Global Medical Plans – IPMI
If you plan to live or reside abroad for an extended length of time, you will want to make sure you invest in a high-quality international health insurance plan for the period you are overseas, outside of your home country, in case something happens and you need to seek global medical treatment. For most countries around the world, it may also be a requirement of your visa (if you need one) to show proof of adequate coverage. These plans are ideal for Expatriates, Global Nomads or International Citizens who are abroad for the majority of each year.
Our Recommended Health Plans
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 Cover
- Fortune 100 company with more than 800,000 members
- Access to Annual Health Exams & Medications
- Coverage for Covid-19, Ask about 20% Discount in May and June
What is International Health Insurance?
International Health Insurance offers comprehensive worldwide coverage and international healthcare for individuals and families living abroad for a year or longer. Coverage should include in-patient, out-patient, wellness, evacuation, dental, vision, and select other benefits. Plans are renewable each year for life or until your specified termination date. The primary advantage of having a global plan is that you have the option of receiving care anywhere in the world, including in your country of residence or back in your home country. You get to choose the hospital or doctor of your choice. Additionally, with private medical insurance, you can also choose a private hospital over a public facility to receive faster, and often higher quality, care.
Covid-19 Update. Is Coronavirus, or Covid-19, covered in a global health plan? The short answer is yes. The safe answer is probably. If you are covered and get sick, most major plans will treat the illness as any other illness. So you will be covered for the Coronavirus in the same way you would be treated for the flu or a cold. As long as you purchased a plan with inpatient and outpatient coverage, your plan should cover your Covid-19 treatment. The best answer is to check with your agent or review the terms of your policy to be sure. Here is Cigna Global’s policy from their website:: “Cigna medical plans cover medically necessary claims related to infectious diseases and medical conditions per the terms of the global medical plan.” Read: Coronavirus and International Health Insurance
Which International Health Insurance Plan Is Right for You?
This is a more complicated question as each plan comes with different strengths and weaknesses. The goal is to find the best plan for your specific needs and budget. We would suggest you start with a large international insurance company with a strong presence both in the country you will be living in as well as your home country.
You should then have your broker generate a few quotes from two or more providers which you can then compare side by side. Review the fine print to determine restrictions and differences. For example, are the limits on coverage annual (per year) or lifetime. It will matter. As cost, if an essential factor, you need to consider carving out benefits that you don’t need. Some plans, like Cigna Global, are modular in design and you can pick and choose benefits to include or remove. Other plans are comprehensive but will allow you to adjust certain benefits as well as deductible amounts to lower your premiums. Simply choosing the low-cost provider is fine – but understand that it may end up costing you more if something goes wrong.
Read:
Can I Buy Health Insurance from a Foreign Country
Some foreign countries offer a local national plan that is only available to citizens. In some cases, after you have resided in that country for a pre-set amount of time, you can apply for the local health insurance plan offered by the government. As an alternative, you are often able to buy local private insurance in your host country. This type of plan would cover your care in that country but will not cover you in other countries – or your home country. A more comprehensive option would be to buy an international medical plan from one of the providers on our website. This international health plan will cover you in your country of residence, your home country, and any other country in the world where you would like to be treated. The primary benefit of a global plan is providing you choice in where you are able to access care.
How Much Does Global Health Insurance Cost
One of the first questions we often get: “How much does international health insurance cost?”. Eligibility and premiums are based primarily on a policyholder’s age, medical history and area of coverage (typically not on an individual’s claims history), as well as the deductible and maximum coverage, selected. Plans will normally offer two areas of cover; Worldwide or Worldwide excluding the USA, sometimes excluded countries also include Canada, Hong Kong, and other more expensive countries for treatment. If you choose the coverage that includes the US, it will typically be more expensive. The reason for this is that treatment in the USA is the most expensive in the world. At times, international insurance providers (i.e., GeoBlue and Cigna) will rank countries by medical costs and have premiums adjusted accordingly.
The annual cost of an international health insurance plan for a US citizen, male age 45, living in Spain will range from as low as $500, with limited benefits, to as much as $8,000 for a comprehensive global medical plan, including coverage in the USA.
As you can see from the example above, the cost of an international insurance plan will vary widely by provider and plan type. For a more thorough discussion of plan costs and other questions, read Choosing an Expat Medical Plan – Costs and Coverage Questions.
