International Medical

Rarely do we give a thought of having adequate medical insurance coverage until we actually need it, and then it is often too late. Don't make the mistake of waiting, particularly when moving to a new country! One of the most important criteria when relocating to a new country is the accessibility and quality of medical care. Each person has individual health maintenance needs, but we recommend reducing the financial risk as a result of a terminal illness or accident which requires ongoing medical care.

Until you are comfortable utilizing the national or social health care system, buy a short-term international major medical policy. It is inexpensive and you can pay for it on a month to month basis. After you have relocated find a local doctor or primary physician you are comfortable with and review your medical needs. Many expatriates find adequate local medical care but still prefer an international health insurance policy which gives them the choice to choose any doctor they wish, including private hospitals and medical practitioners, as well as the option of returning to the US for medical treatment. Feel free to call us with your needs. We can also tell you if there are English speaking doctors at your destination along with their credentials. You can reach us toll free at 800.647.4589 with the US or Canada or 001.480.821.9052 worldwide. Feel free to email us at health@globalcitizeninsurance.com.

Best and Worst Health Care - Comments from Expatriates

I was reading a recent LinkedIn post with comments from expatriates and consultants who have received medical care abroad. A few responses that stood out were:

Japan: The worst I ever experienced. Doctors there consider themselves as gods
so they don't talk to you even if they speak English. Surgery practices are
dangerous, I spent 4 weeks in an hospital for a badly broken leg and I almost
died of pulmonary embolism because of no prophylaxis to prevent coagulation and
old medications used

...I am far from impressed by the UK national health service (NHS).
If you go private, you're ok

Having lived in the UK for more than 6 years, I have (luckily) rarely
experienced the NHS first-hand. The worst that happened to me was to be given
painkillers to cure a throat infection. However several of my friends have had
very bad experiences, having to wait days to see a doctor, being given treatment
that made them worse and in the last resort having to "flee" across the Channel
to France in order to get a decent treatment!

I love the Netherlands, but the health system actually made me move.

Albania is pretty bad. If the Albanians can afford to they get medical attention
outside the country.

...middle eastern physicians never heard of privacy

Many US Citizens are accustomed to the medical attention we have access to in the USA and one of the many benefits our our Global Citizen and Travel Gap policies is you have access via the web, smartphone or telephone to a carefully selected international network of physicians and medical centers. You can review their credentials, get directions and they all speak English; however, you can also choose a doctor of your choice. Get a quote today at http://www.globalcitizeninsurance.com/plans.htm.

180 Day Search Begins For Best Place To Live And Retire

Beginning January 17, 2010, world traveler, and published author Michael Manville will embark on an eye-popping 180 day “amazing race”… Read more and follow the journey at http://www.retireworldwide.com/554/180-day-search-begins-for-best-place-to-live-and-retire.htm

Where Not to Move

Britain has been voted one of the worst places in the world for expats to live with immigrants bemoaning the high cost of living and tedious daily commute. Read More...

HSBC Bank International commissioned the study of 3,000 expats from 50 countries and reported almost half (49 per cent) of people interviewed said the quality of food in the UK was worse than at home; however, 58% stated the standard of entertainment was better than back home.

Canada was rated as the best place to start afresh, followed by Australia and Thailand.

According to the U.K. Telegraph Newspaper, more than nine out of 10 NHS trusts in England are failing to provide a good standard of cancer care compared with other countries, official figures show.

Katherine Murphy, director of the Patients Association, said “We also know there are still big problems with access to treatments that are 'first line’ in other parts of the world." and “It’s deeply distressing for patients when they hear about treatments that could help them but aren’t available.”

This is one of the reasons why we recommend private expatriate health insurance. Choosing where and when you can see a doctor can provide you the necessary medical care when you need it.

A Sign It May Be a Good Time to Move

There are so many factors that affect your decision on moving i.e. finding affordable real estate, age, retirement or job opportunity but many expatriates do not consider the exchange rate. The volatility of the recent currency markets have dramatically affected expatriates with their savings in U.S. Dollars or British Sterling while individuals who have theirs accounts in Euros have seen unprecedented volatility in the currency markets with the value of sterling fluctuating by over 30 per cent against the euro.

Volatility usually smooths out over the long-term, but it is definitely something to consider in the near term.

Global Expat Forum - Injury

HGTV House Hunters International Wants You

From the House Hunters International Production Team:

We're currently looking for families, couples, investment partners, realtors, etc. for the popular US program "House Hunters International" on the HGTV network.
We are looking for people from all nationalities that are in the final stages of closing on a home or have recently bought property in a country outside of the United States. Please contact us promptly if this situation applies to you.

House Hunters International (HHI) explores the idiosyncrasies of buying real estate in other countries. At its core, HHI is a travel/expatriate show. Each episode of this 26-part series will concentrate on the idiosyncrasies of the locales and families, and what makes them special and different. Coverage will put the emphasis on a location’s beauty and uniqueness, as well as the individual family’s journey. What does it actually take to make the move? What are the pitfalls and advantages of investing in the international real estate marketplace? Help us showcase your journey.

To view current episodes of the House Hunters International, you can visit the following website: http://www.hgtv.com/house-hunters-international/show/index.html. Or you can tune into HGTV weeknights at 10/9c.

