What should they have on medical care abroad?
Small update on medical care abroad
No one is safe from illness or accident while traveling abroad. Whether for vacation or for expatriation, one of the points to check during the preparation phase of your project is the quality and cost of the medical care provided in the host country. This allows you to take some precautions before your departure and thus avoid being caught off guard in the event of a problem.
Some examples of the cost of medical care abroad
The most expensive medical care in the world is won by the United States. Indeed, a simple consultation with a general practitioner costs between 80 and 100 dollars at least. Hospitalization costs several thousand, if not tens of thousands, of dollars if it is accompanied by surgery. That, without forgetting the drugs whose prices are so high.
For Australia, it takes on average between 50 and 60 Australian dollars (33 to 40 euros) to see a general practitioner, while the first appointment with a specialist costs around 180 Australian dollars (120 euros) on average. As in the United States, hospital costs are very high, especially if you have to have surgery.
Even in countries where medical care is less expensive, the amounts can very quickly become large. Here are some examples of settlements we have made for our policyholders in South East Asia:
4 days of hospitalization for tibial plateau fracture: USD 12,300
7 days of hospitalization for Achilles tendon repair following an accident: USD 10,400
6 days of hospitalization for high fevers, continuation and suspicion of dengue fever: 3,000 USD
2 days of hospitalization for gastroenteritis: 1,000 USD
Motorcycle accident with multiple fractures: 150,000 USD
What you need to know about the quality of medical care abroad
Besides the cost, it is also important to be concerned about the quality of medical care available in your destination country. While medical services in developed countries are normally of good quality, this is not the case everywhere in the world.
In Asia, many countries have infrastructure and medical personnel able to provide quality care. Be careful, this is not the case throughout the region, especially in the least developed or less touristy countries.
In Africa, the quality of care generally leaves much to be desired, except in a few hospitals in the metropolitan areas of South Africa, Egypt or Tunisia. Sub-Saharan Africa is the worst off, with not always well-trained medical staff, poor infrastructure, outdated or out-of-service equipment, and the unavailability of some drugs.
Latin America faces similar problems, apart from a few countries like Brazil, Argentina, Mexico, Cuba, Colombia and Panama which have good health infrastructure and have many well-trained doctors.
How to live your stay serenely?
Regardless of the destination, the best way to get away with peace of mind is to purchase travel insurance that includes "medical care" and "repatriation assistance" benefits. Thus, in the event of an accident or illness, the medical costs incurred will be reimbursed to you and in the event of being hospitalized, the insurer will cover the costs of hospitalization abroad. This solution offers considerable advantages to the traveler, who can then leave with peace of mind since they are covered in the event of a problem.
In addition, if the doctors deem it necessary, you can be repatriated. The insurance company organizing and covering all costs relating to this medical evacuation.
Illnesses and accidents are part of the vagaries of travel. Unfortunately, the prohibitive cost of medical care in some countries, as well as its quality, can put a strain on your budget in the event of a claim. It is therefore more prudent to take out travel insurance that covers not only medical and hospital costs, but also expenses related to the repatriation of the patient or his body in the event of death.
Do you have more information or questions about the cost and quality of medicine abroad? Talk about your experience by commenting on this article.
Category: Insurance guide
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