The best international health insurance plans for expats in Laos come from Allianz, April International, Bupa, Geoblue, IMG, Cigna, NOW Health International, VUMI, HCI, and William Russell. Each company offers comprehensive, flexible  levels of coverage that cater to the varying needs of expats. 

Are you an expat looking for health insurance for your time in Laos? Are you looking for a provider who offers flexible add-ons like maternity, dental, or pre-existing condition coverage?

In this Pacific Prime article, we will introduce you to the top providers and offer detailed information on their plans, benefits, and coverage limits. By the end, you will be able to make informed decisions and choose the right insurance plan for your time abroad in Laos.

For quick comparisons, visit our free online quote comparison tool. 

Best International Health Insurance Providers for Expats in Laos 

The following are some of the best insurance providers for expats in Laos: 

• Allianz
• April International 
• Bupa Global
• Geoblue
• IMG
• HealthCare International Group
• Cigna
• NOW Health International
• VUMI
• William Russell

These providers are not listed in any particular order; rather, each offers spectacular coverage packages that allow expats to live in Laos with peace of mind. Let’s dig a little deeper into each insurer and their plan offerings.

All monetary values are presented in United States Dollars, unless otherwise stated. 

Allianz: Tiered Coverage for Expats in Laos

Allianz offers international health insurance plans—Allianz Care, Care Plus, and Care Pro—each with a wide range of coverage options and added benefits. All plans include 24/7 global support, the Expat Assistance Program (EAP), travel security services, and second medical opinion services.

Overview of Allianz’s international health insurance plans: 

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	Care	Care Plus	Care Pro
Annual benefit limit (USD)	$2,500,000	$4,000,000	$5,000,000
Worldwide coverage	Included: optional exclusion of the US; optional Africa-only coverage
Inpatient treatment	☑
Day-care treatment	☑
Pre- and post-hospitalization treatment	☑
Outpatient surgery	☑
Local ambulance	☑
Medical evacuation	☑
Emergency treatment outside area of coverage	Max. 42 days
Outpatient treatment	Optional add-on
Maternity care	Optional add-on for Care Pro and Care Plus
Dental care	Optional add-on
Medical repatriation	Optional add-on

Overall, the three core plans from Allianz offer comprehensive coverage that expats need. Still, each individual may require a different tier and range of coverage. Expats in Laos, particularly, should consider outpatient and medical repatriation riders to ensure extensive protection. 

April International: Customizable Benefits for Expats in Laos

Since 2012, April International has been a leading provider of international health insurance, offering a range of MyHealth plans with varying levels of benefits. 

The company offers tech-supported services, such as a 24/7 telehealth service and a digital platform for easy claims management and policy access. In this article, we highlight their two most popular plans among expats living in Laos: MyHealth International Essential and Premium. 

Overview of Aprils International’s health insurance plans:

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	Essential	Premium
Annual benefit limit (USD)	$1,000,000	Unlimited
Hospitalization for emergency or accident	☑
Hospitalization for chronic illnesses	☑
Hospitalization for mental disorders	☑
Medical repatriation and medical transport	☑
Cancer treatment	☑
Outpatient treatment	Optional add-on
Maternity care	Optional add-on with 12-month waiting period
Dental care	Optional add-on with six-month waiting period
Optical care	Optional add-on with six-month waiting period

April International’s plans stand out for including medical repatriation and offering generous cancer care benefits. While coverage levels vary by plan and benefit type, expats can choose from a range of options and customize their plan with add-ons to suit their individual needs and budget.

Bupa Global: Superior Health Plans for Expats in Laos

Bupa Global is recognized for offering high annual policy limits through a wide selection of international health insurance plans, including Select, Premier, Major Medical, and Elite. 

Bupa’s service comes with a digital application for managing plan details, claims, and healthcare in one place. Policyholders may also access virtual appointments with doctors regardless of time and place and can receive second medical opinions from international specialists. 

Overview of Bupa Global’s international health insurance plans:

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	Select	Premier	Elite	Major Medical
Annual benefit limit (USD)	~$1,587,100	~$2,380,600	~$4,761,300	~$3,174,200
Worldwide coverage	Included: optional exclusion of the US and Europe
Inpatient treatment	☑
Private hospital accommodations	☑
Operating room, medicines, and surgical dressings	☑
Medical evacuation	☑
Medical repatriation	☑
Cancer care	☑
Mental health	☑
Newborn care	☑
Health checks	☑			Not included
Vaccinations	☑			Not included
Rehabilitation	☑			Not included
Diagnostic tests	☑			Not included
Physiotherapy, osteotherapy and more	☑			Not included
Maternity care	Only available with Elite plan
Dental care	Available with Premier and Elite plans
Optical care	Available with Premier and Elite plans

As detailed in the table above, Bupa offers comprehensive coverage—from mental health care to physiotherapy and more—through their three premium plans: Select, Premier, and Elite. 

