Millions of people move abroad every year, whether for work, study, leisurely travel, or retirement. If you’ve decided to join the millions of others who are braving the big move to another country, you’ve certainly got no shortage of things to organize.
One of the main things that you need to organize when you are in the middle of moving to a foreign country is health insurance. This is mandatory in most countries and enables you to access healthcare services as an expat living in another country.
As tempting as it might be to purchase the first health insurance plan you see, it’s important to take your time when researching the various policies that are available to you. There are several different policies available from a wide variety of insurance providers. The best policy for your move abroad depends on your unique situation, your health, and also your personal preferences.
We’ve tried to make things simpler for you with this article by covering some helpful strategies for finding the perfect health insurance policy for your needs when you move abroad. Before we get into the key considerations when finding a great expat health insurance plan, let’s cover what health insurance covers.
What Does Health Insurance Cover?
Health insurance is a type of insurance coverage that protects you during times of ill health. It enables you to access hospitals and primary healthcare facilities in your area when you move abroad.
In some countries, it’s necessary for citizens to have health insurance. In others, there is free public healthcare, and only expats or tourists need to have health insurance to access medical facilities and treatments.
When you move abroad, health insurance will allow you to get treatment in hospitals or community clinics if you fall ill or get injured. It will subsidize your associated expenses as your insurance provider will cover some of the costs of your medical care.
How to Find the Most Suitable Health Insurance Plan for Your Needs
Let’s discuss some of the key factors that you need to consider when you’re on the hunt for a great health insurance policy for your move abroad.
The insurance provider’s reputation
Another key consideration that many people forget about when searching for health insurance is the reputation of the provider. Insurance providers can vary in their quality and credibility, so you will need to make sure this forms part of your research.
Look at the websites of the global health insurance companies you are considering purchasing from so you can see how professional their sites look. Check whether the website copy has any errors or false claims, as these are red flag signs. Conversely, a well-written and well-designed website that is easy to navigate often indicates that a company is trustworthy and reputable.
Take a look at testimonials and reviews from previous customers so you can see what they liked and disliked about the health insurance policies provided by each company. You can gain further information about a specific health insurance provider by speaking with them directly on the phone or through an online live chat service.
Pay attention to how professional and friendly the customer advisor is and how much information they can provide about their policies. An esteemed insurance firm will have experienced and approachable customer advisors who can guide you to the most suitable health insurance policy for your needs.
The type of health insurance you need
Health insurance can be subdivided into four main categories. These categories are:
- Individual policies (for a single person only)
- Joint policies (for two people)
- Family policies (for families of various sizes)
- Child policies (for children)
Consider which type of policy you need from the above categories. If you’re moving abroad alone, you’ll only need a single-person policy. If you’re relocating with your entire family, a family health insurance policy may be the cheapest option to cover yourself and all of your loved ones.
Some insurance providers may offer more specific types of health insurance alongside the four main categories. However, you will need to speak directly with your chosen insurance provider to identify which additional policies they offer and whether these policies are more suitable for you.
Your current medical health
If you’re generally fit and well and don’t have any particular health conditions of concern, you might be fine with choosing a basic health insurance policy for your move abroad.
However, if you already have a medical health condition that requires ongoing treatments or therapies, you will need to make sure you find a health insurance policy that covers your condition.
Most health insurance policies cover the most common health issues but very few will offer coverage for rare medical health issues. When choosing a specific policy, ensure your chosen plan covers the medications and treatments you need to access when you’re abroad.
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