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Cigna Global, GeoBlue, William Russell, and IMG offer some of the best global health insurance plans for expatriates, providing comprehensive benefits such as inpatient, outpatient, emergency care, and worldwide coverage. Depending on your age, location, and chosen plan, monthly premiums can start as low as $58 with William Russell, $69 with Cigna, $90 with IMG, and $412 with GeoBlue.
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For a 30-year-old female living in Thailand for over a year, these providers deliver reliable international coverage with flexible plan tiers, high benefit limits, and extensive medical networks. The right choice depends on your coverage priorities, budget, and country of residence, but these four insurers consistently rank among the top options for expats worldwide.
Are you going to be living overseas soon and need to compare the best medical coverage insurers to find the right plan for you? Do you want to compare the best plans as easily as possible?
This Pacific Prime blog post will not only save you time, it can also help you get the best deal on your health insurance. We will compare 4 of the top insurers all in the same place, and we’ll teach you some things to pay attention to while comparing insurance plans.
You won’t want to miss our other page dedicated to how to compare health and travel insurance plans or our list of the top 10 best international health insurance providers.
Disclaimer: All monetary values in this article are in USD.
Compare 4 Leading Global Health Insurance Providers
Cigna Global, GeoBlue, William Russell, and IMG are four of the very best international health insurance providers. They each offer multiple tiers of coverage to choose from, high-quality and reliable coverage, and worldwide protection so you are insured no matter where you travel.
The bulk of this article will do a deep-dive comparison of the plans offered by these four top-tier providers. We will analyze their benefits, cost options, and plan differences. By the time you are done with this page, you’ll be ready to get obligation-free quotes from these insurers for your country of residence.
Overview of the 4 Global Health Insurance Companies
1. Cigna Global
This highly-rated international insurer covers expats in over 200 markets and territories around the world. Cigna partners with over 1.5 million healthcare professionals and provides coverage in over 50 languages. This massive enterprise has over 200 years of experience.
A.M. Best Rating: A
You can read Cigna’s Individual plans brochures here.
2. GeoBlue
GeoBlue is a stalwart insurance company offering coverage in over 180 countries and territories. They partner with over 1.7 million providers, and they offer 24/7 telemedicine support for their members.
GeoBlue is particularly significant for U.S. citizens, because their plans offer unique, comprehensive benefits at an affordable price for coverage in the United States and other countries, simultaneously.
A.M. Best Rating: A-
You can compare William Russell’s 4 Expat Health Plans here.
3. William Russell
William Russell has provided health, life, and income protection for expatriates across 160 countries for over 30 years. They partner with a network of over 40,000 hospitals where they provide a diverse set of insurance products.
A.M. Best Rating: A+
You can read Cigna’s Individual plans brochures here.
4. IMG
Since 1990, IMG Global has insured expatriates, individuals, families, groups, and companies. IMG’s products include health, travel, and travel medical insurance plans. Customizable worldwide coverage and quality member support are hallmarks of IMG insurance.
A.M. Best Rating: A
You can read IMG’s Global Medical Insurance Plans brochure here.
Summary of Global Health Plan Tiers and Premiums
The following chart gives an overview of the tiers of coverage, monthly premiums, annual plan limits, and more for the international health insurance plans offered by Cigna, GeoBlue, William Russell, and IMG.
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Health Plans Overview | ||||
| Insurer Details | Cigna | GeoBlue | William Russell | IMG |
| Tiers of Coverage | Close Care, Silver, Gold, Platinum | Xplorer Essential and Xplorer Premier | Bronze, SilverLite, Silver, Gold | Bronze, Silver, Gold, Platinum |
| Monthly Premium Estimate | $69 | $412 | $58 | $90 |
| Plan Annual Maximum | $500,000 – Unlimited | $1,000,000 – Unlimited | $1,500,000 – $5,000,000 | $1,000,000 – $8,000,000 |
| Eligibility Requirements | All ages available | A U.S. citizen or permanent resident of the U.S., and under the age of 75 | Under the age of 76 | Persons aged 14 days – 74 years |
| Coverage Area | Worldwide Excluding USA or Worldwide Including USA | Worldwide, including the U.S. | 6 Coverage Zones to choose from | Worldwide, or Worldwide excluding certain countries |
| Home Country Coverage for U.S. Citizens | Up to 6 months/year | Up to 9 months/year | 90 days/year | 6 months/year |
| Home Country Coverage for Non-U.S. Citizens | Up to 6 months/year | 12 months/year | 12 months/year | 12 months/year |
| Doctor and Hospital Networks | 2.2 Million medical partnerships worldwide | 1.7 Million medical providers within the U.S.; Providers in over 190 countries | Over 40,000 hospitals worldwide | 45,000 Physicians and facilities worldwide |
Global Inpatient and Hospitalization Coverage Comparison
The following charts compare the various inpatient and hospitalization benefits offered by these 4 top expat insurance providers.
