More information about medical insurance worldwide:
- travelers medical insurance
- global medical insurance
- student medical insurance
- expatriate medical
insurance
- group medical coverage
overseas
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Expatriate Medical Insurance
If you live abroad, you may be eligible for the public medical insurance offered by the country in which your reside. However, even if you're eligible, most expatriates have more peace of mind if they're covered with a U.S.-style health insurance plan.
Fortunately, a number of companies specialize in medical insurance for expats, and offer policies for individuals, families and group coverage for small companies doing business overseas.
After researching the benefits and premium costs of several different insurance plans, you may also want to find out if the carriers have offices in the country where you live. It also helps if the carrier you choose has familiarity with the health care system in that country, so they can offer assistance in getting the services you need. Find out how easy (or difficult) it will be to submit a claim, and also ask if pre-existing conditions will be covered.
If the health care system near you offers limited treatment options, you will need to know if your insurance plan will cover emergency evacuation. If evacuation is covered, will they fly you only to the nearest available hospital where you can be treated, or will they allow you to return to the States or other country of origin? Most policies do limit the coverage for evacuation to the nearest hospital, so it will be wise to research the available medical facilities long before an accident or emergency illness makes treatment necessary.
Some international medical insurance companies, such as Goodhealth Worldwide
, specialize in the health insurance needs of expatriates, and have offices in many countries. Companies like this will have plenty of experience with the medical billing procedures and health care facilities where you live, and will be an invaluable resource if you're ever ill or injured.
Worldwide Health Insurance Home Page
Before traveling, you may want to visit the US Department of State site for Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad. You'll find a list of doctors and hospitals in other countries, as well as helpful information about emergency preparedness, evacuation plans, and travel insurance companies.
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©2006 Jonni Good
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