Is expat health insurance a good idea or unnecessary?

[Winston]

I have a question.

Is getting expat health insurance from the companies out there that offer it really worth it?

I mean, what's wrong with getting local insurance if you're overseas or just paying out of your pocket for regular doctor visits?

Is there any real advantage in having expat health insurance? I'll bet it's one of those things that are only beneficial in the case of extreme emergencies and hospitalizations?

Anyone know?

[adam917]

I have a question.

Is getting expat health insurance from the companies out there that offer it really worth it?

I mean, what's wrong with getting local insurance if you're overseas or just paying out of your pocket for regular doctor visits?

Is there any real advantage in having expat health insurance? I'll bet it's one of those things that are only beneficial in the case of extreme emergencies and hospitalizations?

Anyone know?

Maybe expat insurance covers multiple countries? Is that the same as travel insurance or any kind of medical coverage that covers someone that is travelling?

[Contrarian Expatriate]

You should have a health insurance policy that extends its coverage for overseas. Many Blue Cross policies have this.

But it might be cheaper to just have a normal US policy in case you get REALLY ill like cancer and just pay for your few dental visits, and check ups on an as needed basis.

[Winston]

You should have a health insurance policy that extends its coverage for overseas. Many Blue Cross policies have this.

But it might be cheaper to just have a normal US policy in case you get REALLY ill like cancer and just pay for your few dental visits, and check ups on an as needed basis.

A normal US policy is not cheap at all. It costs hundreds of dollars.

My uncle in the US pays around a thousand dollars a month for his wife's healthcare because she has diabetes. That is insane.

[Contrarian Expatriate]

You should have a health insurance policy that extends its coverage for overseas. Many Blue Cross policies have this.

But it might be cheaper to just have a normal US policy in case you get REALLY ill like cancer and just pay for your few dental visits, and check ups on an as needed basis.

A normal US policy is not cheap at all. It costs hundreds of dollars.

My uncle in the US pays around a thousand dollars a month for his wife's healthcare because she has diabetes. That is insane.

Well, they will be going down now that universal coverage is required in the new health care system.

The only other option is finding a local clinic and paying per visit. Just hope that you don't get a long-term debilitating illness as you would be out of luck.

[MrPeabody]

If you are a legal resident of Mexico, you can get health insurance for $250 a year from the government. I don't see the sense of getting International Health Insurance, since the local is so much cheaper and you always have to worry that the International Insurance may not work when you need it.

[Winston]

Well, they will be going down now that universal coverage is required in the new health care system.

The only other option is finding a local clinic and paying per visit. Just hope that you don't get a long-term debilitating illness as you would be out of luck.

About the national healthcare system, what about expats though? Expats do not register with the US government as "expat status" so how will they know that we are expats?

Also, what if we get called for jury duty while we live overseas? How would they know that we were overseas? Is there some government office that we have to inform about the jury duty thing?

[Contrarian Expatriate]

Well, they will be going down now that universal coverage is required in the new health care system.

The only other option is finding a local clinic and paying per visit. Just hope that you don't get a long-term debilitating illness as you would be out of luck.

About the national healthcare system, what about expats though? Expats do not register with the US government as "expat status" so how will they know that we are expats?

Also, what if we get called for jury duty while we live overseas? How would they know that we were overseas? Is there some government office that we have to inform about the jury duty thing?

I do not know how or if Obamacare is going to require expats to obtain insurance, but many policies cover you overseas so it can't hurt. We'll have to see.

As for jury duty, if you are registered to vote in a state, you are eligible to be called to jury duty. However, if you are an absentee voter, they will usually exclude you from sending you a request for jury duty. That has been my experience.

In the oft chance that you are summoned to jury duty, simply send back the summons with the excuse that you are not present in the country and you will be excused.

[Winston]

I got this email about expat health insurance, and so I wanted to revive this topic. Is it even necessary? Isn't health care pretty affordable in other countries to the point where you don't need health insurance?

Are companies like this that offer international health insurance preying off of the fear and ignorance of Americans who don't travel and don't know any better?

http://www.cignaglobal.com

[***JP***]

In Lithuania seems to be required even for residence permit applicants but I will be calling the Lithuanian embassy to see if I as a foreigner if I can buy local insurance over there. Because most likely an American company will charge me an arm and a leg.

[gsjackson]

As JP says, some sort of insurance, local or international, is required in most countries for a residency permit. I saw an ad for a company in Germany with ridiculously low rates -- like about 30 bucks a month -- claiming that their coverage satisfied the requirement for residency.

If you're not going for residency, I'd think the only reason to get an international policy would be if you plan on hopping around from one country to another. And don't, under any circumstances, get a policy from a U.S. company. BUPA in the UK will probably cover you for under $200 a month, and their coverage extends to a large number of countries.

Personally, I'd just pay out of pocket as needed, but my number one rule of health care is stay away from doctors. So far, so good on that. Knock on wood.

[Billy]

gsjackson, the german insuarance is at least 150 euro a month exception is when you are a student. don´t believe the ads.

[momopi]

A normal US policy is not cheap at all. It costs hundreds of dollars.
My uncle in the US pays around a thousand dollars a month for his wife's healthcare because she has diabetes. That is insane.

If she's being billed extra due to her preexisting condition (diabetes), she should expect lower premiums in about 8 or 9 months from Obamacare.

However, there is a chance that her current premium is close to the average cost of her plan type and age.

[xiongmao]

I was worried I'd have to spend $$$$ on expat health insurance in China.

Turns out you really don't need it.

What I've done instead is get LONG STAY TRAVEL INSURANCE.

So what's the difference? With expat health insurance if you get something bad, they treat you where you fall sick. With travel insurance, they'll pay for emergency treatment, but for non-urgent but serious conditions you'll have to return to your home country.

The savings are massive - I bought an annual plan for £130, which was less than I was quoted for a monthly expat health insurance plan.

And please DON'T, DON'T, DON'T travel without health insurance - it could bankrupt you, or even end your life. Seriously.

[xhatox]

In my experience, it is best to go with a local health insurance plan.

U.S.-based plans are far too expensive, plus it is easier to successfully use your local plan than an international (to the local hospitals) plan.

Many countries don't charge an arm and a leg for every little thing...for $50 you can get your teeth done without any insurance at all...although of course it is always good to have insurance