Finding the Best Private Health Insurance For Your Expatriate Family

The best private health insurance is a relative term. There are so many different options for private health care in the United States that it can be difficult to explain them all. In the United States, there are essentially two types of private health care: public health care and private health care. Private health care can also be described as plans which are purchased privately by individual patients or families, and the most common private health care coverage categories are HMOs, POSs, and private preferred provider organizations (PPOs). There are other private health care plans which are sometimes included in employer sponsored health plans or are offered as a supplement to those plans.

There are several differences between the two major types of private health care in the United States. Most significantly, the private sector offers more flexible choices for medical coverage than does the public sector. This is particularly true for patients who need to switch health plans or doctors. It is also important for expats to understand that in the case of emergency or critical care, private sector health insurance may not have the capacity to take care of the patient in an emergency situation. Even so, private sector insurance policies for expats are still among the most affordable health care options available to many working professionals in the United States.

A major source for finding the best private health insurance plan is through personal research. Expats should carefully evaluate their current medical insurance plans, both within the United States and abroad, and look into any additional medical insurance plans which may be of interest. This can be accomplished in a few different ways. Expats can contact their former employers to see if they have any medical insurance plans available to them, or if they can get a referral to a foreign hospital where they can be seen. There are also many independent brokers and/or consultants who can help an expat find the best private health insurance plan. These people are often members of the Society of Retired Executives (SREX) or are former high-level executives.

Another option for finding the best private health insurance for an expat family is to talk to a local family physician. Many expats living in either Australia or Canada have a family physician which they can use when necessary. While this can provide immediate medical care, it is not always appropriate in other cases, such as those where the patient will be able to speak and comprehend English.

For those expats who speak English as their first language, private HMO and PPO health plans can be of great value. In these cases, a person will only need to make doctor visits with their primary care physician. For an expat family this is extremely beneficial. Most local hospitals will accept medical insurance plans from these companies. A doctor visit will only be necessary when a person is outside of the country and their doctor needs to see them.

Private HMO and PPO health plans are slightly more expensive than their more popular public alternatives. This is due in large part to differences in coverage between the two plans. A private HMO and PPO plan will often cover preventative screenings and doctor visits. The deductibles will be more limited with an HMO and most employees will receive full-time employment in order to be eligible for an HMO plan. A PPO plan requires that employees receive a minimum amount of coverage from a private insurer while they are on a leave of absence or during regular scheduled leave.

There are other ways that an expat family can obtain affordable health care coverage. Some expats choose to enroll their family in a public program that provides short-term health care insurance while an individual searches for a good private plan. In most cases, a short-term health plan will require that the individual who enrolls will stay within the same state for the entire duration of the policy term. Other options include pay as you go plans and health savings accounts.

Small businesses with fewer employees may not feel comfortable with a public or a private healthcare company. An alternative option is to look into small business insurance. This type of plan can often be purchased directly by an individual with no assistance from an employer. In most states, small business insurance plans will be limited to an HMO or PPO. These plans can be much more affordable than some assume.