For expats seeking protection against major medical expenses and emergencies only, the Bupa Major Medical plan is also a practical and cost-effective alternative.

GeoBlue: Premium Coverage for American Expats in Laos

GeoBlue offers international health insurance catered specifically to American expats in Laos and beyond. They include unlimited telemedicine visits and immediate coverage of pre-existing conditions with proof of previous coverage as standard benefits for care outside the US.

Their plans—Xplorer Premier and Xplorer Essential—both provide comprehensive coverage, including various medical services at unlimited annual and lifetime maximums. The two plans, however, differ in their coverage area: 

• Xplorer Premier: Worldwide including the US 

• Xplorer Essential: Anywhere outside the US with an option to add short-term illness, accident and emergency medical coverage in the US.

Overview of GeoBlue’s international health insurance plans outside the United States:

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered Outside U.S.
	Xplorer Essential	Xplorer Premier
Lifetime maximum	Unlimited
Primary and preventive care	100%
Inpatient services	100%
Surgery expenses	100%
Diagnostic tests	100%
Ambulance service	100%
In- and outpatient mental health	100%
Prescription drugs	100%
Medical evacuation (USD)	Up to $250,000
Pre-existing conditions	Immediate coverage with proof of previous coverage

For US coverage, GeoBlue’s Xplorer Premier plan allows policyholders to receive treatment in the US, with 80% coinsurance applied.

To be eligible for GeoBlue international health insurance, applicants must meet one of the following criteria:

• Be a US citizen or permanent resident aged 74 or under, living abroad
• Be an employee of a US-based company, with the employer paying the insurance premium

IMG Global: High-Level Protection for Expats in Laos

International health insurance plans from IMG Global allow expats to choose their level and range of coverage among many plan options. The plans include Global Medical Bronze, Silver, Gold, and Platinum, which come with high maximum benefits, setting them apart from other providers.

Moreover, with added benefits like emergency medical evacuation assistance, travel and medical concierge, and 24/7 support, IMG becomes a strong choice for expats seeking reliable international coverage. 

Overview of IMG Global’s international health insurance plans:

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	Bronze	Silver	Gold	Platinum
Annual benefit limit (USD)	$1,000,000	$5,000,000	$5,000,000	$8,000,000
Worldwide coverage	Included: optional exclusion of the US, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Singapore, Taiwan
Inpatient treatment	☑
Outpatient treatment	☑
Surgeon and surgery	☑
Diagnostic tests	☑
Cancer care	☑
Local ambulance	☑
Medical evacuation	☑
Return of mortal remains	☑
Dental care	Optional add-on			☑
Vision care	Optional add-on			☑
Maternity care (USD)	N/A			$50,000 (10 or 24 months of waiting period)
Newborn care (USD)	N/A			$250,000
Political evacuation and repatriation (USD)	N/A			$10,000

Coverage varies by plan, with differences in benefit limits, deductibles, and coinsurance—giving you the flexibility to find a plan that truly fits your needs. We recommend reviewing each plan’s benefits carefully to make the best choice for your peace of mind and protection.

HealthCare International Group: Exclusive Coverage for Expats in Laos

HealthCare International Group offers a wide range of coverage options through their two core plans: Global Protector and Integra Global. 

The Global Protector plan offers five fixed coverage levels with limited add-on flexibility, while Integra Global plans are fully customizable, making them an ideal choice for expats with families seeking tailored protection.

Overview of HCI Group’s Global Protector plans:

The Global Protector plan consists of five different coverage levels: Emergency +, Standard, Plus, Premium, and Executive. They emphasize accessibility and affordability with options scaled by coverage limits ranging from $500,000 to $2,500,000 annually.

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	Emergency+	Standard	Plus	Premium	Executive
Annual benefit limit (USD)	$500,000	$1,000,000	$1,500,000	$2,000,000	$2,500,000
Inpatient care	☑	☑	☑	☑	☑
Hospice and terminal care
Cancer care
Medical evacuation
Personal accident
Vaccination	N/A
Maternity and newborn
Outpatient care		N/A
Well-being tests
Annual health checks			N/A
Home nursing
Vision care				N/A
Prescribed medical aids
Drug and alcohol abuse

Overview of HCI Group’s Integra Global plans:

The Integra Global Plan includes three core policies—InCare Life & Family, YourLife & Family, and PremierLife & Family—offering tiered levels of comprehensive coverage. 

They are designed to be fully customizable and include a wide range of expat-specific benefits—such as Expatriate Assistance, which offers support for challenges like loneliness, culture shock, stress, life transitions, and more.

 Additionally, one annual deductible can be shared by a family in the event of multiple claims.