Cost Estimate: Request a Quote for International Insurance
Featured Global Health Insurance Plans
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 Global Expat Health Cover
- Fortune 100 company with more than 800,000 members
- Access to Annual Health Exams & Medications
- Coverage for Covid-19, Ask about 20% Discount in May and June
Need a Group Plan? Visit: Group International Insurance Options
Global Medical Plan Benefits
International Health Plans offer comprehensive coverage for those living outside of their home country for a year or longer. The best plans offer:
- Inpatient and outpatient international medical care
- Freedom to choose any hospital, clinic or doctor
- 24 Hour Emergency Assistance and Helpline
- Emergency Evacuation, Repatriation, Hospitalization
- In most cases, Home Country coverage is included
- Choice of GBP, Euro and USD currencies for payment
Or You Can Compare: Compare and Review Global Medical Plans
Additional Benefits and Options
Plans may offer additional benefits such as dental, vision, maternity, prescription drugs, and other coverage options. Some of these are included in the base plan. Other times they are optional add-ons that come with an additional premium. For example, Cigna International Medical Plan allows you to pick and choose various options (Wellness, Dental, and Vision, etc.) and benefits to design a plan that meets your specific needs.
Review: Health Insurance in Europe and Medical Insurance in Asia
Affordable Global Medical Insurance
One option that is more affordable is the IMG Global plan offers four different levels of cover, including their bronze plan which is primarily catastrophic coverage (it only covers emergency global medical). As a result, there plans can be more affordable thane some of the larger named insurers. Request a quote today to compare options and pricing.
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
International Health Insurance and Pre-Existing Conditions
Individual global medical health insurance plans are purchased by one person or a family. Typically, the plan is purchased because there is a risk of some medical issue soon (maternity is a typical example). Therefore, these plans come with added risks that an insurance company will try to minimize through a process called underwriting. After you apply, a team of underwriters will review your application and any pre-existing conditions. They may require a copy of past medical records. After their review, they will typically either
- Approve your application as is
- Approve your application with a limitation or exclusion of the pre-existing condition
- Add a premium surcharge to offset the added risks of insuring you with your condition
- Deny your application altogether
Typical Plan Exclusions and Limitations
All plans, domestic or international, will provide a list of exclusions for specific risks that they can not insure, including:
- Acts of War.
- Hostilities, Military Actions, Terrorist Acts, and Other Civil Commotions, whether the war has been declared or not.
- Nuclear Explosions and the resulting nuclear fallout.
Many providers have their specific exclusions in addition to those above. These additional exclusions can be broad or narrow depending on the type of policy or the company that has issued the insurance. Be sure to review a plan’s exclusions as specified in the policy schedule.
Of course, we suggest working with a licensed international insurance broker. There are no additional costs to use a broker. The benefit is that you get an experienced agent working to help sort through a variety of policies to find the best plan for your specific needs. Your broker will also help get your application processed promptly and resolved any issues that may come up during the year. Contact us to get a quote today.
Our Recommended Plans:
Cigna Global: Free Quote / Apply – High-Quality Plan, Great for Families and Seniors
Aetna International: Free Quote / Apply – Flexible / Ideal for Families & Individuals
GeoBlue Xplorer: Free Quote / Apply – Designed for US Citizens or Internationals Residing in the USA
Also Read:
How to Apply for Global Health Insurance
Moving abroad, far away from your home country, creates remarkable opportunities for learning and personal growth. It is because of this that many people choose to travel for longer than the average week or 14-day vacation. The opportunity to immerse oneself in a different culture, way of life and perhaps learn a different language can, however, come with challenges.
When living abroad for a period of six months, to a year or more, there are many steps that should be taken to plan and prepare a safe and heathy experience ahead of time. Properly preparing will mean you are not left scrambling, panicking or frustrated during what could be a stressful event. One of your top priorities should be a good international health insurance plan. Below are some considerations for when to apply, and what else you need to do to prepare…
Eligibility for International Medical Cover
To be eligible for global health insurance, you must be planning to reside outside of your home country on or before the effective date of your plan (with some exceptions), which is why it is important to start your research early for coverage. Most plans will require that you apply 30 to 45 days prior to the departure date. This application time is necessary for the approval process of the insuring company as well as validation of your health condition and any pre-existing conditions. Keep in mind that if you decide to apply earlier or to move the effective date to another time, you may need to provide an updated health declaration and new information from your international healthcare provider to ensure that there is no new health condition that was not included in the initial application.
Living abroad promises exciting challenges and a proper preparation ahead of time will allow for a smooth transition in your host country. With global medical health insurance, you can start your new life overseas with increased confidence and peace of mind. Our insurance experts work with multiple carriers and can assist you in finding the insurance plan that will best fit your needs.
Compare Global Health Insurance Plans
When planning to live or reside abroad for an extended period (a year or more), whether for work or leisure, start with comparing global health insurance plans. This process can begin as early as a year before your departure. Global medical health insurance is a guaranteed way to protect yourself should you require medical care and assistance.
