Real Talk: Healthcare Abroad

For an American moving abroad, the local healthcare system isn't just a cultural shock—it’s a psychological trip. We are conditioned from birth to view medical care through a lens of defensive panic: “Is this doctor in-network?” “Will this ER visit bankrupt me?” “Did I hit my $5,000 deductible yet? Many of us feel the fear of the healthcare system in American as soon as we feel a tiny itch in our throat.

Unless you have international health insurance, you are not covered when you land in your host country. When Americans hear this they panic and assume that achieving health insurance in your new host country will be a daunting tasks. While not every country is the same, at Americans Abroad we find that our clients have little to no issue getting health insurance abroad. This article will provide you with enough information to ensure that the decision to get health insurance is made with clear and realistic expectations.

Americans assume that if they don't have a massive employer-sponsored corporate policy, they cannot access safe medical care.  In most developed and developing expat hubs, healthcare is either unlinked from employment or affordable enough to pay entirely out of pocket. Explain that concepts like "co-insurance," "in-network providers," and "prior authorization" are largely American inventions. In other countries, it also widely common to seek services from public hospitals instead of private hospitals. With public hospitals you recieve low cost or even free services, but expect a longer wait time for non-life threatening emergencies.

As an expat, you are most likely planning to seek residency in your host country. If that is the case then in some countries, obtaining health insurance is probably mandatory. In countries like Albania, they will let you sign up for health insurance and you can use it before you even get the residency permit. Coverage amounts an vary, but they cover things that would normally be covered in the United States. We caution you to know id the insurance company you use is providing full coverage support or reimbursements.

Lastly, we find that our expat clients experience a shock when they go to the pharmacy. It is not due to the lack of medication, but how easy it is to acquire most medicines. Medications such as inhalers, birth control, or high level allergy medication could be easy to purchase by simply asking the pharmacists if they have the medication in stock. Expats also notice that pharmacies might have medical devices and tools on hand that you would usually have to make an appointment for. For example, expecting mothers can purchase a fetal monitor to use at home. For those who are taking insulin, we have had some clients be able to purchase medical needles for less than $30 USD. A trip to the pharmacy can be positive experience living abroad and they pharmacists are trained to provide in depth details about your medication to ensure it is used properly.

The biggest hurdle for an American navigating healthcare abroad isn't the local language or the layout of the clinics—it is unlearning the financial trauma of the US medical system. Once you realize you don't need to fear the doctor or hoard medication like currency, a massive weight lifts from your shoulders.

Moving abroad proves that quality medical care doesn't have to be a luxury or a source of panic. Start by securing a local private policy that clears your residency visa requirements, find a reputable private international hospital in your new city, and embrace the freedom of paying cash prices that won’t break the bank. Your health and your wallet will thank you.