• Home
• Medical Insurance
• Life & Financial Protection
• Dental Protection
• Travel Insurance
• Other Insurance

 

• Individual
• Group
• International

 

Facts About Private International Health Insurance

Things You Should Know About Private International Health Insurance

Over the last few years, the volume of international private medical insurance (IPMI) queries from people emigrating or working abroad has increased significantly.  Europe used to be the popular destination for UK nationals emigrating, but in recent years there has been a growing trend for cover in America/Canada, Australia and the Middle East despite the instability of some countries outside the EU.  Growing development in Brazil, Russia and Asia has also resulted in increased demand for International Private Medical Insurance for people relocating to these places for work.  According to International SOS, there were 12 million UK expatriates around the world in 2004/5 with Canada, the USA, Australia and China (including Hong Kong) being the most popular locations.

UK Nationals abroad 2004/2005, Source – International SOS

The rules and regulations of the international private medical insurance market are vast and complicated, and gaining a fair comparison of medical insurance costs and benefits can be time consuming and frustrating.  The group international private medical insurance market also has as many considerations along with additional complications in safeguarding their employees' health and wellbeing, the employer needs to know that they and their families can get access to the support and medical care they need.  So what do you need to think about?

International Private Medical Insurance – Who Offers It and What Should I Look For?

A number of insurers now offer international medical insurance cover for most locations worldwide and the choice can be extensive.  If you are taking out international private medical insurance you have many options to consider including co-insurance, excess levels, different benefits and even geographical boundaries to name but a few (for example, is Russia in Europe now or not?).  When moving to a country without a national health service, other major considerations have to take place.  UK medical insurance does not cover private maternity but abroad it is required, and certain insurers will also provide cover for chronic conditions - again not available on UK schemes.  You will need to consider medical insurance to cover the costs of private GP's, outpatient drugs and dressing and even dental cover. 

Another consideration is where do you want to be treated should you have a severe health problem or injury: would you want to return to the UK or would you be happy with receiving treatment in your country of residence? 

Finally, what about the world at war?  Azerbaijan, for example, is not excluded from cover at the moment but there are certain areas of the country where cover is not provided.

There is a plan that should cover most eventualities wherever you may live and your Chase Templeton healthcare consultant can find this medical insurance for you.  When moving, travelling or working abroad, you should always consider:

• regulation/legislation of your desired country(ies)
• availability of treatment in centres of medical excellence
• 24/7 emergency assistance
• case management & service delivery
• security

When it comes to choosing your international medical insurance plan, consider your need for the following benefits:

• your area of cover required (single country or multiple country)
• in-patient and day case treatment
• out-patient care
• psychiatric care
• rehabilitation
• therapies
• health checks
• emergency evacuation, repatriation and transportation
• cover for chronic and pre-existing conditions
• out of area cover
• dental and optical care
• maternity cover
• emergency helplines
• other insurance cover (legal/liability/personal accident/life)

Most international medical insurance plans come with a small standard excess either per claim or per year, but you can substantially reduce these premiums if you elect for a higher excess on your medical insurance plan.

So what are the other options?

European Health Insurance Cards (EHIC)

The EHIC entitles anybody resident in the UK to receive emergency healthcare treatment while travelling in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland. Having an EHIC card means that you can receive the same public healthcare cover that a resident would receive but it does not supplement travel insurance as not all European countries offer free healthcare to citizens. The EHIC does not cover the costs of repatriation should you need to be flown home for emergency treatment and it does not cover you for travelling abroad for the purpose of obtaining medical treatment.

The EHIC will also provide cover for some pre-existing conditions such as diabetes and you can arrange for some treatments in advance such as kidney dialysis. You should be careful about where you go to receive treatment under the terms of the EHIC because you will not be covered for treatment in a private clinic, so if you are relying on your EHIC, be sure to ask where you are being taken for medical treatment.

Travel Insurance that Covers Medical Treatment Abroad

Travel insurance is a cost effective and highly desirable alternative to international private medical insurance with medical care benefits offered in excess of £10m from some insurers.  Many persons choose to rely on a combination of their EHIC and a travel plan to gain the medical cover they require, but what are the pitfalls to consider?  Whilst travel insurance is essential for those travelling, there are significant exclusions and limits. 

Cover is typically restricted to a predetermined and specified period of between 30 and 90 days per trip depending on your choice of plan and medical cover is usually provided for accident and emergency purposes and not for routine healthcare.  Pre-existing medical conditions are usually excluded, and for those in their senior years, travel insurance can also be very costly or even unavailable.  Therefore, travel insurance may not provide the reassurance or cover that you need.

Returning to the UK for Medical Treatment

Emigrating or working abroad needs a great deal of preparation and can also incur considerable costs. Many people feel that international private medical insurance is too expensive if they are retiring on a budget.  One way around paying for excessive private healthcare costs is to consider returning to the UK when medical treatment is required.  This can prove a risky strategy as you need to be registered with a UK GP in order to be eligible for NHS treatment. You should also consider what would happen if you were to suffer a sudden major illness such as a heart attack?

A news item appeared recently where a widow living alone in Spain suffered a stroke and was hospitalised for 2 months.  After this period, the Spanish authorities expected the lady to return home to be looked after by her family as they don't provide residential care similar to that in the UK.  With no immediate family member in her country of residence, she was forced to return home and having not been registered with a GP in the UK for a number of years, she found herself ineligible for NHS residential care.  Finally, after considerable negotiations and research despite her ill health, she eventually managed to gain support from Age Concern.  Are you prepared for the worst?

What Are My Next Steps in Choosing International Medical Insurance?

If you are considering moving abroad to live or work, your Chase Templeton international medical insurance consultant can help you understand the different plans available to you. You should always do your research on your destination country's healthcare laws - you may find BUPA International's website of assistance here, simply log onto www.bupa-intl.com and select the ‘moving to another country' option. Once you have completed your initial research and decided upon your destination and likely travelling date, contact your Chase Templeton international medical insurance consultant on 0800 018 3633 who will help you to find the right insurance plan to meet your needs, your budget and your lifestyle.

Next section: Your Questions Answered >