For US Citizens Abroad, Expatriate Health Insurance Explained
Thousands of Americans realize their lifelong dream every year and move abroad to another country. For executives relocating to launch a new business, retirees eager to learn a new language, or spirited students on a gap year looking to gain work experience, becoming an American expatriate knows no limits regarding age and interests.
But living overseas comes with challenges. Experiencing a different culture and adapting to things you are not used to can be stressful sometimes.
Hopefully, as you embrace the obstacles of your new home, your health doesn't have to be on your mind. Here’s what Americans living overseas need to know about health insurance for US citizens abroad.
We provide US citizens moving abroad with robust health plan quotes free of charge. If you’re thinking of moving abroad, let us help! Our free quotes will give you the information to select the best policy.
Best Coverage for Americans Living Overseas
We would suggest the following three plans for U.S. citizens living abroad.
Cigna Global - The most popular plan is the Cigna Global Medical plan, as it offers a wide range of plans and a modular plan design, allowing U.S. expats to design a policy that meets their needs and budget.
Cigna Global Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
GeoBlue Xplorer - Probably our best plan is the GeoBlue Xplorer plan. It is more expensive for expats, but the benefits are comprehensive, and the service is excellent.
Xplorer Worldwide Medical Plan
- Premium Benefits, Coverage and Service
- Define your deductible and prescription benefits
- For Foreigners in the US or US citizens abroad
IMG Global Medical Insurance - A more affordable option is the IMG Global Medical Insurance plan. The plan has some very affordable options for budget-conscious U.S. expats living abroad.
IMG Global Medical Plan
- Four plan options and additional optional coverages
- Choice of the coverage area to reflect your geographical area of need
- Freedom to choose your health care provider wherever you are in the world
Learn More About International Health Insurance
The Benefits of Health Plans for US Citizens Living Abroad
If you are moving abroad, you must consider the risks of going without medical coverage. As an American living overseas, you could experience massive hospital bills or limited access to medical care in your new country. Health insurance for Americans abroad will cover your medical costs in any country you’re in, which is an immeasurable benefit.
Life comes with surprises no matter what country you are living in. Whether you get a cold or a serious injury, it’s important to be prepared while living abroad as an American. Ensure you have a quality global medical plan covering your expenses so you can get care wherever you live.
For US citizens living abroad, getting coverage can mean finding immediate medical attention during emergencies. All plans come with emergency medical assistance hotlines you can call at any time to get medical advice and assistance. On top of healthcare support, policies for US expats also help satisfy newer requirements on select visa types issued by the destination country.
Related: There are more than 8 million Americans Living Abroad (Source AARO). All should have expat health insurance!
Frequently Asked Questions
Generally, U.S. health insurance benefits will not cover you while outside of the U.S. Your domestic U.S. health insurance plans will cover you in a specific region within the USA. Sometimes they will offer limited coverage outside of the USA, but that is rarely the case. Request a quote to find an international health care plan that suits your needs.
The US government strongly recommends that all Americans carry private health care insurance when traveling or living overseas. They also warn that their national coverage will not protect them in other countries.
According to the US Department of State: “You should purchase insurance before you travel (or move abroad)...In general, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical costs overseas." Therefore, American expats are responsible for researching, comparing, and choosing a quality international medical insurance plan.
Absolutely, yes. Health coverage for U.S. citizens living overseas helps cover medical costs including hospitalization and wellness care. These policies provide coverage worldwide, medical evacuation, vision and dental benefits, and much more.
Benefits you will get from your plan:
- Inpatient and outpatient international medical care
- Freedom to choose any hospital, clinic, or doctor
- 24-hour emergency assistance and helpline
- Emergency evacuation, repatriation, and hospitalization
- Worldwide coverage, including your home country
- Choice of multiple currencies for payment
If you do not have a high quality plan, you may have limited access to private hospitals, longer wait times and required up-front payment for your treatment. For some medical conditions, costs can add up quickly.
Most U.S. citizens living abroad will choose to purchase a global health insurance plan that will cover them worldwide, including in the USA.
U.S. Medicare does not provide medical cover when you have been living outside the country for more than six months. You will need to purchase an international health plan to cover your medical expenses abroad, instead. A recommended option is the Cigna Global plan as the insurer provides comprehensive policies that cover all ages.
Some Medicare supplements provide limited international benefits up to a certain maximum amount per year for emergency medical expenses. You should check with your provider to determine if you have any international coverage in your Medicare plan.
Read: Medicare Coverage Abroad
Obamacare, or the Affordable Care Act, does not cover you should you decide to live abroad. ACA compliant plans are domestic U.S. health insurance plans and will cover you in your state of residence. Some plans will cover you outside of your state of residence but for emergency care only. There are select plans that will cover you in every U.S. state. If your plan does provide coverage outside of the USA, it is typically for emergencies only and limited to a set amount. That is why it is necessary to obtain international medical insurance for U.S. citizens living overseas.
