April Medibroker - International Medical Insurance For Expats

Failure to secure expat health insurance risks more than money

2012-02-01T03:25:00.000-08:00

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?

2012-01-31T09:02:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-30T02:10:00.000-08:00

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'?

2012-01-23T02:20:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-18T03:27:00.000-08:00

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?

2012-01-17T09:22:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-16T07:36:00.000-08:00

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?

2012-01-10T08:16:00.000-08:00

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

2012-01-06T03:14:00.000-08:00

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'

2012-01-05T05:41:00.000-08:00

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

Survey suggests employers "failing to protect" staff abroad

2011-12-16T06:17:00.000-08:00

A survey has revealed a serious lack of awareness among companies of their duties towards staff on international assignments.

Those emerging markets that are a chief focus of business interest by Western companies are seen as among the countries most at risk of disease, terrorism and riots

The BRIC states – Brazil, Russia, India and China – are all high in a list of potentially hazardous countries.

Mexico was rated the highest risk location in a survey by International SOS, the medical assistance and security company. It surveyed more than 600 global companies, 95 per cent of which sent employees to high-risk locations.

Among threats faced were lawlessness, terrorism, political upheaval, civil unrest and pandemics.

A spokesman for International SOS, which operates for insurers such as market leader Bupa International and many other UK-based providers, said the survey pointed to an alarming lack of awareness among employers of their responsibilities towards staff on foreign assignment.

A high proportion of respondent companies – one third – did not know whether they had legal requirements for a duty of care provision.

The spokesman said: “This was a particular concern as a company can be held criminally responsible for harm to employees or their dependants in high risk locations abroad, should the risk result from a failure of duty of care in UK.”

Four of the identified top 10 risks were related to health issues, including illness, lack of access to western standards of medical care, infectious diseases and travel-related infections.

Despite the legal implications and medical costs involved in taking care of incidents, companies still perceived duty of care as primarily an ethical concern. Caring about the health, safety, and security of travelling employees and doing the right thing were both more popular considerations in upholding a duty of care than avoiding legal repercussions.

Arnaud Vaissié, chairman and chief executive of International SOS, said duty of care was essential for commercial success as well as avoiding high-cost legal settlements. However, awareness as to duty of care varied.

“The study highlights the need for companies to focus on the best ways to pre-emptively protect their employees and – through them – their businesses,” he said.

The study also identified discrepancies in the types of issues that are most concerning for particular industries. The IT sector had pronounced concerns around opportunistic crime, illness while on assignment, road accidents and travel delays.

The construction and real estate sector was mainly worried about lawlessness, violent crime and organised crime. The energy and natural resource sector was concerned about remoteness of work locations, language and cultural estrangement, and road accidents.

Companies in the aerospace and defence were ranked most highly for their approach to duty of care. Companies in natural resources and energy were also ranked well. Least aware sectors were education, construction and property.

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 Europe the best exapt healthcare?

2011-12-14T04:42:00.000-08:00

Expats find best healthcare in Europe acording to the findings of a new survey

This year’s survey involved 3,385 expats living in more than 100 countries. In terms of healthcare, enough data was gathered to rank 31 countries.

The results of HSBC’s 2011 Expat Explorer Survey are out and Belgium placed #1 for expat healthcare, followed by Germany and France. Those rankings are based on affordability, access and quality of care.

Interestingly, the health rankings differ considerably from the overall figures. None of the top 3 destinations for healthcare placed higher than 21st overall. This of course implies expats are not using healthcare as their main criteria for deciding where to move abroad. There is also a marked change in rankings when countries are evaluated solely on ease of organizing healthcare. Here Thailand is tops, followed by Hong Kong and New Zealand.

Overall, there is a clear divide between the countries with the best health systems and those with the strongest financial opportunities for expats. Countries in the Middle East and Asia ranked highly for income and disposable income, as well as work-related criteria, but they did poorly when it came to healthcare.

Saudi Arabia and Egypt, for example, placed 1st and 2nd in terms of income. But for healthcare they placed 20th and 21st, respectively. So for the time being it seems expats will continue to face a trade-off between financial opportunity and superior healthcare.

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.

As an expat - Is social media invaluable to you?

2011-12-08T08:34:00.001-08:00

A survey of over 3,000 expats around the globe has demonstrated the importance of social media to those who live abroad. The research showed that while email is still the most popular way for expats to stay in touch with far-flung friends and family, an increasing number of people are finding more modern communication tools like Twitter and Skype indispensable for keeping up with the news from home.

While 52 per cent of participants said they used email twice a week or more to catch up with loved ones, 39 per cent said that they used Facebook the same amount, while 36 per cent relied chiefly on the voice and video calls platform Skype.

By contrast, only a small proportion said they used more traditional communication methods, such of the landline (14 per cent) or mobile phone (16 per cent) twice or more a week – perhaps, the compilers of the research pointed out, “because new technologies are cheaper to use”.

The most popular social media channel was Facebook, used by nearly seven in 10 respondents, with usage among expats often far higher than in the local population.

In the Middle East for example, 68 per cent of expats said they visited the site, compared to only eight per cent of local people, while in Latin America 72 per cent of expats used it, against 21 per cent of the local community.

Twitter and MySpace were "less widely used", attracting 14 and two per cent of respondents respectively, but two-fifths (40 per cent) said that they were members of the career networking site LinkedIn. In response to the survey, many expats said that the ability to keep up easily and cheaply with loved ones at home was one of the chief draws of social media, but that it was also useful in helping them settle into their new homes.

Commenting on the survey, a British expat in Paris, said: “Social media – by which I mean my blog, Twitter, Facebook etc – has given me a unique means of contacting other Brits/expats who are over here, leading to new friends and contacts.

"With Twitter, for example, the ability to choose people whose tweet topics are of relevance or interest can be invaluable for an expatriate. Whether you are looking for accomodation or tips about your adopted country, Twitter gives you instant and direct access to people in the know; people who are likely to be willing to help because they have actively put themselves out into the Twittersphere. The Facebook 'group' is a similar principle.”

Another expat, who runs a property agency in France, said that social media was also invaluable for the many expats who set up their own businesses abroad. He chiefly uses his Twitter account and a personal blog to reach out to customers and build up an online profile.

“I'm fortunate that my move has coincided with the social media explosion; it has allowed me to work from an office in my garden, with vineyards outside my door, yet position myself among major players in the marketplace and create trust in my brand,” he said. “My work entails finding houses for clients from all over the world, and without social media my marketing budget would be enormous, in fact unmanageable. “

The survey backs up research released last month by Skype, which found that 50 per cent of people are more willing to move abroad than they would have been in the past, largely because technology has made the transition easier.

A spokesperson for HSBC Expat, which carried out the survey, said that the findings were “extremely useful” as they would help the bank reach expats "via the best possible means no matter where they are in the world”.

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.

New study suggests expat wealth robust in face of global recession

2011-12-06T03:01:00.001-08:00

Expat wealth has remained largely unaffected by the global economic downturn, a report has revealed

Even in countries where economical problems have been compounded by political unrest and natural disaster, such as Bahrain, Egypt and Japan, expat finances appear resilient. As a result, the majority of expats worldwide are opting to stay in their current postings rather than return home.

The findings, revealed in HSBC Expat's 2011 Expat Explorer survey, show that while expats may have little confidence in the strength of their adopted countries' economies, their earning levels, disposable inomes and ability to accumulate luxuries remain largely unchanged.

In fact, the study shows that expats living in Bahrain, Egypt and Japan are all living to a better standard than they were accustomed to in their mother country.

"More than half of expats in Bahrain have much higher disposable incomes than they did in their home country, as well as 58 per cent of expats in Egypt and 38 per cent of expats in Japan, compared with the global average of 35 per cent", said the report.

Saudi Arabia, Egypt, Singapore, Russia and Switzerland made up the top five most lucrative expat destinations, while Italy, New Zealand, Netherlands, France and Germany were considered the least prosperous.

Despite the general affluence enjoyed by expats worldwide, countries which provide the highest expat salaries and economic rewards don't necessarily provide the best quality of life for children and families.

According to the study, made up of surveys from 3,385 expatriates from over 100 countries around the world, the most lucrative expat destinations are often those where it is hardest for families to integrate and where childcare and healthcare are lowest.

The study's Raising Children Abroad league table judges countries on the three factors considered most important for expat parents: childcare, health and wellbeing and integration, with France, the Netherlands and Australia coming out on top.

A spokesperson at HSBC Expat said: "Expats with children will obviously be putting their children's needs at the forefront of their relocation decision. For many expat parents, the knowledge that their children will be able to easily integrate into their new community will outweigh any potential increase in earnings and saving potential when moving."

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.

How do you choose the right expat health insurance plan

2011-12-05T09:21:00.001-08:00

When choosing your plan, it's important to know what to look for. Not all plans offer you the same amount of cover or cover the same conditions, and the amounts insurers will pay towards your treatment can vary widely.

Eight points to consider when choosing an international private health insurance plan.

1. Some medical costs can be high. So what’s the maximum amount you can claim on the plan as a whole? Or for a particular type of treatment?

2. Does the plan offer ‘paid in full’ or does it only cover a proportion of the cost for certain treatments?

3. Does the plan offer a wide range of cover for many healthcare issues? You never know what treatment you may need in the future

4. Can you choose (and pay for) only the cover you need, to help you manage costs while getting the best cover for you and your family?

5. Does the insurer have extensive experience in international medical insurance?

6. Does it have a good reputation, and is it properly regulated?

7. Does the plan offer you flexible payment terms?

8. Does it allow you to set a deductible (the amount that you pay towards any claim) that’s reasonable?

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

Aviva teams with UAE insurer to provide private medical insurance for expats

2011-12-01T06:54:00.001-08:00

Aviva’s UK health business has set up a new arrangement with Abu Dhabi based Emirates Insurance Company to provide expats based in the United Arab Emirates with compliant international private medical insurance solutions.

The development of a UAE network is the first in a series of enhancements that Aviva says it is giving its international private medical insurance customers.

The new arrangement means that Aviva customers based in the UAE will now be offered one of four bespoke international medical insurance products.

Benefits available through the Emirates’ International Solutions product have been designed to specifically meet the needs of the local area. The company says that this means that customers based in Abu Dhabi will no longer be required to purchase local insurance to satisfy visa requirements.

Consistent with local practice in the UAE, Aviva has also teamed up with Neuron, a specialist third party administrator based in Dubai. Neuron provides professional administration and management services to clients based in the Middle East.

The company has been specifically chosen for its extensive experience in the area and commitment to providing expert customer service. Neuron will manage all claims for Aviva customers receiving treatment in the UAE and work closely with a network of hospitals to arrange treatment and direct settlement of invoices.

The new Emirates’ International Solutions product range will be available from 01 March 2012. Full details of the products will be announced early next year. At renewal, existing Aviva customers based in the UAE will be invited to transfer to one of Aviva’s Emirate’s International Solutions policies.

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.

Almost 90% would 'consider moving abroad' for better financial prospects

2011-11-28T04:04:00.001-08:00

Nearly nine in 10 Britons would consider leaving the UK for a better - and wealthier - life abroad within the next five years. The current recession combined with the perception that property is cheaper overseas and job prospects better collectively accounted for nearly a third of all reasons for emigrating, according to a new survey by Skyscanner.