Disclaimer: For this and all forward sections, the GeoBlue benefits we present are according to the coverage available outside of the U.S. Insurance benefits are different when medical care is received within the U.S.
Cigna Inpatient Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Inpatient Benefits | |
| Inpatient Care | Cigna Benefits |
| Hospitalization/ER | Private Room |
| Intensive Care | Paid in Full |
| Cancer Care | Paid in Full |
| Hospital Accommodation for a Parent/Guardian | $1,000 – Paid in Full |
| Inpatient Cash Benefit | $100 – $200/night |
| Inpatient Medications | Paid in Full |
| Inpatient Mental Health | $5,000 up to 30 days, $10,000 up to 60 days, or Paid in Full up to 90 days |
GeoBlue Inpatient Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Inpatient Benefits | |
| Inpatient Care | GeoBlue Benefits |
| Hospitalization/ER | Paid in Full |
| Intensive Care | Paid in Full |
| Cancer Care | Included |
| Hospital Accommodation for a Parent/Guardian | N/A |
| Inpatient Cash Benefit | N/A |
| Inpatient Medications | Paid in Full |
| Inpatient Mental Health | Paid in Full |
William Russell Inpatient Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Inpatient Benefits | |
| Inpatient Care | William Russell Benefits |
| Hospitalization/ER | Semi-Private room – Private room |
| Intensive Care | Paid in Full |
| Cancer Care | Paid in Full |
| Hospital Accommodation for a Parent/Guardian | Paid in Full |
| Inpatient Cash Benefit | $150 – $350/night (max of 60 nights) |
| Inpatient Medications | Paid in Full |
| Inpatient Mental Health | Lifetime limit of $50,000 – $100,000
Up to 30 days in hospital – Up to Lifetime Limit |
IMG Inpatient Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Inpatient Benefits | |
| Inpatient Care | IMG Benefits |
| Hospitalization/ER | Paid in Full |
| Intensive Care | Paid in Full |
| Cancer Care | Paid in Full |
| Hospital Accommodation for a Parent/Guardian | See inpatient cash benefit |
| Inpatient Cash Benefit | $400/night, $4,000 maximum |
| Inpatient Medications | Paid in Full |
| Inpatient Mental Health | N/A |
Outpatient and Preventive Care Benefits Across Providers
The following charts compare and contrast the outpatient benefits for expatriates who are insured by Cigna, GeoBlue, William Rusell, and IMG. Benefits compared include doctor visits, prescription medications, wellness checks, outpatient mental health, home nursing, and more.
