Health Insurance for Expatriates and Travelers Abroad

"Staying healthy is a key issue for all travelers. The more you learn about the health risks at your destination, the better you will be prepared to stay healthy. The resources listed below are intended to help you get the most updated information about health threats and concerns at your travel destination or while abroad. For example, learn about recommended vaccinations and common precautions. We have included government websites from a number of English-speaking countries, so that readers can get a variety of health threat assessments and recommendations for living and traveling abroad.

Generally, most prudent expatriates and travelers will want to purchase health insurance if their current coverage does not cover them while they are abroad. www.TransitionsAbroad.com provides some potential options which you should carefully compare and vet for your own unique situation (see our articles below for more details)." — Living Abroad editor Volker Poelzl

General Background

The Consular Information Sheets, compiled by the Bureau of Consular Affairs, part of the U.S. Department of State provides useful information for travelers and expatriates, such as Travel Warnings, Travel Publications (general travel advice), Consular Information Sheets, and much more. Medical Information for Americans Traveling Abroad lists doctors and hospitals abroad, as well as U.S.-based Air Ambulance companies. To be able to better assist you in an emergency, the U.S. State Dept. recommends that American citizens register with the nearest consulate or embassy during their stay abroad.

Centers for Disease Control, the U. S. Government's Traveler's Center for Disease Control’s (CDC) website is your best source for useful travel tips, as well as region-specific information. , provides health information on specific destinations about outbreaks, diseases, vaccinations, water safety, and links to other related sites.

World Health Organization (WHO) provides International Travel and Health information about vaccination requirements, travel risks and precautions, accidents, and infectious diseases for most countries worldwide

More Travel Health Advice from English-Speaking Countries

The Canadian Consular Affairs website provides information and assistance for Canadians traveling abroad, including country profiles offering resources, including maps, facts, statistics and social and cultural insights

IAMAT, The International Association for Medical Assistance to Travelers is an international nonprofit organization that provides travelers with info about health risks, immunization requirements etc.; also provides an extensive worldwide physician and clinic guide for its members.

The Travel Doctor is an Medication and Vaccination Center for Travelers, with travel clinics in Australia and New Zealand, as well as international associates worldwide. The website provides vaccination advice, travel health advice, clinic details and current health alerts for overseas travel.

General Background

U.S. State Department provides a variety of links regarding travel warnings for specific countries, resources for Americans living in foreign countries, and much more. The perspective is from the U.S. Government, of course, and the sites are constantly being updated. To find out if any travel warnings have been issued recently for your destinations, check the Current Travel Warnings.

Air Travel News

Airsafe.com.
Federal Aviation Administration.
Airwise News.

Humanitarian Concerns

Human Rights Watch.
Amnesty International.
International Red Cross.
United Nations Development Program.

Information on Terrorism

Office of the Coordinator for Counterterrorism

International Affairs and News

Council on Foreign Relations.
United Nations News.