Health Insurance: Will Your Plan Remain Valid if You Move Abroad?

Posted on: Nov 10, 2021 | | Written by:

Health Insurance: Will Your Plan Remain Valid if You Move Abroad?

Published on November 9, 2021. EST READ TIME: 3 minutes

Health Insurance Validity Abroad - Health insurance

Health insurance is probably one of the most important things you can buy for yourself and your loved ones. It takes care of your medical bills and other associated expenses and helps you concentrate on the treatment and recovery in case of an emergency. But what if you are moving abroad? Will the medical insurance policy that you have purchased in India cover you financially in a different country too? Let’s find out.

Geographical limitations of health insurance plans

Most health insurance policies offered in India offer domestic coverage only. So, in case you fall sick or meet with an accident in another country, you will need to pay the hospital bills, ambulance charges and other associated expenses from your own pocket. Since medical expenses in a foreign land are usually on the higher side, any kind of medical emergency can blow your budget.

Keeping this issue in mind, many medical insurance companies in India are now offering worldwide coverage to policyholders. However, it depends on the type of health plan you take. While some policies come with an in-built global coverage, others may not. In such cases, you may have to pay extra premium and take global coverage as an add-on cover.

Can you take your health insurance cover abroad with you?

If you have an international medical insurance policy, you can take it with you. The policy will remain valid in other countries as well and help you meet your medical expenses. However, check with your insurer regarding the same and go through policy wordings as well.

Also, many personal accident insurance plans in India come with worldwide coverage. In case you meet with an accident in a foreign country, the insurer will cover your hospital bills. Insurance companies also cover accidental death and disability in a foreign country.

Similarly, most critical illness health plans also remain valid in a foreign country. If you have taken this plan for yourself and your loved ones, check with your insurer if you can avail the plan benefits even after moving abroad.

Should you discontinue your existing health plan in India if you move abroad?

If you have a basic or regular health plan, it will mostly cover medical bills in India only. In this case, you must cancel the plan before moving abroad. However, if you are going abroad for a few months only, you can keep your existing health insurance.

After moving to the new country, you can take a new health insurance policy there and stay covered against medical emergencies. Some countries have also made health insurance mandatory for their residents. So, taking one after going there is a better option.

Can you get international medical insurance in India?

Yes, you can take international or global medical insurance in India and stay covered in a foreign country. However, the premium of this health plan will be on the higher side. Hence, taking global health insurance in India makes sense only if you relocate often.

On the other hand, if you are planning to stay in the new country for long, you must take a new health plan in the destination country itself. Apart from being easier on your pocket, a local health insurance policy will ensure quick and hassle-free coverage of your medical expenses.

Things to keep in mind before buying international health insurance

If you are planning to buy international medical insurance in India, here are some important points to keep in mind:

1. Medical expenses in a foreign country can be more than expected. Hence, you must choose an adequate coverage amount.

2. Before taking a health plan, check if the country you are moving to is covered under the policy. Almost all health insurance companies exclude treatment in the United States of America and Canada, while some cover these countries at a higher premium.

3. Most international health plans covered certain illnesses only. For more benefits, you may need to choose a higher sum assured and pay more premium.

4. For international health plans, most health insurance claims are settled by reimbursement only. This is because some insurance companies can’t maintain a global network of hospitals for cashless claim settlement.

5. The medical cover offered under travel insurance is different from a global health insurance policy. While travel insurance covers only emergency medical expenses, an international health plan covers emergencies as well as planned medical treatments.

Conclusion

To sum up, almost all health insurance plans have geographical restrictions. Hence, if you have a basic health plan in India, it will not be valid in a foreign land. So, the best option is to take a new medical insurance policy in the destination country. If you relocate often, you can take international travel insurance in India and stay covered against medical emergencies. However, the premium will be high and cashless treatment facilities may not be available.

Disclaimer: The above information is for illustrative purpose only. For more details, please refer to policy wordings and prospectus before concluding the sales.

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