The Shocking Truth about Expat Health Insurance

Summary: Revealed – the shocking facts about expat health insurance and how it can fall tragically short of your requirements

A recent British television documentary brought to light the shocking truth about expat health insurance that is little mentioned by insurance brokers, barely touched upon by policy providers and not known about by the vast majority of expatriates moving to live abroad – and that is, many, many policies fall far short of the level of cover required and can leave a chronically ill expat high and dry and suffering abroad.

The documentary in question was called Sick in the Sun and it focused specifically on health care in Spain and health insurance policies particularly for those taking early retirement to enjoy a new life abroad - but the shocking truth revealed actually goes far further than Spain or this particular demographic group…

Even if you move abroad to live in a country like Spain where there is a national health system and for retirees there is a reciprocal care agreement between Spain and the UK, please do not assume that you will get the level and type of care you need should you fall chronically ill.

In the vast majority of nations around the world, anyone taken seriously ill will receive critical care – after that point the question of whether a patient will receive ongoing medical attention to get them through a chronic illness or rehabilitate them after a severe medical condition can depend upon many, many factors.  In countries such as the US and Germany it will depend on the class of health insurance you have, in Spain it will depend upon whether you can afford to pay for it or whether your family will take on your nursing care for example.

While many expatriates are aware of the seriousness of getting expat health insurance in place for themselves and their families, very few shop around sufficiently for anything other than the best price – and yet the disparity in the products available in the international medical insurance marketplace is vast!

If you think your policy will cover in the event that you have cancer and require ongoing screenings and treatment and care even after initial diagnosis and treatment – or if you think your policy will provide for physio and speech therapy as well as home help and general rehabilitation after a stroke for example you could be in for the worst shock of all if – God forbid, you ever need to test your policy to see how far it will cover you.

Unless you have a substantial lump sum tucked away to treat you or a family member should you fall seriously ill or be long term poorly you really do need to get your expat health insurance affairs in order.  But please do not take the first quote, the cheapest quote or the policy that your colleague recommends…you need to read the small print, the exclusions, the restrictions, you need to understand your declaration obligations and you need to make sure you get the right policy for your own peace of mind and for your own protection.

We recommend GoodHealth because we have found them to be good in the past – you can click here to be redirected to their website for more information – but please note, just because we recommend them that does not necessarily mean they are the best for you.  Heed the above advice please – take action, get covered but also take care and ensure any policy you take out will do what you expect of it in the unfortunate event you need to make a claim.

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