As businesses become increasingly international, employees are moving across borders for longer periods.
They may be expatriates, project employees, contractors, executives or technical specialists.
For these employees, ordinary local healthcare arrangements may not always provide the level of international access required.
This is where International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) can play a role.
What is IPMI?
International Private Medical Insurance is designed to provide healthcare cover for people living or working internationally, subject to the terms of the policy.
It differs from short-term travel insurance because it is designed around longer-term international healthcare needs.
Who might need it?
IPMI may be relevant to:
- Expatriate employees
- Employees on international assignments
- Global executives
- International contractors
- Yacht crew
- Aviation crew
- International students
- Retirees
- Global nomads
- Employees relocating with their families
Why does location matter?
A global employee may move between countries with very different healthcare systems.
The healthcare available in a major international city may be significantly different from what is available in a remote project location.
That is why an international healthcare assessment should consider both the employee and their location.
What happens when local treatment isn’t sufficient?
Medical evacuation can become relevant when appropriate treatment isn’t available locally and the patient’s condition meets the medical requirements for evacuation.
International Health and Speciality Risk’s documented experience demonstrates the complexity involved.
The evacuation process can include clinical assessment, aircraft mobilisation, flight planning, cross-border permissions, hospital bed confirmation and coordination with specialist teams.
Supporting the workforce
Healthcare benefits can also form part of an employer’s wider employee proposition.
For globally mobile employees, access to healthcare can provide reassurance while working away from home.
For employers, international healthcare planning can form part of:
- Duty of care
- Employee well being
- International mobility
- Risk management
- Business continuity
It starts with understanding the assignment
Before selecting an IPMI solution, organisations should consider:
- Where is the employee going?
- How long will they be there?
- What work will they perform?
- Where will they live?
- What healthcare is available locally?
- Will family members accompany them?
- What happens in a serious emergency?
There is no single international healthcare solution that automatically suits every workforce.
The right approach starts with understanding the risk and then considering the appropriate insurance structure.
