If you’ve ever moved house, you’ll know how stressful it can be. Moving across continents and taking up residency in a new country can take that stress to a whole new level, and the last thing you want is to hit a major problem if a family member has an accident or becomes unwell. So on your essential check list of ‘things to do’, international health insurance has to be one of the most important items. Before you head off for the airport, check that you and your family have the cover you need.

What is expat health insurance?

Without health insurance, even a small accident or minor illness can be frighteningly expensive. Health insurance means that no matter where in the world you are, you have the peace of mind knowing that your family will get the best medical care and it won’t cost you a fortune. Expat health insurance is specifically designed for people moving from their country of origin to another on a permanent basis, and ensures that you won’t be denied medical cover in your new country of residence. It is the same as a normal health insurance policy that ensures you are covered for medical treatment in your new home from the moment you arrive.

Where can I get information?

Online resources are plentiful and give information on each country’s specific requirements. The NHS provides guides on healthcare in both EU and non-EU countries. If you’re moving to the USA, the State Department provides an online medical insurance and country guide that gives you all the information you need. Other countries such as Canada and Australia also have their own personalised guides to health insurance – check their government websites for more details.

What should I look for when buying health insurance?

Not all international health insurance policies offer the same level or type of coverage, so it’s important to know what to look for. You need to consider what the maximum limit of the policy is and whether it will provide cover for everything from prescription medicines through to surgery and long-term medical care. Also take into account any existing medical conditions, as these may affect what type of policy you can take out. The UK Foreign Office recommends policies should provide at least £2m / €2.5m / $3m in benefit limits.

Make sure it covers all the key areas you think you may need, as life can be unpredictable. Depending on your circumstances, you may need cover for:

• Chronic conditions such as cancer

• Pre and post-natal maternity treatment

• Doctors/specialist visits

• Prescription drugs

• Emergency evacuation

• Dental and optometrist treatment

You should also check if the plan offers "Paid in full" or only covers a proportion of the costs for certain treatments. Also decide early on what deductibles (excess) you are willing to pay. As with other types of insurance, the higher the excess you are willing to cover, the lower the overall premium.

Do I really need international health insurance?

Leaving it to chance could prove to be expensive. There are also a variety of other reasons as to why you might need international health insurance including:

• Your country of residence legally requires you to have private international medical insurance

• The quality or availability of your new country's healthcare system does not meet your needs

• Local healthcare is too expensive

• The local healthcare system is confusing for expat residents, or you may find that you are struggling with language barriers

Why shouldn’t I just wait until I arrive in my new home?

Waiting until you get settled in could mean that you are left without medical insurance for days or even weeks. At a time when every penny counts and there are other expenses involved in moving home, costly medical bills could cut deeply into your family’s finances. Even common prescription medicines like asthma inhalers can be expensive. Ensuring that you have medical insurance in place before you arrive takes at least one financial worry out of the equation.

Some countries also require all citizens to have mandatory health insurance cover before taking up residency. Failure to ensure that your family is fully covered for medical emergencies may actually delay your ability to move into your new home. It may also mean an expensive fine.

It’s easy to make sure you’re covered

After you’ve done your research concerning your destination’s legal requirements, the next step is to talk to insurance companies that specialize in expat health insurance. Arranging comprehensive expat health insurance is as simple as arranging any other form of policy. The key is to tell your provider where you’re moving to and what kind of cover you would like, and they’ll help you find the cover you and your family need. Providers such as CIGNA Global offer international health insurance packages specifically designed to help people who are planning to move abroad on a permanent basis, as well as cover for international travelers.

Take care of all the paperwork before you leave, and you can arrive at your new home knowing that your family will get the medical treatment they may need when they need it. And if the worst does happen, you won’t have to pay out a fortune in medical bills.