Unlike UK residents, ex-pats do not have access to the NHS service, which we often taken for granted whilst living in the UK. Without access to a health service like the NHS, healthcare can become very costly, even for minor ailments, and this is one of the many reasons why taking out health insurance is so important whilst living overseas.
A group medical insurance program is often provided by employers to employees by their workplace when relocating. However, depending on the level of cover taken out, this cover may only grant access to specific clinics and hospitals, and your preferred healthcare provider may not be covered under a group policy.
For ex-pats who are not covered on any health insurance at all, an international medical insurance policy should be purchased as a priority when arriving overseas.
Depending on your location, it’s easy to establish a health insurance policy that provides international medical protection and can also have the added benefit of including emergency evacuation services which could be the difference between life and death in an unexpected situation.
The cost of ex-pat health insurance can vary dramatically. However, more often than not, the costs are very reasonable and, in most cases, less expensive than this type of coverage would be in the UK.
If you are planning on being based overseas for over six months, you should consider an ex-pat health insurance policy that includes the following benefits:
