Job Discussion Forums

[miciominou]

I've been looking for health insurance coverage for when I start teaching EFL abroad in February. I have a pre-existing mental illness (bi-polar) which is very stable and quite a non-issue. However, I DO take maintainance medication daily and will need to continue this abroad.

I have found a few companies which will cover me after a year excluding my mental condition. Are there any out there that you know of that will cover me from day 1?

I would appreciate your input regarding Health Insurance Companies. I have already weighed the pros and cons of going abroad with this condition and am not soliciting advice per se regarding that issue.
Thank you,
miciominou

[keitepai]

Hello,

Have you asked your employer (if you have one already?) about the package you will receive. I get my health insurance provided in Turkey by the school I work for and it was from day one.

[miciominou]

Thank you for your response. Many employers in China do offer insurance. I would prefer not to inform my employer of this issue because it is my understanding that there there is essentially no such thing as privacy regarding medical issues in China and I would prefer not to share my medical concerns with everyone.

[keitepai]

Yes, very true there is a fine line between trying to 'normalise' managed illness or risking putting yourself at the mercy of prejudices that could affect your position and privacy.
I hope you find a company that provides the cover you need.

[Justin Trullinger]

Another thing to consider may be the cost of your medication for a year. My experience with insurance companies is that they don't give it away. Only way a company covers ANYBODY is by projecting how much they'll spend on them, and charging them a bit more.

I don't know that you'll find a company that will cover from day one, but if you do, I'm completely sure they'll charge you more than you'd spend on meds. Maybe buying your own meds and taking out a "serious emergency only" medical policy is the way to go.

But before you decide, find out about costs for the medications you take IN your target country- have someone there who you trust, or perhaps someone around this board, make an inquiry. THis info may be hard to find from overseas, but is an essential part of the process. Medicine costs very a LOT from place to place...may be that you're worrying over something inconsequential.

Best,
Justin

[naturegirl321]

YOu might want to look into short/term travel insurance. They usually last from a couple days to up to a year. SO you could use that one until your other one kicks in.

[Justin Trullinger]