FINDING THE BEST INTERNATIONAL HEATH COVERAGE

When you decide to move abroad, one of the most important choices you’ll make Is selecting the heath insurance coverage that best suits your needs. At first glance, many of the international private plans seem identical. However, if you investigate the benefits and service standards of the providers, many differences emerge. The devil is indeed in the details! Here are some important factors to consider.

In-patient treatment claims 

Does the provider offer direct settlement for in-patient treatment? If not, you will have to meet these expenses out-of-pocket. Make sure the provider you choose offers a 24-hour, multi-lingual helpline so you can get emergency assistance and approval for treatment when you need it. 

Out-patient claims

If claims are settled through reimbursement, find out how quickly the provider pays. Also, are there deductions for bank charges or will you be fully reimbursed?

Emergency evacuation and repatriation
 
This is one of the most important benefits and the “acid test” of any international health plan. Beware the small print!
Some providers pay for you to be evacuated but will not pay your return airfare back to the country of residence after treatment. Others, however, cover the cost of a return flight as well as accommodation for someone to accompany you. The most comprehensive emergency evacuation benefit covers your evacuation, medical treatment and repatriation back to your country of residence and, in addition, covers the travel and accommodation costs of your dependants. Make sure the plan covers evacuation where and when adequate medical treatment is not available locally; not all plans cover this.

Other medical benefits

Are you just looking for emergency and in-patient coverage? Or do you want out-patient treatment, visits to your general practitioner, physiotherapy, complementary therapies, dental treatment or wellness (prevention) tests to be covered? If you are planning a family, be sure to look at plans with maternity coverage.

Chronic conditions 

Some plans exclude chronic conditions completely; some pay for treatment for stabilization of acute episodes of the condition. Others also pay for maintenance of the condition so will cover things like routine check-ups and prescription drugs.

Non-medical benefits
 
Some plans cover legal expenses if you suffer an injury as the result of a third party. Some plans cover a visit to a critically ill relative; some providers only pay for a visit back to your home country, while others will pay for a visit anywhere in the world. Note that some providers offer travel and personal accident insurance as add-on plans. Again, be sure to read the fine print.
Do you want coverage in your home country? Not all plans offer this. Also, look at whether the plan covers emergency treatment outside of the geographic area of coverage.
If you are based in an area of instability, you will also want to be covered for treatment required as a result of war or terrorism, provided you are not active participants. Some plans exclude this.
How much coverage do you want or need in the U.S.? A number of different options are available to U.S. citizens living abroad, all of which need to be given serious thought in find the best plan for your needs.
Depending on where you live outside of the U.S., you could choose to have a plan which covers you on an accident- and emergency-only basis for short trips back home. Or, you could choose one which gives you full coverage for a set amount of time per year, generally six months. You might also choose one which will cover you for returning to the U.S. for “elective treatment” (i.e. you need medical treatment and choose to have it in the U.S.) or a plan that will give full worldwide coverage, including in the U.S. regardless where you are in the world.
In the international insurance marketplace, there now exist plans that you can keep when you return to the U.S. on a permanent basis in the future. Please note that, although these plans offer full coverage on return to the U.S., your exact coverage will depend on the state where you will be living. Insurance laws and regulation vary state to state. An independent broker will be able to advise on this for you.
An important point to consider is that although many international medical plans offer different degrees of coverage in the U.S., very few meet the state laws allowing them to be kept on if you return to the U.S. permanently. In most instances, you would then need a new insurance policy.

Ways to reduce your premium
 
Some providers offer a no-claims discount, special rates for families or the option to select a voluntary higher excess/deductible. .
Above all, the most important thing is to make sure you understand the plan and, if in doubt, speak to an independent broker such as http://www.medibroker.com/ who can analyze your needs and advise you on the best coverage for you.

Premium Comparisons
 
Comprehensive Coverage (inpatient, day patient, outpatient, local doctors/specialists, medical evacuation).

Worldwide incl Full U.S. Coverage

HTH Worldwide Global Citizen ($500 Deductible)
$4188.00 $7392.00 $8484.00 $19548.00	37 y/o Female 50 y/o Female 59 y/o Male 66 y/o Male
IHI danmark IHHP ($400 Deductible)
$6975.00 $8996.00 $8996.00 $14572.50	37 y/o Female 50 y/o Female 59 y/o Male 66 y/o Male
GoodHealth Mobile Health ($250 Deductible) US Cover Limited to 6 months per year
$1834.00 $2935.00 $3713.00 N/A	37 y/o Female 50 y/o Female 59 y/o Male 66 y/o Male
InterGlobal Comprehensive ($42.50 Excess) US Cover Limited to 180 days per trip)
$4462.00 $7628.00 $9379.00 $14143.00	37 y/o Female 50 y/o Female 59 y/o Male 66 y/o Male

Premiums Quoted are for one year of coverage and may be dependent on the country of residence at the time of purchase. Where "n/a" is shown, the plan is not available for new business at that age (it will be available for renewals for people who took out cover at an earlier age).
Worldwide incl Limited U.S. Coverage (Accident & Emergency Only - No elective treatment)