Myth: Public healthcare abroad is a magical land of free bandaids and rainbows for everyone, including expats.

Reality: Public healthcare is sometimes available for expats, and sometimes you can even pay to enter the system. However, every country decides what services are available and who can enter the system.

Many expats find that a mix of public and for-pay private insurance meets their healthcare needs.

Hi, Traveler!

I’m often asked about healthcare by potential expats. These types of conversations are often challenging because every expat has potentially very different needs. I was recently speaking with a friend who had a number of existing conditions that prevented him from receiving private insurance in his host country. Another friend was looking for an insurance company that would cover him for his extended trips to other countries.

The reality of public healthcare systems is much more interesting, because for some people, it works incredibly well. For others, it has serious shortcomings. In some countries, you receive public healthcare upon arrival, while other countries require you to purchase private healthcare to obtain a visa.

However, if you are able to obtain private healthcare, then here are some things to consider in your own situation:

• Are you eligible? Like private insurance, you may be denied public healthcare in some countries for various reasons. In others, you may be able to pay a monthly fee to access public healthcare.
• Will your coverage be limited? Not every service is covered in the public healthcare system. You may still need to purchase private insurance to get the services you need. I’ve seen the comparison that public healthcare is like a buffet of typical services, while private insurance is for add-on services or care.
• Are you ready to discuss your health in a different language? In public healthcare, you will find less access to English than in private healthcare. This can be quite overwhelming in situations where you are not comfortable or don’t know the terminology. In these cases, I have written out an overview of my medical needs and then had Google Translate help me communicate with the doctor.

Clever expats know that healthcare is a key research topic before moving abroad! Learn about the public healthcare system, eligibility, coverage details, and costs before you move. I would also look at the availability of supplemental or private insurance.

Finally, I suggest you network with other expats. They may have more information or serve as cautionary tales about your own healthcare plans. Remember, others’ needs and experiences will be different from yours.

True, there may be free bandaids and rainbows available in your new country, but expats often have to work a little harder to get them!

You’ll definitely find that the US method of healthcare is different from almost every other country’s approach. While you will have to figure out your own plan for healthcare abroad, check out this book from the Clever Expat Bookshelf. Once you read it, you’ll be MUCH more prepared to make the healthcare decisions necessary for a successful expat experience!

Keep exploring!

The Clever Expat

Dear Traveler,

As an expat from the United States, I’m still trying to figure out the ins and outs of the healthcare system in my new country. The services, the costs, and the ability to manage your own healthcare can be difficult to configure.

While I lived in the US, I have only been able to choose (and afford) healthcare options provided by my employers. I was at the mercy of the insurance companies and the costs that had been determined by my employers. I also had to plan to pay for healthcare, with insurance, as a copay any time I saw the doctor or paid for medication.

As an expat, I have different options for healthcare. These options vary by country and available healthcare resources. So, if you’re like me, where do you start looking at healthcare options.

Happily, you can start with what you already know:

1. Your health history: If you have any pre-existing conditions, ensure your expat healthcare plan covers these conditions. You may also need to declare certain conditions before you are accepted by an insurance plan. Make sure your plan covers mental health as well, as you may need this as you experience the stressors of expat life! What medications and services (like dental or vision care) will you need?
2. Your activity level: If you engage in outdoor activities or sports, consider a plan that includes coverage for injuries. If you travel frequently for activities, you may also want to look for a plan that can also be used outside of your host country.
3. Your budget: Evaluate the premiums and out-of-pocket costs of different plans to find the best fit for your budget. Some visas require plans with 100% deductible expenses, while others enroll expats automatically into the public health care as part of the visa. As a third option, you may be able to “pay into” the public healthcare system to use those resources as well.
4. Your lifestyle: If you travel frequently, ensure your plan includes coverage for international medical emergencies. Just like with #2 above, your travel expectations should be factored into the healthcare you select.
5. Your visa or residency status: Check with your consulate or embassy to determine any specific healthcare requirements for your visa or residency status. Make sure you understand what the requirements mean, because “full coverage” in the US means something very different from “full coverage” in other countries!
6. Research and compare: Compare plans from different providers to find the one that best meets your needs and budget. The internet is your friend on this one. Finding effective healthcare may be time-consuming, but will save you so much stress when you actually need the healthcare.

