News dedicated to Expatriates and people living and travelling abroad

Our news is updated daily on-line. For the most recent news articles please visit us at www.expatriatehealthcare.com

Thursday 25 November 2010

Worldwide Medical Insurance News: Choose from a 'tantalising array' of Christmas markets


Expatriate insurance policyholders who fancy getting away from it all in the run-up to the festive season could try a weekend at a European Christmas market.

According to figures from iligo.com, the best budget weekends for such shopping experiences can be found in Budapest, Prague and Berlin, with other cheap deals being offered in Brussels, Copenhagen and Vienna.

For the full story click here.

Expatriate Insurance News: 'Prepare in advance' for last-minute holidays


Expatriate healthcare insurance policyholders who are looking for cheap last-minute holiday deals should still ensure they plan for the essentials, according to travelsupermarket.com.

Travel expert Bob Atkinson commented that the priority should be taking out overseas medical insurance - this should be purchased at the same time that the holiday is bought, so the customer does not forget to take out cover.

For the full story click here.

International Healthcare News: North-east Brazil 'lies virtually undiscovered'


There are still parts of north-east Brazil that lie undiscovered by expatriate healthcare insurance policyholders and other travellers, the country's tourist office has claimed.

Glauco Chris Fuzinatto, UK and Ireland director at the Brazilian Tourist Office, noted that holidaymakers tend to pick the Iguassu Falls, Sao Paulo, Salvador and Rio when choosing a vacation destination, but "the north-east has a lot more to be explored".

For the full story click here.

Monday 22 November 2010

Mood Shift for the Expatriate Market


With the economic world ever increasing, and new markets opening up year on year, there is a clear shift in the mood of expatriates. Where once they were very much thought to be second rate postings, the opposite is now true, particularly for younger workers who are perhaps stepping on to the career ladder for the first time.

Alongside the increase of junior staff taking positions abroad, there has also been a shift of emphasis away from the traditional approach. Often, staff would be sourced in the UK for placements overseas, but today, people are more likely to move abroad and find a job with a UK based company upon arrival.

Whilst many companies will still offer costs to staff for relocation and international healthcare, many of the other benefits once enjoyed are not offered. Accordingly, remuneration is higher.

The reliance on staff already located in a host country is serving businesses in greater ways too. It has often been said that cultural differences were not always recognised at headquarters, but this is changing.

With many staff taken up already based in the host country, often as a result of a visit made through a gap year, understanding and communication lines are optimised. With staff having greater language skills too, expats are more of an asset than they ever have been.

A move abroad should always be carefully considered, whilst it also necessitates a lot of arranging of personal details. Expat health insurance is one area where this is certainly true, and at Expatriate Healthcare we are experts in taking the hassle and stress out of the expat insurance process.

Expatriate Jobs Shift to Inexperienced Workers


Over recent years, the number of people taking up positions abroad has seen a significant rise from junior members of staff, whilst many university graduates are also choosing to move abroad of their own accord, and seek employment upon arrival.

This does pose a number of problems however. Expatriates sent overseas by their companies will most likely have their relocation costs and bills and rent covered for them. There may also be a living allowance granted, whilst expatriate medical insurance will also be taken care of.

However, companies are less inclined to do this for workers who have, to all intents and purposes, posted themselves abroad. Mindful of this therefore, it is more likely to be down to the individual to ensure things such as expatriate health insurance are in place.

With many graduates selecting to live and work in locations visited in gap years, costs can be kept down quite reasonably. Whilst much can be achieved abroad in that case, ensuring that international healthcare is in place before travelling is certainly advisable.

Healthcare provision and rules and regulations vary considerably from country to country. Indeed, the different benefits and structure is hard enough to understand through our own NHS; transpose this abroad, and there are further levels of confusion.

At Expatriate Healthcare, we can provide packages to suit travel to almost every location across the world. With a team of experts with local and cultural knowledge, we can also help tailor international healthcare packages to meet any sporting activities or adventures that take place whilst abroad.

International Health Insurance News: Try something new on holiday


Overseas medical insurance policyholders are looking for more from their trips abroad, according to a travel writer.

Dan Hipgrave noted that it is important to take advantage of all the opportunities available when experiencing life abroad.

"When doing these kinds of activities you forget about your day-to-day problems. You just enjoy them, then when you go home from your holiday you are able to brag about them and tell all your friends about the things you can't even imagine you've done," he explained.

