Are you an expatriate or future expatriate preparing to take out international health insurance? Are you planning to study abroad for a few months or even a few years? Wondering what you need to know to choose the right expatriate insurance? Here’s our advice to help you choose the international insurance that’s right for you. Mondassur also offers you a free online quote to compare expatriate insurance plans with their coverage and rates.
Find out about the cost of medical care and the standard of health in the country of expatriation.
Medical fees vary enormously from one country to another. In Japan and the United States, for example, medical costs are among the most expensive. It is therefore important to know the level and quality of care provided in the country of expatriation to anticipate costs. In countries where the medical infrastructure is more basic, repatriation insurance is also strongly recommended to benefit from care that is often of better quality than in the country of expatriation.
Research the decisive factors in choosing expatriate insurance
To determine the right health coverage for your profile, you need to know a few insurance basics and ask yourself the right questions:
- What are the validity conditions for international health insurance coverage?
- What deductibles apply? A deductible is the amount you are required to pay. Check that deductibles are not too high, ideally less than 500 euros a year.
- Are there any waiting periods? During this period, which can last from 15 days to several months, you will not be able to make use of your benefits and your treatment will not be reimbursed. These waiting periods must be less than 3 or 6 months maximum, except for maternity, which may have longer waiting periods.
- Can you consult the doctor of your choice, or do you have to go to a center recommended by the insurer?
Define your health coverage
There are two types of international health insurance: complementary to the CFE (Caisse des Français de l’étranger, the French expatriate health insurance scheme) and 1st euro insurance.
With CFE and a complementary insurance policy, you’ll have the equivalent of compulsory health insurance coverage (Sécu + mutuelle). CFE reimburses according to French social security rates. Supplementary health insurance is essential to cover a large proportion of your out-of-pocket medical expenses.
Insurance from the 1st euro covers your expenses directly, without involving the CFE.
The choice between one or the other type of insurance essentially depends on your family situation, income, desired coverage and even the country of expatriation.
Choose an insurer who is easy to reach and speaks your language
Being able to easily reach your French-speaking insurer will come in handy when the time comes!
At Mondassur, you have access to our medical platform 24 hours a day. Our team of advisors is available Monday to Friday from 9 a.m. to 6 p.m. without interruption (French time), and we respond very quickly to all your e-mails. Mondassur advisors can offer you the complete international insurance package for your situation.
Check how reimbursements are made
The procedure must be straightforward and the repayment period swift. Also check the amount of bank charges – if any – for a refund to your foreign bank account. Finally, ask whether you benefit from a direct settlement service for hospitalization costs. If you are hospitalized, who will pay the hospital directly? The most efficient solution is for the insurance company to pay the hospital directly, as costs can be very high.
Identifying contract exclusions
Check that the excluded benefits are not essential in your case. Mondassur will help you read these exclusions and select the best expatriate insurance for your particular situation.
Why choose Mondassur?
Mondassur has been the insurance specialist for people living outside their home country since 2001. Whether you’re a student, a trainee, a traveler or an expatriate, Mondassur can accompany you abroad with a customized range of international health insurance plans to suit every expatriate profile and every budget.
We offer a wide range of international health insurances, and above all we listen to our policyholders and future policyholders to offer them the insurance that’s right for them. Depending on their needs and circumstances, we offer a range of international insurance solutions. The easiest way to be sure you’re choosing the right expatriate insurance is to get a free quote online and then contact us.
