secure expat health insurance. Your entire existence may be endangered.
 
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
 
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
 
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

What do british expats miss the most?

A new survey claims the british expats miss the countryside even more than its sense of humour.

The survey by Lloyds TSB International shows that across all countries of residence, nearly half – 46 per cent – of expats miss the British countryside. Those living in the desert landscape of the United Arab Emirates long for the British countryside more than those in any other country, with 85 per cent selecting it as one of the three things they miss the most.

Our sense of humour was the second most missed aspect of life in Britain, chosen by 42 per cent, while our pubs were third, having been selected by 41 per cent of the 1,034 expats that were surveyed.

Britons now living in Germany miss the British sense of humour the most – 65 per cent – followed by those in Canada – 60 per cent – and South Africa – 54 per cent – while our pubs are missed more in Australia than in any other country.

The least missed aspects of life in the UK are our politics and the weather, which both collected only five per cent of expats’ votes. Although 21 per cent of émigrés to South Africa did say they miss our political system.

Despite these pangs for little parts of Britain, expats are generally happy in their new life overseas – 68 per cent said they are happier abroad, while only seven per cent said they had been happier in the UK.

“Often you don’t know what you’ve got till it’s gone so it speaks glowingly of our countryside that expats around the world miss it so much,” said Nicholas Boys Smith, Lloyds TSB International.

“Many expats have an element of the adventurer about them, but they still long for certain aspects of British life that some people here might take for granted."

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

Expats Face Confusing New Law

Expatriates living in Turkey scrambled this week to try to fulfill a new requirement that foreign residents register and pay for national health insurance by Tuesday, January 31, or face a fine said to be 886.50 lira, or about $495. Early reports indicated that an as-yet unspecified level of coverage would cost foreign residents about 2,500 lire per year.


Confused Americans and Britons flooded their consulates in Istanbul with phone calls and e-mails, struggling to learn how to register, or whether they might be exempt if already covered by their home country’s national health plan or a private insurer.

Others went directly to their neighborhood office of the Sosyal Guvenlik Kurumu, or Social Security Institution. The result? Hours-long lines and office workers who either hadn’t heard of the law or gave conflicting instructions on how to comply.

One American expat, who is covered by Medicare, the government insurance plan for the elderly in the United States, visited two S.G.K. Offices.

At first, the director “threw the blame for the ignorance of expats on their consulate,” they said. “He then told us we needed a signed document describing the kind of coverage we have in the States,” and to take it to another office that deals with foreign applications. At the second office, she was told that she needed a signed, notarized and translated letter from the U.S. Consulate testifying to her insurance status in the United States. Although the S.G.K. employees did not necessarily know the details, “They really did try to help us.”

In a message to Americans living in Turkey, the American Embassy in Ankara acknowledged that “exactly how this new law applies to U.S. Citizens and the foreign community is difficult to interpret.”

The American expat then called the consulate’s American Citizens Services office, and was told that the Tuesday deadline was being postponed to Feb. 29 and that the “consulate was negotiating with the Turkish government to try to come up with a clear procedure.” The consulate on Thursday did not confirm the extension.

“I was very relieved when I heard that,” they said, “because we wouldn’t have to spend the next few days going nuts, getting documents copied, etc., standing in line.”

Could there be a silver lining in all the confusion?

Some expats without health insurance coverage living in Istanbul said they would welcome the chance to sign up for local health insurance, if the Turkish authorities would only clarify — and simplify — the procedure.

Meanwhile, the British Embassy in Ankara posted a statement about what it called “the sudden changes to the Turkish health insurance system.”

The statement said that after the British ambassador and a consular team met with Turkish authorities about the “the substance, cost, lack of clarity and short notice of the change,” British residents in Turkey would be exempt. But that those who had already chosen to join the Turkish system would be allowed to remain in it.

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

Are the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe 'best for expat pay and packages'?

