It’s important to know the benefit options available through most international medical insurance providers. The following benefits are typically included, or available as an additional benefit, on most international expatriate health insurance plans.
Inpatient Benefit
Inpatient cover typically includes, but is not limited to: hospital charges, specialist fees, diagnostic tests, organ transplants and cancer treatment including radiotherapy/chemotherapy. In addition there may be a hospital cash benefit available for when an insured individual uses a ‘free’ hospital.
This is considered the ‘’basic’ level of cover for an international medical insurance plan, which means you have to have this benefit in order to add any other benefits, such as outpatient, maternity, etc.
This is considered the ‘’basic’ level of cover for an international medical insurance plan, which means you have to have this benefit in order to add any other benefits, such as outpatient, maternity, etc.
Outpatient Benefit
Outpatient cover typically includes medical treatment that does not require a hospital stay including, but not limited to: Doctor or General Practitioner (GP) visits, Specialist consultations, physiotherapy, emergency ward/room treatment. This benefit will also typically cover outpatient surgery, which means surgery that does not require an overnight stay in a hospital.
In addition to the more ‘typical’ medical treatments listed above out-patient cover may include alternative complementary therapies such as: chiropractic, homeopathy, osteopathy and acupuncture.
In addition to the more ‘typical’ medical treatments listed above out-patient cover may include alternative complementary therapies such as: chiropractic, homeopathy, osteopathy and acupuncture.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Depending on your expat location this could be one of the most important benefits provided by an international expat health insurance policy. This benefit provides that when if you are injured or ill and there is no ‘reasonable’ medical treatment available locally you will be evacuated to a nearby medical facility that can properly treat your ailment. So while this benefit may not be necessary for an expat in Hong Kong if you are located in an African jungle this benefit could literally be a ‘life saver’!
The emergency evacuation benefit can vary by international medical insurance provider and policy to policy. Sometimes you may be allowed a choice of destination or possibly repatriation to your home country. In addition to transport for medical necessity it also often covers the cost for family member’s accommodation, repatriation of mortal remains or overseas burial.
The emergency evacuation benefit can vary by international medical insurance provider and policy to policy. Sometimes you may be allowed a choice of destination or possibly repatriation to your home country. In addition to transport for medical necessity it also often covers the cost for family member’s accommodation, repatriation of mortal remains or overseas burial.
Maternity Cover
The maternity/pregnancy benefit covers medical costs incurred during pregnancy and childbirth including but not limited to: routine maternity care, hospital charges, specialist fees, complications of pregnancy, mother’s pre- and post-natal care and care of the newborn.
Things to Be Aware of Regarding Maternity Cover:
Things to Be Aware of Regarding Maternity Cover:
- As this is not a ‘standard’ or ‘basic’ benefit the levels of cover and what the benefit covers/includes will vary between international medical insurance providers and policy to policy. Always check to make sure the cover will be adequate for your location, keep in mind that cost in some countries (such as Hong Kong) can be much higher than other locations.
- Waiting periods usually apply, it is typically 10-12 months before the cover will commence.
- Maternity Cover for expats is generally only available with the top level of international expat health insurance available from an international medical insurance provider. This means that usually you will not be able to add the maternity benefit to a ‘basic’ expat health insurance plan.
- It is important to note that if you want the maternity benefit on your policy you will have to add it when you first purchase your international medical insurance policy as it usually can not be added later. This means if you are planning to start a family at some point in the future than you should ensure you include maternity cover when you first take out the policy.
Dental Cover
Dental cover options available will vary between international medical insurance providers. There are typically different levels of dental cover available that will range from emergency dental cover which would treat accidental dental injury to full ‘routine’ dental cover that would cover treatments such as fillings, crowns, extractions, etc.
Things to Be Aware of Regarding Dental Cover:
Things to Be Aware of Regarding Dental Cover:
- As this is not a ‘standard’ or ‘basic’ benefit the levels of cover and what the benefit covers/includes will vary between international medical insurance providers and policy to policy. Always check to make sure the cover will be adequate for your location, keep in mind that costs in some countries can be much higher than other locations.
- Waiting periods usually apply before the cover will commence.
- Dental Cover for expats is generally only available with the top level of international expat health insurance. This means that usually you will not be able to add the dental benefit to a ‘basic’ expat health insurance plan.
- Some international medical insurance providers may require that you would have had a dental ‘check-up’ within the last year. It is also common to require any treatments due from the previous check-up to be completed before they will commence cover.
- Depending on the international medical insurance provider and the level of dental cover you require and co-payment (see co-insurance) may also be required, sometimes up to 50%.
Chronic Conditions
Definition of a Chronic Condition:
A disease, illness or injury which generally has at least one of the following characteristics:
While most international medical insurance providers will not cover pre-existing chronic conditions, this will vary so it is important that they are declared and assessed. Some international medical insurance providers will only cover the stabilisation of acute flare-ups of a chronic condition, others will also cover the routine maintenance of such a conditions such as prescription drugs. Policy wording should be read thoroughly – if you need help or have any questions contact us.
A disease, illness or injury which generally has at least one of the following characteristics:
- It continues indefinitely and has no known cure
- It comes back or is likely to come back
- It is permanent
- You need to be rehabilitated or specially trained to cope with it
- If needs long-term monitoring, consultations, check-ups, examinations or tests
While most international medical insurance providers will not cover pre-existing chronic conditions, this will vary so it is important that they are declared and assessed. Some international medical insurance providers will only cover the stabilisation of acute flare-ups of a chronic condition, others will also cover the routine maintenance of such a conditions such as prescription drugs. Policy wording should be read thoroughly – if you need help or have any questions contact us.