For a world tour, a PVT, or a long expatriation, taking out international health insurance is an essential step before any departure abroad. Among all the offers on the market, it can however be difficult to find the most suitable health insurance. Here are some tips for choosing your international health coverage according to your profile, your type of trip and your destination.
To choose the most suitable international health insurance, first make sure to clearly define your travel plans. Are you preparing to move abroad with your family? Or are you planning to travel around the world for several months? If so, which countries do you intend to visit?
Similarly, remember to carefully determine your health needs and those of your family: do you have any particular health problems that require specific care from a specialist? Do you wear glasses or contact lenses? Will your children need orthodontic care?
By clearly specifying your expectations, you will be able to sort through the offers on the market more easily and select the most suitable health solutions.
Check the refund conditions
Also remember to ask your insurer about the procedure to follow in the event of a health problem abroad, as well as the reimbursement terms. In particular, find out about the waiting periods applied, the reimbursement ceilings, and the supporting documents to provide.
Choose insurance that can guarantee a rapid reimbursement period, within a few days. Check that you can easily make your request online.
If the contract includes teleconsultation , this could save you having to pay upfront for these expenses.
With MSH International, for example, you can make your reimbursement requests directly from the dedicated mobile application, by simply taking a photo of your medical bills and other supporting documents.
The insurer must also be easily reachable from abroad, and over an extended time slot. This is an essential criterion for benefiting from assistance and advice in the event of a health problem in your destination country. Also note that quality health insurance must include immediate coverage in the event of hospitalization.
Choose the health coverage that suits your situation
You can therefore opt for private health insurance from the first euro . This type of international health insurance allows you to benefit from a reimbursement from the first euro or dollar spent. It does not require being attached to the Caisse des Français de l’Etranger, nor to the French Social Security, nor to the basic system of the host country (which may be mandatory in some countries, find out well in advance).
However, if you are (or have been) affiliated to the French Social Security, you can take out health insurance in addition to that of the CFE (Caisse des Français de l’Etranger) . This health solution is exclusively for non-resident affiliates. It allows them to maintain the link with the French Social Security system, both for health and retirement. Reimbursements will then be covered by the CFE on the basis of the reimbursement scales of the French Social Security.
Also, it is often recommended to opt for private supplementary insurance in order to optimize your level of health coverage, depending on the health costs observed in your destination country. When choosing your international health insurance, also check the list of countries covered by the offer. If you are preparing an expatriation, anticipate in particular possible trips to countries close to your destination country, as well as the conditions of care during your stays in your country of origin.
Check the exclusion conditions
While it is important to be aware of the health benefits covered by the insurance, don’t forget to check for exclusions, relating to certain claims or activities, such as certain extreme sports.
Finally, you should know that most health solutions can be configured to measure. You will be able to modulate your contract by including additional options, such as:
With MSH International, you benefit from international health insurance adapted to your travel plans abroad (expatriation, world tour, short stays, etc.), and to your personal and professional situation (departure solo or with family, seconded employee, independent, active seniors, etc.).
