2025’s Best Group International Medical Insurance Plans
Are you sending employees abroad to open new offices as your company expands globally? Maybe you’re heading a group of volunteers traveling to build housing in Haiti after a hurricane. Or perhaps you supervise a sales team working on a six-month project in Singapore.
Whatever your situation, if you’re sending staff abroad or hiring international employees, protecting their health is essential. The best international group health insurance plans will cover your team members, allowing them to focus on delivering exceptional work in any country worldwide.
You may wonder why you should purchase a group plan for your employees rather than allowing them to choose individual plans. Group plans have numerous advantages, including ease of administration, lower costs, and reduced overhead. However, with multiple insurers all having different requirements for their clients, it can take time to determine which global business health insurance to choose. To help you get started, we’ve created a guide to the process and a list of the best international providers and plans.
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- Experts in sourcing and implementing global insurance plans
- We’ve built steadfast partnerships with carriers worldwide
- Licensed in Health, Life, Accident, and more
What Is an International Group Health Plan?
Many employers provide health and other insurance to their employees under a group plan. This type of insurance policy covers several to many employees under a single strategy, which spreads out the risk and makes the overall plan less expensive for the employer. An international group health plan is a group policy designed to cover employees in different countries.
Why Should I Consider Global Group Health Insurance for My Employees?
As an HR manager or administrator of your company’s insurance policies, you might need to cover employees working in several countries. Or perhaps you have employees who are foreign nationals and need coverage where you’re headquartered. Some companies have employees worldwide or consultants who travel frequently to do business. These situations can be made easier with an international group health plan.
With a group policy, you also have the advantage of simpler and less costly plan administration. With everyone in your organization receiving the same level of coverage, you can very nearly “set it and forget it.”
What Does International Health Insurance Cover?
Global group health insurance plans can cover as little or as much as makes sense for your organization and budget. You might only want minimal coverage for accidents, acute illness, and other emergencies if your workers are generally young and healthy. If your employees are older and/or have families that need insurance, you may want to consider something more comprehensive.
The point is that international group medical plans range from basic to comprehensive, just like domestic plans do. The main difference is that global plans cover your people wherever they go, within the limitations of the plan.
What Makes a Global Group Medical Insurance Plan Great?
Just because an international group health insurance company is ranked doesn’t mean it’s the best for your organization’s needs. Every organization is unique and needs a plan that suits them best.
Perhaps your company wants to hire foreign nationals and provide them benefits in your company’s locale. Or maybe you are sending some of your local employees abroad for short periods, and they’ll need medical travel coverage. You could also have employees who relocate to another country but continue to work for your company, in which case they’ll need expatriate coverage. Other companies are best for local nationals or workers you hire from another country who continue to live and work there.
How Do I Set Up a Group Health Insurance Plan?
The first step is choosing the right long-term plan for your employees. Our licensed brokers can help you sort through the options and see which plan is the best fit for your particular group’s needs.
Once you’ve narrowed down your options, our agents can also help you navigate setting up your plan. For more about what that looks like and what information you’ll need to gather, see our guide to choosing corporate international insurance.
Group International Health Insurance Companies
At International Citizens Insurance, we’ve researched and analyzed the top providers to bring you this list of the best corporate health insurance companies for your international employees. We ranked them based on the following criteria:
- Network size, including the number and quality of doctors and hospitals available to employees
- The breadth of benefits available
- Added features such as telemedicine, vision, dental, life and disability benefits
- Ease of filing a claim and overall customer service
- The ability to adjust your premium through copays and deductibles
- A.M. Best rating, which indicates the financial stability of each insurer
| | | |
| | Organizations seeking an extensive network and highly customizable benefits | |
| Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions | Companies based in the United States with staff coming to the U.S. or relocating abroad | |
| | Organizations that want to give groups of 2-10 employees access to an extensive network and wellness services | |
| | Organizations that need long-term and short-term coverage as well as security services. | |
| | Organizations looking for flexibility in benefits, especially local nationals (inpats) with or remote workers | |
| | Organizations needing a wide array of options at a budget-friendly price | |
| | Businesses whose staff will have little or no travel to the USA | |
| | Organizations needing an affordable plan with simple options and no USA coverage | |
| | Great plan for health coverage in Central/South America and the Caribbean | |
| | Businesses searching for short-term travel medical insurance for remote employees | |
Our Picks for Global Group Health Insurance Plans
Each company below offers plans with specific strengths, making them superb solutions for specific scenarios. Here are additional details about them, including the types of organizations for which they may be best suited.
Cigna Global Health Advantage (GHA)
Best For: Organizations seeking an extensive worldwide health network
Do you want your employees to have access to one of the largest worldwide networks of healthcare professionals? Then Cigna GHA may be the right plan for you. The GHA plan is an international group medical insurance designed to cover groups of two to 20 employees living and working worldwide.
