Expats are individuals who voluntarily leave their home country and move to another country, possibly long-term or permanently. This can happen for various reasons such as work, nomad lifestyle, or retirement. Regardless of why you’re an expat, there is one thing that is universal for all expats around the world, and that is health insurance.
Whether you require expat health insurance largely depends on which country you’ve moved to. Still, almost all expats agree that having expat insurance provides an extra layer of security, and everyone should purchase a policy that suits their situation.
Who Needs Expat Health Insurance?
You need health insurance if you’re planning on moving to a new country and living there for more than three or six months. Some countries have made health insurance obligatory for every resident, so you must check out your host country’s laws regarding health insurance.
What Does Expat Health Insurance Cover?
Expat health insurance covers a wide range of areas which differ on what type of plan you have and from which insurance company you purchase your policy— a basic plan will usually cover the following:
- Hospital visitations (in-patient and out-patient care).
- Doctor consultations.
- Cancer screenings.
- Medical equipment and tools.
- Child and adolescent well-being.
For more extensive coverage, including dental, vision, and maternity care, you may be required to purchase a more expensive insurance plan.
Are Pre-Existing Conditions Included?
With a basic plan, pre-existing conditions are usually not covered by expat health insurance. However, one benefit of global coverage is that you can tailor your plan according to your needs, and you may purchase additional coverage that includes pre-existing conditions.
Some companies will also offer coverage for acute pre-existing conditions, i.e., medical problems that appeared suddenly due to pre-existing medical issues.
Expat Health Insurance: Is It Worth It?
Expat health insurance can be costly and you may not even need it during your stay abroad, so many people question whether it’s actually worth it or not. However, the benefits outweigh the cons, so, expat health insurance in long-term aspects is worth it because:
- It offers a sense of security. Even if you may not use your health insurance while living as an expat in another country, having it will offer you a peace of mind just in case. This way you know that no matter what may happen with your health you have solid coverage.
- It allows you to receive healthcare in English. One of the biggest challenges of living as an expatriate is receiving healthcare in English, or in another language you understand, which makes it difficult to communicate with your primary care provider. With expat health insurance you can get access to doctors who can speak more than one language.
- It’s flexible. You can usually tailor your policy according to your needs, you can choose to include more coverage, or opt out of coverage for things you may not need such as maternity. This way you can save money and purchase an affordable plan which you need.
Expat Health Insurance Cost
Expat health insurance does not have a fixed cost; you can find expat health insurance starting from $200 a month to over $2,000. The price will change based on several important factors: your age, length of stay in another country, your previous medical issues, which insurance company you purchase your plan from, and how much coverage you want with your policy.
Another important factor that affects the price of your expat health insurance is your location. For example, in some countries, healthcare tends to be more expensive; as a result, your insurance will also be more expensive if you’re moving there. But, you can tailor your policy for worldwide coverage or exclude those countries with expensive healthcare if you’re not planning on visiting them.
How to Purchase Expat Health Insurance?
You can purchase expat health insurance online before you travel:
- You simply have to enter your personal information (age, family members, where you wish to be covered).
- You will see a list of plans which you can browse through. Always make sure to read the policies carefully to learn what they include.
- Select the plans you think are most befitting to your needs.
- Click on the “Compare” button. You can see the plans featured side-by-side, and you can read through them on a more detailed manner.
- You can select which way you want to pay and whether you wish to pay on a yearly, monthly, quarterly, or six-month basis.
Purchasing a health insurance plan locally
You can also wait to get to your destination country and purchase a plan with a local company. In that case, you have to approach a company directly and go through the options. Make sure to read the policy before purchasing.
However, before you buy an expat health insurance plan, double-check these:
- Do you have national health insurance? If you are eligible for national health insurance mandated by the government, you will likely want private health insurance which fills in any gaps that national insurance leaves, such as treatment in private hospitals.
- Does your employer offer health insurance? If your employer offers a health insurance plan, be well acquainted with the policy before signing up for it. As an expat, you will want a health insurance plan which covers you abroad as well. A pre-selected plan could have less coverage than you want or need (or more). If the plan your employer offers does not suit your needs, learn if you can opt-out and choose your own insurers.
Types of Expat Health Insurance
Here are some of the most common types of expat health insurance you can choose from:
- Individual plan. This type of insurance policy is designed to cover you only as a solo traveler.
- Group/family plan. You can opt for group coverage if you’re moving with your family members; this can be cheaper long-term.
- Short-term plan. A short-term policy is for you if you don’t plan on living abroad long-term.
- Long-term plan. You will need this policy if you plan on making your move longer than six months or permanent.
- Worldwide coverage. This type of policy will come in handy if you’re planning on traveling, or living in multiple countries.
For How Long Is Expat Health Insurance Valid?
You can purchase expat health insurance for as long as needed, but it’s usually required for long-term purposes. If you stay in a country for less than three to six months, you may consider purchasing either short-term health insurance or travel insurance with extensive medical coverage.
How to Pick the Best Expat Health Insurance Plan?
