Why Expatriate Medical Insurance Is So Important

By Author: Dirk Rowell
Total Articles: 115
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A UK citizen having moved abroad, you might assume that you have the best of both worlds when it comes to accessing healthcare. However, this is a misconception and you could actually find yourself unable to access any service. Many international healthcare services do not see any reason why they should treat a foreign national under the same conditions as they would a citizen of that country. So, if a country offers free healthcare, it would not necessarily be free to you just because you live there. What’s more, now you are no longer a resident of the UK, you are not necessarily entitled to free healthcare back on the NHS either.

The solution could be to switch to local health insurance, although this has its limitations too. Depending on your new country of residence, this insurance might limit you to where you can access treatment. You may find that you would prefer to have an operation in a neighbouring country or back in the UK, for example, but not have this option in your insurance policy.

Expat health insurance really does give you the best of both worlds. With an expat insurance policy, you’ll be ...
... able to access healthcare in the country of your choice. So if there is a long waiting list for an operation in your country of residence, for example, you can go to a hospital somewhere else without fearing that you’ll be penalised financially.

Even if you’re only abroad for a year or two, expat medical insurance will still benefit you. Needing medical treatment is not based on whether you are currently in good health or not. Illnesses can strike at any time and accidents are not based on health factors at all. You are more at risk when living abroad because you are faced with new situations and circumstances which you may not understand or that your body may not be used to. Something as simple as looking the wrong way when crossing a road could land you in hospital, requiring international healthcare and not having any means of paying for it.

Returning to the UK is another consideration. Just as the NHS might not want to treat you on a visit back ‘home’, nor might they want to treat you immediately after you return to reside. For the first three months following your return, you are unlikely to receive treatment for free without an international health insurance policy.

Choosing the right international medical insurance plan can seem a bit daunting at first, and obviously getting the right one is important to make sure you’re covered. Your insurance broker will be able to give you advice on which plan is best for your needs. Expatriate Healthcare, supported by AXA Assistance, offer three key plans, with the details laid out side by side on their website for you to compare easily. If you think you’ve found your perfect plan, you can buy online, or if you need further advice, their staff will be happy to help.

The Article is written by www.expatriatehealthcare.com providing Expatriate Medical Insurance and International Healthcare. Visit http://www.expatriatehealthcare.com for more information on www.expatriatehealthcare.com Products and Services___________________________Copyright information This article is free for reproduction but must be reproduced in its entirety, including live links and this copyright statement must be included. Visit www.expatriatehealthcare.com for more services!