Benefits Include:
- An extensive health network with more than one million doctors and hospitals around the globe
- Establishes guarantees of payment for customers with doctors and hospitals, ensuring access to care worldwide
- The service center and in-house medical team operate 24/7/365
- Plans that are fully compliant with regional requirements
- Quick claims payments and excellent customer service
- Mental and emotional assistance via the International Employee Assistance Program
- Optional benefits: dental, long-term disability, life, accidental death and dismemberment, and evacuation/repatriation coverage
- Additional services: remote second opinions from the Cleveland Clinic, international pharmacy fulfillment, and more
Eligibility:
- At least two eligible employees must be enrolled at all times
- US employers must have 50+ employees on a worldwide basis
- At least 50% of employees enrolled must be expatriates living outside of their country of residence
Cigna Global Health Advantage Plan
- Comprehensive employee benefits for global teams
- Access to Cigna’s trusted worldwide medical network
- 24/7 multilingual customer service and support
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions Group Medical Coverage for Employers and Organizations
Best For: U.S. organizations with international employees
If your company is based in the U.S. and your staff will be going abroad for six months or more, Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions may be the right fit for your organization. This international group health insurance plan offers comprehensive global health benefits, including telemedicine, wellness coaching, evacuation benefits, safety and health alerts, and more.
Benefits Include:
- Primary major medical plan offered in partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield and BUPA International
- Worldwide coverage or coverage by country of assignment
- Rich benefits that cover everything from medical evacuation to maternity care and wellness visits
- Flexible coverage for U.S. employees outside the U.S., foreign nationals on assignment in the U.S., and third-country nationals, as well as their families
Eligibility:
- Available to groups of two or more
- Must have headquarters or an office in the U.S.
- Must meet a minimum threshold of global employees
Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Expat
- Comprehensive global medical benefits
- Flexible benefits for U.S. companies with international employees
- Access to a premier worldwide provider network
BCBS Global Solutions also offers a group travel insurance plan for short-term coverage and trips abroad. Request information for your group today!
Aetna Ascent Group Medical Insurance Plan
Best For: Small organizations seeking simplicity
Aetna Ascent international business health insurance plans are designed for groups of two or more expatriate employees. The company offers comprehensive, global healthcare coverage and innovative wellness programs wherever your employees may be located. Plans are global and can cover international residents worldwide.
Benefits Include:
- Simple plan administration and implementation, with annual renewal dates
- Compliance with fronting arrangements and local requirements
- Member access to their network of more than 1.1 million global providers
- Comprehensive member services are available 24/7
- Convenient web and mobile tools for people on the go
- Access to the CARE Team, a team of clinicians available to support members pre-trip, post-trip, and anytime in between by helping get prescriptions filled, coordinating urgent medical care, and more
Eligibility:
- At least two eligible employees must be enrolled at all times
- The employer must have 51+ employees worldwide
- Must have headquarters or an office located in the U.S.
Aetna International Ascent
- Access to 1.1M+ providers around the world
- Streamlined plan setup and annual renewals
- Supports fronting arrangements and local compliance needs
UnitedHealthcare Group Plans
Best For: A full array of solutions
One of the largest insurers in the world, UnitedHealthcare, provides an array of plans that can cover your staff, no matter their needs. They offer coverage for assignments of 6 months or more, as well as shorter assignments and business trips. And if you have concerns about employee safety and security in remote areas, United Healthcare offers solutions for that, too.
Benefits Include:
- Short-term, long-term, travel, and security coverage
- Options include Inpatient care, outpatient treatment, prescriptions, maternity, vision and dental, accidental death & dismemberment, long-term disability, life insurance, evacuation, and worldwide coverage
- Support before, during, and after staff assignments
- Large global provider network
- Medical and security intelligence to help you support your staff
Eligibility:
- Available to groups of two or more
- Must have a tie to a U.S. organization, a U.S. headquarters or local office, and a minimum number of employees worldwide
Unisure Group Global Medical
Best For: Remote teams of local nationals (inpats) with some international travel
Unisure offers plans with a modular system, which allows you to create a benefits package that covers only what you need. It has plans tailored to the energy and mining sectors, as well as great options for staff in many other industries. This is an excellent option for smaller companies with a large number of local nationals in multiple countries and expatriate employees worldwide.
Benefits Include:
- Multiple package options to choose from and combine
- Benefits modules include inpatient and outpatient care, family/maternity, health and wellness, and vision and dental coverage
- Flexible excess (deductible) options
- 24/7 multilingual call center to help with treatment, claims, or plan questions
Eligibility:
- Groups as small as two people may be covered; however, Unisure may require a minimum percentage of staff to be enrolled to qualify
- The plan can cover local nationals, along with expatriates, in most countries
International Medical Group
Best For: Budget-minded international employers and organizations
Suppose you have two or more international employees and want to balance your benefits against your budget. In that case, IMG offers customizable plans including telemedicine, dental, disability, life insurance, travel assistance, and more. They also provide security solutions for staff overseas and manage compensation cases for employees injured on the job.
