Ensuring quality medical care for employees working abroad is essential, since local medical facilities can be basic, expensive or even inaccessible. With this in mind, most employers with staff based overseas ensure that some kind of international or expat health insurance plan is in place, offering their staff (and families) peace of mind.

Expat healthcare plans offer varying levels of medical cover, so you need to be fully aware of what you are and what you are not covered for. Obviously, if you have your family with you, then you will need to check whether they are also covered by your private healthcare plan.

It is important to secure enough cover for all possible contingencies, remembering to include cover for chronic conditions. Whilst nobody really likes to dwell on the issue, evacuation and repatriation should also be taken into account.

Medical costs across the world are increasing at a faster rate than the cost of living. Consequently, many insurers will try to defer increases in premiums by either reducing the range of cover or introducing penalties, meaning that it is imperative that you read the small print.

Naturally, the quality of care being offered is highly important. A healthcare package provider with an established network of clinics and hospitals is the most sought after, as this makes for higher standards of care. Such a network means that invoices can be settled directly between the provider and the hospital, leaving the patient to recover in peace.

It is also an advantage to find a health insurance provider who has an office, or some kind of presence, in the area where you are staying. Finding one that provides access to a 24 hour confidential advice line, as well as a foreign language interpretation service, is helpful too.

The Premier Choice Group are an effective independent insurance brokers. By offering impartial access to all of the major insurers, they give peace of mind to many people living and working overseas. Please visit the PCH website for access to the best possible expat health insurance rates for all levels of cover, irrespective of your country of residence.