If you need medical assistance abroad, you might end up with an expensive bill between your hands. In some countries, the health system is anything but affordable.
So, if you are going to expend extensive periods abroad, you should get overseas private health insurance.
Some policies also give you coverage in other areas like luggage loss and damages, delays in flights, repatriation, and legal assistance.
But the question is: with so many options out there, how can you be sure that you are choosing the best international private medical insurance?
Private Medical Insurance Abroad: Good Reasons to Choose a Company from your Country
Expert Knowledge of the Field
The first precaution to take when choosing overseas private health insurance is to select among companies based in your home country.
These companies generally have a good knowledge of your situation. They can offer you simplified and understandable contracts, written in your language.
Most of the time, they have strong partnerships with local health care networks in many countries and will offer you certain advantages such as reduced rates or not having to pay any expenses in advance.
It is important to always check the existence of this last point to avoid having to pay considerable sums in case of unexpected hospitalization.
More Comfort and Security
These companies also offer you the most comfortable and secure policies for private medical insurance abroad.
You will be covered in all your travels, including the ones outside the country of residence. And also during stays in your home country.
All exchanges (contract signature and management, procedures, customer assistance) are in your language.
This will not be the case if you get a local insurance plan in the country you are expatriated.
Which is the Best International Private Medical Insurance?
The 1st Euro Offers: Competitive Overseas Private Health Insurance
Insurance companies offer many different types of contracts called “from the 1st premier euro/dollar”.
These solutions are very popular among people living abroad because of their advantages.
- The management and related procedures are easy
- They are often facilitated by the existence of mobile applications or dedicated web interfaces
- There are numerous formulas to best suit all budgets and situations: student, employee, traveler, or retiree
- The guarantees offered are designed to cover most of the needs of expatriates.
Reimbursements are made from the first euro spent, and according to the actual costs of care abroad. Unpleasant surprises related to exorbitant out-of-pocket expenses are thus avoided.
Social Security Instead of an International Private Medical Insurance
Another well-known option is the coverage offered by Social Security from your home country.
Some territories give their nationals the option of keeping affiliated when they move abroad. You can check your local regulations to see if this applies to you.
The fee is calculated according to your family situation and age. And it offers health coverage to all citizens who request it.
This institution is often criticized for its low reimbursements. Take in mind that they are calculated according to the costs of health care in your home country. Or according to a percentage of the actual costs.
In many countries, this does not allow for satisfactory coverage of the expenses incurred. And it is necessary to take out complementary international private medical insurance.
But the cost of insurance increases, and the procedures get more complicated.
Social Security is especially interesting for single people under 30 years old. Also for people with pre-existing medical conditions.
Contrary to most insurance companies, it can’t refuse a membership, charge extra premiums or exclude coverage.
Besides this, Social Security does not ask for a health questionnaire when joining and therefore does not take into account the state of health of the insured in its contributions.