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Micronesia Expat Health Insurance

The Federated States of Micronesia is an island nation located in the Western Pacific Ocean, to the south of Guam and to the East of the Philippines. The territory of Micronesia comprises 607 islands which are grouped together into four states: Yap, Chuuk, Pohnpei and Kosrae. At just 702 square kilometers, Micronesia’s land area is quite small although it occupies a maritime area of the Pacific Ocean in excess of 2,600,000 square kilometers. Micronesia has a long colonial history with Portuguese and then Spanish sailors claiming the islands in the 16th century. Germany, Japan and more recently the United States have also controlled the islands throughout the 19th and 20th centuries. Full independence and sovereignty from the United States was not achieved until 1986. Micronesia’s lack of natural resources, remote location and outdated infrastructure has hindered economic development. Fishing and agriculture are the country’s two main economic sectors with finance from the United States an important source of the country’s revenue.

Micronesia Health Care and Insurance

The Department of Health and Social Affairs assumes overall responsibility for the provision of health care services on the islands of Micronesia. Responsibility for health care services is then delegated to the four individual states with each state government tasked with maintaining its own health services. State run facilities include four hospitals, six health centers and 109 dispensaries. There are also some private health facilities in Micronesia and they consist of one hospital and five clinics. Overall, the quality of health care in Micronesia is basic with a limited range of preventative and curative services available. Travelers and expatriates visiting the islands of Micronesia are advised to purchase an international Micronesia health insurance policy which will help secure access to the country’s health facilities should the need arise.

Health services at the country’s state facilities are highly subsidized by the government. Each state maintains a hospital and the four state run hospitals have a total capacity of 350 beds. These hospitals are capable of providing a limited range of primary and secondary level services. Dispensaries are located on the outlying islands and their location is dependant on the island’s population and health needs. These facilities are essentially health clinics and a resident team of nurses are capable of providing treatment and diagnosis for common ailments and illnesses with serious illness requiring referral to the state hospital. Health centers are bigger in size and cater for larger populations. They carry out the same functions as dispensaries although they can also provide immunization against disease and pre-natal and post-natal services.

The sole private sector hospital is the 36 bed Genesis facility located in Pohnpei State. This hospital, plus the five private health clinics are, in comparison to their public sector counterparts, capable of providing a higher standard of health care. The costs associated with care at the private hospital are considerably more expensive and few Micronesian citizens can afford treatment there. Citizens who hold private health insurance or those who can afford the out of pocket payments generally use the facility. Expatriates and travelers who possess a Micronesia health insurance policy can avail of the higher standard of care available at the Genesis private hospital.

Micronesia Travel Advice

There are two national health insurance schemes in operation in Micronesia, namely MiCare and the Chuuk Health Care Plan. MiCare has national coverage while the Chuuk plan only covers citizens resident in Chuuk State. Funding generated from the two social insurance funds account for 6 percent of total health spending. This measly figure accurately portrays the problem the government has faced in attracting more citizens to join either of the national health insurance schemes. With funding from the United States decreasing year on year, the significant investment required to improve the quality of health care in the country is simply not available. As a result, no major improvements in Micronesia’s health sector are expected in the near future.

Micronesia’s location just north of the equator ensures a warm tropical climate throughout the year. The winds and currents of the Pacific Ocean have a strong influence on the weather pattern making Micronesia susceptible to weather phenomenon including typhoons and tropical storms. The wet season, typically from April to December, results in strong winds and heavy monsoon rains which can cause damage to the country’s infrastructure. Many of the typhoons that strike the Philippines between June and December are formed in part of the Pacific Ocean close to the Micronesian islands.

The Department of Health and Social Affairs has five main policy goals, one of which is to increase the number of trained medical personnel within the health care industry. The four main state hospitals and the health clinics continue to operate with a limited number of physicians and nurses. Third level educational facilities capable of training medical students are in short supply and consequently many students must choose to study overseas. The government has developed an overseas study program enabling students to enroll in medical courses in countries such as Fiji or Guam. Many of these students decide to return to the countries where they have studied attracted by more promising employment conditions and development opportunities. With a high percentage of the current medical workforce due to retire within the next 10 years, there is considerable pressure on the Micronesian government to replace these professionals.

Micronesia Expat Health Insurance

Health facilities on the islands of Micronesia are capable of delivering a sufficient standard of primary and secondary level care; however, some complicated surgeries and treatments are not available. The isolated location of the islands means that in the event of an emergency, air evacuation to a country with modern health facilities such as Guam or Australia would be necessary. The cost of air evacuation is expensive and travelers and expatriates are advised to include such a provision in their Micronesia expat health insurance policy. Global Health Insurance can advise, free of charge, on the various expat health insurance and travel insurance policies available to you and your travel partners. For more information on Micronesia expat health insurance or international health insurance plans please contact a Global Health Insurance advisor today.