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?

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..