Age
The most important factor for your global medical premium is the age of the expats to be covered. Note that premiums do increase with age, but also with healthcare inflation.
International Health Insurance for
When you are moving abroad or already living overseas as an expatriate or global nomad, it is vital that you buy an international health insurance plan. We recommend that expats buy a global health policy that will cover you and your family members during their stay abroad for a year or more. International medical care is a key part of any financial plan and provides you access to urgent and preventative medical care both locally and globally.
What is International Health Insurance?
A global health insurance policy that is designed for expatriates and secured by a well-known global insurance provider is your lifeline to international healthcare. International insurance is also now required by many expat destination countries to secure a visa and permanent residence abroad. It is critical to buy an international health insurance plan that is designed for expatriates, global nomads, international citizens and digital nomads living abroad for more than 6 months of the year.
How Does International Health Insurance Work?
International health insurance works much the same as American health insurance and many private health plans around the world. But these plans are set up to cover expatriates living abroad on a global basis. Under the coverage, you can get benefits like wellness, out-patient, in-patient, dental, vision and several such treatments, alongside advantages aplenty. Mostly, these plans can be renewed for life, or till the time you specify the termination date. Learn more…
How to Benefit from International Health Insurance?
International health insurance provides basic or comprehensive coverage for expats living abroad, the majority of their time outside their country of citizenship. Usually, these international citizens are not eligible for domestic health plans or the local coverage and policies are lacking for their globally mobile needs. The best international health insurance plans offer:
- Hospital and out-patient medical treatment when you need it
- Several levels of coverage to meet almost any expat health insurance budget
- Multiple deductible options to keep your premiums low
- Choice of global medical care excluding or including the USA
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation, especially in countries with limited medical care
- 24/7 medical advice and support in multiple languages
- Telehealth for virtual medical care
- Preventative and wellness care
- Maternity coverage if required, after 12 month waiting period
- A sizeable medical network around the globe for direct reimbursement via an international medical insurance card
- Wide choice of premium payment via USD, Euro or GBP for payment and reimbursement
- Freedom to choose your hospital or doctor
- Telehealth for expats, healthcare and advice
- Favorable rates
To learn more and help you choose the best international health insurance policy, we encourage you to download our international health insurance guide. It is full of critical information for anyone on how to choose the best global healthcare for their live overseas. It is free to download and easy to understand. In fact, it simplifies and demystifies global health coverage for everyone.
WHAT IS THE BEST INTERNATIONAL HEALTH INSURANCE?
Cigna Global Health Plan
One of the largest and well-known global insurance companies, Cigna offers excellent services and lifetime coverage for expatriates. You can either include or exclude coverage for the USA. At Cigna, it doesn’t matter if you’re someone who’s living abroad, a working expat or have retired abroad.
International Medical Group
The IMG global medical insurance plan is a US based provider which is best for expatriates who want a budget or mid range global health plan. The policies are only available to current or future expats and not people remaining in the USA or moving there, in our opinion. You can get a quote and apply online. The plans are annually renewable as long as you are an expat. You can choose worldwide or worldwide excluding the USA, Canada, Japan, Hong Kong, Singapore & Taiwan.
GeoBlue Explorer Health Plan
Wants an international health insurance plan from an American provider which is administered using HIPAA guidelines from GeoBlue.
William Russel Global Health Plan
The William Russell global health insurance plans is a great policy for expatriates and global nomads who want a nimble and creative policy from a UK based provider. They offer lots of coverage options for expats and global nomads.
How to Apply for International Health Insurance?
If you are already abroad or about to live abroad, it is important to get a quote for international healthcare coverage. The process is actually quite easy. After you get an online quote from one of our international insurance providers, you can proceed with the application process. Some of our insurers will also contact you via email and maybe by phone.
If approved, then you can pay online with your credit card, wire or have the premiums deducted from your bank account online. Most plans are in GBP, USD or Euro. We can give you tips on how to reduce your international health insurance premiums as well.
You can also contact us to ask questions about medical insurance plans, discuss your needs and produce a customized quote. You receive the same rates and direct service from the insurer when you obtain a quote plus our added support and service at no cost.
Who is Eligible for International Health Plans?
For most of the global health insurance providers in the market, you have to be an expatriate living outside your country of citizenship for 6 months or more per year. To be eligible for these portable global medical policies, you have to be living abroad OR about to move abroad in the next 45 days before your departure. You can get a quote months or even a year before you move abroad, save your quote and reactivate it 45 days prior. Note that that your premiums may be higher given your age and possible rate changes & health changes.
