No NHS for 180,000 Brits leaving UK

Over 500 Britons leave the country every day to live and work abroad, but how many have planned their healthcare arrangements asks American Express Insurance Services.

Britain has reciprocal healthcare arrangements with some countries – notably those in Europe – but even these do not cover the full cost. In France, for example, only 80% of costs are covered, whereas in Spain it’s more like 10%.

Britons anxious to protect their health whilst living or working abroad can purchase private medical cover with the American Express International Healthcare Plan. For a 53 year old Briton living in France annual cover would cost just over £1,100.

Chris Rolland, General Manager, UK Insurance, American Express Insurance Services: “Moving abroad can be a complicated matter and looking after your health at this time is often the most important concern. At American Express we pride ourselves on providing excellent cover for life and unforeseen events. International healthcare starts at only £27.28 and can be much cheaper than flying home from overseas.”

The American Express International Healthcare Plan offers three levels of cover – Major Medical, Lifestyle and Lifestyle Plus. All policies include:

£1million or €1.6million of medical cover per annum including expenses for CT and MRI scans.
Choice of which country you would prefer to be treated in
Evacuation and repatriation cover.
Guaranteed use of screened blood via the Blood Care Foundation.
In-patient and day-patient cover.
Out-patient and post-hospitalisation cover.

Higher levels of cover include home nursing, management of chronic conditions, routine and restorative dentistry, pregnancy and childbirth. Policies are available for adults and families.

Customers have access to 24/7 help including skilled linguists with full medical vocabularies to help co-ordinate and interpret with medical staff to ensure the highest levels of care.

For more information, visit americanexpresshealthcare.com.