Meanwhile, a survey from Travel Alberta has revealed ...

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Expatriate Insurance News: Business flyers' priority 'is punctuality'



International health insurance policyholders who travel for business are more concerned about their flight being on time than how much it costs to fly, according to Advantage Travel.

Norman Gate, director of business travel at the firm, pointed out that ...

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International Healthcare News: Brazil 'is popular overseas home destination'


International health insurance policyholders thinking of relocating abroad should know that the Brazilian property market is "a step ahead" of other destinations.

This is the view of Robin Wilson, head of overseas at Rightmove.co.uk, who commented: ...

For the full story click here.

International Healthcare News: Expats 'could find better opportunities abroad'

Prospective expats are increasingly considering the opportunities they could have if they move abroad, the director of Shelter Offshore has claimed.

Rhiannon Davies pointed out that people of any age could take up the expatriate medical insurance policyholder lifestyle in a different country and would not have to wait until retirement to do so.

"We Brits are globally mobile and there is a tradition as long as your arm of Brits pioneering, exploring, colonising and setting up home, business and lifestyle abroad. So it is no surprise to me that...

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Expatriate Healthcare News: 'Tread carefully' when buying property abroad


Expat health insurance policyholders are being urged to "tread carefully" when it comes to purchasing overseas property in Spain.

According to Property-Abroad.com, prices of Spanish homes could fall further still, which may drive interest back into the market.

"Everybody is trying to call the bottom of the market, but with more job losses in the UK public sector and things like that, people are a little bit more apprehensive for the time being," said Les Calvert, director of the company.

However...

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Worldwide Medical Insurance News: Trinidad and Tobago 'set for bumper carnival'


Expatriate medical insurance policyholders looking for a holiday destination should make their way to Trinidad for next year's "bumper carnival", the island's minister of tourism has suggested.

Dr Rupert Griffith commented that...

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Expatriate Medical Insurance News: Egyptian remittances 'will exceed $7.6bn'


Expatriate medical insurance policyholders from Egypt are expected to send back $7.68 billion in remittances this year, the World Bank has projected.

This is despite international financial problems that have affected employment opportunities around the world.

According to news source Al-Masry Al-Youm ...

For fill story click here.

Friday 12 November 2010

Need For Expats Set to Rise

With ever changing working practices, and emerging economies continuing to be embraced in the business world, the need for more and more expatriate workers will be needed over the next decade. Recent studies have shown that as many as forty percent of international companies will increase their expats.

The emphasis is going to be heavily on the developing marketplace; with China and India set to spearhead the move. Africa is also a hot up and coming market, though Western markets will still need supporting, but on a lesser scale.

The move is more than simply having a headquartered associate on site. With career progression and development enhanced to such a degree with cross border working practices, staff presence in emerging countries will only enhance these ideals.

With most postings lasting between two to five years, the need to seek appropriate expatriate medical insurance is important. Many companies will help arrange this for their staff, but it is still down to the individual to check and be aware of all the details,

Coupled with this, checking that all family members travelling are covered too is important. There are companies to help with this, and with a veritable minefield in many countries, it goes a long way to help to make the process a lot less stressful.

At Expatriate Healthcare, we are experts in the variances of international healthcare, and have policies to suit all demands. Further than this, expat insurance packages can be tailored to suit, to ensure that all needs can be met.

Thursday 11 November 2010

Overseas Health Insurance News: Expats 'earn more than Botswana citizens'


Expatriate medical insurance policyholders could earn 100 per cent more than Botswana citizens (known as Batswana) in the African nation, a report has claimed.

Data from the Central Statistics Office shows expats ...

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Expat Health Insurance News: Expat doctors 'struggle for jobs in UAE'


Expatriate healthcare professionals studying at UAE universities are struggling to find jobs in the kingdom because of bureaucratic regulations.

According to Gulf News, graduates are unable to complete a mandatory three-year practice at a public hospital or clinic because of ...

For the full story click here.

International Health Insurance News: Expats 'at risk from online fraud'



Expatriate health insurance policyholders might be more at risk of internet fraud because they have a higher likelihood of using online banking.

This is the view held by an article published by expatforum.com, which states ...


For the full story click here.

Expatriate Insurance News: Expat 'still missing'


An embassy has made an appeal for any help in finding an expatriate mother of two who has been missing from the Philippines since September.

