Following the rapid rise in "Global based companies" over the past decade, coupled to vast improvements in telecommunications and expansion of Internet services world-wide, the availability of private healthcare insurance services to the expatriate community, has never been better. However, of the 30-40 million estimated expats living or working globally, less than half of these individuals and families hold valid healthcare insurance plans. As this market for expat cover is growing at over 10% annually, globally, several new plan providers and new insurers have launched new plans over recent years, offering clients increased choices. I have listed a number of these with websites and contact phone numbers at the end of this article. Additionally, some of these insurer benefits and premiums are compared in the attached matrix sheet for review purposes.

For new ex-patriots, leaving the USA or Western Europe, to be based in a developing country, perhaps for some years, it is often a shock to discover that medical treatment of a reasonable quality is just not available, or very expensive, in their new location. Conditions can differ vastly from Baku to Beijing to the Bahamas. Many documented case histories sadly indicate the devastating experience both mentally, physically and financially of falling seriously ill when overseas, can become. Private Medical Insurance when abroad is like a parachute when flying. You may not need one but it better be there, as you and your family would may not survive without one. e.g.: Being evacuated from the Gobi desert, following a car accident resulting in broken bones, coupled to a suspected fractured skull is not an easy matter at any time.