We are currently casting for episodes to shoot THIS SUMMER... starting in June, and time is of the essence. We have just gotten back from shooting our season starter, but still have many more episodes to cast and shoot within the next few months. If you are interested in being cast in an upcoming episode:

Please email: internationalhunt@gmail.com with a few descriptions about you (your name, info about where you are moving to/from, brief story of your journey, and a photo of the family members involved, etc.)

Once we receive your email, we forward you further casting information, such as where to send a casting video. We look forward to hearing from you.

HHI Production Team

IN FOCUS: PANAMA

Panama has all the potential to hit the big time as a business and leisure destination: a prosperous capital city, natural resources, rain forests, mountains, historical sites, palm trees, beaches, coral reefs, deep-sea fishing, Spanish-colonial architecture and unusual Amerindian cultures. Plus, it has the Panama Canal, a one-of-a-kind business enterprise that’s also a tourist attraction. U.S. Citizen and expatriates are flooding the Latin America country, taking advantage of the many retirement, tax and banking benefits as well as the U.S. Dollar being the most popular currency for business.

With a few breaks, Panama could be a star. And the country is currently striving to make that happen. More luxury hotels are going up. Roads and other infrastructure have been built that are among the best in Central America.

In many respects, Panama is coming close to rivaling its neighbor Costa Rica. And because it's still less known and less popular than Costa Rica, prices and the costs of doing business there are lower. In addition, the government is planning more public works programs, further tax reforms and more regional trade agreements that should further stimulate growth.

Like most Central American countries the the high weather season is mid-December to mid-April, when it rains the least. Nonetheless, Panama, except for the highlands (where there is year-round springlike weather) and the Azuero peninsula (which is generally hot and dry), is nearly always hot and humid, with days in the 80s-90s F/28-37 C and nights not much cooler.
With the aid of air-conditioning and sea breezes, Panama can be enjoyed all year, though you should expect it to rain daily during the May-November rainy season. You'll need a sweater or jacket in the mornings and evenings in the mountains.

Panama is a constitutional democracy. In the May 2009 presidential elections, Ricardo Martinelli, a conservative supermarket tycoon, reversed a recent trend of left-wing victories in Latin America by taking 61% of the vote to his opponent's 37%. Martinelli, the candidate of a right-wing alliance led by his Democratic Change party, said he would work for a national unity government because that was what the country was calling for.

Historically one of the most stable economies in Latin America, Panama has a well-developed services sector that includes the Panama Canal, banking, insurance, container ports, flagship registry and health care. Gross national product growth is expected to be 3% in 2009.
In July 2006 the government approved a plan to widen the canal to allow larger vessels to travel through. The project, due to be completed by 2014, is expected to have a profound effect on the economy, with a boom predicted following an increase in foreign investment and employment in canal expansion and related projects.

Panama has the highest per-capita domestic product in Central America; nevertheless about 40% of its population lives in poverty and, heavily dependent on trade, the economy will always be vulnerable to external shocks. Fiscal deficits and growing public debt in recent years have increased this vulnerability.

Global Citizen Insurance clients receive up to date country, city, health and security updates for virtually any destination. Call or email us for more details.

Need Advice or Want To Help Newcomers Into Your Country?

Help Newcomers to Your Country

If you're already living abroad, help those who are currently packing their boxes and getting their kids ready for the expat adventure by taking 5-10 minutes to fill out Expat Exchange's Moving & Relo Report. Click here to view the reports that others have submitted for your area and other parts of the world. Answer questions about what to bring and leave behind, how you found your home and chose your neighborhood, housing costs and more. Your advice can be instrumental in helping newcomers feel more informed about expat life in your area!

Switzerland - An Economic Powerhouse???

SWITZERLAND

For a country that is ranked 141st in the world in terms of size, Switzerland is an economic powerhouse. It ranked 21st in both imports and exports in 2007, and was second in the world in competitiveness in the most recent Global Competitiveness Report from the World Economic Forum. Switzerland has very low unemployment, and a per capita GDP that is larger than the big Western European economies. If this sounds like a country you'd like to do business with, here are two good sites to visit. Read More...

Swiss Statistics This is a solid research site with lots of useful statistics about the Swiss economy, population, and industries. There are also links to statistics sites for Europe and the world. Click on "Topics" and you'll see what's available.

Infonautics Directory of Switzerland This site is a good place to visit if you want information about Swiss companies. You can search by industry, product, or alphabetical listing. You'll find contact information, including the chief executive's name, for each listing. There is also a search function for Swiss hotels, and a page with useful links.

You'll also find plenty of good research at the Switzerland Mini Portal (http://fita.org/countries/ch.html), a feature of the FITA Web site. The Switzerland Mini Portal has an overview of Switzerland, with facts about the language, currency, climate, etc., plus more specific information about the economy, markets, taxes, labor market indicators, and tips on doing business in Switzerland.

If you are planning on traveling to Switzerland for business or trade or if you have international human resources than contact us by email at info@globalcitizeninsurance.com or by telephone at 800-647-4589 or 480-821-9052 for information regarding our international health insurance and group benefit plans for multinational corporations.