Your U.S. health insurance plan will not cover you in Canada, although there are many alternative insurance options to choose from!
First, you could qualify for the Canadian health insurance program, which is called Medicare (not to be confused with U.S. Medicare). Be sure to do some research on whether this is the right fit for you. You'd be surprised to hear about the many inconveniences of domestic coverage in Canada and the limitations of coverage outside of Canada. It's best to get worldwide coverage as an expatriate.
An alternative is to get a global medical plan that will cover you whether you are in Canada or in the USA. GeoBlue Xplorer is a great option for this situation as it provides a comprehensive policy with worldwide coverage, including in the USA.
There really is no such thing as free healthcare, especially for U.S. citizens or American expats living overseas.
Countries with socialized medical care are thought to offer “free” healthcare. But the cost of healthcare in those countries is built into the expenditures of everyday life for their citizens. This includes compulsory payroll deductions and taxation on goods and services.
In many cases, expats are excluded from this local healthcare system. Simply put, U.S. expats are not considered citizens of their host country and, as such, have not contributed to healthcare costs. While many countries have provisions to treat all people who visit hospital emergency departments, regardless of nationality or ability to pay, this is no substitute for an expatriate health plan.
Learn more: Countries With Free or Universal Healthcare
What Should Americans Look for in an International Plan for US Expats?
Cheap Health Insurance Is Not Always the Best Option
Moving to a new country can sound very exciting. You will be tempted to start packing your bags after listening to an expatriate's stories of an international lifestyle. The cost of living is so low they can afford to eat out daily; they can hire cleaning staff or a private gardener. And, best of all, a trip to the local doctor is very affordable.
The lower cost of living is a significant factor in the decision for U.S. citizens to become expats. Additionally, minor maladies are often treated for just a modest cost, unlike in the U.S. or other countries with expensive healthcare services.
But don’t be fooled into thinking you will receive the same level of care, access, and expense for more severe medical problems. The cost of specialist treatments, comprehensive diagnostics like an MRI, support systems from translators, and home care nurses can add up to an astronomical cost - and at an astronomical speed. And that doesn’t take into account transportation to and from hospitals or appointments.
The quiet lifestyle in a remote area that attracts you to live overseas, whether on a beloved island, secluded reef or mountain village, can work against you when you need to hire an air ambulance for a medical evacuation.
When Choice Equals Comfort
Being sick must not prevent you from exercising your right to choose the quality of healthcare service you receive. Feeling that you have lost control over the situation can affect your well-being and worsen your condition. Finding yourself in a situation where medical service is absent when you need it the most can be infuriating and frustrating.
Health plans for U.S. citizens living overseas ensure these annoying circumstances do not happen to you. The right international insurance plan gives you the power to choose a hospital or doctor to receive better healthcare service.
Insurance for U.S. expats gives you the control to make the following decisions:
- Would you prefer to be under the care of a male or a female specialist?
- From which hospital in your new town or city do you want to receive healthcare services?
- Do you prefer a private or semi-private room when you get admitted?
The freedom to choose between these options means that you are looking at the right insurance package to apply for. Having the power to make these decisions will also help you regain some control over the process, which can benefit your health.
Don't Skip Preventative Care When You Move Abroad
Even if you’re in good health, your body needs protection throughout your life, especially while adapting to a new environment. Without preventative care, an accident or illness can quickly turn into a crisis. Insurance covers you when life’s unexpected issues arise.
Getting health benefits for U.S. expats is a must to maintain your health. These policies can cover regular check-ups with the dentist or optometrist, scheduled annual physical health care examinations, and preventive care. Wellness visits are the best way to ensure you continue living a healthy life. A healthy lifestyle can reduce the chance of medical problems getting out of hand.
When securing health coverage for living abroad, ensure that it also covers preventive and wellness care for your peace of mind.
Avoid a Gap in Coverage
It is common for many internationals and executives to stay abroad for an extra month or even an additional year. Volunteering in an organization, honing photography skills, or perfecting a new language — the purpose for extending their stay varies.
After being covered by your employer or a school policy, you will often feel healthy and confident to the point that you do not extend your coverage. However, there are no guarantees when it comes to health.
Do not gamble with a coverage gap, thinking that you don’t need protection just because you have never encountered a medical problem before. Make sure the policy you have remains in effect during your extended stay overseas.
The best thing about expatriate life for Americans abroad is living life to the fullest without worrying much about money. But to do this, you must take care of your health no matter where you are in the world.
