Best Global Health Insurance Plan Strategies for Expats

Health Insurance Coverage

Have you planned to move abroad in the near future, or is it a distant dream? Becoming an expat or global nomad is an adventure, but with it comes several drawbacks – including a lack of healthcare. Securing the best expat health care for you and your family is also a priority concern; this can only be made possible after choosing the right international health insurance plans.

Why Do You Need Healthcare As an Expat?

First, this may seem like a silly question, but if you are moving abroad or staying in your home country, it is generally considered a good financial decision to secure healthcare. Those of us who have not moved abroad will probably get healthcare through our employer, individually, through the government universal care system, or some combination of the three.

When you become an expat and move overseas, most domestic health plans will end and will certainly not cover you abroad. This even includes Medicare for older Americans. A medical emergency abroad, even in a developing country, can be very challenging and expensive. A hospitalization or chronic condition, especially something like diabetes or cancer, can run into the hundreds of thousands.

If you are an expat living in the USA or even places like China, you can get into the millions, so healthcare abroad is critical. Expat health policies can also provide peace of mind and help you maintain your health abroad through vaccinations, wellness, check-ups and medical testing.

But with many global health plan options on the table, how will it be possible to decide which policy will be the most suitable international health insurance policy that will suit the needs of an expatriate? Let’s look at the significant factors to consider.

We should also mention that in many countries, local plans can’t cover expats or cover them effectively. Also, local health plans won’t cover you back in your home country and probably not outside your destination country. We have a great article on why expats should not choose most local health plans over an expat policy.

1. Comprehensive Coverage

Ideal global medical insurance policies embrace contemporary health care and are not limited to ordinary treatment. These plans typically comprise hospitalization, outpatient services, opinions from specialists, prescription drugs, and emergency services. It is of equal importance to routine check-ups and preventive care to the needs of expats regardless of their expat destination. Some of the plans include maternal care, mental health, and treatment of chronic diseases. These are mainly so when there are expectations of spending quite some time in the host country.

Note: Most expat plans come with three or more levels of coverage as the insurers try to make policies that fit the needs of the broadest budget range. The higher-end plans will provide high limits that protect you if you become ill or injured with a serious condition.

international health insurance plan

2. Global Reach With Local Support

The best international health insurance plans primarily feature global network access. Your policy should allow you to choose between a vast network of healthcare providers in several countries.

Most expats will want an international medical plan with a vast network in the country they are moving to. They can ask an expat insurance expert from Expat Financial for this information. One very reputable, secure provider with a big network is Cigna. This is especially important to those who continue to commute or have relatives in other regions.

Having local support is also essential. Check whether the insurance company has agreements with hospitals and clinics of the host country where you are to work. These partnerships may assist you in getting medical treatments without so many languages or unfamiliar healthcare system barriers.

3. Emergency Evacuation and Repatriation

A medical crisis can happen unexpectedly. Key features of top international health insurance plans include emergency medical evacuation and optional repatriation benefits.

Medical evacuation coverage helps if you face serious illness or injury in an area with inadequate healthcare. If approved, your insurance provider may arrange transport to better facilities.

Evacuation can occur via road, air ambulance, or helicopter. Other benefits may include repatriation of remains and flight tickets for dependents to join you or return home for treatment. If visiting a country with limited healthcare, ensure you have medical evacuation benefits.

4. Flexibility and Customization

Most expats want a flexible and customizable plan when shopping for global healthcare. No plan will fit your needs perfectly, but you should get a plan that closely aligns with your unique needs abroad and back home. 

An outstanding comprehensive medical insurance program is supposed to be flexible and personalized to meet your requirements. For example, there is an option to add dental, vision and increase the maximum amount for particular treatments.

Most global medical policies, especially the ones sold via Expat Financial, will allow you to choose from three or more coverage levels after you choose base hospitalization care. You can then add out-patient, evacuation wellness care and even dental care. Some expats buy plans with zero, small or large deductibles.

Americans or those living close to the USA may buy a policy that includes treatment in the USA. Almost all plans will allow up to 180 days back in your home country because who doesn’t visit friends and family? 

