Securing high quality medical care for people working abroad is essential, as local medical facilities can be basic, expensive or even inaccessible. Therefore, most employers with staff based abroad ensure that an international or expat health insurance plan is in place, offering their staff (and families) peace of mind.
Private healthcare plans provide varying levels of medical cover, so you need to make yourself aware of what you are and what you are not covered for. Clearly, if you have your family with you, then you will need to find out whether whether they are also covered by your private healthcare plan.
It is important to secure enough cover for all possible contingencies, including chronic conditions. Whilst nobody really likes to dwell on worst case scenarios, evacuation and repatriation should not be overlooked.
Medical costs across the world are increasing at a faster rate than the cost of living. Consequently, many insurers will try to defer increases in premiums by either reducing the range of cover or introducing penalties, making it even more important for the purchaser to read the small print.
Of course, the quality of care being offered is highly important. A healthcare package provider with an established network of clinics and hospitals is the most sought after, as this makes for higher standards of care. Such a network means that invoices can be settled directly between the provider and the hospital, leaving the patient to recover in peace.
It is also an advantage to find a health insurance provider who has an office, or some kind of presence, in the particular area where you are staying. Finding one that offers a 24 hour advice line, as well as a foreign language interpretation service, is helpful too.
The Premier Choice Group are an effective independent insurance brokers. By offering impartial access to all of the major insurers, they give peace of mind to many people living and working overseas. Please visit the PCH website for access to the best possible expat health insurance rates for all levels of cover, irrespective of your country of residence.