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	InCare Life &    Incare Family	YourLife &    YourLife Family	PremierLife & PremierLife Family
Inpatient treatment	☑
Cancer care	Partially covered
Post-hospitalization prescriptions	☑
Physician fees	N/A	Partially covered	Covered
Outpatient surgery
Pregnancy and delivery
Newborn coverage
Dental plan
Eye care

Cigna Global: Top Healthcare Solutions for Expats in Laos

Cigna Global is an international health insurance provider offering coverage worldwide for expats through their three core insurance plans: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. Cigna’s Close Care plan offers coverage inside your country of residence and nationality.

Overview of Cigna Global’s international health insurance plans:

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	Silver	Gold	Platinum	Close Care
Annual benefit limit (USD)	$1,000,000	$2,000,000	Unlimited	$500,000
Worldwide coverage	Included: optional exclusion for the US			Country of residence
Inpatient treatment	☑
Outbreaks of infectious diseases	☑
Ambulance service	☑
Mental health	☑
Cancer care	☑
Newborn care	☑			N/A
Maternity care	N/A	☑		N/A
Outpatient care	Optional add-on			N/A
Evacuation coverage	Optional add-on			N/A
Vision and dental care	Optional add-on
Health and well-being	Optional add-on

With a variety of options for core plans and extra riders, expats can tailor their selected one to best suit their budget and personal needs. 

NOW Health International: Flexible Health Plans for Expats in Laos

As an award-winning insurer, NOW Health International aims to provide benefit-rich healthcare solutions for expats worldwide through their two core international insurance plans: SimpleCare and WorldCare. 

The SimpleCare plan comes with three tiered options and helps expats save on premiums by excluding elective coverage in the US. The WorldCare plan, on the other hand, provides more comprehensive coverage with higher annual benefit limits for expats that prefer greater peace of mind. 

All of NOW Health’s plans are fully digital, offering convenient management through a smartphone app and a virtual membership card.

Overview of Now Health’s SimpleCare plans:

The SimpleCare plans offer affordable options for cost-conscious expats who don’t want to compromise on quality. 

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	Core	100	200
Annual benefit limit (USD)	$1,000,000	$1,500,000	$1,500,000
Inpatient care	☑
Outpatient surgery	☑
Cancer care	☑
Organ transplant	☑
Medical evacuation	☑
Medical repatriation	☑
Rehabilitation	☑
Outpatient consultation and specialist fees	N/A	☑
Maintenance of chronic conditions	N/A	☑
Routine dental treatment	N/A		☑

Overview of Now Health’s WorldCare plans:

NOW Health’s WorldCare plans are more comprehensive than their SimpleCare plans, with an option for elective coverage within the US.  

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	Essential	Advance	Excel	Apex
Annual benefit limit (USD)	$3,000,000	$3,500,000	$4,000,000	$4,500,000
Inpatient care	☑
Outpatient surgery	☑
Outpatient consultation and specialist fees	☑
Cancer care	☑
Organ transplant	☑
Medical evacuation	☑
Medical repatriation	☑
Pregnancy medical conditions	☑
Routine dental treatment	Optional add-on		☑
Routine maternity care	N/A			☑
USA elective treatment	Optional add-on
Wellness, Optical, and Vaccinations	Optional add-on

VUMI: Innovative Health Insurance for Expats in Laos

Through its core Global Flex VIP plan, VUMI helps expats get the healthcare coverage they need while living abroad. The plan comes with five levels of benefits, ranging from $3,000,000 to $5,000,000. 

In addition, VUMI offers competitive advantages, including 24/7 multilingual support, a second medical opinion service, patient concierge services, and access to the best hospitals and doctors around the world. 

Overview of VUMI’s international health insurance plans:

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	Basic	Standard	Superior	Ultra	Total
Annual benefit limit (USD)	$3,000,000	$3,500,000	$4,000,000	$4,500,000	$5,000,000
Worldwide coverage	Included: optional exclusion for geographical area including USA, Africa, Asia, and Indian sub-continent
Inpatient treatment	☑
Outpatient treatment	☑
Psychiatric treatment	☑
Diagnostic tests	☑
Organ transplant	☑
Cancer care	☑
Medical evacuation	☑
Emergency dental treatment	☑
Maternity and birth complications	☑ (Subject to a 12-month waiting period)
HIV/AIDS	☑ (Subject to a 36-month waiting period)

Overall, Global Flex VIP Basic offers comprehensive coverage, including medical evacuation, inpatient treatment, and outpatient care such as surgery, GP and specialist consultations, and prescription medication.

For those seeking more extensive protection, higher-tier plans like Ultra and Total offer more well-rounded benefits—including routine dental and maternity care, with the Total plan even covering fertility treatment and refractive eye surgery.

