01New Covid Variant Undergoing International Monitoring
A new Covid-19 variant, PQ.16.1.1, is being monitored by the World Health Organization after increasing in prevalence internationally, particularly in parts of the Western Pacific. It is descended from the NB.1.8.1 lineage and carries several additional mutations that may help it escape some existing immunity.
For now, we should note that there is no evidence that PQ.16.1.1 causes more severe illness than other Covid variants. The WHO assesses the additional global public-health risk as low, and existing vaccines are expected to continue providing protection against severe disease. Covid nevertheless remains a greater health risk for older people, those with weakened immune systems and people with some underlying conditions.
For expatriates, the new variant currently has little specific impact. There is no indication of a return to the international travel restrictions seen during the pandemic. However, people living overseas or travelling between countries should remain aware that Covid waves and dominant variants can differ considerably from one country to another. Expats may therefore want to check local vaccination recommendations and healthcare arrangements, particularly if they are older or medically vulnerable. Anyone travelling while unwell should also consider the risk of passing infection to others.
02Health Insurance Costs Rise for Retired UAE Expats
The Gulf News has been turning the spotlight recently on health insurance costs for expat retirees in the region. Press reports suggest that retired expats in the UAE need to budget carefully for health insurance, as premiums can rise substantially with age. The increase often becomes noticeable from the mid-50s and steeper between 60 and 65. Retirees may also lose the advantage of employer-sponsored group insurance and need to arrange individual cover instead.
For someone aged 65 or over, basic cover may cost around Dh7,500–12,000 a year, while mid-range policies can cost Dh14,000–22,000 and comprehensive plans Dh25,000–45,000. Pre-existing conditions, hospital choice and international coverage can push costs higher.
If you are a retiree in the region, you should check deductibles, co-payments, medication cover, hospital networks and restrictions on pre-existing conditions rather than simply choosing the cheapest premium. Maintaining appropriate insurance is also particularly important for expats using the UAE retirement visa.
03France: A Rise in Annual Co-Payment Limits
British and American expats living in France could face higher out-of-pocket healthcare costs, following changes introduced on 1 October 2026.
The French government has increased the annual ceilings for two types of patient contribution:
- franchises médicales, which apply to certain medicines, medical transport and services provided by healthcare professionals
- participations forfaitaires, which cover some medical consultations, tests and procedures.
The annual maximum for each category has risen from €50 to €70, increasing the combined potential annual contribution from €100 to €140 per patient.
The changes do not increase the individual charge for each consultation, prescription or procedure. The individual charges for franchises médicales and participations forfaitaires remain the same. Instead, the new rules allow a higher total amount to be collected over the course of a year.
Certain groups remain exempt, including children, pregnant women during specified periods and people qualifying for particular forms of low-income healthcare assistance.
For expats registered with France’s public healthcare system, the increase is relatively modest but adds to the cost of accessing medical services, particularly for those requiring regular treatment or medication.
Residents should also check whether their supplementary health insurance, or mutuelle, covers other healthcare expenses, as these statutory patient contributions are generally not reimbursable.
04New Study Compares Healthcare Experiences of Older Americans and Patients Abroad
A new international comparison published by the Commonwealth Fund on 8 October 2026 examines how the healthcare experiences of older Americans enrolled in Medicare compare with those of older adults in other high-income countries.
Drawing on the organisation’s 2024 International Health Policy Survey, the analysis provides a useful perspective on healthcare access, affordability and patient experiences among older people.
The research is particularly relevant to Americans considering retirement overseas, where healthcare arrangements can differ considerably from those in the United States.
Although Medicare provides important health coverage for eligible older Americans, it generally does not pay for routine medical treatment outside the US, apart from limited exceptions. Americans relocating abroad therefore need to investigate local public healthcare eligibility, private insurance and potential out-of-pocket expenses.
For British expatriates, the comparison also highlights the importance of understanding how national healthcare systems differ in their funding, eligibility requirements and access to treatment.
The Commonwealth Fund’s research does not introduce any new healthcare entitlements or insurance rules. However, it offers useful evidence for expats assessing the practical implications of living in another country’s healthcare system.
If you are a prospective retiree expat from the US, therefore, you should consider not only insurance premiums, but also access to specialists, prescription costs and long-term care provision.
You can read the full report, “How the Experiences of Older Adults on Medicare Compare to the Experiences of Older Adults Abroad” (authored by Evan D. Gumas and David Blumenthal), here:
05US Medicaid Cuts Leave Thousands of Legal Immigrants Without Healthcare
New restrictions on Medicaid eligibility introduced on 1 October 2026 have left hundreds of thousands of legally resident immigrants in the United States at risk of losing publicly funded healthcare.
The changes, introduced under President Trump’s 2025 tax and spending legislation, remove eligibility from several categories of immigrants previously entitled to Medicaid, including refugees, people granted asylum and survivors of human trafficking or domestic violence.
Lawful permanent residents holding green cards remain eligible, subject to existing requirements, including applicable waiting periods. Some exemptions also apply to children and pregnant women.
The scale of the changes is substantial. Approximately 29,000 people in Arizona and an estimated 177,000 in Florida are estimated to be affected, while New York has introduced temporary state-funded arrangements to maintain coverage for around 60,000 residents.
The administration argues that immigrants should be financially self-sufficient rather than dependent on taxpayer-funded benefits. Healthcare advocates, however, warn that losing insurance could force vulnerable patients to delay treatment, discontinue medication or rely on emergency departments.
For British and other foreign nationals living in the United States, the changes underline the importance of checking healthcare eligibility against immigration status. If you think you could be affected, you should contact your state Medicaid agency to investigate alternative coverage and whether you qualify for any available exemptions.