With increased competition in Asia leading to fewer perks for arriving expats, headhunters are looking to other regions to pull together attractive financial packages, particularly in the banking sector

Potential expats in the financial sector are finding fewer attractive pay deals in Asia, as firms feel the pinch of the global recession. But looking further afield, school fees, flights home and car allowances are still up for grabs for the right candidate in certain regions.

A spokesperson from InterExec, which acts as an agent for senior executives. says that there is increased competition for roles in Asia due to firms in Malaysia, Singapore and Hong Kong actually laying off more than recruiting.

But expats in banking can still get a good package in certain parts of Asia, and in Eastern Europe and the Middle East, for example.

“It is true that expat packages are not what they used to be and it is true that there is more demand from executives for expat roles," "It is not easy to obtain the same level of reward package as one could get previously; one of our clients was recently told when attempting to do so that 'beggars cannot be choosers'.

“Having said that, the packages are still to a very great extent tax-free and a tax-free salary is a real perk."

A recent client taking up a new role in south-east Asia, they said, had "secured a £150k base salary tax-free as compared with £125k taxable in the UK, both of course plus bonuses, no school fees and two flights home, whereas a more senior client earning a £400k package in the UK has secured a £500k package tax-free in the Middle East, six air fares a year, school fees and a driver."

Perks such as school fees and flights home very much depend on the role, and you are generally only likely to get two flights home a year at a junior level.

“Singapore is likely to match UK salaries but, of course, at a lower tax rate,".

“Russia is still well rewarded but it is becoming increasingly expensive to live there, so that there tend to be more expats coming out than going in."

So where should the smart expat look for roles in 2012? InterExec is seeing some options emerge in the Middle East, Africa and Eastern Europe for the right candidate.

“In the Middle East, the Brits tend to be preferred to the Americans, because they are more diplomatic and more able to adapt to the culture,” The spokesperson said. “Particularly relevant at the moment are Qatar and Oman. There is not much in Kuwait but Dubai is distinctly coming back."

Another company in this sector "Quintessentially People", commented New York and Paris positions are no longer in demand as expats look east.

"We have been recently working on a position in Mongolia and we had huge interest from candidates,".

"Mongolia is being invested in heavily by various countries and with a potential new major international airline opening up a route to Mongolia, the country and its people will hopefully be reaping the rewards in the coming years."

Despite increased competition for roles, the spokesperson for Quintessentially People is convinced that the packages on offer are still good enough to tempt top financial talent out of Britain.

"One of our most recent positions came with a full-time chauffeur, which would be unheard of in the United Kingdom," they pointed out.

"British citizens are an attractive asset to many overseas employers and as such, they will pay to get a top quality, experienced and high-profile employees, particularly in America and Asia."

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

Expatriate warning from HMRC

HM Revenue & Customs (HMRC) warn expatriates to be on their guard against falling victim to ‘phishing' emails sent out by fraudsters in the run-up to the self-assessment deadline of 31 January.

Expatriates are a particularly vulnerable group targeted by such scams as they are much more likely to respond to a seemingly “official emailed instruction.”

The scam email doing the rounds right now tells the recipient they are due a tax rebate, and provides a link to a clone of HMRC's website where the recipient is asked to give their credit card or bank details. Fraudsters then try to take money from the account using the details provided. HMRC warns that victims are at risk from having their bank accounts emptied and their personal details sold on to other organised criminal gangs.

Over the last quarter, HMRC says it has assisted in shutting down as many as 185 websites that have been responsible for sending out the fake tax rebate emails.

Joan Wood, Director of HMRC Online and Digital, said advisers can tell their clients that, "We only ever contact customers who are due a tax refund in writing by post. We currently don't use telephone calls, emails or external companies in these circumstances. If anyone receives an email claiming to be from HMRC, please send it to phishing@hmrc.gsi.gov.uk before deleting it permanently.”

HMRC’s investigation into overseas phishing attacks is ongoing. Scam networks have previously been shut down in various countries, including Austria, Mexico, the UK, South Korea, the USA, Thailand and Japan.

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
 
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

Is Hong Kong's pollution driving expats away?