If you still need help, there are usually “insurance brokers” in most major cities that can help you make your decisions and provide you with options. I would also suggest seeking those services out before you start the visa application process.

You’ll definitely find that the US method of healthcare is different from almost every other country’s approach. While you will have to figure out your own plan for healthcare abroad, check out this book from the Clever Expat Bookshelf. Once you read it, you’ll be MUCH more prepared to make the healthcare decisions necessary for a successful expat experience!

Keep exploring!

The Clever Expat

Dear Traveler,

As an expat, you may have very different options for healthcare than you can find in the US. In fact, you may actually have to identify your health plan in your host country as part of your visa application. I know when I first signed up for insurance, I made some really poor choices about the kind of care I needed and what was covered.

My first insurance policy was highly advertised, priced at a premium, and did not include the day-to-day coverage I needed or wanted. I could only use this insurance for my visa process if I paid for the premium package, but then it only covered major medical. Honestly, I was completely naive about shopping for insurance.

After a few months in my new home, a friend helped me figure out what would work more effectively. I dropped the US-based insurance and took out a policy that was sourced in my new home, and provided 100% coverage with no deductibles. In fact, you’ll find that to be the norm: when you have insurance from other countries, you often with have to pay $0 for doctor visits. (This is just my experience, though, so check it out for yourself!)

As an expat, you might encounter some ideas that are structured differently than what you might be used to seeing. Here’s what I have found to be more common in countries outside the US:

• Public healthcare. Sometimes this is included in your visa, and sometimes you can pay a nominal amount to use the public healthcare system. Often funded by taxation, and may include free or low-cost doctor appointments, medications, and treatments. You may also have access to public hospitals and clinics for both situational and preventative care. With the public healthcare system, you will probably also have protection agains catastrophic medical expenses.
• Private healthcare providers. These are more similar to US-related medical plans, where you have access to a network of facilities and doctors. Private healthcare plans vary widely in terms of coverage, premiums, deductibles, and co-pays. When shopping for a policy, think about the kind of doctors and treatments you will need and how things like hospitalization are handled. Some policies won’t cover pre-existing conditions, and you should also think about the costs of medications.

You’ll definitely find that the US method of healthcare is different from almost every other country’s approach. While you will have to figure out your own plan for healthcare abroad, check out this book from the Clever Expat Bookshelf. Once you read it, you’ll be MUCH more prepared to make the healthcare decisions necessary for a successful expat experience!

Keep exploring!

The Clever Expat

Dear Traveler,

While I was living abroad, I once had a filling that cracked. Aside from being worried about what had happened to my tooth, I was also unprepared to seek dental treatment. Thankfully, a local friend advised me to talk to his family dentist for treatment. Before going to the doctor, though, I spent some time studying the vocabulary around oral medicine, with terms like teeth, gums, cavities, anesthesia, and fillings.

With that vocabulary, I was able to describe my problem to the dentist and the office team. Since that time, software developers and medical providers have realized the need for effective medical translation. There are now applications available to help with terminology, translation, and planning of medical procedures. For me, one of the most important features is being able to understand medical jargon, diagnoses, and treatment plans so you can make informed decisions.

Here are some of the more effective apps I have seen available for computer and mobile devices:

• iTranslate medical – this is an application that can help you communicate with your health providers
• Dr Near Me – this includes both local and online English-speaking doctor visits. According to their website, they support a wide variety of expat health insurance.
• Air Doctor – this is an online app that helps you find in-person and telemedicine doctors that speak English, are local, and in various specialty areas.
• Google Translate -Many languages available in this app include medical translation components.

I’ve also found that many expat insurance companies and systems offer online tools for booking appointments, receiving documents, and communicating with healthcare providers. In many cases, the languages that the doctor speaks will be listed as well, so you can more easily plan your medical visits.

As with my dental visit, you will need to do some research to prepare for medical treatment abroad. However, you may be able to find expat-friendly healthcare services. I would also speak with some local expats to see if they have any additional ideas related to healthcare providers and insurance plans.

Keep exploring!

The Clever Expat