Health insurance is an important type of insurance that enables you to access healthcare services when you’re travelling or moving abroad. With health insurance coverage, you can get medical care from local doctors and nurses, whether required for a long-term health condition or an acute injury.
There is a wide variety of health insurance policies available from various providers. Basic policies cover the costs of general health check-ups, common medical treatments, and emergency care. They enable you to access local healthcare services and also subsidise the associated costs.
To find the perfect health insurance plan for your needs, you’ll need to consider several factors, including your budget, unique health needs, and family requirements. Let’s cover the most important things to search for when you’re looking at international health insurance plans when travelling or relocating abroad.
Coverage Options
Health insurance coverage varies drastically from one provider to another. Consider the policies that are available to you and the aspects of healthcare they cover, such as general medical check-ups, hospitalisations, prescription medications, maternity care, and dental care.
Check whether a particular health insurance plan covers your unique needs and preferences. If you have very specific health needs, such as if you have a rare medical condition, require long-term therapies, or have mental health needs, try to find a policy that covers these things.
Policy Premiums and Your Budget
The cost of your insurance policy will depend on the level of coverage and the add-ons you’ve chosen. You will need to consider your finances before committing to an annual policy and ensure you can afford the associated monthly regular payments.
While health insurance reduces the costs of your medical bills if you need to access hospitals, emergency medical services, or primary care facilities, you still need to pay a premium for your coverage. Evaluate the total costs of your chosen health insurance policy to see whether it aligns with your budget.
Remember that once you sign a contract for health insurance, you are entering a legal agreement with the provider and promising to pay the specified fees. Failure to pay your premium could lead to your policy being cancelled and other legal issues.
Policy Deductibles
Each health insurance policy will specify a deductible amount, which is the amount of money you need to pay from your own pocket before your insurance provider will step in. Think of it as the equivalent of voluntary excess when you’re purchasing car insurance or coverage for airline travel.
Again, you will need to consider your financial situation when selecting a health insurance policy. Choosing a policy with a lower deductible means you’ll pay less upfront when you need to file a claim with your insurance provider. Conversely, choosing a policy with a higher deductible fee will result in you needing to pay a higher upfront fee when claiming on your policy.
Consider how much money you think you will have available to pay as a deductible fee throughout the year. Although it’s hard to predict your future finances, creating a long-term budgeting plan showing your potential income and expenses will be helpful
Emergency Care Coverage
Before signing up for an insurance policy, check whether it covers you for emergency medical services. Such services may include the accident and emergency (A&E) department within your local hospital or community ambulatory services.
Having emergency coverage might seem unnecessary, but it’s worth having as part of your health insurance policy. You never know when you might be in the middle of an emergency medical situation and require immediate attention or care. With emergency care coverage, you can access out-of-hours and community-based health services for quick treatment and recovery.
Maternity Care Coverage
If it applies to you, consider finding a policy that offers coverage for maternity care services, including pre-natal appointments, childbirth, and post-natal check-ups.
Even if you’re not currently pregnant, you might like to have a child in the future. If you end up falling pregnant and giving birth while you’re still abroad, you’ll be glad that you chose a policy with maternity care coverage! Your insurance provider will cover some of the associated costs of your maternity care and reduce your financial strain during this exciting milestone in your life.
Coverage for Mental Health Services
Evaluate whether you will need specialist mental health care during your time away from home. For example, you might wish to go to regular counselling or therapy sessions. You might require ongoing mental health support or psychiatric care.
Even if you’re mentally well at the moment, you might need the extra psychological support during your time abroad. Travelling or relocating can cause significant stress and may take a toll on your mental health. With mental health care coverage on your insurance policy, you can access the support you need at a subsidised cost.
