Left Without Health Cover

expat network

Left Without Health Cover

I had some medical tests which used up my outpatient limit on my employer’s medical insurance scheme, and I couldn’t even get a prescription paid for. This means I have been left without further cover for the year. What can I do?

Coral Parfitt of advisers Bellwood Prestbury says that there are so many different benefit levels within medical insurance products that it is always worth checking the small print.

“I must say though that a £1,000 outpatient limit does sound particularly low and most standard policies cover prescriptions.

“Employers should be happy to provide you with full details of any scheme you will be included within. If the policy falls short of your expectation you can always ‘top it up’ with a personal policy.”

Get your financial queries answered by our panel of experts. They are happy to tackle any of your financial issues relating to the expat life.

Just email us at questions@expatnetwork.com.

Detailed responses to highly personalised questions are not always possible.

Moving Abroad Checklist

Initial Considerations

Will your partner be travelling with you?

If so, what will they be giving up in your present home and will they be able to continue with their career in your new home? You will need to check whether a separate visa is required for your partner to work or if your visa gives that right. If they are unable to work you will need to decide on the effect on your finances and what alternatives are available to give a fulfilling life (home business, training, voluntary work).

Are you taking family with you?

Moving with family raises many exciting opportunities, but also can create challenges. The HSBC Expat Explorer survey indicates that expat kids can take six months to settle in to their new country (see article). Getting young or even older children to prepare to move and leave their friends and family behind can be a challenge and should be thought through.

The options for education is another area that needs to be thought through.

Moving your child to a new country with a different education system can be a great opportunity to broaden their experience, but if they are close to key exams the timing can make this inadvisable. If you do take your family with you, it is important to decide between joining the local school system or choosing an international school.

Where will you be living?

Whether you will be living in a house or apartment, furnished or unfurnished, these decisions will affect what you need to take with you. The time you are planning to live overseas will also affect whether you should leave your property at home empty, rent it out or sell it. See the article Sell, Store or Ship.