Expatriate Health Insurance for Americans Living Abroad
We would suggest the following three plans for U.S. citizens living abroad. The most popular plan is the Cigna Global Medical plan, as it offers a wide range of plans and a modular plan design allowing U.S. expats to design a policy that meets their needs and budget. Probably our most comprehensive plan for Americans abroad is the GeoBlue Xplorer plan. The benefits are comprehensive, it offers the most coverage in the USA through the Blue Cross Blue Shield network, and the service is excellent. A more affordable option is the IMG Global Medical Insurance plan. The plan has affordable options for younger, more budget-conscious U.S. expats living abroad.
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 Insurance Plan
- The flexibility to tailor a plan to suit your individual needs
- Access to Cigna Global’s trusted network of hospitals and doctors
- The convenience and confidence of 24/7/365 customer service
IMG Global Medical Plan
- Four plan options and additional optional coverages
- Choice of the coverage area to reflect your geographical area of need
- Freedom to choose your health care provider wherever you are in the world
Related: Or You Can Compare: Compare and Review Global Medical Plans
Also Read:
- Health Insurance When Working Abroad
- Overseas Medical Plans
- US Health Insurance for Foreigners Living in America
Travel Health Plans for US Expats Visiting the USA
Life as a U.S. expatriate is more flexible than ever. Freelancers with fluid schedules can take advantage of free time to travel worldwide; overseas teachers can enjoy extended summer holidays. Come the holiday season, retirees rent out their apartments to tourists and take up temporary residency elsewhere.
For American expats, the temptation to travel back home to the United States for a short visit to catch up with friends and family, renew connections with colleagues, celebrate the holidays, or even travel to a new part of the country is always present. And with travel connections becoming easier to arrange than ever before, the same goes for a travel health policy.
Here are a few pointers on what American expats need to know before visiting the United States, especially if your international health policy does not include coverage in the USA.
Insurance Coverage for US Citizens Returning to America
If you have a comprehensive global insurance plan, it is likely also to include coverage in the USA. Check your existing coverage to confirm this. If you have a local plan in your new country that does not cover you during your travels, then you will need cover when you visit the USA. For this, we have a couple of options for you.
All forms of coverage have restrictions and limitations. American expatriates returning to visit the United States are not exempt from these constraints.
But before you check out the restrictions, make sure you first meet the insurer's definition of being an expat. In many cases, that may include proof that you have resided outside of the United States for a certain period. Other providers may require you to have pre-existing coverage established in your new residence before they extend coverage for your trip to the United States. They may also limit the length of time you are covered while in the United States before you are considered a permanent resident once more.
Travel Medical Plans for US Expats Traveling to the USA
Patriot America Plan
The Patriot America Travel Insurance plan provides coverage for people traveling outside their residence country whose destination includes the U.S. or its territories. A U.S. citizen residing in a foreign country can purchase a Patriot America plan to visit the USA.
Patriot Platinum Travel Insurance
- Maximum limits up to $8,000,000
- IMG pays 100% of medical expenses in-network
- Evacuation due to Natural Disasters & Political Unrest
It’s important to note that while travel medical plans like Patriot offer a complete package of international benefits for medical emergencies, they won’t cover you if you want to get a checkup from your old primary care doctor.
Travel Medical Plans for all Situations and Nationalities
We offer a variety of travel medical insurance plans for all nationalities traveling anywhere in the world. Take a look at our dedicated page where we Compare Travel Medical Insurance plans offered by trusted providers. We also offer Visitors Insurance Coverage for anyone traveling from one country to visit another country.
Budget Like an American
One of the best things about the life of an American expat is the affordable quality of life. But if you have been away from your home country for too long, you might forget the real health care coverage costs in the United States.
Ensure you are updated on your facts and figures and compare packages with a realistic eye. A payout of $150 a night for unexpected hospital stay costs might sound very generous if you live in Guatemala or Thailand. However, it may not be sufficient coverage if you visit New York or Los Angeles.
It is time to budget your finances like an American once again! Review the insurance for U.S. expats we have listed here to get the best one suited to your needs.
Pro Tip: Start by Requesting a Quote for your cover. We will provide two or more options from the leading insurance providers and can customize coverage to your needs and budget.
Related:
- Travel Insurance for Visitors to the USA
- Health Plans in Mexico for US Citizens
- Insurance for US Citizens in Canada
- Health Insurance for Canadians Living in the USA
Author / Editor: Joe Cronin, Founder and President of International Citizens Insurance. Mr. Cronin, a former expat, is an authority in the areas of international travel, and global health, life, and travel insurance, with expertise in advising individuals and groups on benefits for today's global workforce. Follow him on LinkedIn or Twitter.