International Assistance Companies
International Assistance Companies (IAC)
It is wise when choosing an International insurer that you make sure that they use a reputable IAC to handle all your medical needs.
Why? Because if you have a serious medical problem at 7.00pm GMT on a Saturday night it is no good telephoning the insurer back in England, as most of the staff will be in a bar somewhere, and the offices will be locked.
So, what is a IAC? It is a company that specialises in looking after insurance company members. They work 24hrs a day 365 days a year, with bilingual staff to answer your calls and to liaise with the medical team in which ever country you happen to be in, with fully trained doctors on call.
It is not possible for me to give information on all the companies in the market place, so I have chosen to talk about International SOS as a benchmark. International SOS, has offices in over 40 countries and are on 24-hour stand-by for your protection. With over 30 million clients on cover worldwide, International SOS prides itself on the dedication and professionalism of its staff. As a member of an insurance company that engages the services of International SOS, you have all the expertise of International SOS available to you, whatever your medical problem is and wherever you are in the world.
On calling your IAC they will ask you to identify yourself by your membership number, which will be supplied with your policy. Carry your card with you at all times, as it is your lifeline in times of emergency. Members are strongly encouraged to contact their IAC for any medical concerns requiring care, so that a doctor can provide a real time assessment of their needs and ensure referral to an appropriate medical provider in the member’s location.
By using your IAC to make all the arrangements for you, they will arrange for you to be admitted to a “Centre of Medical Excellence” and arrange to pay all the medical bills direct, therefore you will not have to worry about whether you have enough credit on your credit card to meet the bills or not.
You should be able contact your IAC at any time for medical advice. If you are just beginning your new life as an Expatriate or are a long time expatriate and you wish to obtain medical treatment, your IAC should also keep your company informed of your progress as well as informing your family if required.
If, given the location of the world that you are in, it is found by the IAC doctors that your condition could be improved by relocating you to a medical centre best suited to your medical needs or in fact repatriating you to your home country, then all such arrangements will be made under your policy.
There is a positive correlation between quality-oriented global networks and effective healthcare. By helping to guide members to quality providers, members can be assured they will have access to quality care.
Because development and maintenance of a quality-oriented global network of quality providers is a substantial investment, many insurers still continue to resort to a static list. However making such an investment can bring significant benefits to the insurer, to multinational employers and most important of all, to expatriates and their families.
The combination of a good IAC, and your insurance company will ensure that you have complete “Peace of Mind” for you and your family during your time as an Expatriate.