Expatriate Health Insurance

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

Who: A 25-year-old from Canada teaching English language in Colombia.  Example: Silver plan including Emergency Medical Evacuation Cost: $158.51 per month	Who: UK couple in their 30's and their 2-year-old son living and working in UAE Example: Platinum plan including Outpatient, and Health and Wellbeing Cost: $1,488.22 per month	Who: A Retired couple from the U.S., both 65, residing in Costa Rica. Example: Gold plan including Emergency Medical Evacuation and US Cover Cost: $1,755.70 per month

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 plans, or sometimes called International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI), is 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.

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.