Increase In Health Insurance Premiums Woes Expats
With the stubbornly increasing health care cost and rising of claims, many expats will feel the pinch of insurance premiums up to 15 percent.
Insurers typically chose around April to begin raising rates, so if you haven’t purchased a policy yet, now may be just the time.
“The rises reflect not only “medical inflation” – such as the introduction of new scanning procedures – but a rise in the volume of claims.
Health care costs had shot up in parts of the world that had been stable in the past, said Mr Apps. “More insurers will look at places with very high costs – such as Hong Kong – and adjust prices.”
Read More From The Telegraph
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Expats Favor Their Home Country’s Health Standards
According to a recent survey made by Bupa International, expats consider the health care standard in their home country much better that what they have in their new home.
Around 1,034 expatriates participated in the survey that shows that 44 per cent of expats are not satisfied with the health care standards in the country which they are working, or their new country of residence. Aside from the varying standard of health care in the expat’s new home, the language barrier is said to be the major cause of dissatisfaction among expats.
“One in five - equivalent to around 38 million people around the globe - believe that their health has deteriorated since they moved abroad. The research also showed that one in five expats would prefer to be treated outside their country of residence if they fell seriously ill.”
However, it’s not all bad news:
“Depsite their lack of faith in their new homes’ health care standards, over half (50.5 per cent) of expats surveyed said that they feel happiest in their current country of residence.”
Read More From Telegraph UK
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Expat Vegetarian Destination: Jakarta
Choosing a vegetarian dish can be intimidating if you’re surrounded with food stalls selling meat dishes in Jakarta. But vegetarians in the city have less to worry as more restaurants are gradually offering meat-free plates and fresh vegetables are readily available in the country. “With an abundance of vegetables, Indonesia’s culinary options never cease to satisfy the taste buds of even the fussiest vegan who refuses to eat any kind of animal-based food product.”
Read more from The Jakarta Post
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US Health Reforms
US Health Care system is about to be overhauled. Although it will take time to see the results, many believe that there will still be a large number of Americans going abroad to seek treatment, some even think this number might increase. “The long-awaited United States healthcare reform package became law last week. Asian hospitals treating American medical travelers will have to wait longer to see whether the bill will have a significant impact on their businesses, but US insurers will feel the reforms’ impact more quickly, and that could lead them to look more closely at international options.”
Read More from Asia Times Online
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An Expat Heads Up: Ireland Airport Strikes
Ireland’s Dublin, Shannon, and Cork airports are slated to go on strike in the next day. Expat travel may be disrupted my air traffic controllers walking out. “The strike action will take place tomorrow between 2pm and 6pm at Dublin and Shannon airports, and between 4pm and 6pm at Cork airport. All three airports will shut down during these periods. The strikes are also expected to affect flights passing through Irish airspace. Liam Kavanagh, director of human resources at the IAA, said the changes to technology are essential for the aviation industry and called on the union to suspend action. “The airports will be closed for that period; it is not possible to put in contingency arrangements,” a spokeswoman added.” Read more from Telegraph 
Spanish Doctors Try To Stop “Expat Freeloaders”
Expats may come under greater scrutiny when seeking out medical care in Spain. As Spanish doctors have an increase in expats who come for non-emergency treatments and attempt to get them for free with their European Health Insurance Card. “Criticism is not directed at those who register their residency status and pay taxes, but at expats in the black economy who expect to get treatment by producing a European Health Insurance Card (Ehic), which is designed for the emergency care of holidaymakers. Some of the many thousands of Britons who regularly flip between homes in Britain and Iberia are also thought to arrange trips according to where they may get the best treatment, or jump waiting lists. Politicians have been concerned about healthcare “freeloaders” for several years, but Spanish doctors have been more muted.” Read more from Telegraph
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Mapping The Cancer Genome
It was reported this week that there has been a breakthrough in cancer research. Sciences have mapped the genome for lung and melanoma cancers. –Expats should be aware that Lung cancer is predominant globally, while Australia has the highest rate of melanoma. It is hoped that in understanding the cancer genes treatments can be made specifically to the individual. “DAVID MARK: So there’s still work to do. But given lung cancer is the biggest cancer killer globally and Australia has the highest incidence of melanoma in the World, Associate Professor Graham Mann believes the new work is vital.