The UK's Manila embassy has put an appeal for Carole Day on its website. The expatriate was last seen ...

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International Healthcare News: VAT 'should be introduced to GCC nations'


An economist has suggested cutting tax benefits to the untaxed expatriate population of Gulf Co-operation Council (GCC) nations and introducing region-wide VAT for such overseas health insurance customers.

Dr Nasser Al Saidi, chief economist of the Dubai International Financial Centre Authority, pointed out that ...


For the full story click here.

Expatriate Healthcare News: Number of expats in Nigerian jobs 'to be limited'


Expatriate medical insurance policyholders working in Nigeria could have opportunities to seek new jobs curbed under regulations designed to favour Nigerian citizens for employment.

According to Next.com, the initiative is in line with ...

For the full story click here.

Monday 8 November 2010

Expat Health Insurance News: Expats anxious about settling in


Settling into a new community overseas is the largest cause of concern for recent expats, according to new research.

The report by HSBC International shows that ...

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Don't Leave Things to Chance When Heading Abroad

When people are asked to move to foreign shores with work, or perhaps making the move on a more permanent basis with the family, it can be a shock to discover that policies paid into for a number of years cannot be taken abroad. Unfortunately, many people do not discover this until days from boarding the place or, worse still, when it comes to seeking help.

There are some policies that can be taken abroad, though this should never be assumed of course. As such, ensuring the policy covers international healthcare needs to be determined. In the likelihood this is not the case though, it is important to get covered right with expatriate health insurance.

Settling this too can be somewhat of a minefield, as unsurprisingly each country has its own rules and regulations. Fortunately, there are companies well placed to advise on what is needed. Further than this, it will also be important to determine exactly what cover is required; dependent on age, lifestyle, activities planned and so forth.

Also if there are plans to travel between countries on a regular basis as with many business secondments to Asia for example, the policy will need to be flexible.

At Expate Healthcare, we know what we’re doing when it comes to the global village we live in. With a dedicated team working to ensure just the right cover, we can provide the right expat insurance no matter where in the world you are, no matter what in the world you are doing.

Expat Insurance Just Makes Travelling Easier

When travelling, no matter how often, it can be easy to forget the details. Whilst most of the time this will cause no bigger a problem than a small delay or a small extra expense, not having the right medical insurance can be more than significant.

Many people assume their UK policy will cover them, whilst others assume that travelling through Europe will be covered. This is not true however. Whilst travel in the European Union covers emergency care, travel outside of the area and ongoing care for expats in Europe is not covered.

Those, whose foreign travel involves extended stays or people making a permanent move, need to ensure that adequate expatriate medical insurance is sought. Ensuring correct cover in the UK saves a lot of hassle and other benefits.

Whilst rare, it has been known for medical care to be withheld if the host country cannot be certain their costs will be covered. Further than this, it is also increasingly common for people to left considerably out of pocket if they don't have adequate expat health insurance whilst abroad.

Naturally, for the number of people travelling to work and live abroad from the UK each year, these stories are few and far between. However, there are countless stories of inconvenience, frustrations and still considerable though perhaps ultimately affordable, expenses being incurred.

International healthcare requirements vary between countries, so arranging the right cover can be awkward. It is for this reason that we at Expat Healthcare concentrate on providing the best service to our customers, allowing travel to be just that little bit easier.

Why It Is Important To Get Expat Insurance

Whether consistently travelling for work or play, or making a move overseas on a more permanent basis, it is important to ensure you have adequate medical cover in place. Many people assume that their present policy will cover them for every eventuality; but this is rarely the case.

Most basic healthcare cover will become redundant as soon as you step on the plane out of the country. Whilst European cover is provided to a certain degree for nationals, this is not all encompassing either. This is certainly so for those living in another country on a permanent basis.

Many travellers abroad do not go with any cover at all, and regrettably there have been a host of unpleasant stories as a result. In most cases, these will be financial, though there have been instances when care has been withheld until finance has been secured.

Fortunately, it is possible to get expatriate medical insurance which will provide full and extensive cover. The information requested will be more searching than regular policy questions, though with the full cover provided this is to be expected.

The type of cover provided and options available to add on vary considerably, and can generally be tailored to suit individual needs. The type of cover will also vary on the length of the stay abroad, though can be amended quite simply, in most cases, if necessary.