William Russell: Premium Health Coverage for Expats in Laos

Designed to meet the healthcare needs of expats, international health insurance plans from William Russell offer varying levels of benefits across four core options: Bronze, SilverLite, Silver, and Gold.  

The plans include a dedicated contact at William Russell to assist you with your policy, a 24/7 medical emergency line, and a travel safety app. 

Overview of William Russell’s international health insurance plans:

Benefit Type	Coverage Offered
	Bronze	SilverLite	Silver	Gold
Annual benefit limit (USD)	$1,500,000	$1,500,000	$2,500,000	$5,000,000
Inpatient treatment	☑
Outpatient treatment	☑
Surgery expenses	☑
Local ambulance	☑
Cancer care	☑
Medical evacuation	☑
Repatriation of mortal remains	☑
Diagnostic tests	☑
HIV/AIDS	☑ (Subject to 24-month waiting period)
Pregnancy complications	☑
Routine maternity care	N/A	Optional add-on		☑
Routine dental care	N/A	Optional add-on		☑
Mental health treatment	☑	N/A	☑
Wellness and vaccinations	N/A		☑

Note that, due to their cost-effective design, Bronze and SilverLite plans have more limited outpatient benefits. Bronze covers outpatient treatment following your discharge from the hospital, while SilverLite gives a small amount of cover for doctor visits and everyday medical costs.

For full outpatient coverage, expats may opt for the Silver and Gold plan where primary medical care is covered in full. 

Understanding the Healthcare System in Laos 

Healthcare in Laos is delivered through both public and private systems. Quality varies widely across regions, with urban centers offering better services, while rural and remote areas often face shortages in medical resources. Private insurance is generally preferred for access to the best care.

While there are social security schemes for both public and private employees, access to healthcare remains limited for some. Efforts are ongoing to improve healthcare quality and expand coverage nationwide.

Public vs. Private Healthcare in Laos

While the public system in Laos is considered highly affordable for expats, many rely on private healthcare: it is more developed with modern equipment, better-trained staff, and more English-speaking doctors. 

The public healthcare system in Laos is composed of state hospitals and health centers, aiming to provide basic medical services at low costs. Despite its affordability, the quality often falls short due to limited resources, outdated equipment, and a shortage of trained medical staff.

For this reason, the private sector is gradually growing to respond to the gaps in the public system. However, the cost can be considered pricier when compared to public care. For expats, international health insurance is highly recommended.  

Why Expats in Laos Need International Health Insurance

While private healthcare in Laos offers higher quality services, expats are advised to secure international health insurance with medical evacuation and repatriation coverage. This is because medical facilities in Laos may still be insufficient for treating serious or complex medical conditions.

In such cases, expats are often referred to neighboring countries with more advanced medical systems, such as Thailand or Singapore.

International health insurance ensures access to the best possible care when needed while also offering peace of mind and financial protection, no matter where life takes you.

Health Insurance Costs for Expats in Laos

The cost of international health insurance for expats in Laos varies based on factors such as coverage level, insurance provider, age, medical history, and optional add-ons like dental or maternity care.

Basic plans typically start at around $100 per month, while comprehensive plans can reach $500 per month or more. For cost-conscious expats, deductible and copayment options are a great way to lower your premium. Family plans with three members or more also often come with discounts. 

Secure Peace of Mind in Laos with Pacific Prime

Navigating healthcare in Laos can be especially difficult for expats. While private facilities offer higher-quality care, serious medical conditions may require medical repatriation to your home country or nearby medical hubs like Thailand or Singapore.

That’s why having comprehensive international health insurance is essential. It ensures you’re covered globally and financially protected in case of unexpected medical events.

With 25 years of experience, Pacific Prime helps expats around the world find the right international health insurance solutions for themselves and their families, making life abroad safer, simpler, and worry-free.

Contact us today for a free quote comparison and expert, unbiased advice. 

For expats exploring other parts of Asia, check out our detailed comparisons of health insurance plans in Nepal and the best coverage options in Macau.

Frequently Asked Questions

How do I choose the right international health insurance plan in Laos?

To choose the right international health insurance plan in Laos, evaluate your healthcare needs, budget, and desired coverage areas. Compare plans carefully, considering benefits, exclusions, and provider networks. Using a broker can help you navigate options and find the best fit objectively.

How do insurance providers handle pre-existing conditions?

Insurance providers typically handle pre-existing conditions by assessing your medical history during underwriting. Providers may exclude coverage pre-existing conditions altogether, apply waiting periods, charge higher premiums, or offer limited coverage. 

What factors influence health insurance premiums for expats in Laos?

Health insurance premiums for expats in Laos depend on factors like age, coverage level, plan type, medical history, lifestyle, deductible amounts, and optional add-ons such as dental or maternity care. Regional healthcare costs and the insurer’s pricing policies can also influence the premiums.