Getting the best private medical insurance plans will make your life easier. Especially if you are traveling or going as an expat to countries that lack a proper public health system.
In these territories, having to pay for assistance in private facilities can be very expensive.
Even if there is an efficient public system, if you buy private medical insurance, you can get better reimbursements. And benefit from services not covered by the public health system.
In this article, you can get some tips to find your way around this complex topic.
Choosing Private Medical Health Insurance With a Company From Your Country
Guaranteed Comfort and Security
When subscribing to private medical health insurance, it is highly recommended to do it with a company from your own country.
They will offer you simplified contracts. These are extremely useful when you are not familiar with all the details of foreign health schemes.
And they have partnerships with local networks of professionals and establishments. You will also benefit from advantageous rates and services.
All procedures are carried out in your language and the contracts will be governed by your country’s insurance law. This is an additional guarantee of comfort and security.
Buy Private Medical Insurance and Get Flexible Solutions Adapted to Your Needs
These insurance contracts are specially designed to cover all the needs of people like you. Both in your new country of residence and throughout the world.
In addition to medication, consultations, or hospitalizations, these policies also cover care received during stays in your home country. As well as repatriation assistance, a very costly operation that is never covered by local health insurance systems.
The Best Private Medical Insurance: 1st Euro Contracts
The Most Popular Private Medical Health Insurance Solution
The so-called “first euro” or “first dollar” contracts are among the best private medical insurance for people abroad. A lot of expats use and recommend them.
These policies generally offer very good value for money. The care received is reimbursed up to the actual amount of the expenses, and from the first euro incurred.
Many companies offer these contracts. This allows you to research and find a wide variety of formulas with extensive coverage and flexible rates. They are adapted to all budgets and situations.
The Best Private Medical Insurance Plans With Simplified Management
These contracts are generally easy to manage thanks to web interfaces or dedicated mobile apps. They centralize useful information and allow you to take steps online.
The advisors are also easily reachable at any time and anywhere in the world via dedicated platforms.
The only possible drawback of this option is the existence of a compulsory medical questionnaire upon registration.
In the case of chronic illness or pre-existing medical conditions, it can lead to an exclusion of coverage, an additional premium, or even a refusal of membership.
In this case, it is preferable to join Social Security.
Should you Find Private Medical Insurance or Turn to Social Security?
Public Coverage to Avoid High Costs
If you find private medical insurance too expensive, you can check your options with Social Security. It’s a public service that gives coverage to anybody who requests it. The fees are low and there isn’t a prior medical questionnaire.
Most of the time, the contributions are calculated based on the insured person’s age and family situation.
It also allows the insured person to regain his or her Social Security affiliation as soon as the expatriation is over.
But take in mind that Social Security is not available in all countries. And, even in the ones that it is available, there might be restrictions and limitations for expatriates.
Reimbursements Are Lower Than With the Best Private Medical Insurance Plans
As you just saw, Social Security has some advantages. But sadly, it’s not at the same level as the best private medical insurance plans. Some huge flaws should not be overlooked.
In particular, it’s an insurance that lacks flexibility compared to the offers in the private sector. Joining Social Security alone does not provide adequate coverage.
Reimbursements are usually made on the same flat-rate basis as the cost of care in your home country.
The amounts reimbursed might be much lower than the expenses incurred. And the remaining costs can be exorbitant, especially in case of hospitalization or in countries with high prices.
It is generally necessary to take out a supplementary insurance policy to benefit from better reimbursements and extended coverage, including repatriation. This leads to a multiplication of procedures and fees.
