Telemedicine for expatriates
In some countries, the delays in obtaining an appointment with a general practitioner are sometimes long and cultural differences can also be a barrier. Access to healthcare for expatriates is even more difficult due to insufficient medical facilities or high costs. But telemedicine for expatriates can prove to be a means of facilitating access to health care. Especially in countries where communication with doctors can be difficult.
What is telemedicine?
Telemedicine is an online medical practice using new means of communication. This allows a patient to get in touch with the doctor of his choice remotely and anywhere in the world. It is often carried out by Whatsapp, Skype, Teams, Google meetings …
Telemedicine includes:
- Remote consultation between a patient and a medical professional;
- Exchange between medical professionals concerning a patient;
- Analysis and interpretation of a patient’s symptoms;
- Assistance from a doctor to one of his colleagues to treat a patient
Please note: telemedicine is not an emergency service! It is best to contact local emergency services in an emergency.
What Telemedicine Services Are Available For Expats?
Medical teleconsultation
Access to a secure platform and to general practitioners or specialists. You can contact them to ask them your questions by email, phone or Visio call. Please note, despite generally short deadlines, it is possible not to have an appointment within the hour.
Second medical opinion
It is often helpful to have a second medical opinion, especially in the case of surgery. Medical techniques are very different from country to country. And in some cases surgery prescribed in one country may be preventable in France.
Medical prescription
Therefore, the doctor can give you a prescription for medicines or for additional tests.
Information services
It is also possible to request information about where you live, such as vaccinations needed or the most reputable hospitals for your condition.
Which doctors are accessible?
- Gastroenterologist
- Anesthetist
- Cardiologist
- Urologist
- Dermatologist
- Gynecology
- Sports doctor
- Travel doctor
- Neurologist
- Oncologist
- Ophthalmologist
- ENT
- Psychiatrist
- Radiologist
The benefits of telemedicine for expatriates
Firstly, the main advantage of telemedicine for expatriates is the speed of service. The platforms are open 24/7. Responses are quick and it can save you time and money.
Second advantage, the possibility of communicating with a doctor in your language. This makes it easier to describe your symptoms and understand the diagnosis made to follow the prescribed treatment.
Telemedicine also alleviates the lack of medical infrastructure in some countries or the difficulty of accessing specialists.
Finally, consultations via these services are generally paid for by your insurer. This saves you the expense of sometimes expensive medical bills.
Telemedicine and expatriate health insurance
In recent years, insurers have been integrating more and more plans reimbursing teleconsultation when it is external, but also integrating internal services. For instance mainly through dedicated applications.
Telemedicine offers a real alternative. On the other hand, it is necessary to remember that it is a complementary tool that does not replace a real consultation.
How to find an insurance which includes telemedicine?
The easiest way is to compare all the offers one by one, but it’s not an insurance professional who wants to. Indeed the waste of time is considerable.
To help you hire a broker is often the most beneficial solution. Indeed, he can provide you with sound advice to guide you on the right huge.
Indeed our team of experts can help you with this process, and help you find the perfect insurance for your needs. In addition, our perfect knowledge of Shanghai, thanks to our representative office and our on-site back office, allows us to stay informed as much as possible and to be as close as possible to help you. Contact us!
You can also read our article which lists the qualities of good insurance here