GRAHAM MANN: It’s taking things up to a whole other level and it’s almost like I guess we’re moving to a situation like having a Google Earth comprehensive view of the way that cancer happens through damage to genes.
DAVID MARK: The work raises the prospect of new tests for cancer and new drugs which can very specifically target the mutations that are causing the cancers.”
Read more from ABC
H1N1 Vaccine Demands Lessen
The demand for the H1N1 vaccine has appeared to slow as countries began to renegotiate with major pharmaceutical companies. It had been originally believed that the vaccination was needed in two doses. “Demand for swine flu vaccines below original forecasts is threatening to slow the growth in predicted revenues for four of Europe’s leading pharmaceuticals companies. Academic studies in recent weeks have shown that most people require a single dose of vaccine to acquire protection, compared with the two doses originally believed necessary and used in orders by governments including the UK.Separately, public suspicion of the perceived risks of vaccines at a time when the impact of swine flu is far less than previously feared is also discouraging the use of those vaccines already delivered. The fall in demand may affect sales by the leading flu vaccine suppliers, which are all based in Europe - GlaxoSmithKline, Sanofi-Aventis, Novartis and AstraZeneca. Countries including Spain and Germany are attempting to renegotiate their contracts with suppliers.”
Read more from FT
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UAE to gradually cut expat labour force, rely on modern technology
ABU DHABI, Nov 22 (APP): “The United Arab Emirates is gearing up to slash its large labour-intensive workforce and to rely on techonology and highly skilled manpower in the years ahead, Speaker of UAE’s Federal National Council (FNC) Abdul Aziz Al-Ghurair said Sunday. Briefing reporters from around the world to participate in the Emirates National Day, he said the UAE parliament - FNC - has constituted a Federal Demographics Council to look into the issue of the large expat population.
“We are a minority in our own country,” Ghurair said and added “With a large expat population it is very easy to lose your identity.”
“It is important that we maintain our own national identity,” he told the media representatives from around 46 countries here at the Emirates Center for Strategic Studies and Research.
He said the objective of setting up the council was to study the demographics of UAE, that is home to around 180 nationalities and is skewed heavily in favour of its expatriate community.”
Read more from Associated Press
Expats and Saudis donate blood for Haj
RIYADH – “Nearly 200 pints of blood were collected Friday to be used for emergencies at the holy sites during this year’s Haj.
About 300 expatriates of various nationalities and Saudis donated blood at the King Fahad Medical City (KFMC) in Riyadh. Indians, Sri Lankans, Bangladeshis, Yemenis and Syrians participated.
The blood will be used at the emergency rooms of healthcare centers in Makkah and Madina.”
