Emergency Healthcare Abroad : What expats need to know

Moving country is an exciting time in your life as you decide to become an expat. There will be a lot of things you’ll need to make a note of as you get prepared for your move abroad and get ready for your expat move. One of the most important points to remember for any expat, regardless of where you are moving to, is your emergency healthcare abroad needs.

In this article, we will share details of what you need to know about emergency healthcare abroad as an expat, especially for dealing with any emergency situation abroad.

Here are 5 top tips for expats for dealing with emergency healthcare abroad

1- Receive cover for a medical emergency

First, if a medical emergency happens when you are abroad, you will need to be prepared. As it’ll be an emergency, you won’t have time to consider all your options, and you will instead need to make sure to get the medical treatment you need quickly.

This is where having expat health insurance can be very helpful for you. If this situation were to occur and you have expat health insurance, your health insurer will be able to step in to provide assistance and ensure you receive the treatment you need.

They can support you by evacuating you to an appropriate destination if needed, either by air ambulance, ground ambulance, or commercial airline if an emergency takes place. However, if you do not have health insurance, you may be left having to figure out an evacuation plan on your own.

2- Choose a major health insurer for added reliability

If you choose a global health provider with a large medical network, you will receive extra flexibility. Most major health providers will give you access to a large medical network of hospitals and doctors, and this means that they will give you additional freedom to decide where you want to receive your medical treatment.

So if you go to an expat destination where the local healthcare system may not be of a high standard, you will have the option to receive care in another location. The good news is that you will be given access to other doctors and top-quality medical specialists to offer you the support you need.

Global health companies will have experience in helping expats around the world. Many global companies are very experienced and have been providing health insurance for many years. They will have experience of helping expats just like you. With so many hospitals and healthcare professionals to choose from, it really helps with reliability.

Moving by yourself to Asia to start a new job? Or moving to South America with your family to raise your kids in a new country? It doesn’t matter, as you can face emergency healthcare situations no matter what.

So, having access to reliable healthcare is very important for individual expats and global nomads and those with a family, especially in the event of a major illness or injury.

The last thing you’ll want to worry about in a medical emergency is receiving the right access to medical support. With a global health insurance provider, you’ll be able to rely on them to support you, and having access to a large medical network can make all the difference in getting the support you need.

3- Make Sure you have international health insurance

By taking out an international health insurance plan, you will be safe knowing that the health insurer you choose will pay for your costs. Most global health insurers offer direct hospitalization payment on your behalf.

This will be so valuable to anyone dealing with a medical emergency. You won’t need to pay out of pocket, and you’ll be able to avoid large financial costs. These can come with hospital treatments or medical bills.

So remember this: if there is an emergency situation, the insurer will pay the hospital directly on your behalf, and this will be covered as part of your plan.

4- Access to world-class facilities can make all the difference

As mentioned earlier, having access to the best medical facilities in the world is one of the main reasons why global health providers are so popular with expats. In the case of any medical emergency, having this level of access can make a real difference to your health.

It can be vital when dealing with an emergency to be able to receive the treatment and support that you need quickly. You can be confident that having an expat health insurance plan will help you to receive access to treatment all over the world.

Many health insurance plans will offer you different plan levels of options, each with a different level of cost involved. Be sure to do your research in advance when deciding which level to choose, and remember to ensure that you receive the best medical treatment available that will suit your financial budget.

5- Make sure you move abroad prepared for a potential medical emergency

Finally, pack your medications and bring a first aid kit when moving abroad. We recommend that expatriates get a three to six-month supply of medications before they move abroad for their chronic medical conditions, as it may take time to find a local doctor, get an appointment and much more. Make sure those medications are well marked and bring a doctor’s note, as some countries may not allow certain medications into their country if they are not marked as prescriptions by an MD.

Your doctor can also note in his or her report any medications you are allergic to, such as penicillin.

Another recommendation is to bring your over-the-counter medications and general pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen. A first aid kit is also a great idea, with bandages, bug spray and ointment.

Here is a quick list of items to bring in an expat medical & travel kit:

• Adhesive bandages in various sizes
• Antiseptic wipes
• Sterile gauze pads
• Hand sanitizer
• Sunscreen
• Thermometer
• Water purification tablets
• Tweezers and scissors
• Dental supplies
• Bug spray and bite treatment
• Motion sickness pills
• Pain relievers (acetaminophen or ibuprofen)
• Tweezers
• Antihistamines for allergies
• Antacids for digestive issues

There are also lots of travel medical clinics that will help make sure you are up to date on your vaccinations for your new destination country.

Expat Financial – An Expat Specialist

Expat Financial is a division of TFG Global Insurance Solutions Ltd., which is a Canadian insurance brokerage that specializes in providing global insurance plans for people who live abroad.

The most popular international health insurance plan we offer Canadians is the Cigna Global Health Options plan. In addition to individualized personal service, global nomads appreciate working with a respected expat expert. We provide excellent service before and after you purchase your international health insurance plan and are your advocate as well.

If you have questions about our international medical insurance plans or want to discuss your needs and produce a customized quote, please contact us or complete the quote form.