According to a report air pollution levels in Hong Kong were at a record high last year which will comes as little surprise to the expats who live in its smog. The report published in The South China Morning Post states, air quality in Hong Kong was 10 times worse last year than in 2005, with pollution levels recorded at three roadside monitor stations above the “very high” mark more than 20 per cent of the time.

Such heavy pollution has obvious implications for the health of Hong Kong’s residents, who it is feared are at an increased risk of everything from respiratory problems to cancer, but also casts a shadow over the city-state's future as a top international business centre.

Hong Kong is home to thousands of expat workers, many filling crucial positions in its thriving banking and finance sector, but the relentless grey haze which hangs over the former British colony could be increasingly driving those who can afford it to settle elsewhere.

Last year, a report from office supplier Regus revealed that an astonishing three-quarters of companies in Hong Kong saw pollution as a problem in recruiting and retaining international talent, while a survey by the American Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong found that nearly half (48 per cent) of its members knew of professionals who had left to escape the contaminated air.

An expat British banker who did not wish to give her full name, claims to know many expats who have returned to their home countries because of pollution, or asked for transfers to other major Asian hubs such as Singapore – largely, she says, due to health concerns.

“A friend of mine used to get plenty of headaches and migraines when he lived in Hong Kong for a few years; when he returned to the US the migraines stopped overnight," she explains. "Another friend's husband has a job here in Hong Kong but since his wife and daughter have asthma, they live in Singapore and he commutes here during the week.”

For those expats who choose to remain in Hong Kong, the desire to escape the smog often dictates where they live. One expat Teacher, originally from Kent, has ended up seeking refuge on one of Hong Kong's outlying islands, where there are no cars. Even so, on some days from her flat she can barely see the high rise buildings just a few miles away over the sea.

“The air quality does seem to be getting worse,” they said. “When I arrived here 17 years ago, there were many more days with a blue sky but now they are few and far between. Before Christmas I had to spend about five hours walking around with a friend, waiting for his evening flight. When we walked through town I could feel my throat getting steadily worse and by evening It was painful to talk. It starts with a prickly throat and develops into a sore throat if you stay on the busy roads.

“I have four years left to retirement, and I would love to stay in Hong Kong, but I think I will have to put my health first and leave.”

So why exactly is Hong Kong's pollution so bad? A reason often cited is its location at the mouth of China’s Pearl River Delta region, a booming economic centre home to over 70,000 factories, but the city's own industrial emissions, heavy traffic and tall buildings which trap contaminated air in a so-called “canyon effect” are also major factors. The government has taken some steps to combat the problem in recent years – including introducing a ban on leaving stationary vehicles' engines running for more than three minutes – but local pressure groups such as the Clean Air Network insist that more changes are necessary.

How much damage the pollution issue could end up wreaking on Hong Kong's attractiveness as a business centre is subject to hot debate. the British expat banker admits that there is a long-term risk that "Hong Kong will lose top talent and industry to its rival Singapore,” but believes that even if many expats leave, the economy will not be seriously hurt.

“There's hundreds of Westerners arriving every day,” she says simply. “The downturn in Europe means there are more and more people seeking work, and more companies relocating their staff here. Hong Kong's economy has always been better than most; it experiences downturns but then it recovers very quickly.”

A spokesperson for Regus in East Asia is not so sure however. “Singapore is seen as a much greener and cleaner alternative, and it is gaining a competitive edge particularly when it comes to expats with families,” they warn.

"While Hong Kong's economy and job market are still extremely strong and it remains a top destination for expatriates, the quality of the environment and its effect on their health is certainly weighing heavily on the minds of those working there."

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

Shanghai expat social insurance payments

Shanghai could be delaying the introduction of a controversial new social insurance scheme to appease foreign workers and businesses, local reports suggest.

On October 15 2011, legislation came into effect which requires all foreign workers, and the firms which employ them, to pay a proportion of their salary to the Chinese government.

The tax, which can be up to 11 per cent for employees and 37 per cent for employers, is split between five separate insurance funds, covering pensions, health care, unemployment, maternity and work-related injuries.

