Which countries do not have a public healthcare system?
There is only one place to begin and this is with the United States. It is surprising that one of the world’s most advanced countries does not have a public healthcare system. Moreover, their healthcare offering is actually one of the most expensive in the world. Most developed nations, including practically all of Europe, offer some sort of public healthcare. Yet, the richest nation in the world doesn’t! The only other developed nations that fail to offer healthcare in this manner include the likes of Belarus, which is ruled via Soviet-style autocracy, and a few of the still-troubled Balkan states.Nonetheless, you certainly do not only require international medical insurance if you are planning on visiting or moving to the US. There are many other countries that fail to provide a public healthcare system. Rather than list all of the undeveloped countries that do not have this form of healthcare, it’s easier to name those that do, since there are much fewer. Thus, the developing countries that do provide health care protection to all its citizens include the likes of Cuba, Kyrgyzstan, Costa Rica, Oman, Saudi Arabia and a couple more.
Countries do not have an obligation to protect their citizens when it comes to health care and thus there are many places whereby access to medical facilities without some form of global medical insurance is extremely difficult. Moreover, it’s worth noting that just because health care options are provided in these countries does not mean they are of a high standard. Often access can be difficult or the facilities can be basic, which is why more and more people are turning to private international health insurance policies.
Disadvantages of public healthcare
Do you currently rely on the public healthcare system in your country? A lot of individuals all over the world are counting on state hospitals to provide them with the assistance they require during times of need. Sadly, this is often not enough! If you are moving to a country that does provide public healthcare, you do need to think carefully regarding whether or not it is a good idea to rely on this. After all, if you are going to be subject to a poor standard of care, it’s not something worth taking a risk on. So, let’s take a look at the disadvantages of public healthcare in further detail.One significant disadvantage in regards to state healthcare is the long waiting times. This is a huge problem in many countries, even in the UK whereby the NHS is considered one of the best public healthcare systems in the world. Individuals often find themselves waiting weeks and even months for treatment. Of course, emergencies will be seen to as urgently as possible. However, for people that are ill, it can mean they experience significant discomfort for extended periods of time. Not only this, but it can have a detrimental impact on their everyday life and they are likely to feel increasingly worried as more and more time passes.
A lack of privacy is another negative associated with using public healthcare as opposed to seeking global health insurance. In most instances, you will have your own room if you have private health insurance. However, with state healthcare you are likely to be sharing a room with several people. This can be extremely unsettling for a lot of individuals. When unwell it’s obviously important to feel as comfortable and at ease as possible and international medical insurance ensures this is the case.
Aside from the points that have been mentioned, one of the biggest disadvantages of using public healthcare is the fact that you have no control over the hospital you use or the specialist that takes care of you. It’s not easy to get around this either! There are typically rules and regulations in place determining whom you can and cannot see. When it comes to matters as important as your health, you want to be sure someone with an impeccable reputation is looking you after.
When you take the points that have been mentioned into account, the issues with public healthcare are there for all to see. You should never take risks or cut corners when it comes to your health, which is why private healthcare is highly recommended for expats especially.
What can you expect from International health insurance plans with a high level of cover?
International health insurance plans are widely popular. They grant individuals access to the best healthcare all over the world. From students to expats, they are beneficial for various types of people. Nonetheless, there is a vast assortment of global medical care plans available for individuals to choose from and you should put a lot of consideration into selecting the right one for you.
When it comes to a high cover international health insurance plan you are going to be covered for both in-patient and out-patient costs. In-patient treatment refers to the likes of diagnosis, emergency care and needing to stay in a hospital overnight as a necessity. Out-patient cover refers to treatment that does not require a supervised recovery period or an overnight stay in a hospital.
Nonetheless, this merely scratches the surface of the different services and treatments that will be covered in a high cover plan. You will also be covered for optical services, dental care, and maternity care as well. Plus, if you take your policy out before you move, you will be able to take advantage of it to get all of the vaccinations you need, be this the yellow fever vaccine or something different. Not only are these plans designed to cover you in regards to the full scope of medical services, but they are also designed to provide you with a wide range of health care in relation to the locations you can benefit from as well.
You may be wondering how this works since surely all international medical insurance plans are designed for worldwide use. However, you will find that some plans have various countries excluded. The US is a prime example of this, where healthcare is typically very expensive and so some policies exclude coverage in this country. Nevertheless, with a comprehensive coverage plan, you can expect access to health care in the US.
Hopefully, you now have a better understanding of what you will get if you opt for a high cover worldwide health insurance policy. This type of plan is not suitable for all, but if you want maximum coverage and ultimate peace of mind it is certainly the right option for you!
Conclusion
All in all, there is no denying that healthcare is one of the most critical matters you need to take into consideration when you are moving to another country. The first thing you need to do is determine whether or not you are going to have access to the public healthcare system in the country you are moving to. Then, you need to decipher whether this is something you even want. Would it be better to go for private healthcare and take out an insurance plan instead? If so, use the advice that has been provided to decide on the right coverage and what sort of extras you require for your plan.Featured Image Source
