The entire preparations for migrating to another country may, typically, be overwhelming and could also involve many last minute errands. So, the first thing that comes to mind when one plans to settle abroad is to find and set it a new home, familiarize with the local culture and then, learn to establish with the laws of the land. Beginning a new chapter will definitely drill a big hole in your pocket, having said that an expatriate must procure apt international health insurance coverage in order to secure unforeseen circumstances. A recent estimate released by US State Department indicated that nearly 5.25 million American citizens are expatriates who are currently not affiliated with the US Government. It is believed that an increasing number of American families are migrating abroad to secure a better life.
Plus, due to the sky-high costs of medical expenses in the Big Apple, most Americans are also flocking to South American countries like Costa Rica for medical treatments and wellness therapies. The ongoing trends have led to the popularity of medical tourism in these countries and in the Asian countries. As a matter of fact, many medical tourists from developed countries like US, UK, Canada and Germany etc.
travel on short term health insurance for expatriates to medical tourism destinations for low costs medical treatments in cosmetic surgery, cardiac surgery, knee replacement surgery and many more. In addition, some of the best coverage features of international travel health insurance may also include doctor consultation, hospitalization and intensive care, personal choice of hospitals and surgery due to an injury or sickness. Last but not the least the coverage may also extend up to prescription drugs in some plans.
Also, securing an overseas medical insurance is a responsibility for each and every expatriate because national health policies or the laws governing health policies of a country may differ from one country to another. As a result, non-tax payers like foreigners are often excluded from most of the national health benefit schemes offered to the citizens.
On top of that, expatriates deployed overseas for employment purposes generally lose out on employment benefits provided by their home country. Therefore, it is imperative for expatriates to get international health insurance coverage from their employers and for themselves and their families, if accompanied. However, it is also important to note that not all the international health insurance plans may cover features that are suitable to your requirements.
Most of the international health insurance plans generally offer policy holders with two options in terms of policy coverage areas namely- worldwide or worldwide excluding USA. The reason behind the distinction in policy features lies in the fact that the cost of medical expenses in America is comparatively higher than anywhere else.
Consequently, the worldwide coverage plans that are inclusive of USA have higher premiums than those without. So, an expatriate must look into all the innate details of expat health insurance coverage in conformity with one’s requirements.
