Expat Insurance - An Overview
Expatriates have unique and serious considerations when choosing both a health insurance provider and a policy to cover themselves and their families. There is a variety of international health, travel, and trip insurance plans. For this section, we will focus on international plans that are especially important for expatriates. Specifically, this section provides detailed information on expat insurance cover for foreigners living abroad for multiple years.
Best Health Insurance for Expats
Many international workers are not covered under a corporate or group plan. For those individuals (or families), an international health insurance policy should be purchased. These policies provide either worldwide or regional medical coverage and also can include components of trip insurance, evacuation services, and repatriation benefits. The best providers have global networks of healthcare providers that you can access and will "direct-pay" to hospitals & caregivers.
GeoBlue for US Expats Abroad or Internationals Living in the USA
GeoBlue's Xplorer plan is a premier policy for expats in the USA or US expats living abroad. GeoBlue provides access to the Blue Cross / Blue Shield network of doctors and hospitals in the USA and an exclusive list of providers worldwide. As with all of the plans listed, you do have the option to choose any doctor anywhere in the world for your care. For US citizens living abroad, the GeoBlue Xplorer option will provide you with up to 9 months of coverage in the USA, which is the most available from these international medical policies.

Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
- Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- For Foreigners in the US or US Citizens Abroad
Cigna Global Expat Insurance
The Cigna Global plan is a great expat health insurance option for many reasons. Clients like the modular policy design which allows you to pick certain benefit packages that you need while excluding certain benefits that you do not. Additionally, the service is excellent - which is what you are really paying for. Claims are processed quickly. Finally, the global network of doctors and hospitals is very strong.

Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s network of trusted hospitals, clinics, and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
Aetna International Plan for Expats
Aetna is a world leader in expat insurance and offers a high-quality plan that is priced well and backed by excellent service and a strong network of hospitals. Aetna International offers a variety of coverage tailored to internationals residing in various countries throughout the world. Policies are determined by where you are coming from and where you are moving to. Aetna is not available for foreigners living in the USA, China, Australia, Hong Kong, Indonesia, Ireland, Japan, Russia, Singapore, Switzerland, Thailand, Vietnam, and select other countries. Request a Quote today and we will let you know if you qualify. If not, we will send your comparable options from other providers.
Aetna Global Expat Health Benefits
- Fortune 100 company with more than 800,000 members
- Access to Annual Health Exams & Medications
- Coverage for Covid-19, Comprehensive Worldwide Cover
Additional Specialty Insurers
IMG offers the widest range of products, from trip cancellation to long-term international medical plans (IMG Medical). IMG's options are affordable and best suited for younger clients or global nomads. For more than 20 years, IMG has provided expat health insurance and travel plans with affordable coverage to the international community, insuring clients in more than 170 countries worldwide.
IMG: Request a Free IMG Quote / Apply Now
IntegraGlobal, a U.K. company that has service offices strategically placed worldwide in Europe, North America, and Asia, specializing in providing health plans to organizations and individuals with unique protection needs, such as international employees, marine professionals, and specialized risks. IntegraGlobal’s goal is to develop unique international health plans that offer you outstanding protection, excellent value, and hands-on unbeatable personal service.
Integra: Request an Integra Quote / Apply Now
Frequently Asked Questions
Premium, or cost, calculations are typically based on a policyholder's country of origin, age, medical history, and country of coverage. Typically these policies will offer two areas of cover; a) Worldwide, excluding the USA or, the more comprehensive option, b) Worldwide coverage. Other companies may have separate pricing by region and will possibly exclude certain areas of high risk. Providers are looking at both the risks associated with living in certain areas and the costs of healthcare in those areas when determining the price. Most providers will rank countries by the cost of medical care and will adjust premiums accordingly.
The cost of an expatriate insurance plan can range from as little as $50 per month, for a basic plan with in-patient hospital benefits only, to more than $1,000 a month for a comprehensive medical policy covering most, if not all, of your medical expenses. Below are a few sample costs for one of our more popular xpat medical insurance plans. The prices below can be adjusted with additional deductibles or by adding or removing benefits as desired. Ask your broker for advice on pricing and benefits.
Premiums: How Much Does Expat Health Insurance Cost
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Who: A 25-year-old from Canada teaching English language in Colombia. Cost: $158.51 per month | Who: UK couple in their 30's and their 2-year-old son living and working in UAE Cost: $1,488.22 per month | Who: A Retired couple from the U.S., both 65, residing in Costa Rica. Cost: $1,755.70 per month |
Expat Life Insurance Plan Costs
An expatriate life insurance plan will cost as little as $50 per month to as much as $5,000 per month, depending on your age, health, and the term of coverage as well as the amount of coverage you purchase. Coverage is a smart investment to cover potential life expenses should you or a loved one pass away. Typically, international life insurance policies will pay a designated beneficiary upon your death to cover medical bills, living expenses, education costs or other expenses to offset the loss of your income for loved ones. The cost of that cover
An expat is anyone living outside of their home country. Many people fall into this category. For example, retirees who have moved abroad, students living abroad, digital nomads who move from place to place, and of course any international citizen.
Expat health insurance plans, or sometimes called International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI), provide health insurance for this group of people. When you leave your home country you are often no longer eligible to have coverage with your existing health plan and therefore you need to find an international medical insurance plan. A plan that covers you around the world, including your country of residence and your home country, is the best type of plan. For example, if you are living in France and want to head to Spain for a bit you don't want to have to apply for new coverage in Spain. Expatriate insurance will go with you anywhere in the world. For pricing and coverage details, Request a Quote today.
Expat life insurance plans provide a cash payout should the insured individual die will covered.
Other types of expatriate insurance plans include auto insurance, dental insurance, or other types of insurance purchased by individuals living abroad as expatriates.
Expatriates are a unique group of customers and want the best expatriate medical insurance plan to meet their specific needs. We are happy to provide more than twenty variations from four of the top insurers offering international health insurance for global citizens throughout the world. Coverage and benefits in an expat plan include the following:
Medical Benefits in an Expat Plan
- Maximum Coverage (Per Year or Per Lifetime of the Plan
- Wellness and Basic Medical Benefits
- Inpatient and Day Care Cover
- Emergency Treatment and Evacuation
- Includes Cancer Treatment, Oncology, MRI and CTI
- Prescription Benefits
Out-Patient Services
- Outpatient care and treatment
- Outpatient pathology, x-rays, prescribed drugs and dressings
- The ability to access our direct settlement network globally
- Optional cover available within the United States
- Increased range of excess levels available
Optional Additional Coverage
- Evacuation, Repatriation,
- Maternity benefits, which include pre and postnatal checkups
- Dental benefits, which include routine checkups, cleaning, and simple non-surgical extractions
- The ability to access our direct settlement network globally
- Optional cover available within the United States
- Mental health Services
- International Mobile App for Services on Demand
Group International Medical Plans offer similar benefits combined to cover your employees or group members.
You want a plan from a global provider with a large network of international hospitals and healthcare facilities within its network of service providers. For example, Cigna Global Plan has over 1 million hospitals, doctors, and healthcare facilities within its global network.
Make sure the provider offers 24/7 access to an emergency hotline that you can call for emergency assistance and medical advice. All of the leading expatriate plans will have this.
Finally, look for a plan that offers a choice. You should be able to purchase a plan that meets your needs. If you don't think you will use your plan frequently and don't need comprehensive benefits, you should purchase a lower-cost plan with limited benefits. Other customers want the highest quality of service and benefits and are willing to pay for that. Choose a plan that allows you to get the benefits and options that are the right mix for your specific needs.
We have a great tool to review and compare international medical plans.
Expat healthcare insurance policies are typically portable - meaning they will cover you for periods of time in all countries. As expatriates are more likely to be traveling to multiple countries throughout the year, a global policy provides for continuous coverage regardless of where their sickness occurs (typically limited after returning to your home country). If you need coverage in your home country as well, make sure you find a provider that can provide worldwide coverage. Cigna Global and GeoBlue Xplorer are great examples.
Best Health Insurance Plans for Expats
Here are three of the best expat health insurance policies for individuals living and working abroad. Cigna Global and Aetna International are available to most individuals living abroad. The GeoBlue Xplorer plan is available to US citizens living abroad or to internationals living in the USA.

Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s network of trusted hospitals, clinics, and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service

Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
- Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- For Foreigners in the US or US Citizens Abroad
Aetna Global Expat Health Benefits
- Fortune 100 company with more than 800,000 members
- Access to Annual Health Exams & Medications
- Coverage for Covid-19, Comprehensive Worldwide Cover
Our Review: Best International Health Insurance Companies
How to Apply for Cover: Application and Underwriting
Underwriting is, simply put, the process through which your expat insurance application is reviewed (approved or denied), and your premium is determined. Typically, medical underwriting is where the insurer asks a series of medical questions during the application process and provides the applicant with details of what they will and will not be prepared to cover. The applicant will usually be required to get documentation from their doctors as well as other expat healthcare providers. Occasionally, if the applicant is symptom and treatment free of any medical issues for a specified period, they may be offered coverage on the understanding that they will be underwritten every time they claim against their policy.
Request a Quote for Expatriate Medical Insurance
Cigna Global offers affordable options with a modular plan design. The modularity of their coverage allows you to choose the coverage you want and not pay for benefits you don't need. Use the request a quote button below to get an online price for the Cigna Global health insurance for expatriates. Once you have a quote for this cover, our agents can provide you with comparable quotes from other providers so you can compare various options.

Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s network of trusted hospitals, clinics, and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
Exclusions in Expatriate Medical Insurance
As with all options we offer, it is strongly advised that you review the details of the cover before purchasing it. You should be able to review the policy certificate or policy rules before making the final decision. These documents will detail everything that is covered and, just as importantly, what is excluded.
Although many providers don't specifically list pre-existing conditions as an exclusion, certain conditions may be excluded from the plan during the underwriting process.
Recommended Plans Based on Where You Are Moving From
A list of the Xpat Insurance Plans for People Moving from the Following Countries.
Recommended Plans for Specific Regions:
- Canadian Citizens Abroad: Health Insurance and Overseas Coverage
- Medical Plans for Australians Living Abroad
- International Cover for Japanese Citizens Abroad
- Medical Insurance for US Citizens Living Abroad
- Health Plans for UK Citizens Living Abroad
- Chinese Expats: Health Insurance While Living Abroad
- Mexican Expats: Medical Insurance Abroad
- Swiss Expats: Health Insurance for Living Abroad
Life Insurance for Expatriates Living Abroad
If you are looking for international life insurance cover, good idea. Life insurance provides an additional piece of mind and takes care of your family's financial needs if something should happen to you. We have some specific guidance here regarding: Life insurance for International Citizens. Do your research to figure out how much coverage you need based on your current and projected expenses. Then pick a plan based on your needs and your budget.
Also Read:
- ACA, Obamacare, and US Citizens Abroad
- What is an Expatriate - A Definition of Expat Life
- China Health Insurance for Foreigners
- Visitors Insurance for Travelers
- Overseas Health Plans
Written by Joe Cronin. Joe Cronin is an expert in the areas of global health and international insurance, with specific expertise in advising individuals and groups on international health insurance plans. Follow Joe @Joe_Cronin_Jr