Health Insurance in the Third World

When living abroad in a third world country one of the biggest problems you may face is finding good health insurance coverage. 

Many third world governments do provide health care for citizens but it is usually very limited and most foreigners will not qualify for coverage. Some third world countries make no provision for the health care of their citizens and you will have no choice but to provide your own. 

There is an answer for the person living overseas in third world countries when it comes to health insurance. A standard international insurance plan will resemble many HMO plans in Europe and America. 

The international plan will cover doctor’s visits and hospital stays along with a multitude of treatments and services. The person living in the third world country will want to look for the international plan that provides for their specific needs.

As with HMO plans, international health insurance is limited in what it provides for. Almost all services will require co-pay by the patient but there will be a cap on the amount the patient is required to pay. For serious illnesses the patient will need an international health insurance plan with broad coverage.

One option the person living in a third world country should have included in their international health insurance plan is the option to be evacuated to another country for treatment.

Some third world countries do not offer high health care standards and major illnesses would be better treated elsewhere. 

By choosing an international health insurance plan that provides for medical travel you will be assured of receiving the best service possible.

In comparison plans in the US such as Krankenversicherung USA and the similar Reisekrankenversicherung are far more flexible.

As with any health insurance plan, international health insurance coverage for the third world will not cover everything.  Exclusions can range from what you do for a living to pre-existing conditions. 

Most cosmetic surgeries are not covered, along with rehabilitation treatments and self-injury. 

Because of the dangers of living in a third world, some international health insurance plans do provide for eventually that you may be injured accidentally in some form or act of war. 

International health insurance plans can be very expensive.  It is possible to find international plans that are affordable. 

You will need to search for the best plan that covers what you deem necessary. You will also need to decide if you need family coverage.

For example, if your family is traveling with you it will be important for them to also be covered. If your family remains at home they will probably best be covered by your existing policy. 

You will be able, with research, to find international health insurance plans that recognize the less inexpensive medical costs of third world countries and make adjustments in their premiums to reflect this.

When returning home to live you will usually have approximately six months to return to your previous insurance policy. 

The availability of international health care insurance plans makes it possible for persons living and working in the third world to have adequate medical coverage.