International Citizens Insurance Logo

Compare Global Health Insurance Plans

Explore and compare top global medical plans to find affordable, comprehensive health coverage for living or working abroad.

Family playing joyfully in the ocean, representing international travel, health, and life insurance for global citizens enjoying beach vacations.
Family playing joyfully in the ocean, representing international travel, health, and life insurance for global citizens enjoying beach vacations.

Understanding Your Global Health Options

When you are living or plan to live overseas for at least a year, you must ensure you have the right international health insurance plan to cover your and your family’s medical needs.

If you don’t have one yet, you can review and compare international health insurance plans using the list we’ve provided below. The companies compared here offer comprehensive worldwide insurance plans that are renewable annually, making them an ideal choice for the specific needs of immigrants, global nomads, and international citizens.

We have selected highly-rated insurers known for their excellent customer service, 24/7 emergency assistance, and extensive network of doctors, medical professionals, and healthcare facilities. Each plan listed here offers essential and comprehensive coverage, including additional benefits and optional add-ons.

Compare these medical insurance plans and call us with any questions. We are experienced insurance experts who can answer your questions about the policies we offer. We will also guide you through the application process for a seamless experience that you won’t find with any other broker.

If you need help in deciding which plan to pick, a quotation may be helpful. Request a quote today to receive personalized guidance.

Compare the Top International Private Medical Insurance Plans

Cigna
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions
William Russell
International Medical Group (IMG)
Get Covered
Insurer Rating
A (A.M. Best)
A- (A.M. Best)
A+ (A.M. Best)
A (A.M. Best)
Plan Highlights
High-quality coverage.
Best for expats, families, or individuals living abroad for one or more years.
Premium level coverage.
Great for U.S. citizens living abroad or internationals residing in the U.S.
Worldwide Coverage.
Comprehensive benefits for internationals looking for private medical insurance.
Affordable coverage.
A good option for all international citizens and budget-conscious individuals.
Plan Levels
Silver, Gold, and Platinum with add-on modules
Worldwide Premier, Outside U.S.
Bronze, SilverLite, Silver, and Gold with add-on modules
Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum with add-on modules
Plan Cost
$$
$$$
$$
$
Policy Maximum
$1,000,000, $2,000,000, or Unlimited
Unlimited
$1,500,000 - $5,000,000
$1,000,000 - $8,000,000
Deductible Options
$0 - $10,000
$0 - $5,000
$0 - $1,600 per claim or
$240 - $10,000 per annum
$100 - $25,000
Eligibility
All nationalities, all ages
U.S. citizens and foreign nationals in the U.S., up to age 74
All nationalities up to age 76
All nationalities up to age 74
Coverage Area
Worldwide or Worldwide excluding the U.S.
Worldwide or Worldwide excluding the U.S.
Worldwide coverage is separated into 3 Zones; USA Coverage is limited to 90 days
Worldwide, Europe Only, or Worldwide excluding select territories
Home Country Coverage
Up to 6 months per 12-month policy period
U.S. citizens up to 9 months per 12-month period; All other citizenships 12 months per 12-month policy period
Limited 90 days for U.S. citizens
U.S. citizens up to 6 months; all other citizenships 12 months per 12-month policy period
Pre-Existing Condition Coverage
Pending results of underwriting. No waiting period if approved without exclusion(s).
Pending results of underwriting. 6-month waiting period (waived if there is prior creditable health coverage).
Pending results of underwriting and/or moratorium underwriting.
Pending results of underwriting. No waiting period for Platinum; 24-months for other plans (excluding Bronze).
Doctor and Hospital Network
Inside the U.S.: Cigna Network
Outside the U.S.: Direct billing options available, no out-of-network penalty
Inside the U.S.: Blue Cross Blue Shield Network
Outside the U.S.: Direct billing options available, no out-of-network penalty
William Russell provides members access to a global network of leading hospitals and doctors
Inside the U.S.: FirstHealth or UnitedHealthcare Network
Outside the U.S.: Expansive network
Hospitalization and Emergency Room
Semi-private or private room
Private room
Private room for Gold & Silver Plans, Semi-private for SilverLite & Bronze Plans
Semi-private or private room
Intensive Care
Full Coverage
Full Coverage
Full Coverage
Full Coverage
Cancer Care
Full Coverage
Full Coverage
Full Coverage
Full Coverage
Doctor Visits
Included; subject to deductible if elected, no waiting periods
Included; deductible waived, no waiting periods
Bronze Plan & SilverLite Plan - Limited; Silver & Gold Plans - Included
Included; subject to deductible, no waiting periods
Prescription Medication
Inpatient: Included
Outpatient: $500, $2,000, or Paid in Full
Inpatient: Included
Outpatient: $1,000
Upgrade available up to $25,000
Bronze Plan & SilverLite Plan - Limited; Silver & Gold Plans - Included
Inpatient: Included
Outpatient: Coverage varies by plan level
Wellness Checkups
Included with health and wellness module
Included
Silver & Gold Plans only
Included in Silver plan and above after 6-12 month waiting period; Child wellness only on Silver
Mental Health
100% paid for Platinum, $10,000 for Gold, $5,000 for Silver
Included
12-month waiting period; excluding SilverLite
Silver plan and above included after 12 month waiting period
Emergency Evacuation
Paid in Full
Up to $250,000
Included
Included with limitations by plan
Repatriation
Paid in Full
Up to $25,000
Included
Included with limitations by plan
Maternity
12 month wait for Gold and Platinum plans (up to $7,000 for Gold and up to $14,000 for Platinum)
Immediate with Select plan, 364 day wait for maternity upgrade, covered in full after
12 month waiting period; Benefits dependent on plan
Included in Platinum plan after 10 month waiting period ($2500 additional deductible and $50,000 maximum lifetime benefits)
Vision
Included at 100% for the Platinum plan with Vision and Dental module, limits on other plans
Add-on available for select plan options
Preventative Care; 6-month waiting period; Silver & Gold Plans
Included in the Platinum plan; Optional on other plans
Dental
Accidental included; Comprehensive dental plans available, ranging from $1,250- $5,500 in preventive, basic and major services annually
Accidental included, $1,000 per year, $200 per tooth, Dental add-on available for select plan options
Emergency Dental Included; Optional Dental Basic and Dental Plus
Included in the Platinum plan; Emergency included on all other plans, non-emergency optional on all other plans

Get Covered
Learn More

For an alternative global medical plan, you might consider Now Health International, as they offer comprehensive coverage and a range of plans to meet your international health insurance needs.