Cigna Outpatient Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Outpatient Benefits | |
| Outpatient Care | Cigna Benefits |
| Doctor Visits/GP Visits | $2,500 – Paid in Full |
| Prescription Medications | $1,500 – Paid in Full |
| Wellness Checks | $325 – $2,000 |
| Outpatient Mental Health | $5,000 up to 30 days, $10,000 up to 60 days, or Paid in Full up to 90 days |
| Home Nursing | $2,500 up to 30 days – Paid in Full up to 120 days |
| Vaccinations | $250 – Paid in Full |
| Physical Therapy / Recovery | $5,000 up to 30 days – Paid in Full up to 90 days |
GeoBlue Outpatient Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Outpatient Benefits | |
| Outpatient Care | GeoBlue Benefits |
| Doctor Visits/GP Visits | Paid in Full, $10 copay |
| Prescription Medications | Paid in Full, up to $2,500/year |
| Wellness Checks | Paid in Full |
| Outpatient Mental Health | Paid in Full, no deductible, $10 copay |
| Home Nursing | Paid in Full |
| Vaccinations | Paid in Full |
| Physical Therapy / Recovery | Paid in Full |
William Russell Outpatient Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Outpatient Benefits | |
| Outpatient Care | William Russell Benefits |
| Doctor Visits/GP Visits | Post-hospital treatment only – $1,500 – Paid in Full |
| Prescription Medications | Up to $500 for mental health medications with a 20% coinsurance |
| Wellness Checks | Up to $400 (Silver plan) – Up to $1,200 (Gold plan) |
| Outpatient Mental Health | Up to 10 consultations |
| Home Nursing | Up to $5,000 – Up to $15,000 |
| Vaccinations | Up to $300 (Silver plan) – Up to $500 (Gold plan) |
| Physical Therapy / Recovery | Up to $1,000 – Paid in Full |
IMG Outpatient Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Outpatient Benefits | |
| Outpatient Care | IMG Benefits |
| Doctor Visits/GP Visits | $500 – Paid in Full |
| Prescription Medications | $600/event – Paid in Full |
| Wellness Checks | $250 – $500 (available only for Gold and Platinum plans) |
| Outpatient Mental Health | $10,000 – $50,000 (available only for Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans) |
| Home Nursing | $150/day, max 30 days – Paid in Full |
| Vaccinations | $250 lifetime maximum (for healthy travel) |
| Physical Therapy / Recovery | Paid in Full ($50 max per visit may apply) |
Emergency Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Benefits
This section details the emergency medical evacuation and repatriation benefits offered by Cigna Global, GeoBlue, William Russell, and IMG. Expats would also like to compare the accidental death payout, local ambulance coverage, compassionate visit benefit, and travel expenses for a companion.
Cigna Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Emergency Benefits | |
| Emergency Benefits | Cigna Benefits |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Paid in Full |
| Emergency Repatriation of Mortal Remains | Paid in Full |
| Accidental Death Paid to Beneficiary | N/A |
| Local Ambulance | Paid in Full |
| Compassionate Visit – Travel Costs | $1,200 |
| Travel Expenses of a Companion | Paid in Full |
GeoBlue Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Emergency Benefits | |
| Emergency Benefits | GeoBlue Benefits |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Up to $250,000 |
| Emergency Repatriation of Mortal Remains | Up to $25,000 |
| Accidental Death Paid to Beneficiary | $50,000 |
| Local Ambulance | Paid in Full |
| Compassionate Visit – Travel Costs | N/A |
| Travel Expenses of a Companion | N/A |
William Russell Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Emergency Benefits | |
| Emergency Benefits | William Russell Benefits |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | Paid in Full |
| Emergency Repatriation of Mortal Remains | Up to $5,000 – Paid in Full |
| Accidental Death Paid to Beneficiary | $15,000 (Gold plan) |
| Local Ambulance | Up to $1,600 – Paid in Full |
| Compassionate Visit – Travel Costs | Lifetime limit of one claim |
| Travel Expenses of a Companion | Paid in Full |
IMG Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Benefits
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Emergency Benefits | |
| Emergency Benefits | IMG Benefits |
| Emergency Medical Evacuation | $50,000 – Up to lifetime maximum |
| Emergency Repatriation of Mortal Remains | $25,000 – $50,000 |
| Accidental Death Paid to Beneficiary | $5,000 – $75,000 |
| Local Ambulance | Up to $1,500 – Paid in Full |
| Compassionate Visit – Travel Costs | $10,000 lifetime maximum, max 15 days |
| Travel Expenses of a Companion | Same as a Compassionate Visit |
Maternity and Newborn Coverage Comparison
The following chart details the maternity and newborn benefits offered to global citizens who choose to be insured by Cigna, GeoBlue, William Russell, and IMG. Compare maximum maternity limits, waiting periods, newborn care, congenital disorders, and coverage for complications of childbirth.
Read more about pregnancy and newborn insurance for expatriates here.