Benefits Include:
- Custom plan designs offer the flexibility to choose the level and type of coverage
- Optional add-ons include telemedicine, dental, disability, and life insurance
- Emergency travel assistance
- A network of over 18,550 physicians and facilities outside the U.S. that offer direct billing — meaning less paperwork for you and your employees
- Options for groups such as marine crew members, schools, volunteer organizations, and more
Eligibility:
- Some plans have a minimum of two or more employees
- Specialized plans may require proof of eligibility
William Russell
Best For: Organizations seeking seamless benefits
William Russell offers health, life, and income protection plans, enabling you to provide a comprehensive range of employee benefits seamlessly. They combine a personal touch with an extensive global network. This is a good option if your group is larger than ten people. In that case, you can easily add new staff to your insurance with Medical History Disregarded underwriting, which allows you to enroll employees without providing their health records.
Benefits Include:
- Inpatient treatment, day-patient treatment (when the person has a hospital procedure but does not stay overnight), cancer treatment, kidney dialysis, transplants, and basic Medevac
- Option to include pre-existing and chronic conditions with Medical History Disregarded underwriting
- Network of over 40,000 hospitals around the world, many of which offer direct billing — meaning your staff will never see a bill
- Options to add maternity cover, optical and dental coverage, enhanced medevac services, and more
Eligibility:
- Must have three or more employees needing coverage to qualify
- No more than 50% of individuals living full-time in their country of citizenship
Now Health International
Best For: Budget-minded international employers and organizations
If your budget is tight, but you want to provide international benefits to retain your employees, Now Health’s group plans may be the right solution. Your organization can choose from basic plans that cover emergency scenarios to comprehensive plans that address every eventuality. Now Health has solid plan options in Africa, China, Singapore, and Dubai.
Benefits Include:
- 24/7 multilingual customer care
- A network of over 1 million medical facilities and providers
- Claims may be submitted online
- Choose a level of benefits appropriate to the needs of your organization and your budget level
Eligibility:
- Groups as small as three people may be covered; they may need a minimum percentage of staff receiving coverage to enroll
Allianz Group Plans
Best For: Organizations seeking coverage in Africa, Asia, Central and South America, and remote teams of local nationals
Allianz offers group international health insurance with many different geographic options. It is especially strong in Africa, Asia, and Central and South America. If your staff is likely to travel, you can opt for Worldwide coverage. If they’re likely to stay in one country or region, Allianz offers geographically limited plans, so you only pay for the coverage area you need.
Benefits Include:
- Telehealth portal for arranging medical treatment abroad
- 24/7 customer service with multi-lingual support call center staff
- Network of full-time medical staff offering day-to-day and emergency medical support through their internal worldwide assistance company
- Second medical opinion options
- A simple pre-authorized claims process so staff won’t have to wait long for reimbursement or treatment
- Summit Plans that cover staff for in-patient, out-patient, and wellness benefits, with optional add-ons (Dental, Optical, Maternity, and Repatriation)
Eligibility:
- Groups as small as three people may be covered; however, Allianz may require that a minimum percentage of staff participate
WorldTrips
Best For: Business travelers on single-trip assignments
If you are looking for a plan for your group going on a trip or for a set of employees traveling to different countries, the Atlas Travel Insurance Plans from WorldTrips are the top choice. These travel plans are available to all nationalities, which makes them stand out from many other insurers and is especially helpful for international organizations. This is a short-term international travel medical plan for trips ranging from five days to a year in duration.
Benefits Include:
- Medical coverage for any urgent medical need
- Emergency medical and political evacuation
- Trip interruption, travel delay, and lost baggage coverage
- An optional crisis response add-on for groups going to unstable parts of the world
Eligibility:
- Must be traveling outside of the employee’s home country
- Available in monthly or 15-day increments
- The maximum coverage period is 12 months
Review Your Options for Global Benefits With a Licensed Group Broker
Once you request a quote, you will be assigned a licensed agent expert in global benefits. Your agent will work with you to determine your specific needs, budget, and relevant insurers who can provide you with a customized quote. We will then work with you to refine your benefits and quote, compare group coverage options, and secure the best coverage for you. As your brokers, we work for you and will be able to assist you throughout your policy period to ensure you get the level of service you desire.
Connect with a Global Benefits Advisor
- Experts in sourcing and implementing global insurance plans
- We’ve built steadfast partnerships with carriers worldwide
- Licensed in Health, Life, Accident, and more
Andrew Blomberg is the Vice President of Global Benefits at ICI, leading innovative insurance strategies for organizations worldwide. An MBA-educated, multi-licensed expert, he specializes in optimizing global benefits programs and guiding clients through complex challenges.
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