Expat Health Insurance & Healthcare Guide

A list of private and public hospitals in Panama City, Panama provided by the US Embassy. Plus, expat advice about the cost of healthcare and health insurance coverage.

If you're moving to Belgium, understanding the healthcare system is essential. This article covers public healthcare, private healthcare, hospitals, English-speaking doctors in Belgium, prescription medications and medical emergencies.

New York City is home to some of the most renowned hospitals in the world. If you're a NYC expat, you should familiarize yourself with NYC hospitals before a medical emergency or need arises. And, when you're choosing expat health insurance, you'll want to know which hospitals are included in network.

Expats in Ireland face very specific timelines and rules when it comes to getting healthcare in Ireland. It's important to understand how this will impact your journey and your individual health before you decide to move to Ireland.

Expats have differing opinions about healthcare in Panama. Many advice against public hospitals and healthcare, but some recount good experiences. This article covers public vs private healthcare, cost of healthcare, obtaining prescription medications and much more.

What's the difference between Social Health Insurance and National Health Insurance in Japan? Are there some English-speaking doctors in good hospitals in Tokyo? What's a typical doctor visit like? An expat in Tokyo answers these questions and more. Continue Reading

What would happen if you lived in Mexico with private health insurance and were hit by a taxi? One expat tells her harrowing story and how she survived both the accident AND being treated at a public hospital. Continue Reading

An expat talks about public and private healthcare in Paysandu, Uruguay. Common prescriptions are available at the local pharmacy. And, they would probably return home to have a serious medical condition treated, because specialist are limited. Continue Reading

An expat talks about healthcare in Paysandu, Uruguay. COMEPA hospital is the best local hospital, but some people go to the British Hospital in Montevideo. Continue Reading

This is an excellent report about the specific health care conditions in Ngombo, Sri Lanka. Information about hospitals, medicines and the best health insurance is included. Continue Reading

An expat in Playa del Carmen talks about the importance of private health insurance in Mexico. Because of her private insurance, she has access to private hospitals and even coverage worldwide. She can even travel to the United States for treatment. Continue Reading

An expat in Malaysia talks about the high quality of care at private hospitals in Penang, public vs private health insurance, the low cost of prescription medicines and emergency medical services. Continue Reading

An expat in Abu Dhabi talks about the quality of healthcare, recommends American hospitals for their standard of care, explains that many people skip the doctor and get prescription medicine from the pharmacy. Continue Reading

An expat in Bordeaux talks about hospitals, the importance of supplementary health insurance, the need to keep your own medical records since doctors don't keep them and prescription medicine costs and availability. Continue Reading

An expat living in Kiev, Ukraine talks about international health insurance, the expat-friendly IMP clinic in Kiev and more. Continue Reading

An expat mom who gave birth to two children at St. James Hospital in Sliema, Malta talks about choosing the hospital, doctors and more. She explained that mothers are very well respected in Maltese culture. Continue Reading

An expat whose wife had a baby in Barbados describes talks about choosing a hospital (Bayview), finding a doctor, having a Caesarean and more. Their baby needed to be transferred from Bayview to QEH to use a CPAP machine, which made life a bit complicated for a few days. But, both mom and baby were released and healthy. Continue Reading

An expat in Olongapo talks about having a baby in the Philippines - having a c-section, needing to pay doctors in pesos and getting advice from other expats. Continue Reading

An expat mom who had a baby in Italy talks about finding a doctor willing to assist with a homebirth, the birth and follow-up care. Continue Reading

An expat mom talks about what it was like giving birth to her son at a public hospital in Salzburg, Austria. The care was wonderful, but she had some advice for other soon-to-be expat moms in Salzburg. Continue Reading

An expat talks about having a baby in Calamba, Philippines. They spent time finding an OBGYN that they liked. His wife gave birth via C-section at a clinic near their house where their OBGYN worked. Continue Reading

A dad in the UAE talks about he and his wife's experiences having two babies in the UAE. The first was in Dubai and the second in Abu Dhabi at a government run hospital. He offers great insight into the positive and negatives of both experiences. Continue Reading

An expat married to a Filipino woman describes his wife's experiences giving birth to their two children in Davao, Philippines. They chose a simple clinic with a hospital as a backup plan. He explained that in the Philippines hospital births are almost always c-sections. Continue Reading

An expat dad in Monteria, Colombia describes he and his wife's experiences having to babies in Monteria. He offers very helpful tips about what to expect and bring to the hospital. Continue Reading

I had a beautiful baby boy in an Army Medical Center on an Army base on the northern island of Japan. I was late arriving at the hospital, so only local anesthesia! It was so fast, I didn't have time to hurt! The care was wonderful. I went home the next day, feeling fine, and so happy! Continue Reading

Help others moving overseas by answering a set of questions about health insurance, public healthcare, prescription medicine, quality of medical care and emergency services.

Being pregnant and giving birth abroad can be a bit unnerving. If you've had a baby abroad, please take a few minutes to answer a few questions about your experiences. Your insight will help to prepare other expat parents-to-be -- and hopefully calm their nerves.