Sam Baldwin, Skyscanner’s travel editor, said: “For many people the idea of ‘living the dream’ abroad is very alluring. The survey revealed that our perception of life abroad is very positive – perhaps overly so – and many people come back from a holiday enamoured with their destination. Interestingly, Spain and USA were two of the most popular places even though both countries are currently suffering from their own economic problems, which suggests that the dream of moving abroad to improve financial prospects may be just that - a dream.

The dream may be more realistic if, rather than moving abroad to look for new work, you are sent abroad as part of an existing job. Around 750,000 British workers are being posted abroad on assignments with their existing employer, and a massive 84 per cent believe this is helping them to climb the corporate ladder, according to the NatWest International Personal Banking (IPB) Quality of Life Index.

They also feel they benefit from an improved lifestyle, backing up the Skyscanner research results, and the increasing use of temporary global workers means that the traditional definition of ‘expat’ is now being blurred, said Dave Isley, head of NatWest International Personal Banking.

He added: “The growth of the global worker has brought with it an opportunity to share knowledge and experience around the world. The great brain exchange is a fantastic concept of other economies temporarily sharing the strengths of British workers.

"Due to advances in travel and telecommunications, it is now much easier for international operations to run via daily phone calls, e-mail, and video conferencing. It has opened the door to sending young, talented, professionals abroad, while being supervised and coached by their managers in the UK.

“Expatriate workforces are also becoming more cosmopolitan with more than 50 per cent of companies now employing more than one nationality. Women make up 22 per cent of the expatriate workforce, up from 6 per cent, 15 years ago. In terms of the time spent overseas, the average time spent working out of the country on various assignments is 5.4 years.”

Top 10 most coveted countries to move to:

1. Australia (15%)
2. Spain (14%)
3. USA (13%)
4. Canada (8%)
5. New Zealand (7%)
6. France (6%)
7. Italy (5.5%)
8. Cyprus (3%)
9. Portugal (2.5%)
10. Thailand (2%)
Source: Skyscanner

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.

New Zealand needs skilled overseas workers

2011-11-17T02:21:00.001-08:00

Tens of thousands of skilled workers are needed in New Zealand to work on reconstruction projects in Christchurch in the wake of the town’s devastating earthquakes. Officials from the regional Canterbury Employment and Skills Board (CESB) are currently in the UK to exhibit at two job expos organised by Opportunities New Zealand in London and Manchester.
The key function of the CESB is to bring together the supply and demand sides of the local labour market and to influence the immediate recovery, rebuild and long term recovery plan for the Canterbury economy.

There are opportunities for people with skills in construction, engineering and IT roles in Christchurch over the next 10 years. In particular those with experience needed include scaffolders, quantity surveyors, urban and regional planners, electricians, mechanics and infrastructure project managers, according to the Canterbury Skill Shortage List.

Alex Bouma, CESB’s deputy chairman, said British skilled workers could play a crucial role in the rebuild. ‘There is going to be a huge economic opportunity over the next three to 10 years. The UK expos will play a crucial role in providing businesses with the employees they need,’ he explained.

With large infrastructure projects still only at the design stage, the demand for staff is expected to increase further. It is hoped that many workers will be persuaded to move to New Zealand permanently and relocation costs could be available for some of the higher level opportunities, which would be discussed on a case by case basis.

Canterbury Business Leaders Group spokesman Don Elder said the region needed to attract and retain talented workers. ‘A number of jobs have been created as a result of the earthquakes that didn’t exist three months ago,’ he explained.

The February earthquake destroyed much of the city’s business district and about 30,000 homes. The New Zealand government recently estimated the damage bill at NZ$20 billion (£10 billion).

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.

US adds more consular staff to cope with extra visa demand

2011-11-16T03:35:00.001-08:00

The US adds more consular staff in Brazil and China to cope with extra visa demand. There has been a surge in demand for visas from China and Brazil which has prompted a decision to add 100 more consular staff to offices in these countries.

Officials have processed more than one million visa applications in China in the last year, and more than 820,000 applications in Brazil for the same period as demand for travel rose with strong economic conditions.

A spokesperson explained that the State Department has already increased the hours of its consular services in each country but it has not been enough to cope with the surge in demand for visas. And they also predict that extra staff will mean that the US can process more than 2.2 million applications for visas in China, and 1.8 million applications in Brazil by 2013.

Chuck Bennett, the minister counsellor for consular affairs at the US embassy in Beijing, confirmed that the United States handled more than one million US visas for Chinese applicants in the last fiscal year, an increase of 34%.

Donald Jacobson of consular affairs at the US embassy in Brasilia, confirmed that the United States dealt with more than 820,000 visa applications in Brazil in the last fiscal year, a jump of 42%.

Bennett and Jacobson said the United States, which has already increased the hours of its consular services in each country, will start by adding 50 more consular officers in China and Brazil in the next year to cope with demand.

Jacobson said visa demand increased in Brazil as the country experienced strong economic growth and the rise of its currency against the dollar. Walt Disney World and shopping proved to be strong lures for Brazilians, he added.

Bennett said the China’s growing middle class showed an increased interest foreign travel as their economy grew.

Some 160,000 of the one million processed visa applications were Chinese student visas as they represented the largest foreign national group at US universities and colleges, he added.

The change comes as tourism promoters have been lobbying the federal government to address visa processing, especially in Brazil and China, saying difficulty obtaining permission to visit the US deters tourists and hurts the US economy.

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.

Norway named as the best place in the world to live

2011-11-14T05:01:00.001-08:00

According to the annual index produced by the United Nations, Norway is the best place in the world to live followed by Australia and the Netherlands. These three countries lead the world in the 2011 Human Development Index (HDI) which measures health, education, gender equality and political freedom, while the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Niger and Burundi are at the bottom.

The United States, New Zealand, Canada, Ireland, Liechtenstein, Germany and Sweden round out the top 10 countries in the 2011 HDI, but when the Index is adjusted for internal inequalities in health, education and income, some of the wealthiest nations drop out of the HDI’s top 20.

The United States falls from fourth to twenty third, the Republic of Korea from fifteenth to thirty second and Israel from seventeenth to twenty fifth. The United States and Israel drop in the Report’s Inequality-adjusted HDI (IHDI) mainly because of income inequality, though health care is also a factor in the US ranking change, while wide education gaps between generations detract from the Republic of Korea’s IHDI performance.

Other top national achievers rise in the IHDI due to greater relative internal equalities in health, education and income. Sweden jumps from tenth to fifth, Denmark climbs from sixteenth to twelfth and Slovenia rises from twenty first to fourteenth.

The IHDI and two other composite indices, the Multidimensional Poverty Index and the Gender Inequality Index, were designed to complement the Human Development Report’s HDI, which is based on national averages in schooling, life expectancy, and per capita income.

The 2011 HDI covers a record 187 countries and territories, up from 169 in 2010, reflecting in part improved data availability for many small island states of the Caribbean and the Pacific.

The 2011 report notes that income distribution has worsened in most of the world, with Latin America remaining the most unequal region in income terms, even though several countries including Brazil and Chile are narrowing internal income gaps. Yet in overall IHDI terms, including life expectancy and schooling, Latin America is more equitable than sub-Saharan Africa or South Asia, the Report shows.

The 10 countries that place last in the 2011 HDI are all in sub-Saharan Africa: Guinea, Central African Republic, Sierra Leone, Burkina Faso, Liberia, Chad, Mozambique, Burundi, Niger, and the Democratic Republic of Congo.

The Gender Inequality Index (GII) shows that Sweden leads the world in gender equality, as measured by this composite index of reproductive health, years of schooling, parliamentary representation, and participation in the labour market. Sweden is followed in the gender inequality rankings by the Netherlands, Denmark, Switzerland, Finland, Norway, Germany, Singapore, Iceland and France.

Yemen ranks as the least equitable of the 146 countries in the GII, followed by Chad, Niger, Mali, Democratic Republic of the Congo, Afghanistan, Papua New Guinea, Liberia, Central African Republic and Sierra Leone.

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.

Experts discount expat fears over back-tax ruling

2011-11-09T03:56:00.000-08:00

Fears that last month’s UK Supreme Court ruling about the tax affairs of Seychelles-based millionaire pose a widespread threat to 'tax exiles' and British expats have been discounted by financial professionals. However they do acknowledge it has introduced an element of uncertainty as to who is and who is not tax resident in the UK.

The millionaire expat, aged 72, left the UK in 1976 for the Seychelles and argued that as he obeyed the rules which allow him to stay less than 90 days in the UK, he had lost his UK tax residency.

But HMRC argued he had not “made a clean break”. Among evidence cited was that he kept a family home in Henley-on-Thames, a UK-based collection of classic cars and made regular trips to Ascot. After a 13-year legal wrangle, the High Court ruled for HMRC, leaving the millianaire expat liable for back UK taxes.

HMRC is working on a “statutory residence test” to replace guidelines with a clearer definition, and which is planned to be in place in April 2012. A consultation process ended recently, and some announcement is expected this year .

Greg Jones, a partner of KPMG Isle of Man, said: “I don’t think the Gaines-Cooper decision creates further uncertainty as it was an extreme case. I didn’t think the HMRC arguments were at all unreasonable.”

But he said uncertainty has been created by the withdrawal of the old IR20 guidelines and its more recent replacement by new ones, HMRC 6.

“In particular we have had the removal of the 90-day safety threshold. HMRC no longer indicates that if you keep within 90 days a year you’ll normally be treated as non-resident. That’s made it very difficult to advise a frequent visitor who has some sort of ongoing connection that he can probably stay for up to 90 days.” He said the proposed statutory test, which uses “connecting factors” criteria, will provide more clarity.

Neil Chadwick, technical director of Royal London 360 degrees, believes the case is unusual, as Gaines-Cooper’s circumstances were different from those of the average UK expatriate who would be living with a family overseas and let out a UK home.

“The proposed new tests of statutory residence will be welcome as they clarify the issues. I think some people will be put off from moving to the UK because of uncertainty in the meantime,” he adds.

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 launches expat recruitment drive

2011-11-07T03:52:00.000-08:00

China has developed a five-year plan to turn Shanghai into an international financial hub, relying on a foreign recruitment drive to increase its financial sector workforce by 40 per cent.

Shanghai has long-held ambitions to create a finance district capable of rivalling the likes of New York, London and neighbouring Hong Kong but has struggled with finding enough skilled financial professionals, especially high-level managers and sector specialists.

The news comes at the same time as economists forecast a loss of 27,000 jobs in London's Square Mile by the end of 2011.

According to the "five-year plan for human resources development in Shanghai's financial sector" released this week, China's second biggest city aims to take on 90,000 financial employees, 70 per cent of whom would have a BA degree degree and 15 per cent an MA degree.

This would mean that by 2015 Shanghai would have a total number of 320,000 employees working in finance, if things go to plan. As things stands, less than two per cent of Shanghai's total workforce work in finance, compared to 10 per cent in New York. An improved medical care system, social insurance, and children's education services have been built into the plan in a bid to lure expats who would have previously favoured Singapore or Hong Kong.

A British Expat, who has been running his own education company, in China since 2003 said: "If it has been decreed by the government it will probably get done.

"As China drives towards an economy fuelled by domestic consumption, then they will have the opportunity to put in place huge incentives to make things work for firms that are keeping the money onshore.

