Wednesday, October 17, 2012

Health Insurance a Must for Expats

By Albert Jefferson


The sheer numbers of expatriates heading to destinations such as Central America, Europe and Asia is rising every single day. In accordance with an ExpatForum.com report, health insurance must be the main consideration for expatriates moving away from the United States. With the rising numbers of expats in and out of the country, the array of insurance companies has also significantly increased, rendering it somewhat more difficult to decide on the appropriate insurer. Most insurers offer only a summary of their products and that is exactly why you must conduct in-depth research before leaving the country.

The things expatriates must determine

In advance of contacting insurance providers and brokers, it is best to review your needs and determine the minimum criteria you need from an insurance policy. Consider the duration you're going to be remaining in foreign countries. Should you be staying a couple weeks abroad, it is useless to buy a yearly package. Conversely, if your stay is lengthened for over a year, there are plenty of reasonable yearly insurance plans you can select from. It is calculated that a yearly insurance plan worth $1.6 million is adequate to pay for medical obligations overseas. However, should you be traveling for a few weeks, a $25,000 policy is much better.

As an expat, you must also consider the part of the world you are headed to. Regions which are remote or prone to perils of natural disasters or terrorism should include emergency evacuation services in the expat insurance plans. When the destination is free from danger and peaceful, you should focus on medical attention and hospital services. Ensure that the insurance carrier can provide a 24x7 help line for healthcare emergencies. You should also clear up all doubts you have regarding payment options, renewals and insurance help offered in foreign countries. Select insurance coverages which are flexible enough to match your personal requirements.

Selecting international health care packages

Expats may choose between various international travel health insurance plans based on the length of the trip. For short travels up to fourteen days, a simple health care insurance policy is enough. Opting for 24x7 customer support with available evacuation services will bring the total coverage amount to between $25,000 and $30,000. Somewhat lengthier holidays between 2 weeks and 6 months typically range between $100,000 and $1 million. If relevant, you should also include hazardous pursuits like adventure sports in the policy. Excursions more than six months will need to cover all basic medical benefits, hospital stay, unexpected emergency procedures, air evacuation and other health benefits. A yearly $1.6 million policy is highly recommended.

Treatment claims and other features

Ensure that the insurer is equipped with a 24 hour multi-lingual medical support line. A key piece of information is if the provider offers direct settlement, otherwise you may initially be forced to pay the expenses from your personal resources. In case the settlement of claims is conducted through reimbursement, enquire how fast the provider pays off. Most insurance plans will not pay for treatments for chronic ailments, and a few supply coverage for stabilization only. If you are looking for specific additional therapies like physiotherapy, preventative medical care, dental care, mental, or maternal healthcare etc, you may have to pay a somewhat more costly premium. Certain insurance plans will also pay for legal expenses in the event the injury is caused by a 3rd party.




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