Paul Bolam, of international medical insurance broker April Medibroker, illustrates the importance of having the right health insurance policy in place before you move abroad.
Moving to live in a new country is about enriching your life and fulfilling your potential.
However, the single biggest cost you could face abroad is healthcare - whether the incidental doctors' visits and the medication they prescribe, or the unexpected events that can result in a long hospital stay - and a huge bill.
When moving to another country, it is absolutely essential that you have not only medical insurance but the correct kind of medical insurance.
Medical insurance request case study
We were recently contacted by a gentleman looking for medical insurance to cover his sister-in-law in the USA. The wording of the request, though, did appear to suggest that not only did she require treatment but she was, in fact, already in hospital.
When we contacted the gentleman for further information, he told us a sadly familiar story. His sister-in-law had purchased some medical insurance, but opted for the cheapest-possible cover. As it turns out, it was a plan that covered emergency events, and the stabilisation of emergency situations, only. When she was rushed into hospital several days after arriving in the US, she did have the initial emergency stabilisation covered.
However, that's where the cover ended. His sister-in-law was now still in need of treatment, and was attached to medical equipment, but with no insurance for the necessary followup treatment. The hospital would not begin the treatment until they were provided with a 'premium insurance' plan to cover the cost.
The gentleman was now desperately trying to find a medical insurance plan to cover this. Unfortunately, it was too late. No medical plans would be prepared to cover this treatment, as it was effectively now a pre-existing condition. However, if she had bought an international private medical insurance plan before travelling, her treatment would have been covered without any problems.
This is a desperately sad situation for this lady and her family, but it just goes to show why having the correct medical cover is essential. There is no point being wise after the event: it's too late then, so be wise before the event.
When it comes to expatriate healthcare insurance, less definitely isn't more; medical problems abroad can result in hefty bills.
For further information, go to www.medibroker.com
