Are you an expatriate or future expatriate in the United Kingdom ? Are you looking for health insurance in England, Scotland, Wales or Northern Ireland? We explain how to choose the right international health insurance for your situation and budget.
Remember that you can subscribe to :
- The NHS
- English private medical insurance (PMI)
- International health insurance: expatriate insurance for the 1st euro or complementary insurance to CFE
In this article, we’ll look at the advantages and disadvantages of these different types of cover.
Is the NHS enough to cover me as an expatriate?
The English healthcare system, the NHS, covers all UK residents, but it does not always meet the needs of expatriates for the following reasons:
- The GP’s consultation time is around 10 minutes, which is short when you have a major health problem. In addition, only one medical problem is treated per consultation.
- You need a general practitioner to consult a specialist, even a gynecologist or pediatrician.
- Waiting times to see a specialist or go into hospital can be very long (up to several months).
- The quality of care you receive often depends on where you live.
Medicines, dental and optical care are not covered, which is a major concern for expatriates. The latter are often forced to take out private health insurance to obtain comprehensive coverage. Mondassur offers health insurance for the United Kingdom with comprehensive coverage tailored to these needs. Get a free international health insurance quote now and discover our different offers!
Should I take out private English insurance?
Taking out private health insurance in the UK can offer a number of advantages over the services provided by the NHS (National Health Service). In particular, Private Medical Insurance (PMI) stands out for a quality of service often perceived as superior, especially in terms of reduced waiting times for consultations and treatments. This can be particularly beneficial for those who need rapid access to specialists or specific treatments.
However, this insurance is generally limited to a network of doctors and health establishments approved by your insurer. This means that to be covered, you must consult healthcare professionals and facilities that are part of this network. As a result, while PMI can offer flexibility and speed of access to care, it can also impose certain restrictions on the choice of healthcare providers.
In addition, PMI coverage is generally geographically restricted in the UK. This means that if you travel abroad, you won’t necessarily be covered by your private health insurance.
Before taking out private health insurance, it’s important to assess your specific health needs and budget, and carefully compare the different insurance offers to choose the one that best suits your expectations and situation. The decision to purchase private insurance ultimately depends on your personal health priorities, your financial situation, and the value you place on fast access to treatment and flexible care.
Should I choose international coverage as part of the €1 or in addition to CFE?
International health insurance, on the other hand, meets the needs of expatriates living in the UK. This type of international health insurance is not geographically restricted: you can choose to be covered anywhere in the world (within the limits of your insurance company’s coverage zone). You are covered for private GPs and can include maternity, dental, optical and pharmacy cover.
Finally, you can consult a specialist (pediatrician, gynecologist…) directly, without needing to be referred by your NHS or private GP.
Health insurance for expatriates is often available as a “€1 package”, or as a supplement to CFE (Caisse des Français à l’Etranger).
Before taking out an expatriate policy, it’s important to take stock of your health needs, so you can choose the expatriate insurance best suited to your situation and budget. To do this, don’t hesitate to request a free online quote to help you choose the formula that’s right for you.
Mondassur offers very competitive rates for insurance at €1 or in addition to CFE, with a variety of options to suit different needs and budgets. Their cover is designed to offer peace of mind to expatriates living in the UK or elsewhere, ensuring that you have access to quality healthcare wherever you are. To help you choose the plan best suited to your situation, Mondassur offers free online quotes. This is the best way to accurately assess your options and choose the best international health insurance for you.
