THE IMPORTANCE OF INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE FOR EXPATRIATES

UN statistics show that more than two hundred and thirty two million people live outside their home country as at the year 2013. The word “expatriate” is an ambiguous word which can denote different meanings to different people. Anyway, in general, an expatriate is a person who is in permanent or temporary residence in a country other than that of his motherland or parental upbringing. Correspondingly, international health insurance, also called expat health insurance, is a service provided by international health insurance policies which provides medical coverage to expatriates. As an expatriate, living in a country you cannot call your own, your access to basic medical care is very limited. And as humans, we all need a good access to quality medical care. Hence, to an expatriate, the international health insurance is indispensable.

With an international health policy, the basic medical services of an expatriate are fully insured. Also, international health insurance makes it possible for expatriates to receive medical attention from around the globe. So, whether it is California, or Toronto, you are always covered for any medical service that may come up. Another feature of international health insurance that makes it appealing to expatriates is that it is flexible. One way that international health insurance policy displays its flexibility is that it is renewable. This means that once a health insurance policy has been issued, the policy holder (now the expatriate) can keep the insurance forever irrespective of the gravity of the medical condition; as long as the obligatory premiums (money paid for insurance coverage) are paid. In a more simpler way, this is to say that while an expatriate is on an expat health insurance plan, and the expatriate gets into a serious medical condition, the expatriate will not be dumped off by his/her expat insurance company because of the high cost which will be incurred in treating the medical condition. Expatriates can also take their international health insurance plan to their motherland and use it for medical treatment.
Also, international health insurance is customizable. Just like other insurances, expatriates can also decide on getting extra benefits such as inpatient and outpatient care respectively, medical evacuation, natal care, et cetera. The completeness of a health insurance plan increases as more benefits are added but the premiums also get high as well. Anyway, the premiums can also be reduced. One way to do this is by removing some certain regions from the area of medical coverage.  
There are also non-medical benefits of international health insurance. International health insurance provides coverage for lost luggage, terminated and delayed flights respectively, theft cases, fire cases, financial loss, et cetera.  Also, international health policies are customer friendly and hence allow customers to make their own choices about how, when and where they need their medical care to be administered to them.
Getting an international health insurance involves a complex and sometimes frustrating process. Hence, it is very advisable an expatriate plan ahead and seek the services of a very reliable and unbiased broker for personal advice and help in selecting the best insurance company to purchase an international health insurance plan from. Some of the very reliable and unbiased brokers include Brokerfish, Squaremouth, InsureMyTrip and Xact Expat. Living abroad is a very exciting and rewarding experience. But as an expatriate, the experience will not be more exciting than when you are at full peace of mind, knowing fully well that you are covered for any medical expenditure.
REFERENCES
•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriate
•http://www.expatarrivals.com/article/theimportance-of-travel-or-expat-health-insurance-when-going-abroad
•http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Expatriate_insurance