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Maternity Care | ||||
| Maternity Care | Cigna | GeoBlue | William Russell | IMG |
| Maternity Care | $7,000 – $14,000 | $25,000 | $5,000 – $18,000 | $50,000 Lifetime maximum |
| Waiting Period for Maternity Care | 12 months | 364 days | 12 months | 10 – 24 months |
| Plans that Include Maternity Care | Gold, Platinum | Apply for an optional maternity plan after the waiting period | SilverLite, Silver, Gold | Platinum |
| Newborn Care | $25,000 – $156,000 | Covered | Included in Maternity Care | $250,000 max |
| Congenital Disorders | $5,000 – $50,000 | – | $10,000 – $100,000 | Included in Newborn Care |
| Complications of Childbirth | $14,000 – $28,000 | Covered | $20,000 – Paid in Full | – |
Vision and Dental Insurance Benefits Overview
Compare the benefits for eye tests, contacts/lenses, routine dental examinations, dental accidents, emergency dental care, major dental treatments, and orthodontics from Cigna, GeoBlue, William Russell, and IMG.
You can read more about dental international insurance for expats here.
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Vision and Dental | ||||
| Vision and Dental Care | Cigna | GeoBlue | William Russell | IMG |
| Vision Eye Tests | $100 – Paid in Full | Optional Add-on | $200 (for business plans only) | $100 (Platinum plan; Vision Rider Available) |
| Contacts/ Glasses Expenses | $155 – $310 | Optional Add-on | Covered by Vision Eye Tests | $150 (Platinum plan) |
| Routine Dental Checks | 80% Refund – Paid in Full (3 months waiting period) | Optional Add-on | $500 with 20% coinsurance – $1,500 | $100 – $750 (Dental Rider Available) |
| Accidental Dental | $1,000 | $1,000 | $500 (Silver plan) – $1,000 (Gold plan) | $500 – $750 |
| Emergency Dental | Paid in Full as Inpatient Care | – | $5,000 – Paid in Full | $1,000 – Paid in Full |
| Major Restorative | 70% Refund – Paid in Full (12 months waiting period) | N/A | $1,500 with 20% coinsurance – $2,000 with 20% coinsurance | 50% |
| Orthodontics | 40% Refund – 50% Refund (18 months waiting period) | N/A | N/A | N/A |
Pre-Existing Medical Condition Coverage by Provider
Some international health insurance providers will cover pre-existing medical conditions. GeoBlue will provide immediate coverage with proof of prior health insurance. IMG also provides coverage for the acute onset of pre-existing conditions. William Russell does not cover existing medical issues.
Read more about pre-existing medical conditions coverage for expats here.
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Pre-Existing Conditions | |
| Insurer | Pre-Existing Conditions Benefits |
| Cigna | Pre-existing conditions may be approved, pending the results of underwriting. Exclusions may apply. |
| GeoBlue | Immediate coverage for pre-existing conditions with proof of prior health insurance.
Medical conditions that have received medical advice, diagnosis, care, or treatment within 180 days prior to a member’s eligibility for health coverage are not covered. This clause can be eliminated with proof of prior health insurance coverage for this condition. |
| Wiliam Russell | Pre-existing conditions are not covered, but having one does not disqualify you from a William Russell health insurance plan |
| IMG | Pre-existing conditions are covered by IMG.
The acute onset of pre-existing conditions receive coverage in the Plus and Platinum travel medical plans, and in the Lite plan when outside of the U.S. |
Deductible and Copay Choices for Global Plans
Analyze the various deductible and copay options available for worldwide nomads from Cigna, GeoBlue, William Russell, and IMG.
Cigna Deductible Options
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: Cigna’s Deductibles | |||
| Cigna Pricing Options | Deductibles | Cost Share Options | Out-of-Pocket Maximum |
| International Medical Insurance | $0 | 0% | $2,000 |
| $375 | 10% | $5,000 | |
| $750 | 20% | ||
| $1,500 | 30% | ||
| $3,000 | |||
| $7,500 | |||
| $10,000 | |||
| International Outpatient | $0 | 0% | $3,000 |
| $150 | 10% | ||
| $500 | 20% | ||
| $1,000 | 30% | ||
| $1,500 | |||
This chart is taken from this Cigna plan brochure.