"Logistically, Hong Kong was the gateway to China but now China is open, it’s almost superfluous and only has the advantage of the legal system left over from the UK."

Shanghai's income tax rates appear to present the main stumbling block: they are as high as 45 per cent in certain cases. Compared to Hong's maximum of 15 per cent and Singapore's 20 per cent, it means exceedingly generous expat packages will be required to coax financiers across the waters.

Coupled with this is new legislation that will require expat workers and their employers to pay into China's social welfare pot, although it is yet to be made clear exactly how much of their salaries they'll be required to hand over.

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.

Expat housing tax rules tightend in Dubai

2011-11-04T02:39:00.000-07:00

Rules are being tightened in Dubai to make sure that expats pay housing fees by the end of June next year in a crackdown aimed at reducing the numbers not being billed for the tax.

Dubai Municipality said that it is going to be more efficient in terms of sending out bills and tracing people as well as chasing non payers.

According to Addullah Hashin Abdulghafoor, fees and revenues officer at Dubai’s housing fee department the new rules should be in place by June 2012.

He defended the decision not to backdate fees.

‘Customers who haven’t been billed up until now are not going to be backdated. If we did that would mean customers facing a large bill through no fault of their own and it’s not something we feel is not appropriate to do,’ he explained.

Housing fees, billed through residents’ monthly utility bills, are calculated at 5% of the tenant’s annual rent or 5% of the property’s freehold value.

It was introduced in 2005 but Emiratis do not pay the charge, leading some residents to dub the fee an expat tax. Expats have long criticised the tax as unfair.

Dubai authorities are currently collecting fees from 17 out of a possible 27 zones across the emirate, Abdulghafoor said, including all new residents in the remaining 10 areas.

Among the areas not yet fully covered include Al Barsha, Discovery Gardens, Palm Jumeirah, Burj Khalifa area and Dubai Marina.

Plans are underway to issue non paying residents with reminders to fill in online forms to ensure they are correctly billed. Those that fail to complete the application will see their housing fee calculated on estimated rent or property values from the city’s Real Estate Regulatory Authority (RERA).

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 to lose UK council tax discounts.

2011-11-03T04:38:00.000-07:00

Expats who retain a property in England could soon be faced with a bigger council tax bill, under new plans unveiled by the Government.

Under current regulations, individuals who own an English property which is no-one’s sole or main home can apply for a discount on the amount of council tax they are charged.

Many expats who keep a base in their home country take advantage of the various tax breaks offered on empty homes, which, depending on circumstances, can reduce a bill by up to 100 per cent. Local councils can also allow expats to designate their property in England a “second home”, resulting in tax relief of between 10 and 50 per cent – though in practice, many councils will insist on classifying such properties as a main residence.

Proposals announced by the communities and local government secretary Eric Pickles yesterday, however, could see councils given the liberty to remove these subsidies – substantially adding to many expats' costs.

Commenting on this, a Beijing-based expat who keeps a house in Greenwich, said that although those who could afford to own two homes would probably be able to manage a “few hundred pounds extra on council tax”, there was a general feeling in the expat community that owners of second homes were being unfairly penalised.

“Given the massive abuse of the benefits system in the UK, this once again seems to be taking more from an easy target – [people] who, despite being out of the country, are already contributing towards services they're not using – rather than the more difficult long-term reduction of unwarranted payments to those who take more than their fair share,” he said.

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.

More expats cancelling plans to return to Britain

2011-10-31T08:22:00.000-07:00

This is according to a recent survey, A combination of improved financial prospects and the belief that quality of life is higher overseas seemed to be the main motivation behind expats’ decision to stay.

Despite the financial hardship that many expats, particularly those in Europe, have suffered due to adverse currency fluctuations since the beginning of the economic crisis, 64 per cent said they were still financially better-off abroad, with only a quarter saying that the cost of living was higher.

Britain’s grim economic outlook and the summer’s riots may have contributed to putting more than 800,000 expats off returning to their home country this year.

In February, Lloyds TBS International released a survey that suggested 67 per cent of expats had no plans to return to Britain – compared to just 56 per cent when the same survey was conducted six months before.

Now, research by the company has revealed that even more people (69 per cent) are planning to stay abroad permanently, with 15 per cent saying they have cancelled plans to return in just the past year.

A combination of improved financial prospects and the belief that quality of life is higher overseas seemed to be the main motivation behind expats’ decision to stay. Despite the financial hardship that many expats, particularly those in Europe, have suffered due to adverse currency fluctuations since the beginning of the economic crisis, 64 per cent said they were still financially better-off abroad, with only a quarter saying that the cost of living was higher.

Nearly three-quarters (74 per cent) per cent said their quality of life was higher, with 51 per cent agreeing that their new home was a better place to bring up children. Many expats also felt safer abroad, with just 13 per cent saying that their neighbourhoods in Britain had been less dangerous.

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.

Expat tax exile loses to HMRC in landmark ruling

2011-10-27T06:02:00.000-07:00

The Supreme Court has ruled in favour of HMRC and upheld the decision to subject a millionaire expat to UK tax laws despite him spending most of his time in the Seychelles.

While the Lord Justices acknowledged that HMRC's position on how to achieve non-residency "should have been much clearer", a majority of four to one agreed that the guidance informed that in order to qualify for non-residency status, individuals would be required to leave the UK permanently, indefinitely or for full-time employment, and relinquish "usual residence" in the UK.

The solicitor representing retired millionaire Robert Gaines-Cooper immediately issued a stark warning to other expats, saying they too were "at high risk" if they followed official HMRC guidelines as to what constitutes UK residency for tax purposes.

Robert Gaines-Cooper has spent more than 30 years living in the Seychelles but in 2006 HMRC decided that his close connections with the UK, including a large estate in Henley-on-Thames and his regular trips to Ascot, meant that he was both resident and domiciled in his home country, and liable for a backdated tax bill.

He has always maintained he followed the non-residency guidelines set out in HMRC's official IR20 booklet, but after today's decision will now be obliged to pay the backdated tax as well as his legal fees, expected to run into the millions.

Peter Vains, head of tax at the London office of solicitors Squire, Sanders & Dempsey, who represented Mr Gaines-Cooper, said: "He will pay what he is due. It was never about tax but about what was right and wrong. He satisfied all of the guideline terms but the revenue and courts have decided that some additional terms need to be implied in the reading.

"The Supreme Court is the ultimate authority, so one can't complain, but it is harsh."

While the Lord Justices acknowledged that HMRC's position on how to achieve non-residency "should have been much clearer", a majority of four to one agreed that the guidance informed that in order to qualify for non-residency status, individuals would be required to leave the UK permanently, indefinitely or for full-time employment, and relinquish "usual residence" in the UK.

Returns to the UK had to be no more than "visits", while UK property kept by the taxpayer for their use could not be used as a place of residence.

The IR20 will be abolished as of April next year and replaced by a statutory residence test.

Commenting on the case, Sean Drury, partner at PricewaterhouseCoopers said: "With a statutory residence test expected to come into effect in April 2012, the issues at stake in the Gaines-Cooper judgement will soon be of historic interest only.

"However, the Supreme Court's judgment has underlined that international businesses cannot rely on HMRC guidance, only on the interpretation of statute through the courts

"With significant tax costs associated with internationally mobile employees, companies sending employees into and out of the UK would welcome more clarity in managing these costs and for it not to be subject to interpretation on a case by case basis by HMRC.

"With a significant number of enquiries still open into the affairs of internationally mobile employees impacted by this judgment, we hope HMRC adopts a practical approach in closing these enquiries down before the new rules come into effect next April."

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.

Expat workers move abroad to improve their career

2011-10-26T06:12:00.000-07:00

Three in four expat global workers work abroad in order to make a career jump which is seen as the main reason for taking a job overseas, new research reveals. But while 84% take an overseas job to improve their career, 83% also say it is for the diversity of experiences that they will encounter and 79% say it is to experience different cultures.

An increasing numbers of British workers are being posted globally on temporary assignments while maintaining a UK base, the fourth annual NatWest International Personal Banking (IPB) Quality of Life Index also shows.

Around three quarters of a million British workers currently travel overseas to work abroad each year. The ratio of temporary to permanent workers is currently five to one however, it looks set to rise to ten to one by 2020.

The increased use of temporary global workers means that the traditional definition of expatriation is blurring as Britain engages in a global market of brain exchange, says the report.

Countries are progressively sharing their talent rather than keeping hold of it, a phenomenon fuelled by global expat commuters.

The research says there is a new group it calls GenXYpats with Generations X born between 1964 and 1981 and Y born between 1982 and 1992 who choose to live and pursue careers on foreign shores. They are a new niche demographic and psychographic spanning the life stages, generations of knowledge nomads, seeking temporary work overseas.

Expats view working overseas as a positive experience with 52% rating their overall quality of working life as either excellent or very good. English speaking countries are most popular amongst professional expats with Australia, Canada and the USA emerging top of the list. The GenXYpats are drawn to global working, with 48% choosing to take up temporary posts overseas compared to 28% aged over 50.

Expatriate workforces are also becoming more cosmopolitan with more than 50% of companies now employing more than one nationality. Women make up 22% of the expatriate workforce, up from 6% 15 years ago. In terms of the time spent overseas, the average time spent working out of the country on various assignments is 5.4 years.

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.

Lack of clarity for expats in China around social insurance payments

2011-10-24T04:33:00.000-07:00

New laws forcing expat workers and their employers to contribute into China’s social welfare scheme are causing confusion among those expected to pay.

On October 15, legislation came into effect making it compulsory for foreign workers and the companies that employ them to pay a portion of their salary to the Chinese government.

But the hundreds of thousands of individuals affected by the tax-grab still don’t know when payments are due to be made and how the new scheme will be implemented. Typically, when a new Chinese law becomes effective implementation rules are issued shortly afterwards explaining how the new law will work.

However, these rules are not likely to be issued until the end of November and employers are in the dark as to what they will be liable for. The level of contributions is expected to average 11 per cent for employees and 37 per cent for employers. The money will go towards benefits such as pension provision, medical insurance and unemployment benefit.

There are further complications, as the payments aren’t calculated on a unified national basis but vary from region to region. For example, Beijing-based employers will pay 33 per cent while Shanghai-based ones will pay 37 per cent.

There are also local differences on which authorities are removing a salary cap on how much employers will have to contribute for high-earning staff.

Confusion also arises from conflicting reports as to when the payments will be backdated to and how long employers have to make these first contributions. It has been suggested by a quasi-government agency in Beijing (FESCO) that payments will be backdated to July and should be collected by the end of the 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.

Number of expatriates on the increase

2011-10-19T03:03:00.000-07:00

More people head to China seeking out job opportunities as Western economies suffer hardship. An increasing number of foreigners are being attracted by China's prosperous economy and have come to work in the country.

Figures released by the Ministry of Human Resources and Social Security showed that 231,700 foreigners were employed in China at the end of 2010, compared with 223,000 in 2009.

Foreigners are finding jobs in China on the back of its strong economy, which is performing vastly better than that of the United States or Europe, suggests a spokesperson for a leading Consulting firm in China.

"This year, China's average gross domestic product increase is about 8 to 10 percent. This has created more opportunities, especially within the financial services, pharmaceutics as well as the retail industry,".

