Moving abroad can be exciting. Packing up your former home, jumping on a plane, and planning your new life in a new country definitely sounds like a lot of fun, but it is also a lot to think about. It can be so exciting, actually, that it can be easy to forget one of the key factors you should prioritize: your health.
Staying healthy during such a large part of your life will ensure the move goes smoothly. This applies to your physical health, but your mental health should also be taken care of. If you are fit and healthy, you can look after yourself and your family before, during, and after the move.
Your health will be better protected by planning ahead and ensuring you are adequately prepared before moving abroad. This article explains the five main health considerations all expats should be aware of.
Health Insurance
No one wants to think about becoming unwell or injured, but planning for all possibilities is wise, especially when living in a new country. This will involve protecting yourself by choosing the best health insurance as an expat. Good health insurance for expats will protect them from experiencing limited healthcare access or receiving costly medical bills.
Finding a global health plan that works for you will mean customizing it to your needs. Most plans offer a range of benefits, including hospitalization, mental health services, prescription drugs, and much more. Some of the best plans will even offer global coverage, meaning it can even be used during visits to your country of origin. However, you should remember that some add-ons will include additional fees.
Some of the other considerations mentioned in this article will be easier if high-quality international health insurance is purchased.
Healthcare System
For many Americans, making a doctor’s appointment is relatively easy if they become injured or unwell. Unfortunately, this is not the case in every country around the world. With this in mind, soon-to-be expats should explore the healthcare system in their new country before moving.
As previously discussed, health insurance is essential and not just for health protection. Some nations, like France, require expats to purchase sufficient health insurance before they are accepted to live in the country. Others will need individuals to pay a patient contribution towards the treatment they receive.
Medical Records
You must inform your doctor and dental practices when you plan to move abroad. A copy of your medical and dental records will be needed to pass along to your new doctor and dentist; this will ensure that any treatment you require will go ahead with your full history. This is not specific to those moving abroad, though; even when moving practices, individuals must also move their medical records.
Medication
Not all prescription medication will be available worldwide, so it is essential to research this far in advance. Many countries will have different rules in relation to what medicine is allowed. For example, if you are heading off to Japan, you cannot bring NyQuil, Sudafed, and other medications that contain narcotic or stimulant ingredients. To determine what medicines are restricted, you should check the rules with your destination country’s embassy.
If you are taking prescription medicines with you, you can renew your prescription to receive the correct quantity before your departure. A copy of the prescription should be brought with you during your journey. You should also ensure your prescription will be accepted in English or translated into the local language.
While we’re on the subject, we also want you to check that you can get the equipment that you may need in the country that you’re headed to. You need to make the arrangements for this as soon as you can, as you wouldn’t want to be without a catheter if you needed one for example.
Vaccinations
Taking preventative measures to ensure your good health continues is also essential. This will include being vaccinated if necessary. When you inform your doctor that you are moving country, they can advise which vaccinations you need before traveling. This should be arranged at least a few months before the move to ensure you are prepared and have adequate protection from any diseases.
Some vaccines require multiple cycles to offer complete protection, including the vaccination against hepatitis A. Although two doses of the hepatitis A vaccine will protect you for more than 25 years, the first injection can be given two weeks before you leave. The recommended vaccines will differ depending on your new country of residence.
You should also consider if your chosen international health insurance policy requires applicants to be vaccinated against specific diseases.
Moving abroad can be as difficult as it is exciting, but there are several health considerations soon-to-be expats should make before the move. Ensuring you have sufficient health insurance, understand the healthcare system, copy your medical records, know what medication you can bring, and receive the necessary vaccines will make this process much easier.
