Why Expat & International Medical Insurance, is as important as your passport when you live or work overseas
Whether you are working, travelling or living abroad for long periods – living the life as an expat can be exciting and rewarding times for you and your family. But as we all know, life can throw up unexpected obstacles and challenges and this is particularly so when it comes to accessing and affording quality healthcare overseas for which you and your family deserve and expect.
In this article, Martin Rothwell, Managing Director of leading travel and medical insurance specialists World First and Carl Carter, Managing Director of the award winning international medical insurance provider IMG Europe, give you an introduction to expat medical insurance and some points to consider to help you ensure you get the quality cover you need at a price you can afford.
What is Expat Medical Insurance?
Expat medical insurance, often referred to as international private medical insurance (iPMI), is a form of private medical insurance that exists to provide
insurance protection and services to assist when someone is primarily living or working outside of their country of citizenship i.e. as an expat. With the growth
of internationally mobile citizens who may live and work in multiple residences overseas, it has also evolved in many cases to include coverage at home and
overseas – not just as an expat.
Expat medical insurance, often referred to as international private medical insurance (iPMI), is a form of private medical insurance that exists to provide
insurance protection and services to assist when someone is primarily living or working outside of their country of citizenship i.e. as an expat. With the growth
of internationally mobile citizens who may live and work in multiple residences overseas, it has also evolved in many cases to include coverage at home and
overseas – not just as an expat.
In many cases travel insurance is not suitable for people living or working overseas for long periods, this is because travel insurance often requires you to return back home for further treatment when you are fit to fly. This may be the last thing you, your family or employer want if you usually live and work overseas.
Why Take Out Expat Medical Insurance?
Very few countries around the world have a state or national healthcare system, and even when they do, the service it provides isn’t necessarily of the highest quality compared to private medical facilities, many have long waiting lists or may not be to the standards you may have been used to back at home. Plus in many cases, as a foreigner you may not be eligible to (or even want to) access it and returning to your country of citizenship for treatment is often not an option, especially in an emergency. In addition to this, your employer may not want you to be left at the whim of a waiting list for treatment and naturally will want you to seek treatment and a fast recovery locally so you can get back to work as soon as possible and in the best health.
Very few countries around the world have a state or national healthcare system, and even when they do, the service it provides isn’t necessarily of the highest quality compared to private medical facilities, many have long waiting lists or may not be to the standards you may have been used to back at home. Plus in many cases, as a foreigner you may not be eligible to (or even want to) access it and returning to your country of citizenship for treatment is often not an option, especially in an emergency. In addition to this, your employer may not want you to be left at the whim of a waiting list for treatment and naturally will want you to seek treatment and a fast recovery locally so you can get back to work as soon as possible and in the best health.