International Health Insurance for Local Nationals
If you are not an expatriate, Expat Financial might be offer health insurance plans for some local citizens who want portable and international coverage. Many local nationals want to obtain insurance that will allow for treatment in foreign countries, such as the USA, England, and Australia. Other locals may live in countries that have a limited or insolvent insurance industry and want to deal with a large global company. Contact us for a list of plans available for local nationals in select countries – the Allianz plan is one plan that can cover locals in a select number of countries.
How much does Global Health Insurance cost?
The cost of expat health insurance can vary significantly depending on a multitude of factors that have various factors such as the individual’s age, gender, citizenship, health condition, coverage options, destination country, length of coverage, and the insurance provider.
We find that most high quality expat health insurance can range from a several hundred dollars to many thousand dollars per year depending on the factors noted here. Of course, basic coverage plans may be more affordable, while comprehensive plans offering a wider range of benefits and higher coverage limits will typically be more expensive. There are so many options when it comes to international healthcare.
Key factors that determine the global health insurance cost:
Why Choose an Independent Insurance Broker
As a top global medical insurance resource, we don’t merely focus on a single insurance company plan. Rather, buyers’ interests are first placed by checking at the marketplace for a plethora of plans that would meet the needs and budget. From local to international health insurance plans, you will be covered with anything that you opt for. No fee is charged for availing of the health insurance services, as the compensation comes via the insurer you choose. The insurer charges the same rates if you purchase directly. Same rates and your premiums and claims are direct with the insurance provider.
When you live abroad, one of the most important financial considerations is how to protect you and your family’s health. Without proper coverage, an illness or injury abroad can turn into a financial disaster. Expat Financial (division of TFG Global) doesn’t represent just one insurance company plan. Instead, we place your interests first by shopping the marketplace for the plan that meets your needs and budget. We often advocate for clients during the life of their global health insurance policy.
From basic to deluxe expat health insurance plans, we’ve got you covered. We do not charge a fee for our expat health insurance services as we are compensated by the insurer you choose – the insurer charges the same rates if you purchase directly. Learn why you should work with a broker when you purchase global healthcare.
Why Buy Health Coverage Via Expat Financial?
Expat Financial offers different international health insurance plans for expatriates across the world. Expatriates and global citizens can choose from several international insurance companies. These global health insurance policies are designed for foreign nationals living outside the country for which they hold a passport. We also offer excellent service before and after you purchase your insurance plan – this includes:
- Answering questions,
- Providing independent advice
- Assisting and monitoring the underwriting process
- Provide ongoing support and service
- There’s no cost to working with us as the premiums are the same regardless
- We advocate for clients should they experience a claims or service issue in the future
- Some of the insurers provide our clients an additional discount on their premiums!
For expatriates across the world, we offer different international health insurance plans. Expatriates and global citizens can choose from several international insurance companies and their global health insurance policies. All of which are designed for foreign nationals living outside the country and having a valid passport. Whether before or after you purchase your insurance plan – services are always dispensed timely, including answering questions, providing advice and even assisting with underwriting where needed.
FAQ
What is International Health Policy?
International health policy comprises some of the most critical decisions, actions, and strategies implemented at the global level to address different health challenges, while also aiding overall well-being around the world. The process involves collaboration between a large number of countries as well as international organizations that together deal with infectious diseases and health issues. They come up with policies and interventions which are directed towards improving global health outcomes, easing access to healthcare services, and fostering cooperation in dealing with shared health concerns. Read More….
What does International Insurance Cover?
International insurance coverage varies, depending on a certain policy and its provider. However, in general, it offers protection and financial help to individuals who travel or reside outside their home country.
Listed below are some common areas that international insurance often covers:
- Hospital Related Costs: In-patient medical care that occurs inside a hospital setting when you are an admitted patient. This often includes doctors costs, room fees, intensive care, medications, surgeries, and general treatment.
- Out-Patient Care: These are medical expenses that occur outside the hospital and often include x-rays, doctors visits, prescription medications, specialist fees, scans, MRIs, and much more.
- Wellness: This includes a range of benefits aimed at promoting and maintaining the health of expats living abroad. Wellness can include mental health, checkups, preventative tests such as PAP tests, alternative therapies and other health screenings.
- Medical Expenses: International insurance usually covers all kinds of medical costs for injuries, illnesses, and emergency medical care while staying abroad. This can include doctor visits, hospitalization, surgical procedures, prescribed medications, and medical evacuation as and when needed.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation Services: International insurance includes emergency medical evacuation coverage, which means arranging means of transportation to the nearest registered medical facility, or a trip back to the policyholder’s home country for treatment if the local facilities are insufficient.
- Repatriation of Mortal Remains: In the event of the policyholder’s death abroad, international insurance can cover the costs associated with arranging the return of the remains to the home country.
- Dental and Optical: Some expats choose to include basic and restorative dental care as this is an important part of your overall health. Visioncare is another option for optician health checks, contact lenses, frames and lenses.
