Expatriate Forums in Peru

HOUSING IN PERU / PERU HOUSING GUIDE

Peru Info — Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:22 pm

Author: Peru Info

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 10:22 pm

HOUSING IN PERU

Choosing where to live in Lima depends a great deal on your lifestyle and where you will be working.

If your job involves a busy social life and late nights, or your taste for city life includes cafés, art galleries and concerts, then you will prefer San Isidro, nearby Orrantia del Mar (which belongs to Magdalena), parts of Lince and Jesus Maria, and Miraflores (which includes the quiet Aurora and San Antonio areas), as well as Barranco, where many artists and writers live.

You should also seriously consider the climate. There is a sharp contrast between the districts hugging the coast and those that are further east against the foothills of the Andes – the coastline is cool and very damp between the winter months of May and October, whereas the climate gets drier and the skies brighter the further east you go.

If you suffer from hay fever or asthma, definitely avoid living in areas such as San Miguel and Magdalena, the oceanside areas of Miraflores and San Isidro, and the Parque El Olivar (the olive grove) in San Isidro, all high on the city's humidity levels map.

Also humid is La Encantada, a gated community next to the Villa wetlands and bird sanctuary, but the air is very clean, and the area is beautifully quiet and green. It is also within easy access to any part of the city.

Be careful when choosing an apartment just for the view. The buildings overlooking the ocean in San Isidro and Miraflores provide a spectacular view of the bay between the months of November through April, but they will be fogged in for the better part of the morning during the autumn and winter months. Also, the breeze picks up in the late afternoon and evening, so if you are considering an apartment on the malecón, it is worth making an additional visit in the evening to check that any all-glass or steel-framed windows won't be providing you with whistling-wind sound effects.

Going east, you will begin to notice a climate difference even in San Borja, and of course in Chacarilla and parts of Surco that include the quiet La Castellana and areas off both sides of Av. Benavides.

Further northeast lie Monterrico, Camacho, La Molina, and La Planicie, where the micro-climate is very different to San Isidro, and the quiet suburban lifestyle is now supplied with almost everything you need. Traffic at peak hours is heavy but moves fairly quickly.

There is another option for the more adventurous who don't mind Lima driving – further east and higher up the Central Highway lies Chaclacayo, with quiet backstreets and sunshine year-round, that includes the residential areas of Los Girasoles, next to the Los Andes golf course at Huampaní, plus the area called California, and the unique architecture and quiet seclusion of Los Condores. These areas are only a 30-minute drive from anywhere in Lima, and people who choose to live there say the dry climate and sunshine are worth every penny of the higher fuel budget. They are also ideal places for a weekend house.

Notes:

* Limeños are noisy drivers, so beware of choosing housing on main thoroughfares.

* Cosas, the local edition of Hello magazine, carries a monthly supplement called Casas which includes (mostly top-end) properties for rent and sale and details on some of the more prominent real estate agencies and agents in Lima. Available at bookstores and news kiosks.

OVERVIEW

Expat areas: Most popular areas in Lima are the following districts: Miraflores, San Isidro, Camacho, La Planicie, La Molina, Chacarilla, Los Incas Golf Club, Monterrico and Surco. San Isidro is an older, stately municipality with mainly traditional-style properties along with some modern houses.

Housing: Rented apartments are available in most suburbs whilst houses with gardens are available in all areas, including the nearby coastal resorts and foothills of the Andes towards Chosica. Few homes have central heating. Rents vary considerably within the same district and so newcomers should take their time searching and view a comprehensive selection of properties before making a decision. Newcomers use to rent their homes, instead of buying. But both options are available. You can also find furnished houses or apartments, according to the time you will be staying and other specific needs.

Cost of housing: Varies from area to area and the size of the house or apartment you'll pay anything from Euro 800 to Euro 2800 for an apartment and Euro 2500 to Euro 5000 and higher. The local currency is New Sol.

