What about health and
medical issues when living overseas
What
if I get sick - or hurt?
Most employers in most countries will provide you with a
very basic form of health/medical
insurance.
In
some countries, you will become eligible for the
national health care system, in others you will belong
to a private plan that your employer has purchased for
you (or you may pay for a certain percentage of the
coverage).
Is
the provided coverage adequate/enough?
If
you are young and healthy, don't ride a motorcycle or
engage in dangerous activities, and don't travel to
other countries - then it probably is. These type
coverages are fine for the occasional cold or
semi-serious illness. But they are not adequate for
long-term or out-of-country coverage, or for any kind of
serious or catastrophic illness or injury.
If
you are thinking about teaching long-term, are
middle-aged or older, and/or ride a motorcycle - then
consider purchasing a good quality policy that you can
take with you from country to country.
Aren't these type policies expensive?
Yes, and no.
What is really expensive is to have a serious medical
problem and no, or lousy, coverage. Yes, you will find
that some policies offered by major insurance providers
quite expensive. But there are some reasonable
alternatives. Two traditional companies that offer
"instant quotes" on line are
MultiNational Underwriters and
Good Health
.
Tell me more . . .
I'd
like to recommend the health insurance I use - Cobra
Tubbs Batten (CTB) in the UK. I selected this company
about ten years ago - after a several year search. All
the companies seemed way overpriced or provided lots of
coverage that I didn't need or didn't want.
CTB's "International Teacher's Portfolio" - covers about
what I need - for the most reasonable rates
I have ever run across. They have covered my family's
medical problems in Taiwan, Tanzania, Saudi Arabia, and
Thailand with never a problem. I suspect it is the
personal service we get from their consultant - Fiona
Lavery. I am a big fan of hers!
Their coverage takes the worry out of living overseas.
You can e-mail their consultant Fiona Lavery at
h.f.lavery.t21@btinternet.com and she can e-mail you
the information and rates They don't pay me to
recommend them - not a penny - but good peace of mind is
worth pursuing. I sound like a salesman! The
insurance program - at times - has been restricted to
citizens of the UK.
Travel
Insurance
Travel Insurance is a good option if you want some
coverage only while out of the country where you are
working - as your work coverage will not cover you out
of the country, on the way to your job, or on your way
home. And, after all, one reason for choosing TEFL as a
job alternative - is so you can travel.
I feel better already - knowing that you - at the
very least - know something that you really need to know
if you are going to live and work overseas.