Now Health WorldCare Plan

  • Comprehensive international medical coverage with premium benefits
  • Access to leading hospitals and clinics worldwide
  • 24/7 global support whenever you need care

Review Your International Health Insurance Options Carefully

With so much information available online, you might get confused about which areas to focus on when comparing international health insurance providers. However, many of the perks presented in global insurance plans are simply add-ons you can do away with. There are a few primary factors to concentrate on, as these are the most important ones that will significantly affect the level of protection the policy provides.

We have listed the main areas you must focus on when comparing insurance plans:

  • How long do you need international health insurance? Two years? Five years? Ten years? When you compare policies, you will notice that the coverage period significantly affects the benefits included in the policy. As you age, a renewable plan for your lifetime will be necessary. In general, long-term plans have more coverage and benefits relating to medical care. Short-term policies may provide more travel-related benefits (i.e., cover for lost luggage). Travel medical insurance is a good option if you are going on a short-term trip that will last less than a year or doing multiple trips in a year. On the other hand, if you plan to be overseas for several years, expat health insurance is the better choice.

  • It can be overwhelming to compare medical insurance plans based on the benefits that each one provides. To narrow down your research, focus on the following areas first.

  • This pertains to the total amount the insurer will pay for the claims on your policy. For example, an insurer might pay only up to $500,000 on claims made within the calendar year. If you have had three hospitalizations within the year with a total cost of $600,000, the insurer will only pay up to $500,000 in eligible situations. For peace of mind, look for plans with a maximum limit of at least $1 million for a specific period.

  • Emergency medical evacuation can cover the cost of transferring you to a nearby and more capable medical facility during emergencies.

  • The deductible is the amount you must pay out-of-pocket to make a claim. This can often be customized based on your budget preference. Depending on your agreement with the insurer, the amount can range from a few hundred to a thousand dollars. Select a deductible you will be comfortable with in emergencies that call for quick payments.

  • As with any insurance plan, there will be exclusions on what can be covered by the policy. Thoroughly review this part to ensure that none of the exclusions apply to your situation. You do not want to be left hanging during emergencies, and you are surprised that your medical circumstance is excluded from coverage by your trusted insurer.

  • Forums and review sites might be good places to look for experiences, troubles, and recommendations from other people. Regarding response rate, an insurer with a 24/7 hotline with multilingual agents can be very helpful. Your insurance agent can provide objective feedback on which international health insurance providers may be a good option for your situation. Reviews from previous customers with experience dealing with the insurer can help determine how the service providers respond, especially during emergencies. However, client reviews are often skewed towards those who have had poor experiences, so use them at your discretion.

How to Compare Your International Health Insurance Options

There are numerous types of international health insurance plans to review. To find the plan that best suits your needs, start by understanding the various benefits each policy offers.

Ask yourself: What kind of coverage do you need? Do you want a comprehensive plan that will cover everything, anywhere? Or do you need a basic plan that only covers catastrophic illnesses?

Next, identify your budget. A great plan does not work if you can’t afford it. Do you want a more comprehensive plan covering everything, regardless of your country? Do you need a budget-friendly basic plan covering only essential care and catastrophic illness? The answer to these questions will reduce your choices to a more manageable number.

To avoid being surprised or disappointed, you can request a free quote from us. Our licensed agents will provide you with several quotes to compare the international health insurance policies listed above.

These quotes can be modified by removing certain benefits or adding a deductible, depending on how you want to balance the costs against the policy coverage. Some global insurers, such as Cigna Global, offer a modular plan design that allows members to add and remove benefits as needed to manage costs.

Using the quotes you have obtained, you can compare international health insurance plans with us, and we can advise you on the best course of action.

Please let us know if you have any specific questions about comparing medical global insurance plans. We can help you decide which suits your situation and needs best.

A vibrant logo of a globe integrated with colorful segments representing international insurance solutions, symbolizing global coverage for diverse needs.
Protect Your Health Abroad

Your Next Step

Request your free international health insurance quotes today and compare top plans side-by-side. Our licensed brokers will guide you to the best coverage for your lifestyle abroad.

If you are traveling for a shorter period and do not require comprehensive insurance, consider our Travel Insurance offerings, which include Travel Medical and Trip Cancellation plans.

You may also want to review our Expat Insurance Plans or Group International Medical Plans for more options.

This comparison of the best global insurance plans summarizes benefits, conditions, limitations, and exclusions. Your fulfillment kit will include a certificate containing the complete Certificate Wording with all terms, conditions, and exclusions. Review your plan policy and certificate before and after you apply. You may cancel your plan during the “look back” period if the policy does not meet your needs. Contact us for help and guidance, and to apply. Furthermore, read about international health from the Department of State.

Joe Cronin| President of ICI

Joe Cronin, President of ICI, is a leading expert in international health, life, and travel insurance. An MBA and founder of multiple global businesses, he helps expatriates and travelers access trusted, comprehensive insurance solutions worldwide.

View Full Bio

Find a Plan