- Travel Assistance Services: Many international insurance policies cover 24/7 travel assistance services, such as access to multilingual support, medical referrals, assistance with lost documents, legal referrals, and other travel-related support.
It’s important to review the terms and conditions of your international insurance policy carefully in order to understand the coverage details, limitations, exclusions, and additional benefits covered by the policy.
Will My Domestic Health Insurance Cover Me in Some Other Country?
Most conventional health insurance policies issued in the United States or elsewhere in the globe do not offer comprehensive coverage for medical expenses that are incurred in other countries, especially if they are not emergencies. So, it is advisable to review your policy coverage or contact your insurance provider so that you can understand the extent of coverage available for international travel. Consider purchasing add-on travel medical insurance for short trips, but expats should opt for an international health insurance policy to secure adequate coverage while living abroad.
How does International Health Insurance Work?
International health insurance provides comprehensive coverage for medical expenses and other related services to individuals who often travel or reside outside their home country. Policyholders have to pay a regular premium and can choose from different coverage options. When seeking medical care abroad, policyholders need to pay upfront and then go for a claim sometime later. The insurance provider screens the claim and reimburses against the eligible expenses as per the policy terms.
International health insurance typically covers medical expenses, including doctor visits, hospitalization, as well as any level of emergency care. Some plans let you access a network of providers, while others offer more flexibility in choosing your healthcare providers. Additional benefits can include emergency medical evacuation and travel assistance services. Not that claim procedures and claim specifics may differ, so it’s important to read them before committing.
How much does International Health Insurance Cost Per Month?
International health insurance plans vary in their cost depending upon how much they cover. The factors that matter while determining this cost could be age of the person insured, the scope of coverage, the destination country, your age, citizenship, country of residence, medical conditions and their severity and many more factors.
To get the best deal, it’s essential to seek insurance quotes from different providers via our website and compare them to determine what you can go for to get the best out of your plan.
Why is International Health Insurance Important for Expats?
International health insurance provides expats access to quality healthcare services along with financial protection while they are living abroad. There are different healthcare systems, language barriers, and even unfamiliar medical practices followed in different countries that they may not be familiar with. International health insurance plans ensure that they have the right coverage needed for covering medical expenses, doctor visits, hospitalization, and emergency care, within or outside the country, without bearing hefty financial burdens. Read More….
What are the Eligibility Requirements for International Health Plans?
Eligibility requirements for international health insurance plans vary based on the insurance provider and the chosen plan. The eligibility criteria often include factors like age, residency, purpose visit, and so on. Most international health plans are drafted for people living outside their own country, including expats, global nomads, students, and occasional travelers.
These insurance plans typically provide coverage for different kinds of medical expenses, emergency medical evacuation as and when needed, repatriation, and other critical healthcare services. It’s vital to assess the eligibility requirements of several international health plans so that you know that they align with your specific needs before you go for them. Read More…
What are the Benefits of International Healthcare?
International healthcare plans offer a range of benefits for people living, working, or traveling to another country. These benefits include obtaining quality medical care in those countries, covering medical expenses, going for emergency medical evacuation, and access to 24/7 multilingual customer support. Additionally, there may be certain plans that cover dental and vision care, maternity care, mental health, and other wellness programs. Read More….
What are the Steps Involved in the Process of Insurance Underwriting?
Insurance underwriting comprises assessing the risks and screening the premium costs for insurance plans. The process includes the following:
- The insurance company reviews the expat insurance applicant’s information, including their age, medical history, lifestyle, occupation, coverage sought, etc…
- The underwriters evaluate these details to assess the risk involved in covering the person. They consider factors like applicant’s occupation, their pre-existing conditions, visiting country, duration of stay, etc.
- After the risk assessment is done, the underwriters determine the scope of insurability of the applicant and designate the premium accordingly.
Insurance underwriting also involves carefully analyzing and considering several other factors to ensure fair and accurate coverage. Note that the underwriters may come back and approve as applied for, request an exclusion for a medical condition or decline.
What is the Difference Between Travel Medical Insurance and International Health Insurance?
The two insurance plans vary greatly and you should carefully consider the differences. For instance, travel medical insurance provides short-term insurance coverage in cases of unexpected illnesses/injuries or medical emergencies while traveling abroad. These need to be purchased for every trip and are valid for the duration of that trip only. Medication evacuation or even repatriation are covered under such plans for the same duration.
International health insurance works differently and is designed for people who are traveling to another country for the purpose of staying or working there on a long-term basis. It covers ongoing medical treatment, which can include preventive care, routine check-ups, treatment of chronic diseases/conditions, and similar.
Global medical plans are designed and tailor-made for global citizens and expatriates. Read More….
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