British expats will keep health benefits

The UK government has set out to reassure around 1.2 million British expats living in the European Union that they will try to ensure they will retain their access to free healthcare in the countries where they now live after Brexit.

In addition, the government says it will look to 'uprate' the state pension and other benefits - essentially, the government says the pensions will not be frozen as they are for some Brits in other countries.   more ...

Growing mental health issues for expats

A survey by Aetna International has revealed there's a growing problem for the mental health issues of expats working overseas.

The firm says there's been a sharp increase globally of 28% in claims for help with mental health issues in Europe, Africa, the Middle East as well as the Americas and Southeast Asia.   more ...

Moving overseas with an allergy can be worrisome for many expats. You may have grown accustomed to managing your allergies at home, but moving abroad may require a different approach, especially if you don’t want to spend your time concerned about things that can go wrong. Allergic reactions can range from mild irritations to severe life-threatening episodes. However, it is possible to experience a smooth transition, with some amount of preparation.   more ...

Duty of care for international employees

Employers with internationally mobile employees need to take steps to ensure their duty of care obligations are met and boost productivity and well-being.

The findings from a report from Collinson Group, an insurance and assistance provider, say proper consideration should be given by employers to help achieve the best balance between the employee's well-being and cost savings.   more ...

Good and affordable medical care is a basic need for people all across the world, regardless of their age, nationality, gender or location. It is important for everyone to have easy access to a wide network of modern and properly-equipped hospitals as well as qualified and experienced doctors at all times. This is why most expats carefully assess a country’s healthcare system when they are about to choose a destination to settle down in. This factor plays a pivotal role in their overall health and wellbeing. They often look at the range of services available in the public and private sectors, insurance options and costs.   more ...

It's still too early to predict how negotiations between the UK and the EU will progress but already David Davis, the MP responsible for the discussions, has said the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) will probably be discontinued for British citizens.

Many expats will be using their EHIC to access healthcare while living in the European Union because their medical bill will be picked up by the NHS.   more ...

Every nation should have a robust, comprehensive and affordable healthcare system for the physical as well as the emotional wellbeing of its people. This means that residents should have easy access to a fairly wide network of doctors, medical facilities, and services, without having to go through excessively long waiting lines. A good healthcare system should also ensure that everyone can afford to pay for common treatments and medications.   more ...

Chronic conditions include diseases, illnesses or injuries. They may be ongoing and have no known cure. They could recur or they could be permanent, or they could require long-term treatment. Some examples of chronic illnesses are cancer, respiratory disease, genetic disorders, heart disease, stroke, hearing impairment and oral disease. It is possible to prevent these conditions, and to manage them if they are detected early enough. Such conditions may also be managed through improved diet, exercise and treatment.   more ...

According to a recent survey, three out of four expats do not buy health insurance cover before leaving home.

Most wait until they've arrived in their new country before sourcing healthcare provision, though 54% said they did it within two months and 17% said they'd arranged healthcare cover after they had experienced healthcare facilities in their new country.

More worryingly, the survey from AXA PPP also revealed that 5% of expats do not bother buying any health insurance cover whatsoever.   more ...

Expats at greater risk around the world

Expats on overseas assignments are increasingly at risk from terrorism and populism upsurges, according to a survey.

The risk map published by insurance firm Aon reveals that there was a 14% increase in worldwide terrorist attacks last year.   more ...