Select a plan that offers flexibility of coverage and cost that enables clients to change and select the coverage option. This way, it keeps you from paying for things you do not require and, at the same time, makes you get enough of what is important to you.

Insurance for American Expatriates

5. Pre-existing Conditions and Waiting Periods

We get asked about this all the time. Checking if the global healthcare plan can cover underlying medical conditions helps you know how they are dealt with under the policy. The insurance companies will either exclude entirely these conditions, include them in the policy, or, unfortunately, decline you outright. You must provide detailed and truthful information about your condition, which can significantly impact your coverage and contract.

Global health plans all have medical underwriting of some sort before you apply. Some will cover you without medical questions but exclude pre-existing conditions outright. If your company sends multiple expats abroad, it can often secure a global benefit plan that comprehensively covers pre-existing conditions.

When considering maternity coverage, be aware that individual global medical policies typically impose a waiting period of at least nine to twelve months. This waiting period cannot be waived unless you are covered by an international group insurance policy that spreads the risk.

6. Direct Billing and Claims Process

It’s stressful enough that making a claim can be challenging in a different country. The top-ranked international health insurance plans make this easier by providing direct billing methods. In direct billing, the health services provider will send the bills directly to the insurer, leaving out the middleman, you, to pay first and then look for reimbursement. 

You must pay for most small outpatient expenses first and submit the bill via the insurer’s app or online platform. Most insurers reimburse within two weeks, assuming they have everything to adjudicate the claim. 

In cases where direct billing is not possible, it is essential that the insurer take a straightforward approach to handling claims and be quick in terms of timeframe. A few firms have even developed mobile apps that help make filing claims easier for their clients.

You should also choose a provider who can provide you with access to telehealth. Telehealth is an excellent service that allows you to get online medical assistance from your insurance provider for minor conditions.

7. Transparent Pricing and Affordability

Affordability is a crucial consideration for most expats when selecting health insurance. However, the cheapest plan may not always be the most suitable. Focus on finding a plan that offers value for money by balancing cost with comprehensive coverage. The top international health insurance plans feature transparent pricing structures and clearly explain premiums, deductibles, and out-of-pocket expenses.

8. Customer Support and Assistance

Living in a foreign country is always helpful when you can get proper customer support in the English language. The most suitable international health insurance policies offer the client a multilingual service around the clock to help settle specific issues. This level of support will ensure that wherever you find yourself or when it is, there will always be a light on.

One thing we can mention is that buying your coverage via Expat Financial from one of the insurance companies we offer still means that your premiums, claims, and portal are direct. However, you also get our support in the event of a service or claims dispute, which has proven very helpful for our clients around the globe.

9. Reviews and Reputation

It is wise to have time to research the specific insurer you are choosing to go with. Please find out more about their experience from other expats through their reviews. Some essential aspects of provider quality include customer satisfaction feedback on claims processing service and response. A good reputation and references from satisfied customers are two characteristics of top international health insurance.

Note that, like when you review anything, every insurer has some unhappy customers. Just like us, insurers are not perfect, but some are certainly better than others. Contact one of the Expat Financial team members for our opinion. 

10. Additional Benefits and Perks

Also, find out if the insurance plan providers offer other incentives, such as health promotion endeavors like wellness programs, telemedicine, and even reduced rates for gym memberships. These features may not be compulsory in the insurance policy; however, their inclusion enriches the overall experience and thus adds more value to it.

Note that some insurers will give our clients a discount when they buy via ExpatFinancial, which is another big advantage of using our site for your global healthcare purchase.

Another key feature is the free download of the expat health insurance guide. It contains valuable information and tips to help global nomads understand expat healthcare and their specific needs.

Some Final Thoughts for Insured Expats

As an expat, selecting the proper coverage abroad is one of the most significant investment decisions you’ll likely make in your lifetime. The best International health insurance policies provide global medical insurance, emergency assistance and the ability to adapt our plans to your specific requirements. They also aim to be as transparent as possible, as cheap as possible, and as customer-friendly as possible to avoid any disturbances.

Please spend some time and think about the different aspects outlined above before making your decision. Doing this helps you choose the best plan to cover you and your friends and family abroad. Feel free to discuss the above article and send us your suggestions. We are here to help you become an insured nomad!