Medicare's precautions for expats

Everyday illnesses such as flu and colds can play havoc with anyone’s life style, but can also have more serious implications for the exile living and workings overseas.

Less well known, but just as disruptive is a group of viruses, called ‘Noroviruses’ or ‘winter-vomiting viruses’, which hit the UK last wintertime and caused huge figure of people to suffer from vomit and diarrhea.

MediCare International explains that this annual pest is the most park cause of tummy bugs in the UK, affecting all ages and though not by and large dangerous, causes projectile vomit, watery diarrhea along with a fever, headaches and ache limbs.

Most people make a full
recovery within one to two days, but it can cause more serious problems for the very old and very young who risk becoming dehydrated and may require hospital treatment.

Obviously, this nasty group of viruses is not restricted to the UK – so, stomach bugs and job caused by feeding the wrong food or imbibing untreated water are park problems in some parts of the world and it is these type of ‘everyday’ illnesses that can cause job for the unwary expatriate.

With more and more people moving to work in areas where hygiene is suspect – possibly in oversea call centres or on IT placements – it is vital to make sure that you are covered with international health insurance.

David Pryor, Senior Executive, remark, “health care problems, such as everyday stomach disturbance, that are not usually an issue in the UK, can pose real wellness problems in other areas of the world with lower hygiene standards.

“habitue trips to the doc to settee bouts of food toxic condition can soon mount up, but it is exactly these sort of costs which are covered by MediCare’s international healthcare policies.

“It is worrying to note that even today there are still around 50% of UK expatriates around the world without international healthcare insurance.

“These people are taking a real gamble with their health and that of their family too.  It’s so easy to get cover in this day and age.  And MediCare International is able to provide health cover for
expatriates of all ages, including those over 65 and all occupations, including those expatriates who work in hot spots.”

When considering international health policies, most people focus on the need for hospital treatment and emergency evacuations whilst ignoring the everyday costs for routine illnesses.

For a premium of around £100 per month, MediCare clients will find GP visits, specialist consultant fees, medication, X-rays and even complementary therapies covered, with their first outpatient claim free of any excess on all policies except their basic option.

Mr Pryor is familiar with the costs of regular GP visits, commenting, “It is amazing how fast the cost of everyday drugs to treat minor problems such as stomach upsets and infections mounts up.

“A fever, for example, may require samples to be tested in a pathology laboratory to
identify the precise nature of the cause.  Equally, respiratory problems will usually need an X-ray, in addition to a wide range of antibiotics.”

MediCare International estimates that the typical cost of an annual premium for those working in more exotic parts of the world can quickly be recouped.

A simple stomach upset, if not properly managed, can evolve into a more complicated condition that may require specific and immediate treatment.

Such treatment may involve the use of specimen culturing, barium meals, internal examinations using endoscopes and, of course, a range of drugs.

In India, for example, home of low cost call centres, where costs are generally not that high, a course of investigation and treatment could easily cost from £150 to £200, depending upon the severity of the illness, which could quickly become a recurring cost in areas of poor sanitation.

It certainly pays to follow good hygiene rules and watch what you eat wherever possible.