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN PERU / PERU SCHOOL GUIDE

Peru Info — Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:57 am

Author: Peru Info

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 6:57 am

INTERNATIONAL SCHOOLS IN PERU

Asociacion Educacional Williamson Newton College
Ricardo Elias Aparicio 240,
Las Lagunas de La Molina,
La Molina 12,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: (51) 1 479 0460
Website: www.newton.edu.pe

Asociacion Academia de Cultura
Calle A (Los Recuerdos) 276,
Urb, Los Alamos de Monterrico,
Surco,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: +51 1437 0088
Fax: +51 1437 0088

Casuarinas College
Av Jacaranda 391,
Valle Hermoso,
Monterrico, Surco,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 344 4040
Fax: +51 1 344 4396

CEP Mixto Reina del Mundo
Avenida Rinconada del Lago 675,
La Molina,
Lima 12,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 368 0496
Fax: +51 1 3680497
Website: www.rdm.edu.pe

Colegio Altair
Av Arboleda 385,
La Molina,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 365 0298
Fax: +51 1 365 1940
Website: www.altair.edu.pe

Colegio Franklin Delano Roosevelt
Las Palmeras 325,
Camacho,
La Molina,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: 51 1 435 0890
Fax: 51 1 702-4500
Email: fdr@amersol.edu.pe
Website: www.amersol.edu.pe

Colegio Magister
Calle Francisco de Cuellar 686,
Monterrico, Surco,
Lima 33,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 436 9467
Fax: +51 1 437 3911
Website: www.magister.edu.pe

Colegio Max Uhle
Casilla 743,
Arequipa,
Peru
Phone: +51 5 423 2921
Fax: +51 5 423 4136

Colegio Peruano Britanico
Av Via Lactea 445, Monterrico,
Santiago de Surco,
Lima 33,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 436 0151
Fax: +51 1 436 1006
Website: www.copebrit.edu.pe

Colegio Peruano Norteamericano Abraham Lincoln
Av Jose Antonio 475,
Urb Parque de Monterrico,
La Molina,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 705 4000
Fax: +51 1 705 4010
Website: www.abrahamlincoln.edu.pe

Colegio Peruano-Aleman Beata Imelda
Carretera Central Km 29,
Casilla 117,
Chosica,
Lima 15,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 491 0041

Colegio Peruano-Aleman, Deutsche Schule
Alexander von Humboldt,
Avenida Benavides 308,
Casilla 18-1053,
Lima 18,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 448 0895
Fax: +51 1 449 4155

Colegio Pestalozzi
Av Ricardo Palma 1450,
La Aurora,
Miraflores,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 241 4218
Fax: +51 1 446 4007
Website: www.pestalozzi.edu.pe

Colegio Santa Ursula
Casilla 14/0156,
Salamanca 125,
San Isidro,
Lima 14,
Peru
Phone: +51 1440 7474

Colegio SS CC Recoleta
Av El Golf Los Incas 368,
La Molina,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 434 1650

Davy College
Av. Hoyos Rubio 2684,
Casilla Postal 1,
Cajamarca,
Peru
Phone: 51 76 367501
Fax: 51 76 367502
Email: ohara@davycollege.edu.pe
Website: www.davycollege.edu.pe

Hiram Bingham School of Lima
Av Paseo La Castellana 919,
Surco,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 2719880
Fax: +51 1 4486260
Website: www.hirambingham.edu.pe

Huascarán International School
Calle Los Quenuales 215,
Condominio El Pinar,
Huanchac, Huaráz,
Ancash,
Peru
Phone: 51 43 45 2126
Fax: 51 43 45 2216
Email: his@hisperu.edu.pe
Website: www.hisperu.edu.pe

International Christian School Of Lima
Av. Angamos Oeste 1155,
Miraflores, 18,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: 51 1 442 6149
Fax: 51 1 440 3134
Email: ics_lima@hotmail.com
Website: www.icslima.org

Liceo Naval Almirante Guise
Calle Monti 350,
San Borja,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 475 8055
Fax: +51 1 475 8040

Lycee Franco-Peruvien
Cuadra 5,
Morro Solar, Surco,
Casilla 2343,
Lima 100,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 435 4047
Fax: +51 1 437 3438

