Choosing the right healthcare insurance policy can make a real difference to how successfully you start your journey abroad – or whether you start it at all. For expats, it’s as important as picking the right country: health insurance varies depending on many factors (location, lifestyle, family size, etc.), and individual needs differ – students, pensioners, and frequent travelers all have different requirements.

Written exclusively for Expat Network by Chris Carter, CEO and Founder, Expatinsure

But where to start? If you’re considering life abroad, here’s some important questions to help find the right policy.

1. Do I need health insurance?

If you already have travel insurance or GHIC/EHIC cards and are wondering whether health insurance is necessary, here’s why:

1. Travel insurance provides short-term coverage for emergencies during a trip. It’s perfect for travelers or short business trips – but doesn’t cover anything routine.
2. GHIC/EHIC allows European citizens access to state healthcare in EU/EEA countries at reduced or no cost, but it’s limited to specific services and regions and isn’t comprehensive.
3. Healthcare insurance is comprehensive and long-term, including routine healthcare. For those living abroad, it addresses ongoing health needs and other wellness services.

For more detail, read here.

2. How does a visa impact health insurance?

Globally, healthcare insurance is practically guaranteed to determine visa decisions. However, some countries require more comprehensive insurance than others. We’d recommend speaking to your insurance broker or an immigration lawyer, but you can find a list here {link} of some visa requirements around the world.

3. Does what I’m doing affect my needs? What if I’m working? Studying? Retiring?

What you are doing abroad is a key consideration. Health insurance should be a key concern when planning, both for accessing quality healthcare (including routine and emergency care) and finding the right cover.

For retirees, health coverage is a big concern – and rightly so! – and most expat adventures turn sour when healthcare is not set up correctly. But whilst retirees prefer policies that cover chronic conditions and prescriptions, many young professionals focus on occupational risks, or dental, vision, and maternity care. Family cover is another concern, ensuring the very best coverage for your children when moving abroad.

Where you get your insurance from is also important. While some expats receive a comprehensive plan through their employer, others will likely need a private plan. These typically have higher premiums, and it takes time and effort to ensure you are adequately covered wherever you are living.

4. I’m planning to travel / not travel a lot. What does that change?

If you’re staying in one location, a localized plan may be cheaper and provide better in-network access to healthcare facilities in your area. However, additional travel insurance and not being covered in your home country costs extra. Good brokers will know who provides 2-country coverage and can provide the best of both worlds.

Frequent travelers and digital nomads need international health insurance – as travel insurance won’t suffice! International plans offer coverage across regions, essential to avoiding gaps in protection. Although these health plans are pricier (upwards of £2k per annum), they provide the equivalent of the NHS or Medicare across multiple countries.

5. What about my pre-existing condition(s)?

For many, cover for pre-existing conditions is necessary. Unfortunately, many standard plans exclude them or require a waiting period – or charge an additional premium. However, finding cover for pre-existing conditions is possible – even if pricier.

Good insurance brokers (like www.expatinsure.com) can suggest which providers are more lenient with pre-existing conditions, and find you the best options for your specific needs.

6. Can I opt for location-specific coverage?

Your destination country will heavily influence your insurance needs, and some high-quality healthcare systems may be more expensive to use. Expats moving from Europe to the US, for example, will pay significantly more than those leaving the US to places like Japan; countries with cheaper healthcare mean cheaper insurance premiums.

US expats should be mindful of not letting their existing cover lapse, otherwise pre-existing conditions won’t be covered if they decide to return later in their life.

7. What about coverage in emergencies and evacuation?

Some areas or countries may lack certain healthcare facilities, so having policies that include medical evacuation, although costly, can be truly lifesaving. Some expats may find that evacuation is a mandatory element of the insurance policy, but it crucially ensures you can be transported to a high-quality medical facility in another city or country, if necessary.

8. What about additional benefits and features?

Health requirements go beyond emergencies, especially for long-term expats or those building a life abroad. It’s well worth considering additional coverage, like:

• Dental and Vision: Important for families but often not included in basic plans.
• Maternity Coverage: Critical for expats’ family planning abroad, as maternity care costs can be high.
• Repatriation: Ensures that if you pass away abroad, your remains can be sent back to your home country – something that is otherwise expensive.

9. Should I use a broker?

Having a broker can make this complex process a walk in the park. Here’s why:

• Access to a Wider Range of Options

Since brokers work with multiple insurance providers, they offer a broader range of options than if you approached individual companies directly.

• Tailored Recommendations

Brokers can explain international health insurance and localized plans to help you understand the pros and cons. They’ll also suggest plans that they think fit your requirements.

• Expertise with Expat Requirements

Specialized brokers understand the requirements around pre-existing conditions, emergency evacuations, and repatriation better than standard brokers. Plus, many of them can bring personal experience as expats to their work.

• Potential Cost Savings

Most brokers will not charge a fee for their help, but instead receive a commission from insurers. But thanks to this relationship, brokers are able to negotiate better pricing – meaning cheaper policies for you.

• Assistance with Claims and Paperwork

Many brokers will happily help put in claims and paperwork, ensuring you are reimbursed quickly.

ExpatInsure is a fully licenced US and UK insurance broker specialising in individual and small group international healthcare insurance for clients moving abroad. They work with all the top-tier health insurance companies around the world, covering everything for all types of clients – whether student or retiree – from pre-existing medical conditions to sophisticated repatriation, if necessary. If you’re looking for medical insurance for a move abroad, ExpatInsure will give you a free non-obligational international health quote today.