The Norwegian healthcare could be perceived as yet another European universal, tax-funded, single-payer health care system. Often compared to the French Sécu for its breadth of scope and its results in lengthening Norwegian’s life expectancy, it holds a few surprises when look under the tip of the iceberg.

Have a good read.

Our findings were that it is a very interesting one to study for three reasons. Firstly, it is one of the oldest in the world, dating back to Bismarck, so they had plenty of experience to evaluate its pros and cons; secondly, it is quite decentralised and Länders share responsibilities with the central government for the management of health care facilities; thirdly, it does a good job of mixing public and private interests through a state-regulated health insurance health.

Three good reasons to check it out!

As Dutch legislators inspired themselves from the Swiss system, there are a lot of similarities between the two systems. Both require their residents to purchase private healthcare, both regulate their insurance provider so they have to accept all applicants regardless of medical history, and do work with an excess so as to control healthcare costs. But the Dutch system does push the envelope one step further, in that it also offers long term care for the elderly, the dying, the long term mentally ill and other incapable through a Social Insurance Scheme funded from taxation.

To discover more about this interesting system, do follow the here above link

Since it passed the Federal Health Insurance Act of 1994, the Swiss system has been gaining admirers. Especially across the Atlantic, where US officials and senators see it as one of the best alternative to their present system. The reason? It is on a combination of public, subsidised private and totally private systems covering almost every resident in Switzerland.

Republicans likes the fact that individuals, not employers or the government, can choose from a choice of health plans, managed by private insurance companies. On the other side, Democrats likes that everyone in Switzerland has health coverage, with the government providing subsidies for those who can not afford it. Given the simplicity and fairness of the Swiss Healthcare system, it would not be a surprise if the American legislators seek to emulate it. To see why, for yourself, simply follow the link below.

Have a good read.

At ‘ground-level’ (where you and I are), 2009 was indeed an interesting year, where we saw ‘preference’ and ‘want’ fetch up against the hard wall of reality and sustainability. It is reasonable to expect that the previous ‘comprehensive-cover’ based expectations will inevitably shift in the coming few years to a more value-based orientation in PMI provisions by employers and by expatriates; in much the same way as global buying behavioral trends are shifting from ‘conspicuous consumption’ toward ‘value driven’ and ‘need-based’ purchasing.

Indeed, some companies have already begun looking to lessen their premium burdens by reducing, limiting or adjusting the scope and range of benefits they provide; such as imposing or increasing deductibles, reducing the scope of out-patient care, or even withdrawing spouse and child benefits altogether.

Instead of benefit reduction, some employers are now seriously considering the merits of outsourcing their internal administration of the PMI from HR to the international placement broker, so to reduce payroll burden. This may help alleviate pressure for shrinking PMI benefits and should mean that the employer can sustain or improve its market competitiveness for attracting and retaining quality staff.

For individual expatriates; many are now finding that they now need to make their own PMI arrangements, or need to augment their employer-paid PMI provisions due to benefit shrinkage. With employment markets continuing to be constrained, the need for cost-effective and adequate coverage (as opposed to all-encompassing coverage) is now becoming the priority for many expatriates.

Whether you are a company or an individual; determining, securing, and sustaining an appropriate balance between benefit provisions and cost is no longer as simple as it used to be. If you aren’t already reviewing your PMI, then perhaps you should do so.

Canadians see their Medicare system as critical to their identity as it unites them across region, class, race, gender and age. To such an extent that they elected Tommy Douglas, the “father of Medicare,” the Greatest Canadian of all time in a 2004 poll !

To know more about the way the Canadian Medicare works, its principles, and how it covers Canadian expatriates – yes, it does under a few conditions – simply follow the link here-above.

Have a good read.