Markham College
Apartado 18-1048,
Miraflores,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 241 7677
Fax: +51 1 241 7678

Prescott Anglo-American School
PO Box 1036,
Arequipa,
Peru
Phone: +51 5 423 2507
Fax: +51 5 423 2351

San Silvestre School
Av Santa Cruz 1251,
Miraflores,
Lima,
Peru
Phone: +51 1 241 3334
Website: www.sansil.edu.pe

Southern Peru Copper Corporation Staff School
Casilla 165,
Tacna,
Peru
Phone: +51 5 487 8148
Fax: +51 5 487 8148

HEALTHCARE IN PERU / PERU HOSPITAL GUIDE

Peru Info — Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:57 am

Author: Peru Info

Posted: Thu Nov 30, 2006 5:57 am

HEALTHCARE IN PERU

OVERVIEW

The social security health system is the responsibility of both the Ministry of Health, which provides basic healthcare for the poor who do not make contributions, and ESSALUD, which provides services to those who make contributions as an employee or self employed and to their families. The major change under the modernisation is that private healthcare providers now compete with the state provider, although the non-life companies have written medical assistance business for a number of years.

In order to compete with the State specialist healthcare providers the EPS were formed. Insurance companies may not themselves be EPS, although they may own them, and EPS may belong to either private or public institutions other than ESSALUD.

Employers have the choice of staying with the ESSALUD or covering their employees with an EPS. The employees who have the right to vote and a majority of 50% of the workforce influence the decision plus one is sufficient for the decision to be taken. If the employer takes no action an election may be demanded if at least 20% of the workforce request it.

Managed Healthcare

In view of the inadequacies of the state healthcare system in Peru, the shortage of facilities and funds, and the lack of any medical attention in remote parts of the country, it is as much as the Ministry of Health and ESSALUD can do to cope with the situation, without having to consider managed healthcare, particularly following El Nino in 1998. Some efforts at preventive medicine are being made, particularly among children, but it is considered unlikely that any formal managed healthcare will be seen for some years.

Private Healthcare

In view of the inadequacies of the former state-run health service, private medical insurance has been an important element in the insurance market, with premiums of USD 79.6 mn in 1999, representing 16.7% of overall market income.

The following figures relate to the healthcare insurances written by the non-life companies. At the end of December 1999 the EPS had written USD 13.96 mn from 166,822 insured, against claims of USD 10.79 mn, representing a loss ratio of 77.25%.

Individual Private Medical Insurance

It is expected that demand will continue to grow. There is considerable competition but the nature of the cover given is not dissimilar from one insurer to another. Some companies offer national plans and international plans, although there now seem to be moves towards combining the two in one policy.

Most policies cover hospitalisation, out-patient treatment, medical and accident emergencies, maternity, home visits, repatriation or evacuation and burial costs, with different sums insured and conditions for cover in Peru and abroad.

Group Private Medical Schemes

There continues to be a high incidence of group policies. Under the most recent legislation it is obligatory for employers to cover all their employees for healthcare either with the state-run ESSALUD or with an EPS. In many cases additional group medical cover with a non-life insurer has been given as an employee benefit, with employees usually paying part of the premiums. Cover is similar to that given under individual policies; cover for the employee's family may or may not be given, depending on the agreement between the employer and employees.

Rating

There appears to be no standard method of quoting rates or deductibles and the various age groups for rating purposes differ considerably from one company to another. The market is very competitive and rates are said to vary between 2% and 9% of sums insured.

Major Insurers

All composite and non-life insurers write healthcare cover. In 1999 the leader was Pacifico Peruano Suiza with a 46% market share. Other important writers are Rimac Internacional (20%), Generali Peru (11%) and Positiva (6%).

As at 30 June 2000 the three EPS in operation were Rimac Internacional, owned by the insurance company of the same name; Novasalud Peru, owned by Backus and Johnston and Wiese Aetna Life; Pacifico Salud, owned by the Pacifico Peruano-Suiza.

These EPS have three types of insured:

1. employed, for whom health cover is obligatory,
2. optional, and
3. insured for WCA.

