Explore the Differences Between Cigna and GeoBlue Xplorer
Cigna Global Medical and GeoBlue Xplorer are the best international health insurance plans for you to consider. These are two of the most popular we offer, and both are high-quality choices for individuals and families planning to live abroad.
To choose the right plan, you should first consider your individual and family healthcare needs and whether your plan provides coverage in the destination or destinations where you will reside and/or intend to visit.
Broadly speaking, GeoBlue Xplorer is the most comprehensive plan we offer, with the maximum amount of coverage. Cigna Global is a more basic plan that allows members to pay only for the benefits they desire, with the option to enhance their coverage with additional modules. Both plans offer coverage worldwide, with the option to include some level of coverage in the United States.
Here is how the two plans compare in the top areas most customers consider when choosing an international health plan.
Cigna Global Medical and GeoBlue Xplorer are the best international health insurance plans for you to consider. These are two of the most popular we offer, and both are high-quality choices for individuals and families planning to live abroad.
To choose the right plan, you should first consider your individual and family healthcare needs and whether your plan provides coverage in the destination or destinations where you will reside and/or intend to visit.
Broadly speaking, GeoBlue Xplorer is the most comprehensive plan we offer, with the maximum amount of coverage. Cigna Global is a more basic plan that allows members to pay only for the benefits they desire, with the option to enhance their coverage with additional modules. Both plans offer coverage worldwide, with the option to include some level of coverage in the United States.
Here is how the two plans compare in the top areas most customers consider when choosing an international health plan.
Geographical Coverage Area
GeoBlue Xplorer Premier provides comprehensive global coverage, including full benefits in the U.S. via the Blue Cross Blue Shield PPO network. The GeoBlue Xplorer Essential plan offers comprehensive worldwide coverage, excluding the U.S., and is less expensive than the Premier plan. GeoBlue plans vary regarding the amount and length of U.S. coverage they offer. Note: The plan is limited to U.S. citizens living abroad or foreigners living in the U.S.
Cigna's Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans offer worldwide coverage, with the option to add coverage in the United States via their healthcare network. Those who do not elect optional U.S. coverage will still receive limited hospitalization benefits if they suffer an accident while on a brief visit to the United States.
Adding coverage for the United States makes the insurance more expensive. If you visit the U.S. occasionally, ask your broker about coverage in the U.S. for short visits.
Benefits
The GeoBlue Xplorer Plan includes in-patient and outpatient care, health and wellbeing, and medical evacuation. The plan has an unlimited medical maximum limit. So, it will cover even the most expensive illnesses. The plan also waives the deductible for primary and preventative care services, the basic prescription drug benefit ($2500 annual max.), physical and occupational therapy, acupuncture, and chiropractic services. Once the annual deductible is met, the plan pays 100% of inpatient hospital services and accidental dental care costs. GeoBlue Xplorer plans also offer subscribers maternity benefits (after a 12-month waiting period), as well as enhanced prescription, dental, and vision (non-emergency) benefits for an additional cost.
All Cigna Global plans include 100% coverage for inpatient care and essential hospital stays for treatments for conditions such as cancer, mental or behavioral health issues, and addiction. They also cover emergency outpatient treatment resulting from an accident. Additional modules can be added to the core plan as needed for an additional cost. The International Outpatient module covers routine office visits and other preventative care. Other optional modules include Medical Evacuation, Health and Wellness, and Vision and Dental. The various plan levels, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, come with different limits on the maximum coverage available for various benefits.
GeoBlue's Xplorer plan has unlimited medical benefits and includes evacuation, health and well-being, and inpatient and outpatient coverage, which are standard in all plans. Cigna Global's core plan includes only inpatient benefits. If you want additional benefits, you can add those modules for an additional expense.
Ready to request a quote?
Get fast, free, international insurance quotes from top providers.
Annual Cost
Premium costs vary widely based on a member's chosen plan tier, deductible, age, coverage area, and the included optional modules.
GeoBlue Xplorer plans, which are the most comprehensive and include access to a premium global network of doctors and hospitals, may cost more than other plans initially. However, once you review the benefits and coverage, you will find that their plans are comparable in price to the best plans available through other providers. Options, including choosing a higher deductible or excluding coverage in the U.S., can reduce your monthly premium.
Cigna's plans are customizable, allowing members to only pay for the necessary benefits. Their core coverage, including outpatient benefits, may seem less expensive initially. However, if you need a more comprehensive plan, you can add optional modules at an additional cost. The Cigna Global Gold Plan with all the optional modules will be very comparable in price to the GeoBlue Xplorer plan. Member discounts are available when you pay quarterly or annually.
GeoBlue's Xplorer plan can be more expensive due to its comprehensive coverage. The average policy costs between $5,000 and $7,000. Cigna Global's plans cost about the same with all of the modules included. Some clients choose not to include all modules which will lower the costs to an average of $4,000 - $6,000.
Deductibles and Annual Benefit Limits
All GeoBlue Xplorer plans include unlimited annual and lifetime benefits, and members do not pay a deductible for standard services such as office visits, preventative care, and outpatient prescriptions. For services subject to a deductible, GeoBlue plans offer multiple options ranging from $0 to $10,000.
All Cigna Global plans include cost-sharing options and annual deductibles that range from $0 to $10,000. The maximum annual benefit limits increase between each plan tier: $1 million for Silver, $2 million for Gold, and unlimited for Platinum. Members can adjust the cost of their annual premiums by selecting plan level, deductible, and cost-sharing options that best suit their budget.
Opting for a higher insurance deductible can be wise, potentially saving you money in the long run. If you typically stay healthy and don’t require frequent doctor visits, the trade-off of lower premiums could be more financially beneficial.
Telehealth Services
Geoblue offers members unlimited telehealth services via the Global TeleMD mobile app. The app may also be used to locate providers, submit and review claims, provide medical translations and medicine equivalents, and many other features.
Cigna Global members may use the Cigna Wellbeing app to access Cigna’s Global Telehealth service, which provides access to licensed doctors around the world for non-emergency health issues. There are no limits, deductibles, or cost-share payments for telehealth consultations.
Ready to request a quote?
Get fast, free, international insurance quotes from top providers.
Customer Service and Support
Members have access to GeoBlue’s in-house medical assistance team 24 hours a day, 365 days a year, either by phone or via the mobile app. GeoBlue's team helps members find elite providers and arrange for direct billing. Members have 90 days to submit a claim online, via the mobile app, or by mail if they visit an in-network provider without pre-authorization from GeoBlue.
Cigna Global’s Customer Care Team is available by phone 24 hours a day, seven days a week. Representatives can help connect customers with providers and medical facilities in their area. Alternatively, Cigna's dedicated member site provides an in-network directory of hospitals, clinics, and doctors for policyholders to use.
Working with us ensures you benefit from our expertise in tailoring a personalized plan to your needs, with the assurance of continuous support, advocacy, and assistance throughout the entire policy period.
Interested in learning more?
All Cigna Global and GeoBlue Xplorer plans are subject to specific eligibility requirements and geographic distinctions. To learn more, please visit and review our detailed Cigna Global and GeoBlue Xplorer product pages.
Ready to request a quote?
Get fast, free, international insurance quotes from top providers.