Nordic systems are among the most social in the world. In fact, even uber-social France often look up to its neighbor from up north when it wants to review its social system – if only we could be as disciplined and socially responsible as them… but let’s not digress.

The Norwegian healthcare, in its breadth of scope and its results in lengthening Norwegian’s life expectancy, is often compared to the French Sécu. As a result, it could be perceived as yet another European universal, tax-funded, single-payer health care system.

In fact, it holds a few surprises when look under the tip of the iceberg – I know, this one was easy !

A little teaser to entice you to follow the here above link.
You will discover that the Norwegian system:

1. is very centralized administratively;
2. but its health care services are decentralized;
3. it also cover Norwegian expats for up to one year after they move abroad;

Feel free to contact me should you wish to know more !

First, it greatly simplify the application process process.

Second, it is great for applicants with pre-existing conditions. They will be able to enjoy a great insurance, and escape the hassle of having to provide their medical record. Sound great doesn’t it? And the best is still coming: should they remain healthy for two continuous years (and a WR client of course) then their pre-existing condition will be fully covered!

Don’t take my word for it, take William Russell’s one.

“Pre-existing conditions become eligible for cover when the member has had a continuous two year period of cover during which there have been no symptoms, and no treatment or check-ups have been necessary. ”

“If it is generally accepted medical advice that one should attend a regular medical consultation or check-up, or take drugs, or follow a special diet, then that medical condition will be permanently excluded, together with any related conditions. This will include conditions such as diabetes, raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels, heart disease, some forms of cancer, and other conditions where regular monitoring is advisable.”

James Cooper
Sales Director, William Russell

Only tiny little draw-back, applicants who chose the moratorium approach will pay a 4% premium. Very worthwhile IMHO.

Let’s quickly review the scope of a good social security system – I’m not talking US here

Medical Cover – Covers everything related to medical (duh!), maternity, Emergencies etc.

Retirement – Help you plan your retirement. Some system promises you a specific monthly benefit at retirement, others provide you an individual account from which you can draw an income later on.

Critical Illness Cover – Kicks-in and provide you with a regular income should you suffer from a critical/incapacitating illness – i.e. you can not work anymore but still need to make a living

Income Protection – Provides you with an income were you to lose your job

Family Cover – Helps you with some reduction or tax benefits in order to ease the burden of raising childs

Social Aid – Financial help for those who are in difficult situations due to their handicap, health, social or economic difficulties when other system can not cover them or are insufficient.

I put them down in order of importance from an expat point of view.

The Medical cover is maybe the easiest to grasp for everybody.

The retirement one also is quite obvious for many, usually those whose social security system provide them with an individual account grasp this concept very fast- they are already used to be responsible for their own future income.

Critical Illness cover and income protection are less top of mind for many. Yet they are very important. Especially the critical illness cover. Statistically, we have more chances of suffering from an incapacitating trauma than we have of dying young. Yet most people are familiar with life insurance, but not with critical illness.

The last two are more macro concerns. They are paid for by our taxes and we pay for those in our country of residence.

So – did you cover the 4 pilars of social security? Or did you simply go for the adventures?

The country you are living in / or to which you are moving to can have a bearing on your decision. Some countries enjoy better healthcare than others. However, I personally recommend expats do chose international cover over a local plan for the following reasons:

• They are international (Duh!), which means that you will not have to only rely on the medical facilities in the country you are living in. Many prefer to know they can go home, or to an alternative country,  for treatment should they become sick.
• They will follow you wherever you go. This ensures you don’t have any waiting period when moving to another country Icing on the cake, you don’t have to deal with potential pre-existing exlusions once you are insured.
• They gives you more freedom selecting where and by whom treatment shall be carried out. International provider usually enjoy much larger network of participating hospital.
• They usually are renewable for life. Whereas local plans will usualy only be renewable until age 65.
• Your level of coverage is much higher with an international policy, typically over 1 Million USD. You also enjoy fewer exclusions.
• International policy renewal premium are community rated. This means that your premium shall remain manageable even if you were severely ill over the past few years and had to go regularly to the hospital. To compare, local plans usually are based on previous years claim.
• International plan were set in place to replicate the same level of protection European used to enjoy back home. This means that they are not as cheap as local plans, but provide more peace of mind regarding the level of coverage in place.

At the end of the day, the choice is yours. There is no universal truth.