Reinsurance

If they reinsure at all some companies place cover on a quota share basis whilst others effect stop loss reinsurance on the annual account.

Distribution Channels

Around 90% of medical insurance is sold by brokers.

Long Term Care Insurance

This cover does not currently exist in the market.

DIRECTORY OF HOSPITALS & CLINICS

British American Hospital (Clinica Anglo-Americana)
Avenida Alfredo Salazar, 3rd Block,
San Isidro,
Lima,
Peru
Tel: + 51 1 221 3656
Fax: + 51 1 442 8274

Clinica Arequipa
Av Bolognesi esq Puenta Grau,
Arequipa,
Peru
Tel: + 51 54 253 416

Clinica El Golf
Sistemas de Administracion Hospitalaria,
Av. Aurelio Miro Quesada 1030,
San Isidro,
Lima,
Peru
Tel: + 51 1 264-33-00
Fax: + 51 1 264-30-87

Clinica Maison de Sante
Jr. Miguel Aljovin 208-222,
Lima,
Peru
Tel: + 51 1 619 6000
Fax: + 51 1 619 6001

Clinica Pardo
Av De la Cultura 710,
Cuzco,
Peru
Tel: + 51 84 240 387

Clinica Ricardo Palma
Avenida Javier Prado Este 1066,
San Isidro,
Lima,
Peru
Tel: + 51 1 224 2224
Fax: + 51 1 224 8027

Clinica San Felipe
Av. Gregorio Escobedo N 650,
Jesus Maria,
Lima,
Peru
Tel: + 51 1 463 0909
Fax: + 51 1 463 8671

Clinica San Pablo (Surco)
Av El Polo 789,
El Dervy de Monterrico,
Lima,
Peru
Tel: + 51 1 610 3333

Corporacion Nacional de Angioplasta
Sede Central Av. Miraflores,
Miraflores,
Lima,
Peru
Tel: + 51 1 225 3153
Fax: + 51 1 225 1892

Hospital Cuzco
Antiguo aeropuerto s/n,
Cuzco,
Peru
Tel: + 51 84 234 724

Instituto Oncologico de Lima
Calle 22 No. 202 san Borja,
Lima 41,
Peru
Tel: + 51 1 476 0823
Fax: + 51 1 225 7084

Instituto de Salud del Nino
Children's Hospital of Lima,
Avenida Brasil 600,
Brena,
Lima 5,
Peru
Tel: + 51 1 424 1996
Fax: + 51 1 425 1840

Medical Insurance & Health Insurance Guide

admin — Mon Sep 11, 2006 3:22 am

Author: admin

Posted: Mon Sep 11, 2006 3:22 am

Expatriate Insurance, Medical & Health Insurance Guide

For new ex-patriots, leaving our Countries to be based in a developing country, perhaps for some years, it is often a shock to discover that medical treatment of a reasonable quality is just not available, or very expensive, in their new location. Conditions can differ vastly from Baku to Beijing to the Bahamas. Many documented case histories sadly indicate the devastating experience both mentally, physically and financially of falling seriously ill when overseas, can become. Private Medical Insurance when abroad is like a parachute when flying. You may not need one but it better be there, as you and your family would may not survive without one. e.g.: Being evacuated from the Gobi desert, following a car accident resulting in broken bones, coupled to a suspected fractured skull is not an easy matter at any time.

The medical insurance plans you may need are readily available through a worldwide network of specialist Brokers, Independent Financial Advisors, or via the Plan Insurers themselves, who advertise extensively through magazines and expatriate media. Several specialist independent Brokers now have their own websites, offering multiple choices of health insurance plans. The taking of independent advice is always recommended, in order that you not only buy the right plan, but pay premiums appropriate to your new country area. Do not buy a plan without studying the policy wording carefully, particularly underwriting conditions, benefits, etc. If in doubt, ask and then complete all application forms fully, to the best of your ability.