Read more from Saudi Gazette
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Mumbai Nearly One Year Later
It’s been nearly a year since the attacks on Mumbai and the city has not wavered. When the terrorist attacks happened many expats sent their families home on an early Christmas holiday, while others where re-expatriated due to security concerns. Now companies are stronger than ever and the expats are back. Business travelers are also making an effort to stay in the hotels that were attacked. “But confidence has since slowly returned, Mr Dailly says. “Non-Indian businesses operating in Mumbai have not forgotten that there is a terrorism threat in India, but they recognise that it is entirely manageable, much as it is operating in Istanbul, Madrid or London, cities which have also been recent targets of terrorism,” he says…Others, such as Hillary Clinton, the US secretary of state, have also made a point of staying in the hotel, and even business people who were wounded in the attacks say they would return to Mumbai. Harnish”
Read more from The National
Medicare To Reach US Citizen Beyond Her Borders
Medicare looks like it may be extended to US Citizens living abroad in Mexico. With Medicare flagged for cuts many in the US government see Mexico as a savings. For now US expats only have the option of paying out of pocket or for private insurance, while others opt to return to home to have procedures covered under Medicare. “A doctor’s office visit or house call (still a common practice in Mexico) costs only $25 to $40, according to a 2007 study by the University of Texas LBJ School of Public Affairs. The same study presented information on comparative costs for common procedures: a hip replacement costs between $43,000 and $63,000 in the U.S., compared to $12,000 in Mexico, according to Texas-based hospital chain Christus Muguerza, which also operates in Mexico; a coronary bypass in Mexico costs an average of $21,000 compared to $149,000 in the U.S. Citing statistics from the U.S. census and State Department, Crist estimates approximately 200,000 of the 1 million U.S. citizens living south of the border are Medicare-eligible.”
Read more from TIME
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Global Health Care - New Ideas
The Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation announced that it will be giving out 76 grants in 16 developing countries for health related research. The possibilities of breakthroughs could change health care around the world and make moving to certain developing countries easier. “Some of the biggest stumbling blocks in global health are now being overcome with promising new vaccines and treatments,” said Dr. Tachi Yamada, president of the Gates Foundation’s Global Health Program. “Grand Challenges Explorations will continue to fill the pipeline with possibilities and hopefully produce a breakthrough idea that could save untold numbers of lives.” Read more from Bill & Melinda Gates Foundation 
H1N1 Vaccine Comes To Spain
Health care and insurance is always a topic of discussion in the expat world. As many expats around the world head into fall the flu vaccine becomes for some a hot topic. This year for many it’s particularly important for many expats to start thinking about whether or not to receive the H1N1 vaccine. “The news came this Thursday at the latest meeting of the Inter-Regional Health Committee, which also agreed that prison officers are to be included in the high risk groups to be administered the first vaccines. They join health personnel – including those employed at retirement homes - essential services, pregnant women and those from the age of 6 months upwards who suffer a chronic health condition.” Read more from Typically Spanish
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The American Job Hunt Overseas
The job hunt moves overseas for many American workers. With unemployment high in USA some Americans are considering often for the first time to become an expat overseas. The question then becomes where and how to the job search. “A recent survey by Manpower Inc. found that employment prospects are most favorable in India, Brazil, Colombia, Peru, China, Australia, Singapore, Costa Rica, Canada, Taiwan, and Poland. Jeff Joerres, Manpower Inc.’s chairman and CEO says a reason for this is because the populations of developing countries are increasing nearly six times as fast as those of developed countries. “This essentially creates a magnet pulling American workers to developing nations, and moving them along as each destination stabilizes. So you can see how Prague was hot for a while for American workers, then Vietnam and Dubai.” Read more from Fast Company
An Expat look at German Health Care
You might be surprised to learn the German health care system differs from that France and the UK. As an expat living and working in Germany you automatically fall under the German health care system which you pay for through deductions from your pay check. “This is how it works: Just about every full-time employed person in Germany has about 10 percent of his wages deducted from his paycheck, which is paid into a government-supervised central fund. The individual’s premium is then matched by his employer. This central fund distributes these revenues to over 200 non-profit health insurance companies. As I said, these companies aren’t state-run, but they’re tightly regulated and monitored by government agencies. The percentage of payroll tax that (just about) every breadwinner pays, however, is determined by the state. Here’s where the rationale of Germany’s social welfare state kicks in: If every earner forks over 10 percent of his paycheck, those who earn less, pay less, and those who earn more, pay more — for the same health care. A young, healthy man pays the same as someone 60 years old and chronically ill. This is the social solidarity principle, which was introduced under Kaiser Wilhelm I and his chancellor, Otto von Bismarck, in 1883, although it has come a long way and changed dramatically since then.”
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