It is best to work with a licensed international insurance broker who can walk you through the pros and cons of various plans to find the best plan for your specific needs. There are no additional costs for working with a broker, just an added level of service with an experienced professional who is looking after your needs.
Before investing in a global health insurance plan, make sure it is the right plan for you by assessing the different options available and asking the right questions, such as:
- Is 24-hour emergency assistance available?
- Will you have access to the hospital and doctor of your choice?
- Are pre-existing conditions covered?
- Are direct bill payments and cash advance available for medical costs?
Ensure your insurance plan covers both general international healthcare visits and prescription medicines. Emergency evacuation, hospitalization, and repatriation are also essential coverage benefits should a medical emergency situation arise while away. Some insurance plans will cover transportation costs to the nearest adequate medical facility or transportation to a hospital back home.
Additional coverage options for vision, dental, maternity, and extreme sports may be included in some plans or can be added to your plan for an extra premium. It is important to consider the coverage options that are right for you, based on your situation and planned activities. All plans have exclusions and it is very valuable to review and understand the various limitations of your insurance plan.
Start by Requesting a Free Quote
Some additional considerations and preparation…
Update Immunizations and Prescriptions
Schedule an appointment with your global health care provider to ensure all your routine vaccinations are up to date and to obtain a detailed health assessment. Special vaccination and preventive medication may be required in your host country.
Don’t wait too long to make an appointment as immunization sometimes require multiple shots over a period of one to six months. It is also important to share your planned activities with your doctor to benefit from relevant health recommendations and advice.
It is also recommended to have a vision and dental check-up before leaving as this is not usually covered by basic health plans and there is likely a waiting period before the coverage becomes effective. For example, dental coverage can have a three to 24 months waiting period depending on the insurance plan.
If you have any pre-existing condition requiring prescription medicine, make sure to carry double the amount of your medication should you not be able to refill your prescription at the local pharmacy. It is pertinent to carry at least two copies of your prescription containing the generic and brand name of the medication.
Remember, being informed is the key to being well prepared; consult the World Health Organization (WHO) website to inquire on the health conditions and standards of international medical care of the host country and pay special attention to health warnings.
Secure Important Documents
Ensure your passport is valid for a minimum duration of six months after your planned return date.
It is also a good idea to leave copies of important medical and travel documents with a family member or friend at home and to save electronic copies that will be accessible in the event your documents are lost or stolen. Always carry copies of your health insurance documents with you along with an emergency contact card with the coordinates of the nearest U.S. embassy or consulate.
If you will be driving abroad, it is important to update your driver’s license and apply for an International Driving Permit (IDP) ahead of time. An IDP is a valid form of identification in many countries with photo, name and driver’s license information. A valid driver’s license and two passport pictures are required for the application along with a USD 20 permit fee.
Open an International Bank Account
The first step to efficient banking outside of your home country is to let your home banking institution know where you are going and how long you will be out of the country. This will prevent you from having a hold on your cards for potential fraud, ensuring your health insurance premiums are paid on time to provide continued coverage without interruption. You should also consider using online banking and signing up for electronic bills, so you can access your payment and banking information from anywhere in the world.
You should also consider opening a foreign bank account. It is a good idea to keep your home banking account and to make online transfers to your foreign account. A transaction fee is usually applicable for each transaction; making bigger transfers less often will help you keep these fees to a minimum. Additionally, in the unfortunate event of fraud, your home account assets will be safe. You can then choose which bank your health insurance premiums are deducted from, possibly lowering your overall costs by eliminating bank charges and exchange rate fluctuations.
In addition to the above-mentioned planning steps, the following few banking tips will make exchange rate fees manageable while outside of the country:
- Choose a credit card with no foreign transaction fee.
- Only use ATM at a major bank.
- Avoid changing money at the airport.
- Always pick the local currency for credit card purchases.
Plan Ahead When Applying for International Health Insurance
The best advice we can offer is to start early and be prepared when applying for your global health insurance. Start researching your international health plans today.
If you need assistance choosing a global medical insurance company, our expert and licensed international insurance agents are available to walk you through the process, explain the differences among providers and help you apply. Contact us today for a free quote.
Start by Requesting Quotes for On of our Recommended International Health Insurance Plans
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 Cover
- Fortune 100 company with more than 800,000 members
- Access to Annual Health Exams & Medications
- Coverage for Covid-19, Ask about 20% Discount in May and June
Advice for Cover in Specific Countries
- Chinese Health Insurance for Foreigners Living in China
- Health Insurance in Thailand
- Medical Insurance in Mexico
- Health Insurance for Foreigners in Canada
- American Health Insurance – Coverage in the United States
- Medical Insurance for Internationals in France
- UK Global Medical Health Insurance Plans
- US Dept. of State Advice on Global Health Insurance
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
