Expats looking at moving abroad should check that their health insurance policy is valid for the country where they plan to live as a priority.
As if moving to another country, setting up home and probably starting a new job, were not enough, many expats overlook checking out their health care.
What the sales people won’t mention when they describe policy features in detail is whether the policy is ‘admitted’ or ‘non-admitted’ – and this an make a crucial difference in some countries.
That’s because health care quality, access to state health provision and relevant laws vary from country to country and expats should ensure that their policy provider has provided cover for all events.
Knowing the difference between the two terms is crucial because an admitted policy is one licensed or approved by the state for sale through an agent or partner and will generally cover both group and individual applications.
Unapproved cover
A non-admitted policy is one which is not approved or licensed and may not have approval for sale in a specific country.
Don’t take for granted that a policy that has been ‘admitted’, since some firms use the term for administrative purposes and the wording does not indicate policy quality or compliance with the laws of the destination country.
Making sure that an international health policy does what is required is vital, since the difference between admitted and non-admitted policies lies in their legal protection.
There is also a big difference in the way claims are made and paid between the two policy types.
Expats should also be aware that should an insurance company go bust, an admitted policy is still valid and will offer health care. Non-admitted policies will not, since they are effectively unprotected by law in the country of residence.
Pool of premiums
So while a document may be stamped as being admitted, expats still have to ensure that the health policy will be honoured in the country where they live, and this pledge will cover any medical bills run up during an emergency are paid.
That’s not to say that non-admitted policies are entirely worthless. Many have benefits which local health providers cannot provide and the majority work just as effectively as an admitted policy.
Sometimes a non-admitted policy works well, as providers have a bigger pool of premiums to draw on for improved cover – for risky sports, for instance.
The key for expats is buying cover that suits their needs and offers the right standards of health care in the country where they settle.
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If you are an expat or international worker concerned about the Health Cover for you and your family, contact us to find out what the best providers are and how to get fully covered.
