There are several plans you can purchase online at anytime. “Everything from the initial purchase and enrollment to the delivery of fulfillment to the communication of information can be done via live chat, email or may be done online through a client service portal,” according to Boggs. “The ideal situation is to obtain coverage that has and can accommodate multiple languages, currencies and has the ability to communicate with healthcare or evacuation service providers around the world.”
He added that most international carriers will provide, either online or by phone, a list of providers in a region, country or city. As for what to expect from an international health plan, Boggs said, “For those desiring a long-term expatriate-type program for one year or longer, you will find that in most cases they contain many of the same core benefits as a U.S. domestic plan, including inpatient/outpatient treatment, emergency room, wellness and doctor visits and prescription drug coverage just to name a few. In addition, most international plans also include benefits for emergency evacuations and repatriations.”
If your family has an emergency that requires evacuation to the U.S. for treatment, Boggs offered good advice. “The key here is to get the individual to the nearest qualified facility in a safe and efficient manner to stabilize the condition as quickly as possible. As for actual evacuation, it could depend on health insurance coverage and ‘medical necessity’ as determined by the treating physician and the medical director of the company coordinating and authorizing the evacuation and the location of a qualified facility,” he said.
Boggs also cautioned to take note of two important considerations: your legal rights and your departure date. “If a situation with malpractice or other legal issues occurs, international health/medical insurance does not provide legal assistance outside the stipulations of the certificate/policy wording,” he said.
With regards to your departure date, “for a true international plan, you can apply for coverage at a maximum of 30 days prior to your departure. The key is that the coverage does not become effective until the day of your departure,” Boggs said.
Country National Health Plans
Another option you may consider is eligibility for your new country’s national health plan. For example, after meeting the United Kingdom nationalization requirements and living legally in the UK for at least 3-5 years (depending on your marital status), you could become a permanent resident. You would then be able to access the country’s National Health Service, the publicly funded healthcare system that provides medical services from dentists, pharmacies and general practitioners.