"The country provides an abundance of bigger career platforms and opportunities. We have witnessed both international investment companies and local Chinese companies focusing on expansion plans within the past decade. Besides the strong need for international talent to grow their businesses in China, they also require top-tier candidates for their businesses in international markets."

The talent consultant added there was a rising trend for local Chinese companies capable and willing to offer international compensation packages and benefits that are targeted for expatriates working in China.

The spokesperson went on to point out that managing skilled people from other cultures posed a special challenge to companies because it is essential to be fair and culturally sensitive to both nationals and expatriates, especially given that talent management is the top priority for most chief executive officers today.

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.

Thailand named as top expat destination

2011-10-18T01:55:00.000-07:00

Thailand is the top destination for people looking to relocate overseas.

This is according to the preliminary results of the 2011 HSBC Expat Explorer survey, which questioned 3,385 expats from over 100 countries to find their thoughts.

The south-east Asian nation was ranked highly for its economic and lifestyle factors, which may make it an attractive option for individuals seeking a global health insurance policy, while Egypt and Saudi Arabia came second and third respectively.

A total of 31 countries around the world were included in the survey, ranging from developed nations such as the US and UK to emerging economies including Brazil and India.

It revealed that, despite global economic uncertainty in 2010, optimism remains high among expatriates, with many satisfied with the performance of their chosen destination.

There was also a rise in the number of people reporting an improvement in their financial situation since moving overseas, with 63 per cent saying they now have more disposable income since relocating, compared with 56 per cent last year.

Meanwhile, the number of people planning to remain in their current location dropped, with 64 per cent not intending to relocate to another country, compared with 87 per cent in 2010.

A spokesperson at HSBC Bank International said the final results of the survey will make for interesting reading, as it should reveal how expatriates have been affected by the major global events that have taken place over the last 21 months, from economic difficulties to political and social unrest.

"Our findings this year show Thailand as the top expat destination, being ranked as number one by our expats for ease of organising healthcare, finding accommodation and the work environment,".

"In last year's survey, it ranked highly as an option for retirees, so it is good to see it improving its economic appeal," 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.

Malaria vaccine trial raises hope

2011-09-29T05:30:00.000-07:00

Expatriates in malaria hotspots will be interested to read that researchers are to expand a clinical trial of a new malaria vaccine after promising results in a preliminary study in Burkina Faso.

The trial was designed to test safety, but researchers found that vaccinated children had high levels of protection. Described as a "most encouraging" result, a larger study involving 800 children is now to take place in Mali.

Described as a "most encouraging" result, a larger study involving 800 children is now to take place in Mali. The scientists involved say they are hopeful that the vaccine will ultimately be very cheap to produce.

Around a hundred different malaria vaccine candidates have been developed to date but the MSP3 vaccine tested in Burkina Faso is only the second one to show a substantial level of protection against the illness.

The randomised, double blind study involved 45 children. It set out to test the safety of the vaccine but this follow up study found that children who received it had an incidence of the disease three to four times lower than children who did not.

Initially the children were split into three groups, with two of them receiving the experimental malaria vaccine developed by Dr Pierre Druilhe at the Pasteur Institute in Paris.

"Those two groups had very similar types of immune response, elicited by the vaccine, and the protection is almost identical, so it reinforces the confidence despite the fact that we are still dealing with a small group," he said.

The vaccine is based on the fact that some adults in Africa acquire immunity because they are constantly exposed to the disease. Dr Druilhe and his team discovered a key protein, MSP3, which provokes the body into producing antibodies that kill the parasite. He said the protein is unique as it does not change much between different strains of the plasmodium parasite that causes malaria. This is believed to be a critical factor in developing an efficient vaccine.

He added: "We performed a large number of epidemiological studies that confirm that there was an association between that vaccine candidate and acquired protection, so when you immunise with this molecule you indeed induce protection."

Another scientist involved with the Burkina Faso study was Dr Louis Miller, the former head of the Malaria Vaccine Branch of the US National Institutes of Health. He said: "I was always in favour of this approach as it offered a chance in a field with few successes. I found the results of this preliminary study in Burkina Faso to be most encouraging."

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.

New medical tests for UAE expats

2011-09-22T03:23:00.000-07:00

Thousands of expat workers are to be subjected to medical tests in their home countries before they are allowed to enter the UAE, it has been announced.

The new rules will apply to foreign workers from 10 countries, the UAE’s ministry of health said at a recent press conference. The ministry of Health in the U.A.E. (United Arab Emirates) is preparing to implement the new regulations in an effort to cut down the amount of communicable diseases brought into the country.

The U.A.E. is particularly vulnerable to this problem as almost 90% of it's residents are Expats, meaning the potential for diseases to be brought into the country is considerable.

Designed to stop newcomers from bringing dangerous diseases into the UAE, the scheme is expected to be rolled out from October 1, with Indonesia and Sri Lanka the first countries affected. Eight more countries – India, Pakistan, Bangladesh, the Philippines, Nepal, Egypt, Sudan and Ethiopia – will be added later.

Expats will be screened mainly for contagious diseases, including tuberculosis, hepatitis B and HIV/Aids, at approved medical centres, with those who test positive refused entry. They will also be subjected to confirmatory re-tests once they are in the country.

Dr Sneh Khemka, medical director at Bupa International, said the changes seemed “sensible“. “The UAE has long been very stringent about disease control, as they have many workers coming in from other countries. These workers carry two risks: firstly, transmission, and secondly, a burden on the health system," he said.

He raised doubts however about the effectiveness of the system, as identifying latent cases of diseases such as TB "could be diagnostically challenging". He also said there was a risk that test results from the countries in question, "where there is often medical fraud...might not be 100 per cent reliable".

The changes are being implemented as part of the Gulf Co-operative Council's expatriate worker medical examination programme, which began in 1995.

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.

Can you spare 15 Minutes for Daily Exercise?

2011-08-17T03:14:00.000-07:00

Researchers say that just 15 minutes of exercise a day can boost life expectancy by three years.

You don't have to slog it out in a sweaty gym; here are some tips and advice for all ages and fitness levels, It's never too late to change your habits, and by establishing a healthy lifestyle now, you'll continue to reap the rewards in the future.

Keeping Fit

You don't have to slog it out in a sweaty gym to maintain your fitness. Simply boosting your levels of general daily activity can massively improve your health and energy.

There are many reasons why we can find it hard to start exercising - our everyday lives require less physical activity than in our grandparents' day, we rely on cars to get around and spend hours sitting in front of computers.

The excuses

The pressures of home and family life can also mean it feels as if there's little time left to fit in exercise. It's certainly tough to get started.

So, it's worth thinking about what you gain from regular exercise and making even a partial improvement to your fitness.

• Physical inactivity is an independent risk factor for coronary heart disease - in other words, if you don't exercise you dramatically increase your risk of dying from a heart attack

• Conversely, exercise means a healthier heart because it reduces several cardiovascular risks, including high blood pressure

• Being physically active can bolster good mental health and help you to manage stress, anxiety and even depression

• Regular exercise as you age keeps you strong, mobile and less dependent on others

• Regular exercise can help you achieve and maintain an ideal weight, which can be important in managing many health conditions, or may just make you feel happier about your appearance

• All exercise helps strengthen bones and muscles to some degree, but weight-bearing exercise, such as running, is especially good in promoting bone density and protecting against osteoporosis, which affects men as well as women

• Different exercises help with all sorts of health niggles, such as digestion, poor posture and sleeplessness, and physical activity can be beneficial for a range of medical conditions, from diabetes to lower back pain

Keep mobile

Almost half of adults in the UK will be aged over 50 by 2020. We tend to assume the benefits and pleasures of sport, exercise and fitness are only for younger people, but think again. The rewards of improved fitness later in life can be great – both for your health and social life.

Statistics show activity levels decline steadily with age, and by their mid-50s few people take regular exercise.

Some of the health benefits you'll get are the same as younger people, but there are things that are of particular benefit as you get older:

• More energy - exercise makes you feel more energetic, while sitting around not doing much makes you feel sluggish and unable to do anything

• Improved sleep - your body and mind feel as though they've done something and are ready for rest at night

• Stable weight - regular exercise helps to keep you at a healthy weight

• Improved circulation and lower blood pressure

• Delayed ageing - keeping active strengthens your muscles, joints and bones as well as helping with mobility and balance, important as it helps to prevent falls, which are the leading cause of injury and death for the over-75s

APRIL Medibroker is an international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet. Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country not shown on their passports (expatriates).

We are totally independent and offer impartial advice and guidance to ensure that you purchase the best plan for your needs. We offer more than twenty quality international medical insurance plans and we always looking for new plans to add to our portfolio so that we can always offer the very best to our clients.

For a free No Obligation Quote visit medibroker.com or call us on +44 (0) 191 296 6140

What is high blood pressure?

2011-06-15T07:50:00.000-07:00

It causes the heart to work harder than normal putting both the heart and arteries at greater risk of damage. High blood pressure, or hypertension, increases the risk of heart attacks, strokes, kidney failure, damage to the eyes, congestive heart failure and atherosclerosis.

Hypertension exists where the pressure at which blood is pushing against blood vessel walls is consistently above average.

Blood pressure changes throughout the day. In particular, it increases during exercise and decreases during sleep.

Untreated high blood pressure can cause the heart to become abnormally large and less efficient (ventricular hypertrophy) causing heart failure and increased risk of heart attack.

Symptoms of high blood pressure

Although high blood pressure can cause headaches, dizziness and problems with vision, the majority of people suffer no symptoms at all. As a result many people with hypertension remain undiagnosed because they have no symptoms to motivate them to see a doctor or get their blood pressure checked.

However, despite the lack of symptoms hypertension can lead to heart attack, stroke, kidney damage, and many other medical problems.

Diagnosing high blood pressure

The only way to find out if you have high blood pressure is to have your blood pressure checked. A doctor or other qualified health professional should check a patient's blood pressure at least once every two years.

It’s measured in millimetres of mercury (mm Hg) and is defined in an adult by the recording of two readings:

•Systolic pressure - represents the force of the blood as the heart contracts (beats) to pump it around the body. This is the higher of the two readings and records blood pressure at or above 140mm Hg.

•Diastolic pressure - the pressure while the heart is relaxed and filling with blood again in preparation for the next contraction or heart beat. This value is lower than the systolic pressure and records blood pressure at or above 90mm Hg.

What is considered to be an acceptable blood pressure and what is hypertension (and then what needs treatment) depends on several factors. A single high reading isn’t enough to warrant a diagnosis of hypertension as blood pressure can be raised in all of us now and then – even the sight of a doctor can be enough to put it up. So there must be at least three high readings to cause concern.

Causes of high blood pressure

In over 90 per cent of cases, the cause is unknown. In the remaining cases, high blood pressure is a symptom of a recognisable underlying problem such as a kidney abnormality, tumour of the adrenal gland or congenital defect of the aorta (in these cases when the root cause is corrected, blood pressure usually returns to norma).

This type of high blood pressure is called secondary hypertension.

If high blood pressure isn't treated and is combined with obesity, smoking, high blood cholesterol levels or diabetes, the risk of heart attack is several times higher.