The Premium/Benefit Trade Off

Too frequently, a potential customer or new client will look to lowest price or premium cost comparisons, before really considering the specific benefits and area of cover they may actually need. The ex-patriot client should carefully review benefits of cover offered, check out any limits to that cover and any exclusions made by the insurer. Some plans are cheaper for a reason. Often they include large voluntary deductibles on any claim you might make in future and may severely cap the benefits received under the plan. Cover limits can vary from ?50,000 total cover to as much as ?5,000,000 total cover. Any major operation in the USA or perhaps an organ transplant can soon eat up a " capped cover" plan. Exclusions to the policy should also be read carefully and advice taken from an independent Advisor. Our motto is for clients to "define their needs" first, particular Area of cover they need, then their annual healthcare insurance budget. Then, they should look to premium comparisons, last of all.

Many new entrant expatriate Insurers are taking a much easier line on HIV and AIDS issues as well as offering chronic conditions cover, if such conditions develop during the plan lifetime. Post September 11th 2001, many expatriates are now considering the purchase of income replacement insurance, term life and kidnap insurance, or travel insurance, in addition to their Health Insurance Plans.

Underwriting Terms of Plans

For the individual expatriate or family there are usually only two ways to take out international medical insurance. By means of a "moratorium" application or a "full underwriting" application. It is important to understand this rather jargonised phrases as claims can be rejected if you have inappropriate underwriting. A moratorium plan means that any "pre existing" condition, for which you have had treatment, advice or consultation upon during the last 2,3 or even 5 years in some cases, will be EXCLUDED from cover. Should you then not have any treatment, advice or consultations for such conditions for a further two years, your insurer may add that condition to your policy. Full underwriting applications mean that all medical history questions have to be completed (not needed on a moratorium plan) and that most insurers may then exclude any particular stated condition, which they feel will lead to claims upon them. Full underwriting schemes are a little more complex as sometimes confirmation and clarification letters may be needed from your Doctor in order to have a specific condition covered under your new plan, or for that insurer to offer cover at all (E.g.; HIV or AIDS conditions cover or other long-term endemic/chronic conditions.)

For larger groups of expatriates and large corporate plans, Insurers will frequently offer cover on a "Medical History Disregarded" basis, meaning that a new plan member might even be in hospital for a triple bypass, but still have that condition included in the total corporate plan. Clearly with larger numbers of people in a plan, insurers are prepared to take higher risks and offer lower premiums. Company plans can have premiums some 15% to even 40% less than individual plans, due to the larger numbers of employees and higher annual premium overall, charged by that Insurer.

Vital Questions for the Insurance Provider

1. Does the plan allow for cooling off periods, cancellation and then repayment of premium in full?

2. Does the plan offer "Moratorium or is it "Full underwriting" and do I need to have a medical examination before joining.

3. Does the new Insurer offer a 24 hour help line, 7 days a week, available from anywhere in the World (free phone)? Most Insurers now offer this facility

4. Are my pre-existing conditions excluded when joining and if so, for how long are such conditions excluded?

5. Or all and any Nationalities accepted or are there restrictions applying to local nationals? Some Insurers will only take expatriates abroad and not local nationals into an overseas plan (e.g.: - They may cover six British Nationals in Zambia, not the 100 Zambian local national employees)

6. Does the plan allow you to continue cover unbroken through your lifetime? In most cases insurers will continue to offer existing clients cover year on year, irrespective of age or claims history. I.e.: - Once a customer, you may remain a customer, although premium rates charged can increase dramatically with old age.

7. Does the Insurer allow for any Doctor or Consultant or Hospital within the plan? Are there any restrictions in this respect? Most international plans do not place restrictions on either hospitals or Doctors, but almost all demand that their help lines are called first prior to approval of any inpatient care. (I.e.: pre qualified claim or placing of a bond with a specific hospital by Insurance Company)

8. Does the Insurer provide for direct settlement of bills presented by hospitals worldwide, regardless of location? (Or do I have to pay first?)

9. What are the Insurers procedures for Outpatient claims? Do these require any pre authorization or if stated in the plan can I just pay and claim? How long before I get my money back from the Insurer? (14 days? 28 days?)

The vast majority of expatriate health plans DO NOT exclude certain occupations as do many UK based insurance plans. Expatriate plans do however add to premiums for such as Winter Sports or diving holidays.

