Medical Care Overseas: Are You Covered

When Ben Kutler moved to Beijing, he was surprised to find that the healthcare system in China was different from what he was used to in the U.S. Fortunately, Kutler had no major medical emergencies while overseas, and—once he submitted his claims—his American health insurance covered the occasional doctors’ visits and medications he needed while there. However, just figuring out which doctor and clinic to visit turned out to be an education itself.

“I learned that most foreigners in China go to private hospitals which have Western-trained and English-speaking doctors,” says Kutler. For the average Chinese person, these private hospitals are too expensive; most receive treatment at government-run public hospitals which don’t necessarily offer the same level of care.

As Kutler now realizes, if you’re planning to spend any time abroad, knowing the healthcare options in your host country can be vitally important.

Healthcare systems range from government-funded, mandatory universal healthcare to voluntary or private health insurance or fee-for-service care. Most modern, industrialized countries offer a mix of options, while in underdeveloped countries, both government funding and private insurers may be scarce and residents must rely solely on fee-for-service care.

In countries where there is universal healthcare—the United Kingdom and France, for example—patients are served by both public and private hospitals. Public hospitals provide healthcare free to everyone, but “you wait your turn,” says Dr. Robert Quigley, Regional Medical Director of the Americas Region for International SOS Assistance, Inc. the largest medical assistance company in the world. Residents who purchase private, supplemental health insurance in addition to their universal healthcare coverage can choose to go to a private hospital or receive government-provided treatment.

In undeveloped countries, the distinction between public and private hospitals is much greater, says Quigley, pointing out that in public hospitals there may be no doctor available at all, and there may be unsafe health and hygiene practices because there are no standards on a par with developed countries.

When it comes to emergency treatment, the Emergency Medical Treatment and Labor Act (EMTLA) ensures that no person in the United States can be turned away from a hospital emergency room, whether he has insurance or not. Most other Western countries have similar policies (though they may ask you for payment). That’s not the case in many regions of Asia, Africa, and Latin America, says Quigley, where you will have to pay cash up front to be treated, no matter how serious your illness or injury.

If you’re traveling or moving abroad, Eves advises you to check whether your health coverage applies overseas and if it pays for emergency expenses such as medical evacuation. If not, consider purchasing supplemental insurance or enrolling in a medical assistance program that can help you navigate the healthcare system in virtually any country you find yourself in.

Before leaving your home country, research the type of healthcare that will be available to you, says George Eves, founder of ExpatInfoDesk, who offers these questions as guidelines:

1. What costs will you be expected to meet, how will you pay them, and what aid and assistance are available? Are there any reciprocal health agreements between your home country and the host country?

2. Are there both public and private healthcare systems available in your host country? What facilities and services are provided at both? If you have any specific health issues, will the treatment and medications you need be available?

3. What type of medical insurance will you need? In some countries private medical insurance is absolutely mandatory, while in others you may opt to pay insurance premiums in order to attain a better standard of healthcare than that available publicly.

4. What medical facilities are available? This is especially important if you’ll be living in a less developed country where the nearest hospital could be hundreds of miles away.

5. What are the emergency procedures in your host country and which hospital will be the most suitable for your needs in the event of an emergency? Every country in the world has an emergency number (similar to 911 in the U.S.), although in some places it is better to phone the hospital directly.

6. What do you need to do in your host country to become eligible for healthcare and ensure that you have adequate coverage?

“In short, planning is everything!” emphasizes Dr. Quigley. If the unexpected were to occur, you want to know what to do and where to go.