Agent Owner, Gilmore Insurance Services, Marysville, Washington State
There are different degrees of healh care coverage from complete to none around the world. I am assuming that you mean other industrialized nations that provide government supplied health care. With a single payor funding for health care is done through several methods of taxation. Usually when you review individual tax brackets in these other countries you'll find they are considerably higher than here in the US. Other countries also use what is known as a value added tax (VAT) to certain products or services that generate additional revenues to support health services.
While there is a constant debate on which system is better, one must remember all systems cost money and no system is "free." A dollar spent in healthcare is a dollar spent anywhere you are. Some countries ration their healthcare by availability and others by price.
Healthcare is going to be a tough problem for every nation as the population world wide ages and continues to grow in number. No system is perfect, all systems are strained right now. .
Taking nothing away from +Larry Gilmore response, I am going to approach the question from a different angle.
If the question relates to a Unites States based health insurance plan and you are traveling to another country, the answer is MOST major medical health insurance plans are worldwide.
That being said there are some things you need to know.
When you leave the US there are no provider networks. Medical providers in foreign countries are usually reimbursed on an "as billed" basis.
Minor claims incurred outside the US are usually paid by the insured and then you file for reimbursement from your carrier when you return.
Major medical plans do not cover med-evac, return of mortal remains, or translation of medical records. It is always a good idea to purchase an international travel medical plan as a supplement when traveling outside the US border.
Most countries allow their citizens to purchase individual health insurance and many employers provide health insurance as well.
In some European countries health insurance premiums are financed through a VAT (value added tax) that is factored in to the price of each product you purchase. VAT's increase the cost of goods tremendously.
I disagree with Bob. When people ask if they are covered they usually mean "will the company pay the bill". You always want to read your policy before assuming that you are covered or even taking the word of an Insurance company telemarketer. ASK for the specific policy language.
Bob is correct that in the few cases where you are "covered" YOU will pay the bill first and then get reimbursed. Medicare is an excellent example of limited coverage outside the US.
Bob is also correct in that there are many things that are not covered. Personally, I would not leave the US without evac coverage to get me home.
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While there is a constant debate on which system is better, one must remember all systems cost money and no system is "free." A dollar spent in healthcare is a dollar spent anywhere you are. Some countries ration their healthcare by availability and others by price.
Healthcare is going to be a tough problem for every nation as the population world wide ages and continues to grow in number. No system is perfect, all systems are strained right now. .
If the question relates to a Unites States based health insurance plan and you are traveling to another country, the answer is MOST major medical health insurance plans are worldwide.
That being said there are some things you need to know.
When you leave the US there are no provider networks. Medical providers in foreign countries are usually reimbursed on an "as billed" basis.
Minor claims incurred outside the US are usually paid by the insured and then you file for reimbursement from your carrier when you return.
Major medical plans do not cover med-evac, return of mortal remains, or translation of medical records. It is always a good idea to purchase an international travel medical plan as a supplement when traveling outside the US border.
In some European countries health insurance premiums are financed through a VAT (value added tax) that is factored in to the price of each product you purchase. VAT's increase the cost of goods tremendously.
Bob is correct that in the few cases where you are "covered" YOU will pay the bill first and then get reimbursed. Medicare is an excellent example of limited coverage outside the US.
Bob is also correct in that there are many things that are not covered. Personally, I would not leave the US without evac coverage to get me home.