A Life in the Sun

Almost every day, whether it be through the television, radio, press or the Internet, we’re sold an aspirational life in the sun that many only dared to dream of twenty years ago. Setting up home in foreign climes is even more achievable now for most Britons than it has ever been. Moving abroad, whether it’s consciously for a better way of life or to follow a career path, is a trend that doesn’t look set to change.

The BBC published figures at the end of 2006, estimating that 1.3 million Britons live in Australia, with Spain a close second at nearly 1 million Britons living there either permanently, or for more than three months of the year.

A life in the sun may be these expats’ life-style of choice, but does the sun still shine when they need medical attention? The expectations and excitement of preparing for a life abroad, more often than not, overshadows the practical aspects of moving to another country, and considering the implications of paying for health care.

That’s why International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) is a must-have for all expats. IPMI offers a full spectrum of health care benefits, from providing world-wide cover for doctor visits and hospitalisation to emergency evacuation.

To avoid the cost of IPMI though, many Brits decide to either rely on their resident country’s health service (hoping the cost of treatment does not out-weigh the cost of cover), or they rely on returning home for any necessary treatment on the NHS. Taking a risk with either option could leave UK expats seriously vulnerable.

Firstly, many Brits don’t appreciate that very few countries have a national health system that provides free health care for it’s residents, in the same way that the UK’s NHS does. Even across the Channel in France, for example, a GP visit could cost £30 - £40 and if you’re a family with children, the mounting costs could be an unexpected and unwelcome surprise.

Having to cope with a medical situation abroad, no matter how small, being hundreds or thousands of miles away from home, sometimes coping with a foreign language and alien customs, can be a daunting prospect. Add into the equation, facing expensive medical bills and actually finding treatment, the effects of uninsured sickness abroad can prove highly stressful and have severe consequences.

In general, the understanding of what private health care offers has been based on the domestic policies that have been available to Brits for many years. Private medical insurance has, at times, been stigmatised as being something that only the wealthier could afford. There is a tendency to think of private medical insurance as a way of being treated quicker for, perhaps, the more serious health care problems.

IPMI, however, is not just there for what we regard as the more serious medical problems that may never happen. It’s there also for the day-to-day medical needs - like visiting the GP, having a routine dental check-up or a pregnant woman having an ultrasound scan - that can make a difference.

IPMI is also about providing peace of mind. Living abroad can be exciting and challenging but it does come with inherent risks. As mentioned earlier, UK expats may be tempted to opt out of IPMI in favour of relying on the NHS in their hour of need.

‘Health tourism’ has usually been associated with foreign nationals deliberately visiting the UK to use the free national health service. As a consequence, the drain on health service budgets and resources that has resulted, forced the government to take a broader view on who should qualify as a health tourist.

In their legislative changes of 2004, many may be surprised to know that, despite being a UK national, if you are not ‘normally’ resident in the UK you are not eligible for free GP and NHS treatment. If you are under retirement age, and have spent more than three consecutive months outside of the UK you could qualify as a ‘health tourist’ yourself.

There are exceptions that must be studied in full on the Department of Health’s web site at www.dh.gov.uk, but the rule changes have meant that a UK expat visiting the UK should not rely on free medical treatment.

The enforcement of these rules has been left to the hospitals and GPs, but a UK expat shouldn’t be surprised to be asked for proof of residency in the UK before free treatment is provided. Proving they qualify for a service they probably thought was theirs by rights in the first place, could come as a shock.

With the financial state of the NHS, as time goes by, we will most definitely see an increase in the policing of health tourism. And with medical costs inflating at an exponential rate all over the world, there will be a heavier reliance on International Private Medical Insurance for all UK expats.

Intermediaries can therefore provide valuable help and advise in identifying where IPMI is appropriate, and highlighting it’s benefits to clients looking to move abroad.

A comprehensive IPMI policy such as William Russell’s Global Health Elite plan range, should offer:

A 24 hour emergency medical assistance help-line where qualified medical professionals will assist in locating medical care and arranging admission to hospital in an emergency.

Cover for the full costs of hospitalisation, specialist’s fees and diagnostic tests.

World-wide cover both in the country of residence and for all travel outside the area of cover provided, including cover for visits to your home country.

Emergency evacuation if treatment for a life-threatening condition cannot be provided locally.

Cover for the treatment of chronic conditions allowing the day-to-day management of conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure and asthma.

Routine maternity and dental care (usually offered after a qualifying period)

Prompt and responsive claim settlement, making payment either direct to a bank account or the hospital.

A new life in the sun should be a bright and memorable experience. Life-style choices play a big part in our happiness, but health is paramount to being able to enjoy life. A Brit committed to a life abroad should seriously consider IPMI to protect themselves and their families for their own well-being and peace of mind, wherever they are.

Rosanna Turner

Marketing Manager

William Russell Limited

June 2007