Health and Medical Insurance for Expats

Why Should Expats Take Out Private Health and Medical Cover?

Depending on your circumstances and reasons for relocating abroad, you may be required to take out private health and medical insurance cover as one of your visa conditions.

It is also worth considering how you access healthcare in your current location, as well as how the healthcare system operates in the country you’re considering moving to.

Even if the country you are moving to gives you the opportunity to make social security contributions and subsequently access the public healthcare system, it can still be worth supplementing your cover with private health insurance. Getting ill or requiring treatment in an unfamiliar location can be intimidating, and having to wait to access treatment via the public sector can add unneeded stress at the time you want it the least.

With international health insurance, you can ensure you’re able to access the healthcare facilities and get the treatment you need quick

Frequently Asked Questions

• What is expat health insurance? Why should I consider it?

  Expat health insurance is specifically designed for the healthcare needs of expatriates and their families, meaning you can access the best private healthcare both locally and overseas. If you’re moving abroad, it’s likely any existing local health plan you have will not provide coverage outside of your home country. Even if your plan does offer some coverage abroad, it may not be fit for purpose for the healthcare needs of the globally mobile expat.

  Expat health insurance plans are also often portable, so you can take your plan with you should you return to your home country or decide to move elsewhere, saving you the hassle of having to purchase a new plan.

• Is expat health insurance expensive? How much does it cost?

  The monthly expense will vary depending on the type of plan and level of cover you choose. At Now Health International we have a range of plans to suit different needs and budgets, ranging from essential cover for hospitalization and major medical events, through to comprehensive cover for dental and maternity treatment. For as little as USD 29 per month, we can offer cover for in-patient and day-patient treatment in 194 countries and territories.

  What kind of coverage can I expect from an expat insurance plan?

  Expat health insurance cover will vary depending on the plan and options you choose. Cover usually includes in-patient and day-patient care, including hospitalization and surgery, as well as medical evacuation and repatriation. Some plans will also offer cover for out-patient care including doctor visits and physiotherapy, as well as routine and complex dental treatment, and routine maternity care. At Now Health International we also offer options to add cover for wellness check-ups and vaccinations to your plan.

  It makes sense to choose an expat plan that fits your expected lifestyle and healthcare needs overseas. Younger expats may wish to opt for one of our in-patient only plans, such as SimpleCare CORE or WorldCare Essential, while those raising a family abroad may wish to opt for our more comprehensive WorldCare Apex plan which includes dental treatment and maternity care.

• Is expat health insurance a requirement for living and working abroad?

  Some countries may require expats to purchase a form of health insurance, others may require you to buy into a government insurance scheme, while others may have no requirement at all. It’s important to do your research and find out about the health insurance requirements of your expat destination - you can check out our Expat Guides for more information.

  Regardless of whether your destination country requires you to purchase a health insurance plan, it’s still a good idea to consider expat health insurance. When it comes to protecting your health and avoiding the hassle of medical expenses, expat health insurance is designed to ensure you can access the best private medical care should the worst happen when you’re living and working abroad.

• Who is Now Health?

  Now Health International is an award-winning specialist international health insurance provider. With over 30,000 members in 200+ territories, it aims to deliver best-in-class service and top-end benefits.

  Now Health’s promise is in their name: ‘Now’ means clear, relevant information, easy-to-use online tools and fast service from people who respect your time. As such, their service is designed to make it easier to access healthcare wherever you are in the world, with clear information, fast turnaround times and expert help.

  Now Health’s award-winning digital tools such as their app and portal are simple to use and make it even quicker and easier to manage your plan, submit and track claims online and find a medical provider in our network.

  Now Health is strategically placed to serve the world’s main expat hubs and emerging markets so they can deliver local market knowledge when you need it. Their global presence also enables them to offer our members 24/7 support, across all time zones.

  What you get

  • Benefit-rich products with flexible annual deductible optional add-ons
  • Clear, relevant information, so you know exactly what is and isn’t covered
  • Great service from people who respect your time and understand what matters to you
  • Straightforward processes and fast turnaround times, from joining to claiming
  • Online tools and a mobile app so it’s easy to find a doctor and submit claims, anywhere in the world
  • Direct Billing options, so you don’t have to be out of pocket
  • Expert service teams located around the world, offering 24/7 multilingual customer care and support
  • Added value services included in their WorldCare plan, including travel assistance, second medical opinions and global concierge services for overseas treatment