Outpatient & General Practitioner Costs
Expatriates with families and small children will know that
"outpatient costs" and visits to the local doctor are usually the
main cost in the home, but more-so while living abroad.
Expats in developing countries are more prone to ill health and
most will have at least one or more visits to a doctor during a
stay of duty. You need to know that medical costs will be fully
reimbursed and you know the level of deductible which will be made
from any and all outpatient claims.
Read your plan carefully as this area can be an expensive
assumption otherwise.
1. Many insurers offer a
limited outpatient benefits, these issues should be carefully
studied in the new plan. Note any restrictions and measure them
against the other plans.
2. Check the wording of
drugs and dressings offered, note whether "full coverage" or
financial limits are set in the plan.
3.
Few personal
plans offer "elective" or "well woman" "well man" checks. Most
international plans cater for healthcare once the patient has
symptoms or is ill. They do not offer preventative checks or health
checks at the control of the client.
Rightfully, most larger company plans do offer "well woman" "well
man" checks. It is obvious, one needs to seek a doctor for a
check-up, avoiding the discomfort of an emergency visit. Once
again, read the contract details.