Arteries also suffer the effects of high blood pressure, becoming scarred, hardened and less elastic. Though this hardening of the arteries often occurs with age, high blood pressure accelerates the process. The hardened or narrowed arteries are unable to supply the amount of blood the body's organs need, preventing them working effectively. Another risk is that a blood clot may lodge in an artery narrowed by atherosclerosis, blocking blood supply.

When high blood pressure is first diagnosed, tests may be done for an underlying cause (i.e. secondary hypertension) especially if the person is young or has very high blood pressure. If an underlying cause is found it should be treated.

Treatment of high blood pressure

There's no cure as such for essential hypertension, but following a healthy lifestyle can be enough to bring blood pressure down to a normal level. This is one reason why drug treatment may not be offered for healthy individuals with only mild hypertension (above 140/90 mmHg but below 160/100 mmHg).

Medication is used if lifestyle changes alone fail to lower blood pressure sufficiently. It's generally recommend that drug treatment is offered to those with:

•Blood pressure above 160/100 mmHg

•Isolated systolic hypertension of more than 160 mmHg

•Blood pressure of more than 140/90 mmHg (ie, mild hypertension) but who also have cardiovascular disease or significant risk of developing cardiovascular disease, diabetes, or damage to the heart, kidney or eyes as a result of high blood pressure

Current UK guidelines also recommend that blood pressure levels need to be even lower for certain people and say treatment should aim to lower blood pressure to below 130/80 if a person has:

•A complication of diabetes, especially kidney problems

•Had a serious cardiovascular event such as a heart attack, TIA or stroke

•Has certain chronic kidney diseases

All medicines can have side effects and sometimes it’s necessary to try different drugs if initial treatments cause problems.

APRIL Medibroker is an international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet. Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country not shown on their passports (expatriates).

We are totally independent and offer impartial advice and guidance to ensure that you purchase the best plan for your needs. We offer more than twenty quality international medical insurance plans and we always looking for new plans to add to our portfolio so that we can always offer the very best to our clients.

For a free No Obligation Quote visit medibroker.com or call us on +44 (0) 191 296 6140.

Pre-Exisiting Conditions Coverage

2010-11-25T03:59:00.000-08:00

Pre-existing conditions coverage 'most significant IPMI change'

Increased willingness from international private medical insurance (IPMI) providers to cover pre-existing conditions has been hailed as one of the most significant recent changes in the market by a specialist broker.

Speaking at the recent COVER IPMI Breakfast Briefing, Andrew Wilson, CEO of April Medibroker, explained the measure was allowing far more clients to consider taking out IPMI plans and undertake their international moves with confidence, adding the previous two options of a moratorium or medical history underwriting, often lead to clients feeling unsure about what they were covered for, or resulted in ‘potentially draconian exclusions that put clients off taking the cover.'

"Many times I've seen people's dreams and ambitions dashed because of their health history.

"For many its been a case of: don't take out the cover; risk the exclusions by self funding in hope that none of the pre-existing conditions will cost you; or try to find a provider that will give a fair assessment of medical history with premium loading," he added.

But, Wilson continued, providers are now considering pre-existing exclusions with an open mind and are willing to add loadings onto the premium, rather than excluding it and related conditions al together.

"It's allowing us to give a real choice of options to cover, no longer just partial cover or no cover, now we can offer full cover," he said. "Lots of people prefer loading the premium because if they are having to self fund health coverage abroad it can get nasty. It provides peace of mind."

Wilson also used examples of the increasing numbers of people around the world who are facing conditions such as diabetes, asthma or living with allergies who would otherwise be unable to obtain IMPI cover, and suggested it could also increase the attraction of the product to people over 50.

It is this age group who are usually considered most likely to have pre-existing medical conditions, but produced between 30-40% of enquires at April Medibroker.

APRIL Medibroker is an international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet. Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country not shown on their passports (expatriates).

We are totally independent and offer impartial advice and guidance to ensure that you purchase the best plan for your needs. We offer more than twenty quality international medical insurance plans and we always looking for new plans to add to our portfolio so that we can always offer the very best to our clients.

For a free No Obligation Quote visit medibroker.com or call us on +44 (0) 191 296 6140

Free travel plan offer available during October 2010.

2010-10-01T06:26:00.000-07:00

International expatriate insurance specialist William Russell has launched a promotion to give away one year’s free Global Travel insurance worth US$104/€104/£62 to new individual members taking out a Global Health Platinum or Global Health Elite plan in October 2010.

The promotion is designed to attract expatriates around the world who are looking for a great deal on first-class quality international private medical insurance.

William Russell’s Global Travel Plan provides cover for baggage, personal effects and other travel insurance benefits during trips of up to 120 days outside the member’s country of residence and for pre-booked trips within their country of residence, in addition to the medical expenses and evacuation cover provided by their Global Health Platinum and Elite plans.

William Russell’s Global Travel Plan includes the following benefits:

• Personal accident cover US$85,000/€85,000/£50,000
• Personal baggage US$4,250/€4,250/£2,500
• Cancellation and curtailment US$4,250/€4,250/£2,500
• Travel delay US$340/€340/£200
• Personal liability US$1,700,000/€1,700,000/£1,000,000
• Personal money US$850/€850/£500
• Legal expenses US$42,500/€42,500/£25,000
• Travel disruption US$1,700/€1,700/£1,000
• Hijack US$850/€850/£500
• Passport replacement US$425/€425/£250

Winter sports cover is also included within the premium.

James Cooper, Sales Director, William Russell Limited says:

“We’re so convinced that our new members will recognise the value of our international health insurance cover, that we’re giving our Global Travel plan away free in October.

“Our annual travel insurance is the perfect addition to a Global Health Platinum or Elite plan as together they provide complete world-wide medical and travel protection to expatriates and their families wherever they are.”

For a Free No Obligation Quote on William Russell International Medical Insurance Plans visit April Medibroker

APRIL Medibroker has over ten years experience in providing international health insurance to individuals and companies (both large and small) worldwide. We can offer solutions from all of the top providers and tailor them to your specific needs.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

7 Habits of a Happy Expat

2010-09-24T04:30:00.000-07:00

Ever wondered what makes some expatriates happy and others not so happy?

1. Happy expats are intensely curious.
Coming to another land is always interesting. You get to learn about the culture, you get to experience a different way of life, you get to try new foods, and maybe even new sports and new hobbies. A whole new world opens up for you. Being curious around this new world leads to happiness.

2. Happy expats accept others as they come, they don’t judge, and they don’t try to change people to their liking.
No matter how much things may bother them and no matter how much they may disagree, a judgmental attitude never gets anyone anywhere. Accepting that things run the way they do is the key to happiness.

3. Happy expats look at everything as an amazing learning experience.
Someone once said that “life is always offering us new beginnings, it’s up to us whether to take them or not.” That’s an empowering way to look at what’s available to us at every moment of every day. And especially to those of us who get this incredible opportunity to not only travel but also live in different places.

4. Happy expats find opportunities wherever they are and they don’t lament those they’ve left behind.
Life of an expatriate consists of one move after another. Sometimes we know when that move is coming and sometimes we don’t. Opportunities that were open to us in one place may not be available in another. But remember “life is always offering us new beginnings…” There will be new opportunities, so do you want to spend the time lamenting about what you left behind or do you want to spend the time listening and looking out for what’s opening up for you?

5. Happy expats know that feeling sad at times is part of the game.
A happy expat doesn’t mean a giddy-at-all-times expat. A happy expat means also an expat who knows that being sad at times is part of the expatriate experience. Being sad about leaving friends behind; being sad about leaving your family far away; being sad about quitting a job or changing a career … this list can go on and on. The difference between a happy expat and an expat who isn't happy is that for the former the sadness is something that’s natural and something that doesn’t take over his/her life and makes a victim out of him/her .

6. Happy expats share. Sharing means so many different things.
It may mean sharing with your friends and family when you are sad – going through the stressful times alone is no fun. It may mean sharing with a coach – a right client-coach partnership will undoubtedly make your expatriate experience richer. It may also mean sharing your experience with others, helping those like you find the best facets of their expatriate journeys.

7. Happy expats stay clear of criticism, sulking, and stonewalling.
It is so very easy to blame someone else in your misfortunes. It’s easy to say that everything around you is horrible; it’s easy to sulk in your misery when you’ve convinced yourself that it’s not up to you; and it’s easy to put a barrier between you and the place you live in. Yet there is no way you are going to be happy where you live, if you consistently engage in criticism, sulking, and stonewalling. Staying clear of those attitudes will help you be happier.

Source: The Global Coach Center Academy

APRIL Medibroker has over ten years experience in providing international health insurance to individuals and companies (both large and small) worldwide. We can offer solutions from all of the top providers and tailor them to your specific needs.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

Telephone +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com for your free quote on International Medical Insurance.

Suffering from Stress? Try these quick fixes . . .

2010-08-27T07:21:00.000-07:00

When someone is overwhelmed with day-to-day life, and they are already seeking counseling and taking medication, but they are still having lots of difficulty dealing with any stress, and they are still feeling very anxious, what advice can you give on being supportive and helpful?

There are many techniques for helping to relive stress, but here are a few that you may find useful.

Slow, deep breathing
You can quickly bring down your heart rate and blood pressure by breathing deeply and slowly. Close your eyes and concentrate on breathing in to a count of three and then out for a count of six. The slow out breath is ‘nature’s tranquiliser’. Repeat for a minute or two.

Don’t bottle it up
Talking to family and close friends is a good way to beat stress because it helps us see the problem more clearly – it may not be as bad as we thought, and other people may have different perspectives and solutions we hadn’t considered.

Worries? What worries?

Worrying about the ‘what ifs?’ in a situation takes a lot of time and energy, and anxiety can quickly escalate. First, find out the facts about a situation – your worries may turn out to be unfounded. If you’re still concerned, plan your strategy, with a friend if necessary, so that you feel more in control of the situation.

Glass half-full or half-empty?
Spend more time focusing on the positive things in your life and less time thinking negatively. The more you visualise a positive outcome, the more you’ll believe it and the more likely it is to happen.

Enjoy the process
Remember, ‘good enough’ is OK, there’s no need to be perfect every time. Learn to enjoy the process rather than worry about the result – setting a time limit on tasks provides a reality check. If you do make a mistake, learn from the experience and move on.

Take time out
Ring-fence time in your day to unwind and reflect – it will help you recharge your batteries and get things into perspective.

APRIL Medibroker has over ten years experience in providing international health insurance to individuals and companies (both large and small) worldwide. We can offer solutions from all of the top providers and tailor them to your specific needs.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone + 44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com for your FREE Quote on International Medical Insurance.

International Medical Insurance and Increasing Medical Costs

2010-08-12T08:00:00.000-07:00

We have all heard of inflation, basically it is the increase in the cost of goods and services this year compared with last year, many governments issue a monthly inflation index which tells us how much the cost of living has increased over the last 12 months.

Healthcare also suffers from inflation, commonly known as Medical Inflation.

With 23 years of expierence in both the domestic and International Insurance market place working with individuals and companies providing advice & assistance on their Private Medical Insurance needs.

April Medibroker International Sales Advisor Gerry Mould looks into these interesting questions:

What is Medical Inflation?

Why is it different to standard inflation?

How is it caused?

"We are getting older so we need more medical treatment the older we become, we are also living longer so the medical treatment we need has to continue longer. Medicine has also made huge advances in the last few years, we are not dying from conditions like we used to, so we need medical care to treat them.

