Arranging Your Health Needs Before You Move
As you prepare to move overseas, it can feel like your life is nothing but a series of checklists. You will need to pack your belongings, find new accommodations, and possibly even secure a new job. Children need schools, daycare, and pediatricians. And then there are all the last-minute things – confirming your travel plans, saying farewell to friends, and visiting your favorite spots for the last time.
Your health is likely the last thing on your mind. But it should be at the top of your list! You want to be healthy and happy when you embark on this big adventure. Here are some essential health tips for moving abroad, along with what to arrange before you go.
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Visit Your Primary Physician Before Moving
It’s easy to let one year slip by, then maybe two or three, without checking in with your primary care physician for a comprehensive physical.
But even if you’re healthy, having a physical before you move overseas is still a good idea. You will want a thorough baseline of your health before you move.
It is always a good idea to have recent blood work and other diagnostic tests. Speak with your doctor regarding any preventative tests, like mammograms or colonoscopies, that are in your future. They may encourage you to do these screenings before you go, even if you’re early.
If you are not due for your annual check-up, consider making a doctor’s appointment anyway. You can review your travel plans and arrange to receive a copy of your file.
This is also a good time to have sensitive conversations that might be a bit uncomfortable with a new physician, like discussions about sexual health and mental health.
Finally, don’t forget to ask your primary physician if you can remain a patient of theirs while you’re away. If you return home in five or ten years, it would be great to still be registered with a family doctor.
And if you need healthcare during your return visits, you can see the doctor who knows you best.
Renew Your Prescriptions Before You Go
Traveling with prescription medication is complicated. Different countries have varying rules and regulations regarding the medicines that are permitted.
Drugs such as pain medication, birth control, and even supplements could be tightly controlled. They might even be prohibited in your new country.
Schedule an appointment with your pharmacist to review your current medications before traveling abroad. You’ll want to discuss alternatives if your brand name of choice is unavailable at your destination.
With the support of your primary physician, you can often get an extended prescription for 6, 12, or even 18 months to bring with you abroad.
However, you cannot import large quantities of medication, as it is often restricted. You might have to fill out a prescription import form for your destination.
Your pharmacist is an invaluable source of information when it comes to preventative medication during the first few weeks of your trip.
They can recommend over-the-counter products to ease upset stomachs, minimize allergies, and help you cope with pollution and other environmental changes.
Address Lingering Health Concerns
With a significant move on the horizon, it’s easy to put off those non-urgent but lingering health concerns that have been weighing on you for a while.
Perhaps your doctor has been subtly suggesting that you could benefit from losing a few pounds. Probably in the back of your mind, you know that some physical therapy is needed for that mild ankle issue.
Maybe a visit with the dentist is long overdue – and the same can be said for the eye doctor. There’s nothing wrong, per se, but you know it will be easier to address things before adjusting to a new culture and healthcare system.
You can also share your plans with them and ask for their advice on finding a new doctor in your new country.
They can inform you about the type of training you can expect from someone in their industry. And you never know – maybe they have a long-lost classmate who has set up shop in your new home!
Get the Required Vaccinations
A visit with your primary care physician will ensure you are up to date on routine vaccinations, including tetanus and measles.
However, an appointment with a travel medicine physician will likely be necessary for other shots, such as yellow fever, Dengue fever, and even rabies.
Be sure to talk to your doctors about what countries you’ll likely travel to for work and pleasure. Few international citizens stay in just one country – there are global conferences, client meetings, and long weekends away to consider.
Buy Health Insurance Before You Move
Many international citizens mistakenly believe that health insurance won’t be a big deal because surely all other countries have more affordable care than they are used to.
Others assume, based on the number of times they visit a doctor in a year, that it will be more economical to pay as you go.
Then there are beliefs that countries with free healthcare will cover the medical expenses of everyone who needs care, regardless of whether they are a resident or not.
In some regards, they aren’t wrong. Paying à la carte for services as needed is cheaper abroad than in the United States.
In fact, in many countries, medical appointments cost less than $50. Many countries offer excellent public healthcare standards to all permanent residents, including expats.
However, the situation isn’t always so rosy. Healthcare costs may be low for routine visits, but can be catastrophically high for more significant concerns. Airlifts and transfers to sophisticated hospitals can cost a small fortune. And that’s before any treatment is administered!
Complicating all of this is the fact that public healthcare options can’t compete with private options when it comes to comfort, privacy, wait times, and access to multilingual staff. And that dream that countries with universal healthcare treat anyone who needs it is just that – a dream.
Review your comprehensive global healthcare policy before moving abroad to understand how it will offer you peace of mind and financial protection. A global medical plan will also:
- Provide phone support as you need it
- Ensure you will be treated in the highest quality facilities
- Make it easy to coordinate care with different practitioners
- Provide coverage for your family’s visits back to your home country
Find the Best International Medical Insurance
- Compare multiple quotes from top insurers
- Get expert advice at no additional cost
- Find the right plan for your needs and budget
Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.
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