At Expatriate Healthcare, we are experienced in providing this most vital of services. With expat health insurance packages to suit travel across the globe, for business, pleasure and permanent relocation, we are confident we can help with our fantastic range of international healthcare packages.

Does Your Health Insurance Cover You For Travel Abroad?

Getting the right health insurance takes a little of time; checking the details, researching the costs and reading through the small print soon adds up. Once assured there is cover in place for every eventuality, it is nothing more than covering the premiums each year. However, many of those heading off abroad for an extended period of time are surprised to learn their cover may not go with them.

For those travelling across the globe on a regular basis, or living abroad on a permanent basis, it is highly likely that standard cover will not stretch across the borders. As such, looking for appropriate expatriate health insurance is important.

These too vary considerably though, whilst they also can vary depending on the geographical region being visited. This is certainly the case when travelling outside of Europe, though the provision of healthcare in each country varies a great deal, no matter the continent travelled to.

For those that are heading abroad for work, or those who are seeking adventure in far flung locations, getting the right expat insurance is vital. Travelling abroad is safer now then it ever has been, and it is likely that there will be no problems. However, it is good to know that a broken leg or toothache can be attended to quickly and effectively should it occur.

At Expatriate Healthcare, we have a dedicated team that can tailor make your policy to give you just the right cover. Whether you’re heading off to Spain, France, and Italy or further afield, we know we can help with the right international healthcare for your needs.

Thursday 4 November 2010

Expat Health Insurance News: Expats more at risk of fraud


Expats are more at risk of fraud than Britons living in the UK, according to new reports.

Following research from CIFAS, the UK fraud prevention agency, showing 80,000 instances of identity fraud in ...

For the full story click here.

Overseas Health insurance News: Sponsors reminded of health insurance requirements


Saudi Arabian sponsors are being reminded of the necessity of having international health insurance measures in place for their expatriate workers.

Al-Riyadh newspaper, cited by Arab News, reports many residents are ...

For the full story click here.

International Health Insurance News: Expats urged to donate blood


Expatriates in Korea are being encouraged to donate blood after it emerged that certain blood types are in short supply across the nation.

Asia One reports while in most countries approximately ten per cent of the population

For the full story click here.

Worldwide Medical Insurance News: Expat wins photography prize


An expatriate living in Dubai has won a national media prize.

Amateur photographer Winjnand Van Till, who originally hails from the Netherlands, was awarded ...

For the full story click here.

Wednesday 3 November 2010

Expat medical insurance news: Expats advised over tax


Expats in Spain can take simple steps to ensure they keep their tax burden as low as possible, it has been claimed.

A report from the Daily Telegraph suggests that ...

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Expat health insurance news: Expat property service launched


A new service specifically designed to help expats and foreign nationals find a property in the UK has been launched.

The service, ExpatFindAProperty, is designed to ...

For the full story click here.

Expat Health Insurance News: Challenges ahead for expats, but no regrets


Although expats may face significant challenges in their relocation abroad, there are unlikely to be regrets about leaving UK shores, it has been claimed.

Expat advice portal Shelter Offshore has noted that ...

For the full story click here.

Expat Health Insurance News: Crime a concern in Geneva


Although many potential expats may be drawn in by Switzerland's reputation for keeping the peace, overseas residents in Geneva are unsettled by a recent crime wave, according to a new report.

A survey carried out by the Permanent Mission of Switzerland to the United Nations in conjunction with Geneva police revealed ...

For the full story click here.

Expat Health Insurance News: Abu Dhabi expat enjoying a dream job


An expat living in Abu Dhabi believes he may have one of the best jobs in the world.

According to the Telegraph, Andy Keeling, manager of the new Ferrari World theme park, can hardly...

For the full story click here.

It Is Important To Prepare For Travelling Abroad

Whether for business or as a life change, travelling abroad can have a great deal of benefits. However, before heading off to foreign shores, it is important to prepare well. This is particularly the case with regards getting everything in place for medical care.

As a starting point, the Foreign & Commonwealth (FC) and Department of Health (DoH) websites should be checked for advice regards vaccinations and the like. This should be done at the earliest opportunity, but certainly within 4 to 8 weeks of departing.

For those people with pre-existing conditions, it is also important to talk directly with the GP. As well as being able to guide you on certain areas, they may also be able to give you more personal advice.

For the full story click here.