It would be nice if you could leave home and not worry about medical problems when you are traveling overseas. Unfortunately, however accidents and illnesses do occur during business and vacation trips.
Even more unfortunately, medical evacuation and repatriation is not covered by most health or medical policies if you are injured or become sick while abroad.
"It is bad enough to encounter a medical emergency or suffer an accident when you are home. It is even worse when you are traveling overseas," notes Mr. Joseph Griffin, Chairman and CEO, GlobalHealth International Group. "In addition to the stress of a dealing with an emergency while away from home, travellers may also be forced to deal with language barriers, different customers, and inadequate medical facilities."
Read on What is Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance?
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What is Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Insurance?
Expatriates advised to take out overseas health insurance
One in four European workers wish to retire to Spain and take up the expatriate lifestyle when they have finished work, new research has revealed.
A survey carried out by Aon Consulting found a rich source of expat health insurance opportunities for brokers in the World Cup-winning country, as a quarter of the 7,500 Europeans questioned opted for Spain as the retiree destination of choice.
France was also popular with 15 per cent of those considering becoming expatriates, while Italy and Australasia made it into the top five most popular destinations with would-be expats.
Oliver Rowlands, Aon Consulting head of retirement for Europe, the Middle East and Africa, noted that the prevalence of cheap air travel and the internet allowed individuals to remain in close contact with their family even after moving overseas.
"Not surprisingly, most people want to spend their retirement predominantly in countries with good weather and good social and government benefits, and ideally close enough so that they can get home quickly if they need to," he pointed out.
Mr Rowlands added that those thinking about retiring overseas need to consider taking out international medical insurance for peace of mind.
Online expat magazine Shelter Offshore recently advised those moving abroad to get their finances in order before they leave to save time and stress upon arrival.
Expatriate Healthcare specialise in providing international health insurance. Make sure you're protected.
American Expats Giving Up Citizenship in Record Numbers
The number of Americans choosing not merely to retire but often to live and work in other countries — expatriates or "expats" — has been increasing steadily for a number of years now. According to one source, the number of American expats has risen to four million, and the steady trickle of Americans out of this country shows no signs of abating.
Americans’ reasons for leaving differ from case to case. Some are convinced that the global empire emanating from Washington, D.C. is in its declining days, as was Rome at one point, and are seeking safe havens for themselves and their families just in case economic shocks in the United States continue. Others have either been sent or have chosen to pursue desirable careers overseas. Some, finally, just desire the experience of living in a different culture.
A new report now indicates that American expats are not just relocating overseas but taking the much bigger leap of relinquishing their U.S. citizenship. According to the Federal Register, during the final quarter of 2009 502 expatriated Americans gave up their citizenship or permanent residency status to fully embrace that of a foreign land. This was the largest quarterly figure in years — and more than twice the figure for all of 2008, which saw 235 renunciations. The total figure of renunciations for 2009 was 743.
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Expatriate Health Insurance Tips
If you choose to live away from your home country, it is vital that you get expat health insurance. Too many individuals have encountered problems abroad, then regretting not having ample support from their place of origin. There are a variety of premiums available specifically for the traveling individual. Here are some helpful tips on how to stay secure when going away.
Initial Steps to Take
Always stay safe when traveling abroad by keeping your documents in check and having the right resource persons or agencies ready during cases of emergency. The emergency assistance service is responsible for authorizing major health service provision and the conduction of tests even after your condition is already stable.
The claims should be covered by your chosen insurance company. Prepare the name and telephone number of your doctor and carry it with you at all times. You also have to prepare and constantly secure a list of your medications and serious conditions together with prescription notes. When you are traveling to third world countries, bring a copy of your prescription just in case customs ask for it.
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