Regardless of where you may move in the world, choosing international health insurance coverage should be a major consideration for you and your family. Investigating your international health insurance options early can help you manage costs, ensure that you have adequate coverage and allow you to make the best medical choices for yourself and family. There are many options to consider, so take a breath and start with what you know.
Check Up
The first step to take is to determine what your current plan provides and what your anticipated needs will be in your new city and country of choice. Start by contacting your current insurance provider to see if your existing coverage applies abroad. If it does not, there may be supplemental international insurance coverage available. You can purchase supplemental insurance to cover items not on your primary insurance. For example, disability insurance can be purchased to cover lost wages due to injuries or illness; supplemental insurance can be purchased for emergency medical evacuation; and, sports coverage can protect you against any mishap you may have while hiking in the mountains or other outdoor activities.
Keep in mind that, if you are retired, Medicare will not provide coverage outside the United States other than in emergency situations along the U.S./Canadian or U.S./Mexican borders, according to David Boggs, director of international marketing for International Medical Group Inc.(IMG), which has been in the international health insurance industry for over 20 years. “There are some supplemental plans that will provide up to $50,000 of lifetime coverage. So when in the U.S., Medicare will be the primary payer. Outside the U.S., the supplemental plan will be primary if it includes coverage. Otherwise, the international health insurance plan will be primary,” he said.
By speaking with your regular physician, you can develop a checklist of needed specialists and coverage items. Also, it gives your doctor’s office an early start to ready your medical files for when you go abroad.