Nomenclature, names and Plan Titles

The Product Providers and Insurers delight in launching new plan names with "exclusive" qualities in their brand names over those of their direct competitors. However, international medical insurance plans broadly have three key components, which are in-patient or daycare treatment, outpatient treatment, and then and add-on options.

In this way, a basic or standard plan usually includes in-patient and daycare, but no Outpatient or other cover. Comprehensive plans mostly cover outpatient in addition to the inpatient costs, often with a capped limit, whilst "deluxe" "platinum" or "Premier Plus" plans offer a full cover range of inpatient, daycare, outpatient with routine dental. Possibly maternity, evacuation, personal accident cover and even chronic conditions cover in certain cases. (All the bells and whistles plan) We tend to ignore the names of plans but ensure we have clear ideas of benefits specifically, capping, area of cover and any exclusions, when comparing plans against a clients requirements. For example a USA passport holder living in Paris, who never needs cover in the USA apart from the occasional holiday trip, could take Area 1 European cover, which is often half the price of full world wide cover including the USA. Area 2 is usually described as Worldwide cover excluding the USA or Canada" with Area 3 being the most expensive offering global cover including the USA, all year round

A small travel add-on option can often help with up to 30 days emergency cover in USA or Canada should such be needed. Elective care in USA can also be added for just thirty days a year too, at a substantial discount to full Area 3 cover premiums. Some Insurers now offer modular benefit packages where clients can "pick and choose" benefits, working out their own premiums, at the end of this mix and match.

Emergency, Evacuation and Repatriation

1. Does the Plan include evacuation and repatriation and mortal remains repatriation or are these benefits add on extras?

2. What costs are included in the evacuation or repatriation cover? Some plans only cover travel costs, not accommodation; some plans only give cover one way.

3. Does the Plan cover both your outward journey and pay for you to return from where you started?

4. Does the plan cater for one person or can a business colleague or a family member accompany the Plan holder when travelling for treatment after evacuation? Emergency treatment when abroad can be very stressful at the best of times and being accompanied can be a huge comfort.

Outpatient Costs and General Practitioner Costs

Expatriates with families and small children will know that "Outpatient costs" and visits to the local Doctor are usually the main cost area at home, but particularly whilst abroad. Expats in developing countries are more prone to ill health and most will have at least one or more visits to a GP during a tour of duty. You need to know that GP costs will be fully reimbursed, or that you know the level of deductible, which will be made from any and all outpatient claims. (Each and every claim or an amount, which cumulates annually) Read your Plan carefully.

1. Many Insurers offer a limit or budget Outpatient benefits and these issues should be carefully studied in the new plan. Note any restrictions

2. Check the wording of drugs and dressings offered to note whether "Full Cover" or financial limits are set in the plan.

3. Few plans offer "Elective" or "Well woman " Well man" checks. Most international plans cater for healthcare once the patient has symptoms or is ill. They do not offer preventative checks or Health Checks at the control of the client. (Some larger company plans do offer well man checks)

Outpatient Cover, Complementary Medicine, Dental plan or Routine Maternity plan

If you are able to afford the premiums, Outpatient cover added to in-patient/daycare cover makes sense. In-patient care gives catastrophic cover or a hospital cost cover, but gives no cost cover if you are "walking wounded". A medium range comprehensive plan may well limit the amount you may claim on the Outpatient costs, but a deluxe or fully comprehensive will give Full Cover for this benefit.

Many plans do offer benefit for accidental damage to teeth by accident, but not routine elective dental healthcare Routine Dental treatment is mostly quoted as an optional extra, as is any option to take out routine maternity treatment. Thus, if you break a tooth you are covered but if you visit the dentist for a crown, beware, you may have to pay. Routine maternity care cover can be a valuable part of overseas family planning, yet many women and families overseas, unfortunately only contact their Broker or Insurer when already pregnant. Few Insurers will allow routine maternity costs re imbursement when a woman is pregnant actually taking out the plan. Almost all Insurers will consider an existing pregnancy as a pre-existing condition, but will cover emergency in pregnancy. If a couple have held medical insurance for one year, the Insurer may offer an option, with CO-insurance for routine maternity costs to a budget limit. Talk this over with a specialist Advisor in Expatriate Health Insurance

More Insurers are now taking a more enlightened approach to the subject of complementary care and costs of such as chiropractioners, osteopaths, homeopaths, acupuncturists and the like. These benefits are usually severely "budget capped" by the Insurers, however.

