Finding Health Insurance for The Move to America
Erin
08 May, 2013 12:06
In a new series, we are following the story of future expat Molly, a Brit who seeks to join her American husband in Ohio. At EasyExpat we try to provide you all the latest and greatest in Expat News and Resources, but sometimes a personal journey can best explain the unique challenges and triumphs involved in moving abroad. Meet Molly and follow along on her adventure in the Move to America.
One of the key things I have been looking into, with regards to my eventual move to the US, has been health insurance. It is not a requirement of my Spousal Petition to the US, but it is a vital part of US life as everyone at some point will need medical care. It is a very different system to the NHS in the UK and I needed to understand, as best I could, how the US system works.
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Stay Healthy like a Local
Erin
20 March, 2013 15:55
The change of seasons is always a high time for cold & flu season. The runny nose, hacking cough, and bone-tired feeling is something most of us know all too well. As those of us in the Northern Hemisphere struggle to shake off the chill of winter on this first day of Spring, the last thing you want is to start the season feeling sickly.
Doctors and health professionals provide similar tips for staying healthy all over the world.
- Wash your hands! This means frequently and thoroughly. Always use soap and wash your hands for at least 20 seconds (for example, the time it takes to hum the "Happy Birthday" song from beginning to end twice.)
- Sleep. Getting your rest is one of the best ways to stay healthy and ward off illness. It is generally suggested to get about 8 hours of sleep a night.
- Get a flu-shot. Ideally, anyone over 6 months old should be vaccinated annually. However, shortages frequently occur and vaccines may only be available for those aged 6 months through 4 years and over the age of 50, those suffering with a chronic disease, or those working in the health care field.
- Eat a balanced diet. While what we eat and how varies widely around the globe, remember to eat plenty of fresh fruits and vegetables to receive the necessary vitamins.
- Exercise. Working out regularly enhances immune function, so even when it is cold out - get those muscles moving!
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Guide to the European Health Insurance Card
Erin
15 February, 2012 12:40
What is the European Health Insurance Card?
The European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) allows access to state-provided healthcare in all European Economic Area (EEA) countries and Switzerland at a reduced cost, or sometimes free of charge. The card can be used at any kind of health service, like at a general practitioner, hospital or pharmacy. Benefits depend on the country's standard of care. To find out about a specific country's standards, research the member state's healthcare. (More)
International health insurances
EasyExpat
11 December, 2009 15:33
Moving to a new country? Travel frequently? Need to make impromptu trips? Whatever the reason for being on the move, it’s best to be covered by an international insurance. Needless to say, navigating the murky world of insurances can be a complicated affair. Below are some of the key players in the industry to get you started. (More)
Focus on skin care: medical tips for a healthy expat lifestyle
EasyExpat
05 October, 2009 11:30
Article sponsored by William Russell
By William Russell’s Chief Medical Officer, Dr Jace Clarke
Focus on skin care
Better weather and more sunshine is one of the big attractions of overseas living for many expatriates, but over-exposure to the sun can also be extremely harmful, causing faster skin aging and potentially lethal skin cancers. Dr Jace Clarke provides some basic guidance on the health issues expats should consider before going out in the sun – but the golden rule is to consult a health professional if you are in any doubt about your skin health.
There’s no doubt that being out in the sun makes you feel better. Unfortunately, it’s easy to get to get too much of a good thing and overexposure to the sun can cause serious skin health problems. Caucasian expats in sunny countries are particularly at risk, especially if they have fair skin, red hair or freckles however anyone can suffer from skin damage or skin cancers. The key to healthy living is taking sensible precautions to avoid being exposed to too much sunshine and to recognise the signs quickly if something is amiss.
The problem is caused by the ultraviolet rays in sunlight; UVA light causes wrinkles and skin aging and can also damage the deeper skin layers, while UVB causes sun burn and other damage to the skin. The are a number of conditions caused by too much sunshine, some are minor such as sunburn, but even this can be very unpleasant if severe and sunstroke which can cause headaches, fevers and vomiting. More serious conditions caused by the sun are premature skin aging, including wrinkling, brown spots, growths and skin cancers. (More)
Protect your family finances
EasyExpat
11 June, 2009 11:22
Article sponsored by William Russell
By Nigel Harris, Chief Executive Asia Pacific, William Russell Limited
No one likes to think about accidents and emergencies, but when you are living overseas with your family it is absolutely essential to have secure insurance arrangements in place to protect yourself, your partner and children if something untoward happens. Nigel Harris, Chief Executive Asia Pacific at international expatriate insurance specialist, William Russell, looks at the products and services that are available to protect your family when the unexpected strikes.
Malaysia is an exciting place to live, offering expatriates an excellent lifestyle, vibrant culture and welcoming home away from home. Like any country however its social services are geared to the needs of the local population and as a result the welfare safety-net may provide expat families with a different level of protection against life’s emergencies than they would expect in their home country.
It may be that you are living in the centre of KL, or in more remote parts of the country; perhaps your children are at school in Malaysia while your work takes you further afield. Whatever your personal circumstances, it’s essential to make sure that you have the right insurance products in place to provide you with the level of protection you need to match your lifestyle. These fall into three main areas, international private medical insurance to give you and your family fast access to the highest levels of medical treatment wherever you are in the region, income protection to replace your salary if you find yourself unable to work for whatever reason and life insurance to protect your family’s finances if the unthinkable happens and you’re no longer there to provide for them. (More)
Fast facts on Swine Flu (type A H1N1 virus)
EasyExpat
16 May, 2009 12:20
Read the news and chances are that you’ll find yourself staring at the photo of a pig or a swine flu victim. At the time this article is being written, 33 countries have reported more than 6,600 cases of swine flu worldwide, with less than 70 deaths in total. The figures are based on tallies provided by national governments and WHO. According to the global body's pandemic alert level, the world is at phase 5 — out of a possible 6 — meaning that a global outbreak is "imminent." Whether or not this happens, it’s good to brief ourselves on some of the basic facts about this pandemic. Here are some frequently asked questions as answered by CDC, the Centres for Disease Control and Prevention.
What is swine flu?
Swine flu (swine influenza) is a respiratory disease of pigs caused by type A influenza virus that regularly causes outbreaks of influenza in pigs. Swine flu viruses cause high levels of illness and low death rates in pigs. Swine influenza viruses may circulate among swine throughout the year, but most outbreaks occur during the late fall and winter months similar to outbreaks in humans. The classical swine flu virus (an influenza type A H1N1 virus) was first isolated from a pig in 1930. (More)
Prevention rather than cure – reap the well-being advantage
EasyExpat
02 April, 2009 10:58
Article sponsored by William Russell
By Rosanna Turner, Marketing Manager, William Russell Limited
We all want to make the best of our health, but sometimes work pressures or the expatriate lifestyle can conspire against making the right decisions all the time. Most of us like a drink, eat the wrong foods, or take a taxi rather than walk and nobody likes to be lectured about their diet, smoking or drinking habits. Fortunately by combining regular medical health screening with sensible lifestyle choices it’s relatively straightforward to live a healthy life without adopting a completely monastic lifestyle.
The benefits of healthy living are clear. People who are fit and well suffer less stress and benefit from improved mental and physical performance. A healthy lifestyle can also help you to live longer, suffer fewer illnesses and avoid preventable diseases. (More)
