MEC%20LOGO%20(002)_edited.png
info@mec-medical.co.uk
+44 (0)1276 858235
Trustpilot%20Primary%20Logo%20White_edit
Trustpilot 5 Star Bar.png
  • Home

  • About Us

  • Employers

  • Private Clients

  • Claims Helpdesk

  • Online Expression of Wish

  • Document Library

  • Contact Us

  • News

  • More

    • All Posts
    • New Appointment
    • International Healthcare
    • Global Employee Benefits
    • Global Employee Assistance
    • Awards
    • Customer Service
    • Health Insurance and Protection Awa
    • Health Insurance and Protection
    • Employee Benefits
    • International Health Insurance
    • Employee Benefits
    • Brexit
    • Business Travel Insurance
    • Mandatory Health Insurance
    • mental health
    • stress audit
    • stress risk assessment
    • employee assistance programme
    • absenteeism
    • leaveism
    • presnteeism
    • health and well-being programme
    • staff discount scheme
    • employee perks
    • Group Life Insurance
    • Expression of Wish
    • Death-in-Service
    • Health Cash Plan
    • Life Insurance
    • Critical Illness Cover
    Search
    • Geoff Maggs
      • Dec 9, 2020
      • 2 min read

    Will 2021 be a Boom Year for International Health Insurance?

    The UK’s international health insurers might be in for a bumper year in 2021 as demand is likely to grow for the following reasons...


    Brexit Transition Period Comes to an End

    In the New Year, the UK will have come to the end of the Brexit Transition period and it has already signed trade agreements with over 25 countries and blocs and is considering many more. Some of these will be “Continuity Trade Agreements” which aim to mirror existing EU trade agreements, but some will be brand new – The UK is prioritizing negotiations with Australia, New Zealand and Japan and is also considering joining the “Comprehensive and Progressive Agreement for Trans-Pacific Partnership”, thankfully also known as the CPTPP.*


    With the increase in opportunities that international trade deals bring, employees sent to develop these new markets will require international medical insurance to protect their health during their time overseas.


    European Health Insurance Card

    The future of the European Health Insurance card (EHIC) is in doubt. If this card is no longer available from 1st January 2021 and no reciprocal healthcare arrangements are put in place with the EU (Norway, Iceland, Liechtenstein or Switzerland), short-term travellers will be wise to purchase travel insurance with a good level of health cover and expatriates may be forced to purchase local or international health insurance.


    Mandatory Healthcare

    There appears to be a trend for countries with large expatriate populations to make health insurance mandatory for temporary visitors and residents. One of the main reasons behind this is to stop expatriates becoming a burden on the host country’s healthcare system, with non-payment of expatriates’ medical bills being cited as a major problem.


    We have seen this over the last few years in the Middle East e.g. Abu Dhabi and Dubai and more recently in Thailand. More countries might follow suit for the same reasons, which could provide new opportunities for international health insurers.


    * www.gov.uk/government/collections/the-uks-trade-agreements


    Medical Expenses Consulting is a specialist healthcare broker which has been advising clients for over 20 years. Our knowledgeable staff research the market on our clients’ behalf to find them the best company or individual international health insurance and group travel cover.

    Contact us today to discover how we can help you.

    • International Private Medical Insurance
    • International Employee Benefits Advice
    • Mandatory Health Insurance
    • Global Risk
    • Global Employee Benefits
    • Business Travel Insurance
    • International Health Insurance
    • •
    • Employee Benefits
    • •
    • Brexit
    54 views0 comments

    Recent Posts

    See All

    MEC Appoints Head of International Clients

    190