Other Cost Considerations and Options

With the growing range of plans available across the world, across a vast premium spectrum, several new benefit cost areas are mentioned below, which are not always available from all Insurers, but can be quoted selectively in certain Plans.

Well Child care, well man and well woman checks, all can be quoted

Prosthetic Appliances, can be quoted but capped

Eyeglasses and tests quoted on many deluxe and top plans

Crowns, dentures and bridges, routine dental quoted on top plans

Death of Close Relative, round trip costs covered on many plans

Treatment in USA elective or emergency usually can be quoted

Vaccinations, quoted on some plans

Annual Health Checks, quoted on some top plans

Organ Transplants, AIDS and Chronic cover on some top plans

Hazardous Sports, quoted on some plans.

Legal Costs after accidents abroad, quoted in some plans

Complaints

All Insurer Plans should clearly stipulate the complaints and disputes procedures they follow together with any Regulator. They should illustrate how you may contact the right adjudicators in their company or contact your independent Advisor for help) There are also independent Regulatory Authorities available n most Western countries, such as the UK, who can assist you with a dispute with an Insurer (who is being difficult when settling your claim) If you have bought your Plan through the offices of an independent Broker or Specialist Advisor they will almost certainly be glad to help in legitimate disputes with an Insurer. If you are right, have proper records, the Insurers will pay up.

Overview

Generally, as with most Insurance services, you get what you pay for. Read the documentation carefully, particularly the benefits and exclusions clauses. International Medical Insurance is a complex and difficult field. Many Insurers are competing for your long-term business. They all will argue, "Their Plan is Best." Certain strategic insurance considerations have been also affecting the expatriate market since the World Trade Centre disaster. Many ex-patriots are now looking for international term life and income replacement cover, as well as medical insurance. Time will tell how long term insurance growth is affected in this expanding expatriate global market place.

If you purchase a comprehensive plan from a reputable Insurer, via an independent Broker, you are usually not disappointed. However, if you buy what is clearly a cheap cut plan, without advice, beware when trying to make a claim. (They may well have pages and pages of exclusions in the small print)

It is also important for your budget to choose the correct geographical area of cover. Routine travel options can be taken at much less cost than full-blown USA cover, if you do not really need elective USA cover. Voluntary excesses on claims can substantially reduce premiums, as can co- insurance payments. (Sharing risk costs with the Insurer)

In the final analysis, international expat medical insurance is best to have at your side so that "you may sleep at night abroad" rather than to think of ways to claim. If both parties fully understand the contract and deal in good faith, Insurers very much want to keep clients for the long term. It is always better however, to compare and study at least three packs of brochures from differing Insurers, or have a review done by an independent Broker specializing in the Healthcare Insurance field. All the material needs attention and careful reading. Understand what you are committing to, what the contract actually states, not what you may think it states (or some salesman told you) and what geographical limitations are set giving your area do cover.

You may not need to read this contract again until the moment you need medical aid. Remember, that Brand name alone does not necessarily indicate good service, but that in 2002, many lesser-known expatriate specialist Insurers offer excellent premiums, wide benefits, good claims records and fast efficient electronic client services. Professional support teams are vital in overseas emergencies. Your Helpline card is the key to medical help and assistance 24 hours a day, whilst Overseas. Make sure that you have it to hand and that you know how to use it. With most Insurers now offering toll free global lines 24 hours a day, these vital help-lines are the first port of call, prior to any treatment being arranged, with the exception of emergencies. Establish contact as soon as you can, then let the Insurers assistance teams do the rest.

Article Prepared By

J Leslie Smith B Sc Econ Honours Associate IEE
Chairman and Managing Director
Medibroker International