For example more people survive a heart attack than before and cancer is now being treated unlike 10-15 years ago when a diagnosis of cancer may have been a death sentence.

The advancement of medical research must be paid for, drug companies and medical supply companies spend a fortune in developing new drugs and medical equipment. They do not pay for this development, funding comes from government grants, insurance company funding and the charge when selling the drugs and equipment.

Throughout the world new hospitals are being built, the cost of accommodation and nursing also is reflected in the charges made by hospitals they are, after all, a business and want to make a profit at the end of the year.

Doctors, however, control the cost of treatment; they decide what treatment to recommend and they want to be thorough. Tests can include blood tests, X rays, CT & MRI scans, ECG’s, echo scans, the list is endless.

Surgical procedures are also more complex or in some cases less complex such as keyhole surgery but the equipment used costs more to manufacture. Less invasive techniques such as a colonoscopy or gastroscopy assist in the diagnosis of conditions which previously would have involved surgery but involve using expensive equipment.

Who pays for all these costs?

Mostly, we do, if we pay for treatment ourselves or if we have Expat Medical Insurance.

International Medical Insurance companies usually do not specify the hospital or doctor you may use, there are so many across the world it is not possible to dictate a specific hospital or doctor in a particular country. In the USA insurers use networks which have specified hospitals and doctors who have agreed to charge set fees, it is not like this in the rest of the world.

An international health insurance company will contact a hospital when a patient requires inpatient treatment and arranges for bills to be sent directly to them. When a bill arrives the International Medical Insurance Provider will assess the costs and may query the charges.

International Health Insurance companies know how much a procedure costs and what a hospital will charge. They will challenge bills that they consider to be too high but at the end of the day the invoice has to be paid.

All these increased costs are assessed by International Medical Insurance Companies and when they review their premiums, which usually end up being higher than last year.

How do you now beat this?

First of all speak to a specialist International Medical Insurance broker who knows from the plans they have available which will suit you.

International Health Insurance providers have different ways of developing and charging premiums, it is a complex issue. Each insurer publishes premiums rates and as I said earlier we are all getting older so the premiums reflect our age.

The older we are, the higher the premiums. The younger you are, usually, the lower the premium.

Once 50-55 is attained it starts to change, some International Medical Insurance companies start to increase premiums at this age, so by the time you retire international health insurance may be the highest monthly or annual cost you pay. (I am assuming that you would not have a mortgage at this age but I know that some people do.)

It is our advisers job to try and guide you.

Once you are insured and you have claimed for treatment (after all that is what international medical insurance is for) you may have little choice but to stay with the same insurance company otherwise your condition may not be covered by a new International Medical Insurance company, so you will want to ensure that your future premiums are manageable.

Some International Health Insurance Companies such as Interglobal offer a no claims discount, so if you have not claimed on your plan in the previous policy year they will give you a discount of usually 10% of your renewal premium.

Taking this into account along with any excess you have chosen, you need to assess whether a small claim is financially necessary. You may find that a small claim will cost you more than the value of the treatment.

IMG Europe also will give 15% no claims discount of your renewal premium but it is not automatic, you have to claim it, and the premiums offered at renewal are not the same as in the first year. They are usually higher so the no claims discount can be very important when your renewal offer is made. This will also need to be considered when making a small claim.

IHI Bupa do not increase premiums for your age once you reach 60, they will still increase premiums for medical inflation. If you apply for a new plan over age 60 they will apply a premium loading, we have found that this is still competitive compared with other insurers in the long term.

Nordic Healthcare do not increase premiums as you get older, the premium you pay in the first year will not increase as you get older, also they have historically only increased premiums by 5% per year to cover increasing medical costs. The premiums may be higher in the first few years but overall there may be significant savings compared with other plans.

As I have already said I recommend you speak to our Expat Health Insurance advisers, they know how to assist you and give advice suitable to your personal needs and concerns.

They will also save you having to contact each insurer and excluding the plans that are not suitable for you."

Gerry Mould

12/08/2010

APRIL Medibroker has over ten years experience in providing international health insurance to individuals and companies (both large and small) worldwide. We can offer solutions from all of the top providers and tailor them to your specific needs.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit http://www.medibroker.com/individuals-families/free-quote.html?id=AMBLOG&utm_source=blog&utm_medium=text-link&utm_content=PMI_Quote&utm_campaign=FREE%2BQuote for your FREE quote.

Our quotes and advice are without charge.

Moving abroad soon and need medical insurance that covers you in different countries?

2010-06-24T02:53:00.000-07:00

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Recentley we at April Medibroker were contacted by a client with the following request for information international medical insurance.

Q. I will be moving abroad soon to start up my business and need medical insurance that covers me in different countries. My main concern is making claims on this new insurance - please could you advise how this process works?

Andrew Wilson CEO of April Medibroker replied

All insurers/providers have their own separate claims procedures and their Policy Wordings must be consulted for exact claims advice.

Please note that this information is provided as generic advice only.

Although each international health insurance provider has their own claims procedures.

As a rule of thumb there are a number of similar themes that run through most, if not all, plans.

It is important to make sure that policyholders are familiar with their insurers own claims process - if they are not followed correctly claims could be delayed or even refused.

If an international medical insurance policy has an excess or deductible this will be taken into account when the claim is settled (ie the insured person may still have a liability to a portion of the claim as agreed when applying for cover). Similarly, some plans and benefits have a system of insurance or payment whereby the insured is prepared to pay a set percentage of the costs, rather than a set monetary amount applicable either per year or per claim.

Inpatient/Daypatient Claims

This type of claim can be defined as those where there is a requirement for treatment in hospital:

Inpatient Treatment - treatment at a hospital where an insured person is admitted and occupies a bed for one or more nights.

Daypatient Treatment - treatment at a hospital where an insured person is admitted and occupies a bed, but does not remain overnight.

It is a condition of international medical insurance plans that inpatient/daypatient claims are pre-authorised. This means that the insurer/provider should be contacted in advance of treatment and advised as to what treatment is required and at what hospital it will take place. The insurer will then contact the hospital and arrange for any bills to be paid directly by them, thus saving clients from having to pay potentially large treatment costs and then reclaim the money from the insurer.

Worth noting is the fact that some insurers will impose penalties on clients for inpatient/daypatient claims that are not pre-authorised. Whilst the claim may still be settled, it may only be at a percentage of the overall cost (generally this is at about 80%).

There are, of course, circumstances where pre-authorisation is not practically possible - principally in the event of accident and emergency.

We at April Medibroker always recommend to our clients that they keep a copy of their insurance documents or membership card with them and also make sure that friends, family or colleagues also have access to them should the client be unable to contact the insurer.

Outpatient Claims

This type of claim is defined as:

Outpatient Treatment - treatment at a hospital, consulting room, or out-patient clinic where an insured person does not occupy a bed. Under international health insurance plans, this type of treatment does not generally need to be pre-authorised but needs to be paid for by the policyholder and then claimed back from the insurance company.

In order to do this, original itemised invoices and receipts must be obtained from the doctor, therapist etc at the point of treatment/payment. In addition to these documents a claim form needs to be completed by both the insured person and the treating medical practitioner (note that many insurers will not reimburse any charges made by the medical practitioner for completing a claim form). These claims forms are available either from the insurer or can be obtained from the downloads page on this site.

It is, however, always a good idea to contact the insurance company in advance to check that the required treatment is covered under the terms of the policy.

The completed claims form, along with the appropriate original receipts and invoices should then be sent to the claims department of the insurance company as soon as possible (many companies will only accept claims submitted within a certain time from treatment being received - generally six months).

Upon receipt, the claims department will assess your claim and refund eligible payments either by cheque or bank transfer. They may however require further medical reports or information before they will make the payment.

Should treatment be required on an ongoing basis, new claim forms aren't necessarily required for each set of bills and receipts as long as the insurer is advised that they relate to an existing claim. It is however possible that if the treatment continues longer than six months the insurer may require either a new claim form or an up to date medical report (which they may not be willing to pay for).

Andrew Wilson

CEO April Medibroker

Andrew has over fifteen years experience in the insurance industry and has spent the last eight years specialising in international health insurance for expats, both on an individual and corporate level.

APRIL Medibroker has over ten years experience in providing international health insurance to individuals and companies (both large and small) worldwide. We can offer solutions from all of the top providers and tailor them to your specific needs.

Q. I don't understand why I would need an "expat" health insurance plan when I start my business abroad - why can't I just get the same coverage as the locals?

2010-06-23T09:04:00.000-07:00

Many expats move to another country under the assumption that comprehensive healthcare is available to them when they get there - whether a free system such as the UK's NHS or by simply slotting in to a state system.

Even if such systems exist, or local health insurance plans are readily available there are a number of very important factors that need to be taken into account to ensure that you and your family are adequately provided for should the need for medical treatment arise. In many areas of the world (and not just those countries without a developed healthcare infrastructure) International Medical Insurance is not a luxury but a necessity. Some of the most important of these factors are shown below:

Quality of Treatment:-

By giving coverage across a greater geographic area (not just a single location), international plans allow far greater flexibility and choice should you need treatment. This is especially important should the unthinkable happen and you suffer from a major medical condition. An expat insurance plan will allow you to choose when and where to have the relevant procedures - this even extends to the scenario of "elective" treatment, allowing you to travel abroad to centres of excellence (although in most cases you would have to bear the cost of the actual travel expenses).

Strength and Longevity:-

All of the insurers and plan providers that we at April Medibroker use have an enormous level of experience in dealing with all medical situations that have affected expats the world over. They are all underwritten by companies with strong ratings by the likes of Standard and Poors, and customers need not be concerned that they are likely to disappear any time in the future.

Availability of healthcare:-

In many countries expats are ineligible for local health insurance, at least for a period of time (such as the USA and, in many circumstances, France). This leaves the option of an international insurance plan or paying for treatment yourself. Whilst the latter option can appeal to many on a "it'll never happen to me" basis, the reality is that paying for treatment yourself can be a VERY expensive risk to take.

Choice of hospitals and doctors:-

International health insurance plans generally give a free choice of which doctors and hospitals can be used by the policyholders to ensure that the best care is available. Many "local" insurance plans can restrict cover to include only certain hospitals/doctors, and in some countries only those providers in a certain area (such as county, province or state etc). A local plan may not give cover over an entire country, whereas an international plan will not only cover all of that country but also other countries too.

Mobility and Portability:-

There is an ever increasing global trend of "international citizens" who are geographically mobile whether it be through their employment or just their chosen way of life. International medical insurance plans are portable between the vast majority of countries, whereas local/domestic plans in most countries are highly unlikely to be. One of the great benefits of this portability is that cover can be continuous - if claims are made for a medical condition, cover and future treatment can be continued. If you move between different insurers and plans there is always an inherent risk that conditions that have been claimed upon on one plan are unlikely to be covered under a new policy as"pre-existing conditions" .

Additional Benefits:-

In conjunction with a global experience of healthcare, international insurance providers also offer a wider spread of benefits (and with higher financial limits) than most country specific insurers. Multi-lingual assistance services, available 24 hours a day, seven days a week are an integral feature of most policies. Medical evacuation and repatriation are key features of international plans, ensuring that the best and most appropriate treatment is available to policyholders at internationally renowned centres of medical excellence. Benefits such as this are of even greater importance for expats in countries with less developed or lower quality healthcare systems.

