Experiencing a medical emergency abroad can be a daunting experience, especially if you don’t speak the local language or understand how the country’s healthcare system works.
With international health coverage in place, you can be safe in the knowledge that your medical needs are protected if you fall ill unexpectedly in another country. Let’s explore some of the key ways this type of insurance can support you when you need urgent medical care.
Global health insurance can provide you with prompt access to eligible medical treatment at leading private medical facilities worldwide within your chosen area of cover.
Private healthcare providers may give patients a more personalised and comfortable experience, helping to reduce the stress felt during emergency situations. They are often equipped with the latest medical technologies as well, enabling them to facilitate prompt and high-quality medical care.
International health insurance plans can offer extensive medical cover, such as hospital treatment, diagnostics and imaging, maternity care, accident & emergency room treatment, and cancer care.
It can support you during recovery periods too with cover for services like follow-up appointments, doctor and specialist consultations, and prescription drugs and dressings. Access to ongoing support gives you peace of mind and lets you focus on healing without facing financial strain.
Emergency medical evacuation cover can be included with IPMI plans if you’re experiencing a critical or life-threatening eligible medical condition in a remote location. It refers to the provision of urgent medical care and transport to the nearest hospital where appropriate care and facilities are available.
Emergency non-medical evacuation services may also be covered with your plan. This means you can be transported to a place of safety if you’re in a life-threatening situation due to events such as political/civil unrest or natural disasters.
Many insurance providers give you access to 24/7 multilingual assistance with your international medical insurance plan, allowing you to receive urgent help across multiple time zones in your preferred language.
Designed to provide prompt guidance for emergency and planned medical care, support can include managing your personal healthcare requirements and organising emergency medical and non-medical evacuations.
It can sometimes involve additional assistance from trained doctors and nurses as well, who may consult with doctors and ensure your proposed treatment plan is appropriate.
International health insurance can protect you from significant financial loss in the event of a medical emergency.
You could be left with substantial medical bills without health insurance in place, as well face delays in receiving treatment. With IPMI, you can avoid the stress of being left out-of-pocket if you’re taken ill abroad.
A process called direct billing is regularly used during the provision of medical care. This describes when a healthcare provider bills your insurance company directly for your treatment, meaning you won’t incur any personal costs provided the services are covered under your plan.
You may need to pay out-of-pocket for your medical care and seek reimbursement in some instances, such as for outpatient treatment which typically costs less than inpatient treatment. Many insurance providers have made this process simple, offering digital solutions that enable you to seamlessly submit you claim, track its progress, and upload documents relating to this.
In the event of an emergency, attend your nearest medical facility to receive treatment. It’s essential to get in touch with your insurance provider as soon as possible to alert them to the situation.
Ensure you have important insurance information with you at all times, like your membership card, so your healthcare provider can quickly access it when treating you and coordinate with your insurer.
Keep a record of other documentation relating to your medical care, including medical reports, receipts for treatment, and prescriptions, as this could be requested if you need to submit a reimbursement claim.
Check out our tips for comparing international health insurance coverage to help you make an informed choice here.
