5 Excellent Tips On Health Insurance

Sometimes it can be tempting to go without health insurance coverage due to affordability concerns, but consider how you will fare should unforeseen circumstances arise. If any, few of us expect to have an accident or illness, and this situation doesn't wait for a convenient time when we have a health insurance plan to help pay for the required medical treatment.

Health insurance is even more significant when you reside in a foreign country such as Greece, where you will have to overcome the language barrier and the bureaucratic and slow public health system (IKA – EOPYY – PEDI, and now…EFKA).

If you are planning to examine your health plan options in Greece, below are 5 essential points to consider:

1. The Insurance Company

Choosing an insurance company is the most crucial decision you'll need to make. What is the company's financial record? What is the agreed timeframe for a claim to be handled? What is the solvency margin of the firm you are about to sign up to? Your insurance advisor should be able to answer all the questions above.

2. Emergency Service

Is your advisor/company accessible at all times? Is there a 24-hour helpline when your advisor cannot pick up the phone or answer your emails? Do they offer global air ambulance and coordination in case of a severe health incident?

3. Network Or No Network?

Some insurers offer a specific network of doctors and clinics that they use, and you have to use this network should you need medical help. Using a specific network has the advantage that the insurer has already checked the network's quality for you! Furthermore, the insurance company usually settles the medical bill directly with the doctors so that insurance holders don't need to withdraw large sums of money and then claim back. In most cases, patients cannot evaluate the quality of a doctor or clinic and rely solely on word of mouth. On the other hand, the absence of a specific network can allow patients to visit their doctor or clinic of choice. 

4. Read The Fine Print

A health insurance policy has several clauses – what could be called the" fine print,"  and reading it is very important. And if you do not understand the clauses, ask questions. For example: if you have a pre-existing condition (e.g., Thyroid), policies can be used only after a specific period decided by the company.

5. Ask, ask, ask!

A health insurance plan is an important financial and personal commitment. If you do not understand the process, ask questions! Insurance Advisors are obliged to answer all your queries truthfully and on time. You can distinguish a professional advisor by the amount of knowledge he/she has on the subject and the time he/she takes to respond to you. Referrals by friends who had a good experience and service are also an excellent first step for talking about your health insurance needs.

This content was originally posted on Insurance-Greece.com.

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XpatAthens is grateful to Insurance-Greece for being a Silver Partner and supporting our efforts to connect and inform the international community in Greece.

Insurance-Greece is an online insurance advisory portal focused entirely on ex-pat insurance matters in Greece. They do not have call centers and never send automated email replies. An actual person deals with your insurance needs at all times. Whatever your insurance plan, an Insurance Advisor is there for personal advice! You will have an experienced insurance advisor assigned to you so you'll always have someone to talk to regarding your insurance needs. Find out more here.