Alison Massey, of specialist health insurance provider Now Health International, looks at recent developments in health and considers the importance of transparency from insurers in such a volatile landscape.

For those looking to further their careers, experience new cultures or gain a fresh perspective on the world, the expat lifestyle has many appeals. However, the benefits of being abroad go beyond emotional wellbeing, as was shown recently by the British medical establishment’s apparent acceptance that it has been pushing anti-sun exposure too far.

Britons have now been told by a range of medical organisations, including Cancer Research UK and the National Heart Forum, that ‘little and frequent’ sun exposure is good for them. Sunlight is, of course, the best source of vitamin D, which is thought to slow cell growth and spread. Around the Mediterranean, cases of prostate, colon and breast cancer are less common than in northern European countries.

But there is, of course, a great deal more to consider than the effects of the sun when it comes to expat health. When arranging your move abroad, extensive planning of the medical insurance needed is essential. What’s covered by the policy, and what isn’t?

One important point to keep in mind is the volatility of life away from home. Personal plans regarding location often change, and the medical landscape is anything but predictable. You need to be confident that the insurance covers the things you didn’t see coming.

By way of a recent example, the deadly cholera outbreak in Haiti marks what medical director at Bupa International Dr Sneh Khemka calls “a new era in modern medicine – the war on re-emerging diseases”. With the growth of cities, globalisation of world commerce and increase in air travel, he says, “Health professionals are fighting a constant battle to keep the spread of big killers at bay.” Particularly in developing economies, diseases such as tuberculosis, cholera, polio and dengue fever are “back and on the rise.”

The advice from Dr Khemka is that, as well as ensuring they’ve had the necessary vaccinations before moving to another country and giving their children the right childhood immunisations at the right ages, expatriates should familiarise themselves with the local healthcare system. How do they access care in an emergency? Are they insured by an organisation with good local knowledge?

Evacuation cover, a possibly dubious expense in developed countries with decent medical services, is critical in underdeveloped, high-risk places, particularly when disaster strikes, as in Haiti. Even if expats can afford the bills for a medical evacuation – which can exceed £50,000 before treatment even begins – they certainly won’t know how to negotiate their way to instant treatment at the right hospital. As medical journalist Peter Pallot puts it, “The ability to call in medical assistance specialists, contracted to insurers, saves lives. Swift intervention, that is not available locally, avoids or minimises long-term damage to health.”

It’s also important to find out exactly what constitutes an emergency to the insurer, and what evacuation would mean for the expat’s dependants. Portability – cover that can be continued in another country without re-underwriting – requires similar consideration. Will cover endure if the expat moves?

In such a complex, transient world, it’s absolutely imperative, when planning to move abroad, that you choose a health insurance company which is completely transparent about what is and isn’t covered, and at what cost. You shouldn’t have to sift through reams of small print to find out where you stand. The insurer should also demonstrate local knowledge and an understanding of the ever-shifting sphere. From that comes peace of mind, which means you can focus on the benefits of the expat life, relax a little, and perhaps soak up a few rays. As we now know, sunlight, like most things, is great in moderation.

Now Health International is strategically placed to serve the main expat hubs and global emerging markets, having offices in Hong Kong, Dubai and the UK.

For more information, see www.now-health.com