It can be difficult to know when you need expat health insurance. After all, most people only think about it when they’re faced with a medical emergency while traveling or living abroad. But there are several reasons why you might need this type of insurance, even if you’re not currently living or traveling outside of your home country. Here are six of them.
1. It's Cost-Effective
If you’re like most people, the cost of health insurance is one of your biggest concerns. And for good reason – it can be expensive. But what you may not know is that expat health insurance can be quite cost-effective, especially if you compare it to the cost of health care in your home country. Additionally, if you’re wondering what is the cheapest health insurance in Germany for expats, you can always search online. In many cases, expat health insurance will cover the same services and treatments that you would receive in your home country, but at a fraction of the price.
2. It Covers Pre-Existing Conditions
If you have a pre-existing medical condition, you may find it difficult to get health insurance coverage in your home country. But with expat health insurance, you can rest assured knowing that your condition will be covered. Most expat health insurance plans will cover pre-existing conditions, as long as they’re not considered to be “pre-existing” by the insurance company. For example, if you have a history of heart disease, you may still be able to get coverage for your condition.
3. It's Flexible
Expat health insurance plans are typically much more flexible than traditional health insurance plans. This means that you can tailor your coverage to meet your specific needs and budget. For example, you can choose to have a higher deductible if you’re relatively healthy and don’t anticipate using your insurance very often. Or, you can opt for a lower deductible if you have a chronic condition or know that you’ll need to use your insurance more frequently.
4. Its Benefits
One of the biggest benefits of expat health insurance is that it covers you worldwide. So, whether you’re living in Spain or traveling to Thailand, you can rest assured knowing that you’re covered. This is especially important if you plan on living in multiple countries during your time as an expat. If you find yourself in a medical emergency while traveling or living abroad, expat health insurance will cover the cost of your evacuation to the nearest medical facility. In some cases, this can be a lifesaving benefit, as it can be very expensive to evacuate someone from a remote location.
At the end of the day, the biggest benefit of expat health insurance is that it gives you peace of mind. When you have this type of insurance, you can rest assured knowing that you and your family are protected in case of a medical emergency. And, if you do find yourself in a situation where you need to use your insurance, you can be confident that you’re covered.
5. It's Required
In some cases, your employer may require you to have expat health insurance. This is especially common if you’re working for a multinational company or an organization with employees stationed in multiple countries. In these cases, your employer will typically provide you with a list of approved insurance providers. Depending on the country you’re moving to, you may need to obtain expat health insurance to obtain a visa. For example, many countries in the European Union require that you have this type of insurance before they will issue you a visa.
6. It Provides Access to Better Medical Care
In some cases, the quality of medical care in your home country may not be up to par with the quality of care you’ll find abroad. If this is a concern for you, then expat health insurance can give you access to better medical care. In many cases, insurers will have relationships with specific hospitals and doctors, which can give you peace of mind knowing that you’re getting the best possible care. Ultimately, whether or not expat health insurance is worth it depends on your circumstances. If you’re healthy and don’t anticipate using your insurance very often, then it may not be necessary. But if you have a chronic condition or know that you’ll need to use your insurance more frequently, then it’s worth considering. There’s no one-size-fits-all answer, but ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal needs and preferences.
There are a lot of different factors to consider when deciding whether or not to purchase expat health insurance. But ultimately, the decision comes down to your personal needs and preferences. If you have a chronic condition or know that you’ll need to use your insurance more frequently, then it’s worth considering.