The best expat health insurance plan for you depends on what your budget is, what your situation is, and where you plan on moving to, but below are a few tips to keep in mind when you shop for an expat insurance plan:
- Compare plans. There are hundreds of insurance policies for expats out there and picking one can be overwhelming. To make this process easier, find a comparative insurance website and compare several plans side-by-side to see which one actually meets your criteria. You can even ask your insurance broker to help you select the best plan for you.
- Find valid insurance companies. Find an insurance company that deals with expats and has plans specific for them. When you select your insurance company you need to check out their claim records, how many insurance claims were filed and how many were approved. This way you can get an idea of whether your insurance claim can be rejected and the reasons for the rejection.
- Set a deductible that fits your budget. In simple words, a deductible is an amount pay out of pocket before you can claim reimbursement from your insurance. The higher you set your deductible the lower your premium price. This does not mean you have to set the highest possible deductible just to lower your insurance cost. Consult with your budget plan and set an amount that works for you.
- Find a customizable plan. Look for an insurance plan you can customize to your needs. For example, you can opt out of unnecesseray coverage and choose to include coverage for pre-existing conditions if you have any. Having the option to fix your plan according to your needs will make it easier for you to choose the best expat health insurance plan.
Do US Expats Need Health Insurance?
Yes, US expats also need health insurance when moving to a new country. Insurance from the US won’t cover you outside of the country; even if it does, your company may offer a plan only for emergencies.
Best Health Insurance Companies for Expats
Some of the best companies that offer international health insurance for expats include the following:
- Allianz.
- AXA.
- Cigna Global.
- William Russell.
- Aetna.
Expat Health Insurance by Country
If you’re planning on making a new country your home, read on how to get health insurance for expats by country:
- Expat health insurance in Costa Rica.
- Expat health insurance in Spain.
- Expat health insurance in Mexico.
- Expat health insurance in Thailand.
Can Expats Qualify for Universal Healthcare?
Some countries offer universal healthcare for their citizens and residents, and expats may also benefit from their universal healthcare coverage— provided they meet some eligibility requirements such as the residency requirement. But, even if you are covered by universal healthcare in your host country, not every medical procedure is included so you may still purchase an expat health insurance plan for additional coverage.
If you are planning a move abroad, one of the most important things you have to think about is your expat health insurance. As the name suggests, expat health insurance is designed to cover your medical expenses as you are living or travelling abroad.
In essence, health insurance for expatriates works in the same way as health insurance in your country: you purchase a plan, decide on the coverage, and pay monthly or yearly premiums. Then, in case you get sick or into an accident, your health insurance company will cover the cost of your medical treatment, hospitalization and medication to the amount you have agreed on.
Health Insurance Options for Expats
Depending on where you are moving, you will have the following options for obtaining health insurance:
- Pay into a national (public) health insurance scheme. If you are employed abroad, then you pay into a government health insurance scheme, and then you benefit from free or relatively inexpensive public healthcare. This type of healthcare scheme is not available in all countries.
- Purchase private health insurance from a local company. Once you arrive in your destination country, you can purchase a health insurance policy from a local company. Coverage is usually limited within the borders of that country.
- Purchase international health insurance. This type of health insurance offers coverage across several destinations (or worldwide). It is the most common type of expat health insurance, especially for people who travel or move around a lot. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for expats that suit the needs of both families and individuals.
National Health Insurance for Expats
If the country you are moving to has a public insurance scheme, then as a working resident, you will likely be able to use it. National health insurance only pays for treatment in public hospitals, so if you want to get treated elsewhere, you have to pay from your pocket or purchase a private health insurance scheme.
Example: Expats who are employed in Thailand automatically pay into a public health insurance scheme through social security contributions (taxes). This allows them to go to certain public hospitals and clinics in Thailand and receive free treatment and care. But if they want treatment in one of the higher-quality private hospitals, they either have to pay out-of-pocket or invest in a private or international expat health insurance scheme.
Remember: Not all countries offer public healthcare, so before you move, you should do your research and learn what to expect.
Private Health Insurance for Expats
Expats can purchase a health insurance plan from a local company anytime after they move. Private health insurance plans cover treatment in private and public hospitals, medication, hospitalization, surgeries, etc.
However, they are limited in the fact that they do not cover emergency evacuation or repatriation to your home country, or medical treatment abroad.
International Health Insurance for Expats
International health insurance is the same as any other type of medical insurance, with one addition: you are covered for medical treatment in a wider geographical area, even worldwide. This is why it is a popular option for expats who travel around a lot, or who move back and forth between countries.
Additionally, suppose you are working abroad in a country with a less-sophisticated medical infrastructure than the US. In that case, in a severe emergency, you may want to be flown back home for treatment. For this, you would need evacuation coverage, which most local insurance companies do not offer. That’s why US citizens moving abroad must obtain health insurance. Canadian citizens need to purchase additional health insurance coverage abroad as well, since the existing Canadian insurance won’t offer coverage when immigrating to another country, with the expetions of emergencies.