GeoBlue Deductible Options
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: GeoBlue Deductibles | ||||
| Plan Name | Deductibles | Coinsurance Maximum | ||
| Outside U.S. | U.S. In Network | U.S. Out of Network | ||
| Xplorer Premier | ||||
| Elite | $0 | $0 | $1,000 | $2,000 |
| 1,000 | $500 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 |
| 2,000 | $1,000 | $2,000 | $4,000 | $8,000 |
| 5,000 | $2,500 | $5,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| 10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 | $10,000 |
| Xplorer Essential | ||||
| Elite | $0 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 1,000 | $1,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 2,500 | $2,500 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 5,000 | $5,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
| 10,000 | $10,000 | N/A | N/A | N/A |
This chart is taken from this GeoBlue plan brochure.
William Russell Deductible Options
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: William Russell Deductibles | |
| Insurer | Deductible Options |
| William Russell Deductible Options | $0 |
| $50 | |
| $100 | |
| $250 | |
| $500 | |
| $1,000 | |
| $1,600 | |
| $2,500 | |
| $5,000 | |
| $10,000 | |
IMG Deductible Options
| Compare Top Global Health Plans: IMG Deductibles | |
| Insurer | Deductible Options |
| IMG Deductible Options | $250 |
| $500 | |
| $1,000 | |
| $2,500 | |
| $5,000 | |
| $10,000 | |
Key Factors When Comparing Global Health Insurance
When comparing your expat health insurance plans, be sure to pay careful attention to the:
- Length of Coverage Periods
- Differences Between Coverage Levels
- Core Benefits Included
- What Customers Are Saying
- Local Needs of Your Country of Residence
We have a detailed article about how to compare international insurance you’ll want to use as a guide for this.
How to Choose the Right Global Health Insurance Plan
When experts are trying to choose the right global medical insurance plan for their international travels, they should determine the coverage they need, determine their budget, compare plans side by side, and consider getting insurance through a broker.
Step 1: Determine the Coverage You Need
It’s important for expats to create a list of the coverage benefits that are your absolute priorities before beginning to research plans. This way you will know exactly what you need and can focus your search on plans that include all of your essential needs.
Step 2: Determine Your Budget
You’ll also want to take the time to decide how much money you can afford on a monthly or yearly premium, a yearly deductible, and possible additional copays or coinsurance fees.
Along these lines, you’ll also want to consider your expected medical costs, how much of those you can pay on your own, and thus how large of an annual maximum limit you’ll need to be able to afford all your other expenses.
Step 3: Compare Plans with a Quote Generator
Insurance providers only display their own plans and prices on their websites, not their competitors. A third-party broker like Pacific Prime, however, can display hundreds of insurance plans from numerous insurance providers all on the same page.
Comparing plans side by side makes the analysis process so much easier! Check out our insurance quote generator which has over 50,000 insurance plans keyed into it.
Step 4: Consider Getting Insurance Through a Broker
Benefits that come from using a broker to get your international health insurance include:
- Saving money on your insurance
- Getting more options of plans to choose from
- Having an experienced, knowledgeable expert broker as your adviser
- Receiving help submitting claims after your plan has begun
- And so much more!
Find out why expats prefer to use a broker when securing their international insurance!
Best Tools to Compare Global Health Insurance Plans
The number one resource for expats and travelers to use when comparing international insurance plans is Pacific Prime’s obligation-free insurance quote generator. This comparison tool grants you access to compare over 50,000 insurance plans side by side!
All you have to do is take the link and plug in your country of coverage, age, length of coverage required, gender, and coverage type needed. After that, you can scan our table to review thousands of plans, their benefits, deductibles, annual limits, and premiums all in one place.
The value of this free resource cannot be overstated. Check it out today!
Frequently Asked Questions
How do coverage options differ across global health insurance plans?
Coverage varies by the types of medical services included, such as emergency care, chronic condition management, prescription drugs, and preventative services. Some plans may exclude dental, vision, or maternity care.
What affects the cost of global health insurance?
The cost of global health insurance is determined by factors like age, country of residence, scope of coverage, pre-existing conditions, and optional add-ons like mental health support or specialized treatments.
Conclusion
We’ve now done a deep dive comparison of the benefits offered by 4 of the very best international health insurance providers for expats.
We encourage you to also read our article Trip Cancellation Insurance – Must-Have Protection.
To begin exploring quotes from these top providers, use our obligation-free, health insurance quote generator. You can also contact an insurance broker from Pacific Prime to talk to someone directly.
Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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