I would strongly recommend that anyone considering a new life abroad takes fully independent advice from a broker in order to find the most appropriate solution to their health insurance needs.

At April Medibroker we only advise on plans that have a proven track record of quality and integrity. If local health insurance is the best way for you, we will let you know - in fact we can provide this as well in certain countries.

Andrew Wilson

CEO April Medibroker

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country

(expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com for your FREE Quote

Our quotes and advice are without charge..

International Maternity Cover

2010-06-23T07:56:00.000-07:00

Having a baby can be one of the most wonderful and rewarding experiences of your life, it can also be one of the most stressful and traumatic times, due to complications, or, being unprepared by not having adequate international health insurance to cover the costs of childbirth, complications and caring for your newborn baby.

Treatment for Pregnancy and Childbirth, whether planned or otherwise, can be extremely expensive and the price of maternity treatment around the world can vary alarmingly, if there are complications with the pregnancy, costs can escalate significantly, this should be prepared for when you are planning on having children, now or in the future as it is not possible to buy international medical insurance to cover the costs of your pregnancy if you are already pregnant.

When choosing the right expatriate health insurance provider to cover maternity, you should consider the following:

• In which country will you be residing while you are pregnant or giving birth? Prices vary from region to region and country to country.

• How long must you be enrolled on an international medical insurance plan before you are eligible for reimbursement of medical costs incurred?

• Is there adequate coverage in case of complications during maternity?

• What quality of cover is available for newborn children?

Regional Variations in Costs.

International Healthcare costs around the world differ significantly, in the Middle East, one expatriate medical insurer has reported recent costs for a normal delivery of between $3,300 US Dollars and $8,000 US Dollars, these charges increase if complications arise and a Caesarean Section is required, costs are then reported between $6,500 US Dollars and $10,000 US Dollars. The same expatriate health insurance company explains that costs for private maternity can rocket in the USA, normal delivery charges are reported between $20,000 US Dollars and $25,000 US Dollars, costs for Caesarean Sections in the United States have recently been reported as rising up to $35,000 US Dollars to $40,000 US Dollars. April Medibroker can help advise you on the best international health insurance plan to suit your needs with realistic maternity claim limits for your part of the World.

Waiting Periods

Due to the potential high cost of private maternity treatment overseas, expatriate medical insurance provider will only offer cover for maternity treatment after you have been enrolled on an international health insurance plan for a continuous period. These periods vary by expat insurance provider and generally hover around the 12 months of continuous cover mark, although some insurers have lower waiting periods, the lowest currently being 8 months. All costs and treatment incurred relating to a pregnancy that occur before the end of the waiting period are excluded from cover, treatment received that occur after a waiting period is completed would be covered up to the costs allowed by that insurer. Please be aware, if you are already pregnant before moving overseas you will not be able to buy international medical insurance to cover the costs of this pregnancy.

Complications of Maternity

Although many babies are born without any major difficulties, there are times when a little more help is required and extra medical treatment is required, expat medical insurance companies are aware of this and generally will offer higher claim limits for maternities that involve complications.

Newborn Children and Cover

Once a new baby arrives expat medical insurance plans will usually cover the costs of a Well- Baby check and immediate care, it is then essential that the newborn child is enrolled on cover as soon as early as possible as claim limits to cover the treatment of newborns can vary considerably. There are some providers who offer special rates or free cover for children when insured with one or more parents, we are able to advise on plans that offer these incentives and we can also help to identify the plans offering the highest level of cover that also include cover for congenital birth defects and fertility treatment.

The sales advisors at April Medibroker have considerable knowledge of the plans available from the Worlds largest providers of International health insurance, not forgetting smaller providers that offer excellent benefits and service. All plans offered by April Medibroker have been fully scrutinised by our staff, and benefits, service, stability and integrity of plans offered are constantly evaluated to make sure that they are suitable to offer our clients and maintain our reputation as the Worlds most respected International Medical Insurance broker.

Steve McCrady 03/06/2010

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com, for your FREE Quote

Our quotes and advice are without charge.

April Medibroker Announce Independent Insurer Ratings Results June 2010

2010-06-11T02:28:00.000-07:00

APRIL Medibroker are proud to have implemented an independent Insurer Ratings program.

Our objective in rating each insurer / plan provider is to maintain high quality service standards throughout the industry via direct accountability.

Results were achieved via the professional opinions of experienced APRIL Medibroker advisors and client services staff, who were asked to evaluate the criteria listed below on a scale of 1 to 5 (Poor to Excellent).

The results were added and insurer / plan providers were ranked according to points scored. Our advisors completed this exercise from their homes, thus resulting in unbiased and impartial rankings.

The APRIL Medibroker rating system has received great acclaim by the healthcare industry and these results will soon be published in various healthcare publications and websites.

April Medibroker Sales Manager Steve Nelson commented;

"As always our Insurer Ratings make interesting reading.

Not a great deal has changed since out last ratings exercise in terms of the plans benefits, perhaps a small tweak here and there.

We feel the major driving force of the June ratings is service, both to us as a broker but more importantly to our clients the policy holders - this has effectively been the main criteria that has dictated the results this time round.

With all our staff contributing to the ratings it does give us a very good all round impression of how each insurer is doing and so provides a very useful guide."

Full Details of the June 2010 review can be found on the AprilMedibroker website

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country

(expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com for your FREE Quote

Our quotes and advice are without charge..

In the past pre-existing medical conditions have been excluded from cover

2010-06-09T08:20:00.000-07:00

Until recently it was a fact that most private medical insurance plans would exclude pre-existing conditions from cover.

April Medibroker are now delighted to work together with a handful of insurers who will seek to cover pre-existing conditions and all related conditions, from day one.

Crucially, the exclusion would typically exclude the 'consequences of' the pre-existing condition. This could potentially lead to very wide ranging exclusions for a condition that seemed quite insignificant.

However, in the last 12 months or so, 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.

This is a major step forward in underwriting and can lead to better cover for a great number of applicants. For a Free quotation including pre-existing conditions visit medibroker.com.

Pre-existing Medical Conditions

Perhaps the most revolutionary aspect of medical insurance in the last 10 years, is pre-existing medical conditions.

In the past pre-existing medical conditions have been excluded from cover, along with all related conditions. This is true even if the condition was under control with medication. Therefore, for instance, someone suffering from high blood pressure, would find themselves faced with a whole host of exclusions on their policy, such as Angina, Aneurysm, Heart Attacks, Stroke, Thrombosis, 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 $1,500.00, with a heart bypass being as much as $140,000.00.

The only way of getting a pre-existing medical condition covered previously, was through a moratorium plan. This means that an insurer will accept someone immediately, without asking for any medical history but excluding any cover for pre-existing conditions. Then after a period of 2 years, providing no medication has been taken, no medical advice sought and no symptoms suffered in relation to the conditions, they will then become eligible for coverage.

Whilst this may be fine for older non-current conditions, anything that requires ongoing medications or check-ups will never become eligible for cover. High blood pressure is a very common condition which we see a lot. From a clients point of view their blood pressure is now normal as they take medication to bring it under control. Unfortunately, this is not how insurers view things. Even a cured condition which requires no medication, but maybe requires an annual check up just to make sure everything is still OK, would never become eligible for coverage. Clients need to be aware of this, as they will receive a certificate of insurance, not listing any specific exclusions, so may not realise there are any, until they come to claim by which point it’s too late.

The industry as a whole has always had this same tunnel vision approach. However, who is the safer risk – someone with diagnosed blood pressure who now has this under control with medication or someone with undiagnosed high blood pressure, unaware, but all the time putting more strain on their heart? With the demand from customers growing, the insurers needed to take action.

We have already seen conditions like high blood pressure/cholesterol, diabetes, previous cancers, allergies, asthma etc covered. There may be an additional premium percentage added by the insurers for this. This loading can sometimes be reviewed in the future, with a view to reducing or removing it. There is nothing stopping a customer applying to more than one insurer to see who offers the better terms.

Through experience, we know which insurers may decline cover for certain conditions and would therefore not waste the customers time by applying to them. We are also sometimes able to get percentages reduced in certain circumstances. This is where the help of a broker becomes invaluable. We are here to work with our customers to find the best plan for their needs.

We are not paid by commission, so we have absolutely no benefit of recommending one plan over another. Therefore we can truly work on behalf of our customers.

Erika Glew

International Sales Adviser

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com, for your FREE Quote

Our quotes and advice are without charge.

Health insurance with a pre-existing condition

2010-06-01T09:01:00.000-07:00

Expatriates in France waiting until they are qualified for the state health insurance system have to use private cover in the meantime.

But what if you have a pre-existing condition? Steve Nelson of APRIL Medibroker says all is not lost.

There are two main factors to consider when looking at medical insurance in France for expatriates who do not yet qualify for the state-run system; premiums and pre-existing conditions.

There are a large number of plans that can cover you, from specialist plans specifically designed for residents of France to plans that will cover you worldwide. Most plans will also have various levels of cover from hospitalisation only up to plans including dental and maternity cover as well – finding the level of cover should not be a problem. However, the premiums will vary greatly and a first requirement when purchasing a plan will be affordability. This does not just mean the premium you have to pay but how pre-existing conditions are handled.

Until recently a pre-existing condition and the consequences of that condition would routinely be excluded from cover. You would therefore need to consider the potential costs of any future medical costs that would not be covered. British expats in France probably expect to be able to return to the UK for treatment if necessary but could find that this is not necessarily possible (they may have lost their entitlement to free NHS care).

However, one or two plan providers have begun to realise that people do have pre-existing conditions and that these conditions do not necessarily lead to further major treatment down the line. After all where is the greater risk; a person diagnosed with high blood pressure who takes medication and has the condition controlled and regularly monitored, or the person who has high blood pressure and is blissfully unaware of it? Most plans will exclude the first case but, incredibly, cover the second!

We now have plan providers who offer full medical underwriting and they actively try to include pre-existing conditions where ever possible albeit with a premium loading. However, if they do include the condition then you will have full cover for that condition.

Remember, the cheapest plan could turn out to very expensive if it has exclusions. It could really pay to contact a professional advisor.

Steve Nelson

April Medibroker Sales Manager

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

A New Breed of Expatriate – Semi-Grating

2010-04-23T05:46:00.000-07:00

A recent survey of UK workers aged between 18 & 45 suggests - “Over half of young employees believe there are better prospects abroad and are considering a stay overseas”.

The poll of 1,500 (of whom 66% were under 30) carried out by Aviva found that younger respondents favoured medium term breaks, with 43% saying a year would be long enough while a fifth would consider a three-year break from the UK.

A quarter of respondents to the poll said the NHS is one of the things they would most miss, while almost two thirds (64%) believe the UK has superior state health benefits over other countries.

Two in five (44%) have already seen a friend or family member move abroad for work in the last three years.

The most popular destinations for 18 to 30 year olds are Australia, the United States, Canada, Spain and New Zealand.

Steve Nelson, International Sales Manager at April Medibroker comments on the findings of this poll:

"If you are planning to move overseas it is important to take out additional medical insurance – “Young British expats looking to pursue careers overseas may expect to be able to return to the UK for treatment if necessary but could find that this is not possible (they may have lost their entitlement to free NHS care).

