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Which international health plan best suits you?

No two people and no two expat stories are the same – so why should health plans be?

Which international health plan best suits you?

There are dozens of factors to consider when choosing an international health insurance plan, but the most important is that it suits you and your own unique needs.

Here are a few things to think about when deciding which plan is best, and how you can tailor a plan just for you and your family.

How long are you living abroad?

If you’re just travelling for a month or so, travel insurance might be your best bet, or you might even have some coverage via a domestic plan

But if you plan on living abroad for a longer period of time, an international health plan is essential. And, generally speaking, the longer you’re living abroad, the more coverage you should have.

Is it just you, or do family members need coverage?

If you’re young, healthy, and single, it might be tempting (although not necessarily smart) to get the cheapest health insurance available.

But if you have children or others who rely on you, consider their needs, and what kinds of costs you might incur without insurance. Is it worth having a higher level of coverage to make sure certain things are paid in full, for instance? Do you have a family member with a pre-existing condition, perhaps?

At Cigna Global there are three levels of core coverage: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. The maximum payment per beneficiary per period of cover, across all sections of the insurance, is €800,000 on Silver level, €1,600,000 for Gold, and unlimited with Platinum coverage.

All levels of the insurance cover things like hospital accommodation, prescribed medicines and drugs, intensive therapy, surgeon’s fees, pathology, and radiology. But each level has differing degrees of coverage for hospital accommodation for a guardian, advanced medical imaging, physiotherapy, rehab, and other costs.

Do you need more than the basics?

No matter what the level, Cigna Global’s core plans will ensure you have some sort of coverage when it comes to standard medical care. But what about the not-so-standard stuff?

Cigna Global helps you tailor an international health insurance plan that’s perfect for you, with optional benefits available like international outpatient care, international health and wellbeing, international medical evacuation, and international vision and dental.

Do you have diabetes or another dietary illness?

If you have diabetes or require some other form of dietary advice for another illness, it’s important to know you can get the support you need while living abroad. Dietetic consultations are covered and paid in full as part of international health and wellbeing under the Platinum plan, but not Silver or Gold.

Do you have glasses or contacts?

So your eyesight isn’t perfect – no shame in that. But do you know where to go for an exam abroad, and what it costs? Cigna’s International Vision and Dental benefit pays for your routine eye exams and will cover the cost of glasses and contact lenses.

Are you over 50?

If you’re 50 or older, you should be thinking about regular cancer screenings. With the International Health and Well-being add-on, screenings for prostate, breast, and bowel cancer (after age 55) will be covered. For women aged 40 to 49, a mammogram is covered every two years even if you’re asymptomatic. You can also get an annual scan to check bone density.

Are you alone far from home?

International Medical Evacuation isn’t just helpful for the person experiencing an emergency – it can also help family members to be there at that time of need. This optional benefit covers visits for a parent, partner, sibling or child to a beneficiary after a sudden accident or illness.

Learn more about healthplans with Cigna Global

Are you pregnant, or planning to be?

Routine maternity care is not covered under the Silver plan, so if you’re young and single that might work for you. But if there’s a chance you might get pregnant, choose Gold or Platinum.

Under those plans complications from pregnancy and homebirth costs are also covered. Newborn care is covered even on the Silver plan, but when you’re bringing a new life into the world, it’s better to be over-prepared, especially if you’re a first-time parent.

Do you need regular physiotherapy or visits to the chiropractor?

If you need physiotherapy, or if you get regular chiropractic or acupuncture treatments, or visit another sort of medical specialist, adding International Outpatient care to your plan is a good idea. This optional benefit also covers adult vaccinations, dental accidents, child immunizations, and, under the Gold and Platinum plans, pre-natal and post-natal care.

Get your own personalized plan

No matter what special conditions you or your family members have, Cigna Global can help you create your perfect plan.

Read more about why expats choose Cigna Global here, and get in touch to get a free quote for your own personalized plan.

This article was produced by The Local Client Studio and sponsored by Cigna Global.

For members

HEALTH

Five things you can do at Norwegian pharmacies other than pick up prescriptions 

You can do a lot more than just pick up medicine at Norwegian pharmacies. From mole scans, and skincare to blood pressure tests, here are some of the other services available. 

Five things you can do at Norwegian pharmacies other than pick up prescriptions 

Pretty much everywhere in Norway, from the big cities to the small villages and towns, has access to a pharmacy. 

This is because they offer several services beyond just picking up a doctor’s prescription or popping in to purchase some non-prescription medications. 

Being able to offer such a wide range of services is both convenient for customers, but also frees up capacity in the wider healthcare system. 

READ ALSO: Are there any ways to get a quicker GP appointment in Norway?

Blood pressure checks 

Cardiovascular diseases are among the most frequent causes of death in Norway. One factor that contributes to cardiovascular disease is high blood pressure.

High blood pressure can’t really be felt and must be measured. 

There’s also the risk of low blood pressure, which can also be a symptom of heart disease. 

Many pharmacies in Norway take blood pressure readings for patients. Anyone over 16 can have their blood pressure measured, as can those under 16 with a doctor’s note. 

A blood pressure test typically costs less than a GP appointment, so it could help you save both time and money by doing it at a pharmacy. 

Follow-up on medications 

Starting new medicines can be a challenge, with side effects and fitting the medication into your everyday life potentially causing challenges. 

Pharmacies offer a service where they can follow up with patients to check in on how they are getting on with new medication and offer any tips or advice they may have. 

They can also answer any questions you may have about any potential side effects you are having. 

Two conversations take place. The first after 1-2 weeks, and then after 3-5 weeks. The service is mostly for heart and cardiovascular medication. However, insight into diabetes medication is also now available. 

Some pharmacies also offer guidance on how to get the best out of inhalation medication free of charge. 

Mole scans 

One of the first signs of skin cancer is a mole that changes in size, shape, or colour. Other symptoms can include parts of the skin that begin to look different from others. 

Detecting cancers early is key to maximizing the chances of a positive outcome. Boots Pharmacies in Norway offer mole scanning. 

Qualified health personnel at the pharmacy will first ask you a number of questions and potentially take photos of the affected areas. 

This information and the scans will be sent to a qualified dermatologist. Then, within a week, a report from the dermatologist will arrive, telling you whether you should seek a doctor for a final diagnosis. 

Vaccinations 

It is possible to have vaccines administered at pharmacies. The seasonal flu vaccine is the most common, and you won’t need a doctor’s recommendation to take a flu jab. 

However, you can take a full range of vaccinations at a pharmacy. Some of the options available are TBE, Hepatitis A and B, cervical cancer and more. 

Vaccines for travel are also available. Typically, taking these vaccines may cost slightly more than at a doctor’s. 

Schengen certificates 

When travelling with medication, you may need a certificate to take it overseas. This applies to certain sleeping and anxiety medicines, narcotics and strong painkillers. 

The certificates are valid for 30 days and allow you to travel with the medications in question. To obtain a certificate, you will need a valid ID, passport and documentation of the medicine, such as the doctor to issue it, the strength, and the quantity. 

Skincare advice 

Some pharmacies will carry out a skin analysis for customers and then give them tips and advice on how to care for their skin, and which products could be useful. 

One way of doing this is to measure the moisture levels of your skin. The analysis is typically free and non-binding – meaning you don’t need to fork out for any expensive skincare products. 

Vitusapotek has several specialist skincare outlets that employ specialist skin therapists. These are only available in Oslo, Bergen, Stavnager, Bodø and Tromsø though. 

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