Healthcare is often one of the financial matters expats least consider when they are heading off to start a new life overseas.
In the excitement and rush of switching countries and cultures, finding somewhere to live, work and schools for the children often take priority.
But having the right medical cover is important, especially as so many countries have little or no free healthcare and lower standards than Britain.
Although many are quick to criticise the National Health Service, the benefits are huge compared to countries that have poor medical facilities and a lack of doctors.
If you are an expat without health cover or soon to jet off abroad, here are some questions you should consider:
Do you have health cover?
You may have an EHIC (European Health Insurance Card), but at best cover is limited for expats who no longer reside in the UK.
Do not assume company cover is universal or the best. Make sure you read the small print and are completely aware of who in the family is covered and exactly what conditions will be treated.
Relying on a UK health plan or travel insurance if you live overseas is not enough, as they will not cover expats living permanently overseas.
Will your doctor speak your language?
Medical issues are complicated and many overseas doctors speak good English, but getting across the details of symptoms may mean good is not enough when technical issues need explaining or in an emergency.
The policy will have a clause about the doctor’s proficiency in English.
Paying for private healthcare
Even though you may qualify for free or cheaper public services, you may want to upgrade to private healthcare – but before paying for the service you need to know is the extra spending worthwhile and what services are available.
Job status can affect treatment
In many countries, including some in Europe, whether you work, are unemployed or retired can impact on your standard of healthcare, so check out the rules in your destination country.
How much are prescriptions?
The cost of medicines is a lottery, even in Europe and within the UK. In Wales, prescriptions are free, but patients have to pay in England and Scotland.
Pre-existing conditions
Always tell the insurer about pre-existing conditions, because failing to do so could void your policy at leave you at risk of having no medical cover while overseas.
Checklist
Here is a checklist of what to look for in a policy:
- Extent of cover – this should not only offer protection in the place where the expat is based but any other area they intend to visit, even for a brief time
- Terms and conditions – Many insurers will automatically write-out pre-existing conditions, but often for no good reason, so check the policy terms and discuss any exclusions and request they are removed
- Treating cancer – Many insurers have a cut-off point for treatment of five years, but many sufferers unfortunately need care for longer. The same applies to many other conditions
- Paying an excess – Don’t forget to check the terms for the details of compulsory and voluntary excesses. If an expat does suffer a serious illness, these payments can soon mount up
- Unnecessary add-ons – Expats should pay for the cover they need, but consider each add-on that raises the cost of the premium and consider whether you will really need them. A good provider tailors medical cover to an expat’s personal needs.
- Contact points – Expat healthcare is generally as good as the point of first contact when something goes wrong. These contacts make the hospital arrangements and guarantee the payments to doctors and hospitals and need to function well in an emergency
- Stress test the provider – A background check on the financial standing of the underwriters is always a good idea. They collect the premiums and provide the cover, so expats do not want a fly-by-night firm responsible for their healthcare
- How much cover – This really depends on where an expat is moving and if they have a reciprocal arrangement with the National Health Service for paying the cost of treatment, especially in Europe. Other factors to consider are waiting lists and whether to go private
- Family protection – Many providers offer healthcare for the whole family, but it’s still worth checking the benefits and whether standalone policies are cheaper
All these factors affect the price expats end up paying for healthcare while living or working abroad.
If you have an employer offering healthcare, check out their policy for any gaps in cover that you may wish to plug.
One of the big costs to consider is repatriation – not only for you but for the rest of the family as well.
