With the rise of rapid globalisation, we are seeing an increasing number of people being posted in developing countries to help the business expand and succeed. This is an excellent step for companies to take, but the health and wellbeing of your expat staff need to be accounted for.
Part of group medical health insurance is the expat medical evacuation plan. When living abroad, staff are at risk of catching viruses and illnesses that may require urgent medical attention - even evacuation from the country. That’s where the evacuation plan comes in.
Why is an Expat Medical Evacuation Plan Needed?
Many include a medical evacuation plan so that if your staff have a life-threatening or limb-threatening condition, they will be seen to urgently. This plan is especially useful in remote areas and developing countries where medical access is limited.
When your staff move to another country, it is to ensure that your business grows and operates the way you want it to. Being able to provide them with a medical evacuation plan ensures they have peace of mind and the knowledge that they will receive the best medical care.
The COVID-19 pandemic has only highlighted how important these plans are. They may not be needed for many years, but when something like this hits it impacts everything. Being able to give your staff access to immediate treatment during a pandemic is invaluable.
What Does an Expat Medical Evacuation Plan Include?
Typically, an expat medical evacuation plan will include:
- Organising the logistics of evacuation, alongside the medical teams on the ground
- Communicating with our global network of medical teams
- Dealing with any passport and visa issues
- Making sure all bills are paid quickly
- Translating any medical forms or claim forms into your chosen language
- 24/7 service to keep you updated and offer assistance
This tends to be what comes with every standard evacuation plan. However, there are extras that you can get that include:
- Repatriation to your home country
- The cost of having a loved one with you for support
- Evacuation for cancer treatment and advanced diagnostic tests
Repatriation is an additional benefit that should be seriously considered. This is where your staff member is transported to their home country for treatment, or it can allow them to be transported over the border to another hospital. It’s something many employees would prefer.
The expat medical evacuation plan will also cover the costs of ambulance fees, including air ambulances, which can be as much as $220,000 without insurance. Additionally, the cost of treatment and care is also included so that your staff don’t need to worry about the bill.
Usually, there is an option to choose between domestic and international evacuation - the former of which is always included and the latter which can count as repatriation (an extra). Domestic evacuation is where you are transported to a hospital within the same country by road, sea, or air. This can include an air ambulance or a private plane, depending on location.
To Conclude
Your staff are the core of your company, and if they don’t feel safe and cared for they are likely to go somewhere that gives them the security they need. An expat medical evacuation plan means that they will always get the treatment they require, and considering the COVID-19 pandemic, these plans are more important than ever.