The South China Morning Post has reported however that while officials in Beijing have drawn up guidelines as to exactly how the money should be paid into pension funds, Shanghai labour authorities have not yet done the same. Compulsory arrangements for the other insurance programmes also appear to have not yet been finalised.

According to the newspaper, company executives close to the regulators believe that Shanghai has deliberately “slowed down the compilation of the guidelines” in response to anger about the change.

The tax has proved unpopular among foreign staff because they believe they will not benefit from the money they have paid in; many expats, for example, do not use China's state-run health care facilities, and they are expected to leave the country if they become unemployed. It has also concerned businesses, as the cost of employing foreigners in China will significantly increase.

A spokesperson for the Shanghai office of Paul Hastings LLP, confirmed that Shanghai had not yet mandated that expats enroll in all five social insurance programmes, though she added that many districts permitted them to contribute voluntarily to some.

“It appears that Shanghai is not yet ready to accept foreigners into all five schemes, [and] the government has not released an official announcement or reason as to why there is a delay or as to when foreigners can expect to have to enroll,” she said. “Most companies did not budget for the additional expense in 2011, and they have already enrolled their expats into the home country pension and international medical plans.

“As soon as the national government mandates that all localities comply with the national regulations, then Shanghai will follow suit and mandate that all companies enroll all of their foreigners. We expect this to take place by the end of the first quarter of 2012.”

A Shanghai-based expat and CEO of a company based in China, said that the scheme seemed to be “an initiative that may have been announced by Beijing's central government without due consideration or consultation with the various regional governments, and as a result there has been a mixed reaction with some regions adopting it immediately, some regions planning to adopt it in due course and back date it to the announcement date last year, and others seeking to delay its implementation.

“If Shanghai is pushing back, it is primarily due to the fact that it is the international commercial capital of China and as such has the highest number of foreign employers and employees. It therefore has the most to lose from any exodus of expats, whose employers are no longer able to justify the costs of employing foreigners in key roles. “

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.


Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

Will expats leave Hong Kong over lack of schools?

Hong Kong’s reputation as Asia's main financial hub is under threat due to its lack of places at international schools.

The number of expats moving to the former British colony has surged in the last two years as Europe’s struggling economies have sent talent eastbound. While there may be a good supply of top jobs, in banking, fund management and financial services, the same cannot be said for international schools.

During 2010 and 2011, the number of British expats moving to Hong Kong jumped more than 50 per cent, to 15,300. This is about half of the number of American expats relocating to the city, who are putting further pressure on good international schools.

Some Hong Kong-bound expats have now delayed or cancelled moves because they can’t get their children in good preschool, primary or secondary international schools. Hong Kong Academy, a private international school, saw a 35 per cent rise in applications last year.

While there has been a massive upsurge in demand, the number of places at English-speaking international schools has stayed relatively constant at 36,000.

A spokesperson from the British Chamber of Commerce in Hong Kong, said: “It is a fact that there now exists a shortage of places in international schools in Hong Kong and that this has been a fact for the past decade and a half, but it is a measure of the dramatic success of Hong Kong as one of the world's leading trade and financial centres.”

The Hong Kong government takes the problem seriously and wants to create 5,000 new international school places this year and again in 2013. It also plans to limit the number of local students who can be enrolled in some international schools in the future.

Two new British international schools will open this year, Harrow International School and Kellett, to help ease the pressure but, like most things in Hong Kong, the problem boils down to lack of space. Land is at a premium among the glittering skyscrapers and developers would rather build exclusive apartments than schools.

The situation has got to the stage where some expats have considered moving to Hong Kong’s main rival Singapore, where places at top international schools are slightly easier to find. The opening of Dulwich College in Singapore and Marlborough College in nearby Johor Bahru this summer will make the city even more appealing to expats and their families.
 
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.
 
Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.
 
April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

Are expat packages a distant memory

Lucrative expat packages are becoming a distant memory in Asia, as employers no longer need to entice top talent

Perks such as international school fees, country club membership and a car allowance were once the norm for investment bankers, fund managers and other high-flying financial services staff.

