Coverage for Expats

COVID-19 Coverage is Critical for Expats

COVID-19 Coverage is Required by Many Expat Destination Countries

The Coronavirus pandemic can easily be called a tragedy, disaster, and global nightmare for expats and locals alike. Many thousands dead, economies in free fall, international travel restricted or at a standstill. However, people are still moving abroad and expatriates and global nomads who are already abroad are staying abroad. Countries around the world are not only worried about expats and travelers coming to their country who may be infected with COVID-19, but also concerned about treating them should they fall ill from this virus. The costs to treat a person in an ICU infected by this awful disease can be quite large – in some cases in the hundreds of thousands. Therefore, countries around the world are either requiring that expats and global nomads be fully covered for medical coverage that doesn’t exclude COVID-19

Why are more nations demanding medical insurance for global nomads?

Numerous nations are stressed over visitors and expatriates getting the Coronavirus infection. As noted above, the medical costs associated with a COVID infection requiring hospitalization can be in the hundreds of thousands, maybe in the millions in the USA. So you can understand that countries want to make sure that expats in their country are fully covered and do not leave the government hospital with an un-insured bill for treatment. What’s more disturbing is taking care of the potential hospital expenses out of their pockets. On the off chance that you are heading out to another country with simply your global health policies, realize that it may not be sufficient or may even exclude COVID.

COVID-19 Coverage for Expats

Travel Insurance for Expats won’t work well in the Post-COVID Era

Travel insurance plans are also not designed to cover expatriates living abroad for a year or more. Local health plans in your new destination country may not be accessible or even attractive to expats who are mobile and need to be covered globally. Travel insurance pays only for emergencies and typically simply up to a limited time- the maximum is one year. Along these lines, many states are presently making it obligatory for tourists to show evidence of international health insurance or, if nothing else, some travel clinical service to enter the country.

If they allow travelers to enter their country, numerous nations require negative Covid tests to enter or implement quarantine restrictions. The circumstance is evolving quickly, ensuring you check the prerequisites for the country you intend to visit before you travel.

Do Global Health Plans Cover COVID?

Most do cover COVID-19. Global coverage with Coronavirus insurance benefits ordinarily cover treatment up to the policy maximum and treat COVID like any other illness, but there are some plans that continue to exclude the condition, so you should read the fine print.  While the pandemic has caused travel and expatriation to be reduced, we have seen more interest in high-quality global health coverage from people still going abroad or people who were already expats and wanted the best possible coverage available.

Covid-19 Passport

Which nations will require COVID-19 Coverage for Expats

Numerous nations are likewise requiring travel insurance for short stays or global health coverage for expat visas these days because of the Coronavirus pandemic. Several nations are currently ordering that travelers and global citizens show up with explicit travel clinical protection that covers Coronavirus, along with a negative test both before and after they arrive. Whether you like it or not, many countries will be requiring a covid passport in the future. Here is a partial list of popular expat destinations that are requiring COVID coverage for long-stay visas:

Turks and Caicos

As a feature of another travel pre-approval program, called TCI Assured, tourists visiting Turkey and Caicos should introduce evidence of travel protection which covers “Coronavirus clinical expenses, full hospitalization, specialists’ visits, prescriptions, and air emergency vehicle.” The online entry incorporates a wellbeing screening survey just as the necessity of a negative Coronavirus PCR test result from a test taken within five days of the movement to the islands. A 14-day isolate period won’t be needed for guests whenever they have tried negative for the infection.

United Arab Emirates

The United Arab Emirates necessitates all tourists age 12 or more seasoned to show up with substantial travel insurance, which covers worldwide medical care for the whole stay. A negative test result from a Coronavirus PCR test required close to 96 hours before showing up is likewise needed for arrival. Explorers showing up in Dubai should remember that it has its entrance necessities.

Bahamas

As of November 14, 2020, travel health care coverage is needed for all approaching guests to the Bahamas. The expense for the obligatory protection is remembered for the cost of the Movement Wellbeing Visa that all travelers are required to apply for before entering. Explorers should remember that this necessary inclusion might be restricted, so we prescribe buying extra inclusion to cover non-wellbeing-related costs, similar to travel deferrals or stuff loss, for instance. To know about healthcare system in Bahamas check out our healthcare region page.

travel deferrals or stuff loss

Barbados

We have written a previous blog post about the expat visa program that has become very popular for digital nomads wanting to ride out the COVID storm in Barbados. Your international medical coverage should definitely cover coronavirus if you plan to live in Barbados.

Cuba

Travel to Cuba is exceptionally checked and controlled by both the US and the Cuban government. Tourists should give appropriate documentation of their application for a trip to the US government. The Cuban government should be advised of those itinerary items, given the voyager’s visa data, and requires confirmation of movement protection, with clinical service, before visiting the country.

Thailand

Before arranging an excursion, guests to Thailand should initially affirm their admissibility to enter the country with their nearby Thai government embassy. The qualification list keeps on evolving. Those eligible should acquire a Certificate of Entry (CoE). One of the prerequisites for this endorsement is to get a compulsory Coronavirus travel protection policy with an inclusion level of in any event USD 100,000. Explorers will need to try to have their certificate of protection on them as one of the supporting documents in an application for a CoE.

When you are thinking about moving to another city, there are numerous things to consider. On the off chance that you or another relative has health care issues, you may have imagined that moving was not feasible. Nonetheless, the point-by-point investigation into what medical care administrations are accessible and their expenses are essential before leaving your country.

Indonesia

We have seen a big uptick in people wanting to live in Indonesia, and who can blame them – especially the Bali paradise. If you want to get a long-stay visa in Indonesia, you need to make sure the plan covers COVID-19. We have access to a great plan that is backed by a large and well-known insurer for ex-pats in Indonesia, but it is not available online. Please contact us via email to discuss.

global health insurance

Choosing a Global Health Plan with COVID-19 Coverage

We recommend that if you are planning to move abroad, you should get international medical coverage, but this is even more important these days. We offer plans that do cover COVID-19 and some that do not. You need to check the fine print or contact us to discuss. Our most popular global health plans from Cigna, Allianz, Integra Global and GeoBlue cover coronavirus like any other illness. Keep in mind, if you are infected prior to applying, it is unlikely you will be able to secure coverage until you are fully recovered and COVID free as individual expat health plans are medically underwritten. We do have some excellent global benefit plans for organizations that employ expatriates that will also fully cover COVID-19 related claims.