Worldwide Health Insurance for Individuals
International policies differ considerably from local health insurance products. International plans provide cover worldwide, deliver higher annual limits, comprehensive benefits and cover at both private and public medical facilities. Worldwide health insurance for individuals is important to ensure choice and flexibility for globally mobile individuals.
International health insurance plans and benefits often look similar, however they all have different benefits and limits, apply different exclusions and are designed to work in different ways.
One of the most important reasons for arranging an international health insurance policy as an individual, is so that it can be taken to whichever country one chooses to reside, rather than relying on and switching between local policies, resulting in ever decreasing cover from any medical conditions or injuries occurring during that time.
The continuation of cover that international policies guarantee, protects an expatriate’s continued lifestyle should a chronic illness develop or an injury occur, meaning the policy will continue to cover the cost of any treatment required as long as the premium continues to be paid.
Which Cover Is Best For You?
It is important to have the right cover to ensure ready access to medical care wherever you choose to live in the world. Then if a life-threatening emergency occurs you can be evacuated home, or moved to a country where high quality care is available. Medical care varies significantly within regions and across countries, so having comprehensive expat medical insurance suitable for the area or country you are living or travelling in is important.
Deciding on a suitable insurance plan can be daunting when faced with the huge variety of policies on the market, the policy wordings, industry terminology and exclusions. Understanding these and how they might apply to your specific situation is not easy, so having the right advice from global specialists is important.
Our Impartial Advice Depends on Several Factors
Intended country of residence
Pre-existing medical conditions
Benefits vs price
Duration of expatriation
Your health is your most valuable asset – insure it!
Policy Benefits
The core section of any policy is the in-patient benefit. This provides cover for serious illnesses and accidents or medically necessary surgeries that are normally high-cost and require a stay in hospital.
Out-patient benefits automatically include cover for in-patient treatment, but also include treatment that does not require hospitalisation.
In-patient (core)
- Private or semi-private rooms
- Inpatient surgeries – including surgeons’ and anesthetists’ fees
- Intensive care
- Cancer treatment
- Transplant services and kidney dialysis
- Diagnostic procedures
- Advanced medical imaging (MRI, CT and PET scans)
- Organ transplants
- Renal failure and dialysis
- Specialist consultations
- Emergency dental
- Emergency evacuation – includes travel costs for an accompanying person, accommodation and compassionate visits
- Medical repatriation – includes repatriation of mortal remains
-
Psychotherapy and psychiatric care
Out-patient
In-patient benefits plus the following:
- Consultations with medical practitioners and specialists
- Out-patient surgeries
- Diagnostic tests
- Dental accidents
- Prescribed medication
- Maintenance of chronic conditions
- Physiotherapy and chiropractic treatment
- Osteopathy and acupuncture
- Podiatry and chiropody
- Chinese traditional medicine and homeopathy
- Dietician
-
Psychotherapy and psychiatric treatment
-
Speech therapy
-
Therapeutic aids and appliances
Add-on benefits
- Maternity cover – Routine and complications of childbirth, 8-12 month wait-periods apply
- Dental care – Preventative, routine, major restorative, orthodontic
- Health and wellness checks – physical exams, pap smears, mammograms, cancer screenings
- Vision – Spectacle lenses and frames, contact lenses and prescription sunglasses
- Accidental death and dismemberment
- Terminal illness cover
- Travel insurance
- Life insurance
- Income protection
- Child immunisations
- Travel vaccinations
Additional features
- Cover at private or public hospitals
- Cover of specific pre-existing conditions
- Easy claim processes, fast refunds and online claims tracking
- No-claims discounts
- Direct billing – provided by some insurers and in some countries
- Pre-approval for high cost treatment
- Lifetime renewable
- Optional 24-month moratorium or full medical underwriting
- Medical advice help lines
- Money back guarantee periods
- Various payment methods and payment frequency options
- Smart phone apps
Areas of Cover
A number of areas of cover are available, however as an expatriate, a worldwide excluding USA policy is important to consider. Worldwide cover ensures treatment of any illnesses or injuries, no matter where you are in the world, and also avoids the need for finding a new policy for each country or region that you relocate to.
WORLDWIDE
WORLDWIDE (excluding USA)
EUROPE
MIDDLE EAST
AFRICA
ASIA and the PACIFIC
Our 5-Step Process
1. Situation and needs analysis
We ask questions that are quick and easy to answer and help us determine the type of cover you need.
2. Compare options
Insurers are identified that are likely to best meet your requirements. Benefit and premium comparisons are provided.
3. Fine tune
Preferred plan options are fine-tuned. Policy benefits and premium are negotiated on your behalf, saving you time and money.
4. Policy selection
Options are discussed and recommendations provided. We help with and manage the application to ensure it progresses as it should.
5. Implementation
The policy is arranged and documentation delivered. We manage the policy, advocate on your behalf with claims, arrange payment guarantees, medical emergency support and hold insurers to account.