However, these generous expat packages have been axed due to strong demand from employees to head east, according to headhunting company Astbury Marsden.

A spokesperson from Astbury Marsden in the Asia Pacific, said: “Demand for jobs in Singapore and Hong Kong has now started to outstrip supply, as Asia tops the wish list as the international location of choice for an increasing number of bankers.

“An absence of political pressure on bankers’ bonuses, an increasingly attractive tax regime and the distance from the eurozone crisis are making a banking career in Asia increasingly attractive.”

Experts also say Asia experience looks good on workers' CV, should they head back to Europe.

Astbury Marsden says that the standard expat package for Asia has been reduced to one month’s accommodation in a serviced apartment at the start of the employment contract and one free flight home a year for the employee and possibly their family. It also typically includes private medical care for the employee and their family and an allowance to cover shipping and container costs.

The credit crunch of 2008 also had a negative effect, as organisations could no longer afford to pay such expensive perks.

Before 2008 expat packages would frequently include a housing and car allowance, country club fees, private school fees and help with finding a job for a spouse. On top of this would be two or three free flights home a year for the employee and their family. Most senior staff would have also enjoyed the use of a driver, cook and maid.

Recruitment companies in Asia have reported a huge spike in applications for financial jobs, highlighting how strong demand is.

One company has received five to 10 times more CVs from Europe and the US in the past 12 months whilst another has seen a 30 per cent rise in applications.

One British expat, who works in banking, said: “To be honest I asked to move to Singapore as I wasn’t sure I’d still have a job if I stayed in London. My bank therefore knew it didn’t need to offer me a lucrative package to move.”
 
When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.


Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help.

China 'to introduce fingerprinting for foreign workers'

China is getting tough on foreign workers with plans to introduce fingerprinting across the country

All foreigners who stay in China for more than six months will be required to give their fingerprints to local police when applying for residence certificates, according to draft laws submitted to its National Peoples’ Congress this week.

This would affect all foreign workers, students and visitors who plan to stay in the country for more than half a year.

China already has stringent rules for resident permits which are given every year to foreigners working there – these include compulsory health screenings before starting a job.

Until last year China required foreigners to undergo mandatory AIDS tests before they applied for resident permits. However, this was scrapped following criticism that it discriminated people with HIV.

A spokesperson from CRCC Asia, which finds internships for British young professionals in China, said: “I feel as though this new change isn't really going to have that much of an impact on my privacy in Beijing because if the government wanted to find me they would definitely be able to do this. You already have to register your location at your nearest police station within 24 hours of arrival and need to update this permit on a regular basis."

He added: “Furthermore, the government plans in the future to enable free local wi-fi in Beijing that will need you to register your mobile phone to in order to use which would allow the government to track your internet usage. I feel as though this is definitely more of an invasion than the fingerprint analysis.”

Many expats are widely accustomed to biometric testing as fingerprint analysis has been used in the U.S following the 9/11 terrorist attacks and is also used by UK passport controls. Malaysia recently introduced fingerprinting for all visitors to the country.

According to China’s official Xinhua News Agency, bureaucrats are also looking to force foreign nationals to obtain work permits to help control illegal foreign workers. It said that as a nation with a huge supply of labour it needed to “strictly control” the entry of ordinary foreign workers while it manages the introduction of “high-end talent".

 While these are further examples of Chinese authorities making life harder for foreign workers – earlier this year it introduced a social insurance tax for foreigners – the numbers are still increasing substantially each year.

When you are working or living abroad, or have plans of relocating into another country, it is very important that you protect you and your family’s health and their wellness.

Expatriates make sure you are covered for International Medical Insurance, April Medibroker assists & advises clients living or working abroad to both choose & place the right international Health and Medical insurance products, to suit their needs & budget.

April Medibroker is here to help you - from the initial advice on what expatriate health insurance policy to buy, through to any assistance that you may need in the future. Our staff are only a phone call or email away. Whether you need changes to cover or payment, need help with a claim or have questions about your international medical insurance policy we will gladly help