The danger is that, should the worst happen, these people could find themselves in unfamiliar territories, often not speaking the local language, not knowing how to arrange medical treatment or indeed being able to pay for it."

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com for your FREE Quote

Our quotes and advice are without charge.

NHS Care for Expatriates Returning to UK

2010-04-14T02:17:00.000-07:00

Many UK expats fail to realise that they can lose the right to state healthcare under the NHS system when they move abroad. As it stands, if you spend three months or more abroad and then ‘come home’ for non-emergency care and treatment, you may be forced to pay for your care.

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com for your FREE Quote

April Medibroker - New Site Gathers Pace

2010-03-19T04:28:00.000-07:00

Andrew Wilson, CEO of April Medibroker, has announced that Paul Bolam has joined April Medibroker as Web Marketing Manager.

Paul will be responsible for the marketing & promotion of April Medibroker across the Internet, generating new business opportunities and expanding business within existing markets via PPC, SEO, SEM & Social Networks, in conjunction with the launch of the new April Medibroker site.

With 18 years experience within the highly customer service focused holiday industry ranging from Overseas Operations, Field Sales, Account Management, Marketing, Project Management & more recently moving into the 'Online' promotion of Travel products from both a direct and affiliate base.

“I am very confident that Paul’s experience will be a great asset for our team’s performance,” said Andrew. “He has proven to be a successful professional that we look forward to having as a new member of our Business.”

About April Medibroker:

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

When moving abroad it is vital that an expat is properly advised concerning the selection of international medical insurance plans, income protection cover, term life insurance, dental or maternity plans by a professional independent advisor.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com for your FREE Quote

April Medibroker Expands the Team

2010-03-16T05:08:00.000-07:00

Gillian Brown Joins the April Medibroker team.

Mary Lemmons, Managing Director of April Medibroker, has announced that Gillian Brown has joined April Medibroker as a Client Services Administrator.

Gillian will be responsible for new business applications and acting as a link between clients and insurers. Most recently, she was employed within the NHS and has a wealth of experience within both the public and private sectors.

“I am very confident that Gillian’s experience will be a great asset for our team’s performance,” said Mary. “She has proven to be a successful professional that we look forward to having as a new member of our Business.”

About April Medibroker:

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

When moving abroad it is vital that an expat is properly advised concerning the selection of international medical insurance plans, income protection cover, term life insurance, dental or maternity plans by a professional independent advisor.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com for your FREE Quote

Our quotes and advice are without charge.

International private medical insurance (IPMI) is a must have for expatriates.

2010-03-11T07:09:00.000-08:00

International private medical insurance (IPMI) is a must have for expatriates.

The cost of medical treatment is rising all around the world and with real pressure on public finances, access to publically funded healthcare for expats – which always was limited – is becoming nigh on impossible. Expatriates have to accept that they either take out private medical insurance – or face the real possibility of being unable to access healthcare when they most need it.

Steve Nelson from April Medibroker comments:

“Expats need advice as the range of plans, benefits and costs is wide. The market is far from commoditised and high-quality advice can help an expatriate to identify the plan which is right for their circumstances and their pocket.

Most providers offer a choice of plans, ranging from budget “major medical” – which provides basic emergency cover – to high value plans which offer additional cover for outpatient care, dental treatment and a wide range of other benefits.

Our clients need confidence, transparency, good value and service from an independent source they can rely upon when moving country or location. We illustrate healthcare definitions so that you know what you are buying.

Providing the right level of cover tailored to the need of each customer has always been important to us here at April Medibroker, which we will continue to develop in 2010 and beyond.”

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet.

Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Worldwide excluding the USA and Worldwide including the USA.

April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com for your FREE Quote

Today is UK National No Smoking Day - Are You Ready To Give It a Try....

2010-03-10T04:26:00.000-08:00

Today 10th March 2010 is UK National No Smoking Day, No Smoking Day 2009 saw 1 in 10 smokers kick the habit, that's an impressive 900,000 people!

If you've tried quitting and have gone back to smoking, you're not alone.

In fact most people who successfully quit will have tried, and failed, several times.

Don't give up on giving up; if you're committed to quitting, you can do it, as over a million people who have successfully quit on No Smoking Day prove.

Everybody has their own personal reason for wanting to give up smoking. Some people give up as part of a larger lifestyle change - to feel more healthy, for example. What are yours?

•For better health

•For more money

•For more energy

•To prevent premature ageing

•For whiter teeth

•For lower stress levels

•For an improved sense of taste and smell

•For the sake of your family and friends

For help and advice on stopping smoking visit the national no smoking site http://www.nosmokingday.org.uk/

Expats are shopping around even more for their international PMI coverage

2010-03-08T03:21:00.000-08:00

Over recent years budget airlines and the once strong Pound have encouraged tens of thousands of Britons to buy second properties abroad, or simply decide a life in the sun is possibly better than a life of congestion, taxes and traditional British weather. This has led to some very large British expatriate centres of population being created around the Mediterranean, and in the US and Asia.

Since the credit crunch, life in the sun has come progressively harder for expats. However, to protect policyholders from wild fluctuations in exchange rates during the policy year, many international PMI providers will have a fixed “conversion” rate between the major currencies for benefits and premiums.

Long-term changes in exchange rates can have dramatic effects on an expats monthly income and expenditure. Globally, expats are shopping around even more for their international PMI coverage, with many considering limiting benefits or switching providers at renewal to reduce premiums.

Expats often prefer to buy from a British, Financial Services Authority-regulated professional PMI intermediary rather than from their local insurance salesman.

For those concerned about the costs of living abroad, April Medibroker specialise in providing international health insurance to clients living abroad or working abroad to both choose and place the right international health insurance products, to suit their expat medical insurance needs and budget.

Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140 or visit medibroker.com Our quotes, pack service and advice are without charge.

Repatriation figures to UK shores 'may be overstated'

2010-03-05T06:52:00.000-08:00

Returning to UK shores...
Recent figures produced by Moneycorp pointing to a mass repatriation of UK nationals living overseas may be overstated, it has been claimed.

A spokesperson from the Telegraph's weekly world edition, explained that while figures suggesting that 70 per cent of expats are considering a return to UK shores sound dramatic, they may belie a less sensational reality.

"To say, when asked by a Moneycorp researcher, that you have been thinking about returning to the UK is pretty meaningless," they said, explaining that anyone living a long distance from friends and families is likely to experience the occasional desire to return home.

For those concerned about the costs of living abroad, taking out an expat medical insurance policy may help to sidestep fees for expensive medical treatment.

Moving abroad? Get a free quote for your international medical insurance online at medibroker.com or Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140.

April Medibroker specialise in providing international health insurance to clients living abroad or working abroad to both choose and place the right international health insurance products, to suit their expat medical insurance needs and budget. Our quotes, pack service and advice are without charge.

Property going cheap in Spain...

2010-03-04T08:25:00.000-08:00

Property going cheap in Spain

The property market price crash witnessed in Spain has left a lot of undervalued real estate up for grabs, according to Spanish Property Insight.

A spokesperson for the property advice portal, explained that while the market is likely to remain depressed this year, canny buyers will be able to snap up some excellent deals.

If your planning a move to Spain you may also do well to research expat health insurance policies, as there may be limits to their entitlement to free healthcare in regions such as Valencia, which has recently introduced a ban on care for early-retiree expats.

April Medibroker specialise in providing international health insurance to clients living abroad or working abroad to both choose and place the right international health insurance products, to suit their expat medical insurance needs and budget.

Make sure you're protected Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140. Our quotes, pack service and advice are without charge.

Expat pensions 'should be election issue'

2010-03-03T07:36:00.000-08:00

Expatriates' pensions should be an issue in the forthcoming general election, a group of campaigners has argued.

Of the 1.1 million British expats who are entitled to claim UK pensions, 540,000 cannot draw the full amount because of rules surrounding pensions being fixed at a flat rate, acording to research carried out in the Daily Express.

Most expats living in all EU countries and 15 others including Bermuda and the United States have their pension index linked to their country of residence. However, expatriates in 150 other countries have had their pensions fixed to the rate at which they were first drawn.

Campaigner John Markham, 76, from the Canadian Alliance of British Pensioners said the expat vote in the upcoming general election would be much higher than in the last.

"We want to get Britons living abroad to vote, but only for the parties that support our cause," he said.

Expats are advised to check they are covered under their overseas health insurance as it could help avoid being landed with costly medical bills or expensive hospital treatment.

April Medibroker specialise in providing international health insurance to clients living abroad or working abroad to both choose and place the right international health insurance products, to suit their expat medical insurance needs and budget.

Make sure you're protected Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140. Our quotes, pack service and advice are without charge.

Far from home, Close to you why choose April Medibroker

2010-03-02T01:03:00.000-08:00

At April Medibroker our consultants handle expatriate health insurance enquiries from all over the world and work across the Internet responding to your requests.

We will not 'cold call' you. The prices you pay for international medical insurance are the same as you going direct to an expat medical insurance provider but, via our service, you reap the benefit of Independent Impartial Advice.

April Medibroker advisors, are not paid according to commissions received from international medical insurance providers and therefore do not have any pecuniary advantage in advising one international health insurance provider or another, therefore ensuring that you will receive truly impartial advice.

April Medibroker assists and advises clients living abroad or working abroad to both choose and place the right international health insurance products, to suit their expat medical insurance needs and budget.

Looking for International and Expatriate Health and Medical Insurance Telephone: +44 (0) 191 296 6140. Our quotes, pack service and advice are without charge.

New Site Coming Soon

2010-03-01T02:25:00.000-08:00

New Year, New Identity, Same Commitment...

As part of the ongoing change in Medibroker’s identity to APRIL Medibroker, reflecting our being part of APRIL Group.

Our website at www.medibroker.com/ is also being significantly redeveloped in order to bring new functionality and resources to existing and new customers alike.

Keep visiting our site to see the changes and enhancements that we will be implementing over the course of 2010.

We aim to be the best International Private Medical Insurance Broker in the world and will have the same staff as before, committed to giving you the best service possible. You may rest assured that being part of a larger group will not affect the impartiality of any advice we give you - we continue to research the marketplace for the best solutions for our clients, recently having added IMG Europe, A La Carte Healthcare, Allianz Worldwide Care and ASSSA to our list of providers.

APRIL Medibroker has moved offices

2010-02-25T03:57:00.000-08:00

APRIL Medibroker has moved offices, Our new contact details are:

APRIL Medibroker Ltd

Unit 4, Rake House Farm

Rake Lane

North Shields

Tyne & Wear
NE29 8EQ
United Kingdom

Tel: +44 (0)191 296 6140
Fax: +44 (0)191 257 6272

April Medibroker is a fully independent international medical, health and expat insurance broker offering a free quote and advice service across the Internet. Our service is available to people of any nationality, anywhere, living or working in another country not shown on their passports (expatriates). International health insurance cover is offered for Europe, Rest of World or full worldwide including USA and Canada.

When moving abroad it is vital that an expat is properly advised concerning the selection of international medical insurance plans, income protection cover, term life insurance, dental or maternity plans by a professional independent advisor. April Medibroker works on the basis of a choice of international medical insurance plans, and gives you Best Advice on both benefits and premiums as well as area of cover needed.