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;

A little teaser to entice you to follow the here above link.
You’ll discover that the Swiss System:

1. mandates its residents to buy healthcare;
2. lets individuals choose from a choice of health plans;
3. lets management of these plans to private insurance companies;

I have to admit it was the most difficult one to summarize so far; it is the most integrated healthcare systems I’ve studied yet, its admin side is awfully messy, and its “patient” one is so dead simple it was difficult to follow the structure I set up for the previous pieces. Still, I am happy with the end result, which you can check here: British NHS.

Need a teaser like last time?
By reading it you’ll discover that the British System:

1. Is most cashless;
2. Is so good private insurances only insure 11% of britons;
3. Is much more efficient than the French or the Australian one at managing its cost

Many contracts to chose from

APRIL designed a range of 9 contracts covering accident or illness for expatriates. These contracts range from a simple, straight forward, international medical cover, to more comprehensive cover including out-patient, dental and optical. They also have contracts working on a monthly revolving basis to cover those on short missions, student exchange programmes or training, and an integrated Mutuelle which work as a  one-stop-center for French who want to remain in the French Social Security System (CFE) – If you are French and want to know more, read this article in french.

Great Medical Cover

Their hospitalisation cover from their Magellan contract is the best Medical Cover I’ve seen. You are covered for 100% of actual costs, up to a maximum amount of healthcare expenses which range from 200,000 to 500,000 Euros – these doubles in the event of accident or critical illness.

I do like the fact that these cover includes pregnancy delivery, even for their most basic plan. Sweet.

Best of all, their prices also are sweet. You would pay from 336 Euro if you are a 21 years old on a 200K cover, up to 2,832 Euros if you are over 70 years old on a 500K cover.  Pretty cheap by international standards.

Cover for life

Many insurer do tell you that they will keep covering you in your old days. But it is very hard to find it in writing. April does write it down. The following lines can be found on page two of most of their contract:

APRIL Mobilité offers lifetime healthcare cover if you take out a policy before age 71. You are then covered for as long as you wish with no increase in premium regardless of the level of your expenses.

I love it. To the point that I am introducing their insurances to all my clients who are in their 50s, advising them to switch to APRIL. To me, this is the perfect option for those who want to retire internationally, with programmes such as the Malaysia My Second Home Program.  An international insurance, replicating the French Social System, with a lifetime cover.

As you can see, I like this insurer very much. The more I work with them, the more I like what I see. If you feel like you’d like to know more, I invite you to visit their website (APRIL Mobilité). Unfortunately it is in French, but they do have most of their brochures and information in English. You can also contact me directly and I’ll be happy to provide them to you.

I’ll wrap this post up with a few figures on APRIL Mobilité and the APRIL Group.

APRIL Mobilité in figures

• More than 35,000 persons are currently covered by APRIL Mobilité
• More than 1,000 companies use their service for their expatriates
• More than 3,000 students covered per year

APRIL Group in figures

• 2.5 Million person insured
• 3,200 employees world-wide
• More than 30 years in business
• ISO 9001 2000 certification awarded in 2002