Let’s face it. We are all sick, injured, or have some other condition that requires medical attention from time to time. Being an immigrant does not affect this reality in any way. Indeed, expat status adds a new twist to the personal medical journey.
Expatriates who frequently travel abroad for long periods of time, such as digital nomads, may be unfamiliar with their new surroundings, which puts them at risk of various accidents.
The purpose of health insurance for expats is to keep them and others living abroad safe and healthy while traveling.
So, what is foreigners insurance and why do you need it? In this post, we will learn the basics of expat insurance and get the answers to these questions. So let’s get started.
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Understanding Expat Insurance
Expatriate health insurance, also known as expatriate health insurance, provides health coverage for people temporarily residing outside their home country. Expatriates can be from any country who live or work abroad for short or long periods of time. In fact, there are many countries that welcome expats.
Expat health insurance provides global coverage. It can be tailored to the specific needs of anyone living abroad, regardless of location.
Expatriate insurance policies are a great choice for expats who prefer private health insurance. Or those who find it difficult to find quality medical care in the country where they temporarily reside.
Why do you need insurance for foreigners?
According to report to ‘International health insurance countries 2022‘, many countries now require all visitors and expats to have health insurance before entering the country.
Gaps in health insurance pose serious risks for travelers, both financially and physically. The longer you go without health insurance, the more likely you are to need medical attention at some point. Below are reasons to get expat insurance as soon as possible.
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Get quality healthcare wherever you live
It can be stressful to suddenly fall ill or receive routine medical care in a foreign country where you are not familiar with the local welfare system and do not necessarily speak the language.
There are several factors that can make the treatment process difficult for an expat, such as language barriers, cultural differences, or the poor quality of health care in the expat’s country.
With an expat health insurance policy, you can be sure that you will receive good private healthcare no matter where you move or how the local healthcare system works.
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Be protected in any country
When it comes to their health, expats often feel the need to stay connected to their home country where their family doctor is familiar with their medical history. Also, where the health care system and procedures are familiar, and where they know what kind of consultant they would like to see.
However, when you move to another country, you lose access to your country’s social security system. Because you are no longer a resident or a taxpayer. Access to health care in your home country is limited to emergency care and may be subject to a fee. You can get health care in your home country with expatriate health insurance (as long as it is included in your coverage area).
If you have local health insurance, your options will often be limited to a network of pre-approved doctors and health centers. Or even within the city or region where you signed up for insurance. An international health insurance policy gives you more freedom in choosing a doctor, hospital and appointment time.
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Control your healthcare costs
If you do not have international health insurance, you may be forced to pay medical bills out of your own pocket. These costs can add up quickly. This is often the case in countries with a two-tier health care system. Free but mediocre public health care system and excellent but extremely expensive private health care system. In some countries, for example, one night in a private hospital room can cost around $800. If you have health insurance for foreigners, you can get medical care from the private sector in case of an emergency without worrying about the cost.
Choosing the best health insurance for an expat
Expat health insurance providers provide different levels of health insurance for expats. You can do comparison of the best healthcare systems to find the best expat health insurance providers to suit your needs.
What services do you actually require or use? There are many comprehensive insurances for expats. These include dental care, maternity, cancer insurance, mental health, medical evacuation, and emigration costs. Some reputable expat-friendly international health insurers may offer customized plans that include Foyer Global Health. You can compare different plans and thus choose the one that best suits you and your needs.
