International Health Insurance

International Health Insurance: Coverage Abroad

Expats and digital nomads often lose their existing insurance coverage when going abroad. This makes international health insurance critical to expats’ and digital nomads’ peace of mind and healthcare access abroad.

Expats and digital nomads may also find international health insurance a crucial part of their residence permit application process or as they transition to the local health insurance system of the destination country.

Pacific Prime offers impartial and obligation-free insurance advice that is tailored to each expat’s or digital nomad’s needs and budgets. Whether you’re making an international move or looking for a new chapter in life with your loved ones abroad, let us assist you.

Our Recommended International Health Insurance Plans

The best international health insurance plans are customizable. This means you can choose and tailor the plans to suit your own and your loved ones’ unique health needs.

How Much Does International Health Insurance Cost?

Costs of international health insurance vary according to the plan level, insurance provider, and your geographic location.

Rank	Country	Individual Plan (USD)	Country	Family Plan (USD)
1	United States	15,296	United States	34,152
2	Hong Kong	8,339	Hong Kong	23,558
3	Singapore	6,855	Singapore	19,879
4	Israel	6,317	China	19,188
5	China	5,915	Thailand	18,027
6	Dubai	5,896	Dubai	17,670
7	Bahrain	5,801	Israel	17,530
8	UK	5,770	Bahrain	16,006
9	Oman	5,727	UK	15,936
10	Taiwan, China	5,710	Taiwan, China	15,891

*These figures are taken from Pacific Prime’s Cost of Health Insurance Guide. Note: Other factors like age, health status, coverage limits, added benefits, the geographical scope of coverage, and deductible amount can affect the actual premiums.

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Benefits of International Health Insurance

International health insurance can provide comprehensive health coverage for all your medical concerns abroad, including inpatient, outpatient, emergency care, medical evacuation coverage, and more.

Depending on your selected plan, your benefits may include:

Inpatient (hospitalization, surgery fees, inpatient expenses, etc.)
Outpatient (GP visits, specialist visits, outpatient diagnostics, etc.)
Medical evacuation and repatriation
Prescription drugs
Maternity care

Preventive care (routine checkups and vaccinations)
Mental health
Dental care
Vision care
Rehabilitation
Chronic condition management

On top of your medical expenses, top international insurance plans will also offer additional services to make your hospital visits easier, such as:

Direct billing
Worldwide coverage, including your home country
24-hour emergency assistance
Lifetime renewable policies
Flexibility in choosing providers

The key to getting the benefits you truly need is to carefully compare plans for what they offer and the price you have to pay. Pay attention to exclusions, benefits schedules, and terms and conditions. Some benefits may require additional riders or a tailored plan.

Dental, maternity, and pre-existing condition coverage are some of the benefits that might require you to purchase additional add-ons. Our insurance advisors can assist you in customizing your plan and benefits to suit your needs.

Some of these benefits may also have waiting periods, which means you may not get your coverage from day one. Depending on the provider, waiting periods range from 6 months to 2 years.

Pacific Prime advisors can help you compare plans, their waiting periods, and fine print to find the best plan for your needs.

Who Does International Health Insurance Cover?

International health insurance can cover individuals, families, and groups. Different policies with ranging benefits and premiums are available for these specific categories.

Individuals

Individual expats and global travelers alike can purchase international health insurance policies for themselves as they journey abroad. These plans can vary in coverage from basic inpatient coverage to more premium plans with benefits like dental and vision.

Specific individuals benefit greatly from these plans, like students or business professionals who travel frequently for work.

Families

Families living abroad can purchase a policy to cover all their loved ones. Plans are available to cover all family members, from the elderly to the young.

Groups

Group international health insurance is designed for organizations looking to provide insurance benefits to a group of individuals, whether they be employees or members. Coverage for these plans ranges across providers.

Group insurance policies often use cost-sharing arrangements between employers and employees, which helps distribute the financial burden of health insurance premiums.

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Is International Health Insurance Required as an Expat?

International health insurance is not required for expats but it is strongly recommended. Domestic plans from your home country will not cover you during your time in a foreign country. International health plans allow expats access to private doctors and hospitals. Your global insurance provider should have a close relationship with the best hospitals globally and connect you with the best medical facilities during your time abroad.

Some countries may require international health insurance coverage as an entry or visa requirement. International health insurance plans can grant you coverage for these requirements, preventing you from having to search for coverage from a local provider. This can be especially helpful for expats who may not be familiar with the country’s language yet.

Comparing International Health Insurance Providers

You can compare international health insurance providers to find the best plan for you. Pacific Prime is partnered with the top international medical insurance providers, and our experts are ready to help you compare their plans and benefits to find a policy that works best for you.

We will discuss plan details on some of our top insurers.

Bupa Global

Bupa Global offers customizable plans and guaranteed lifetime renewal on their policies. Key benefits of their plans are:

Cigna

Cigna has Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans with different levels of coverage and limits. These three plans share key benefits:

Allianz

Allianz offers a variety of plans with different levels of coverage and prices. The key benefits shared across their plans include:

AXA

AXA Global offers five categories of coverage with their Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus plans. Some examples of shared coverage by all AXA insurance plans include:

NOW Health International

NOW Health International provides SimpleCare and WorldCare plans with different levels of coverage and premiums. The shared benefits across the plans are:

Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions

Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions offers an Xplorer health insurance plan that comes in Essential or Premier. These plans were created for expats traveling from the United States for business, leisure, or study trips. Expats can choose plans that include the United States in their coverage or not.

If you’re interested in comparing more plans, check out our quote comparison tool here.

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Applying for International Health Insurance

You can apply for a plan by completing an online application and sending your insurance provider or broker any necessary documents. It is important that you research the eligibility requirements for the plan, as they vary across policies.

The Underwriting Process and Expat Healthcare Plans

Medical underwriting is a process insurance companies use to determine your health status and is required when applying to an international plan. This process helps the company decide whether they can offer you coverage and within what limits.

When you apply for international health insurance, you may be required to fill out a detailed health questionnaire. This will gather information on your medical history that will be used during the underwriting process.

The underwriting process takes around 3 – 5 business days but may take longer if there are special circumstances. All family members will need to supply their medical history if you are applying for a family international plan.

Eligibility Requirements for International Health Insurance

A common eligibility requirement for international health insurance is living in a foreign country for at least three months of the year. Some other things that can affect your eligibility are where you currently live, your age, and your medical history, including any pre-existing conditions.

Some plans will not allow anyone over the age of 74 to apply for new plans, but not every provider has this requirement. As always, you can contact a trusted insurance broker with any questions on plan age requirements.

Pre-existing Conditions

Pre-existing conditions can affect your eligibility for some plans, but solutions are still available. Some of these solutions include selecting a plan with a pre-existing condition exclusion, a moratorium, or coverage with loading.

Exclusion: Choosing a plan with an exclusion means the insurer won’t reimburse the policyholder for medical bills related to the pre-existing condition.
Moratorium: In this scenario, the insurance company provides health coverage but excludes pre-existing conditions. Instead, there is a waiting period, typically around 24 months, during which the company assesses the pre-existing condition before deciding on coverage.
Coverage with loading: Some insurance companies may offer coverage for pre-existing conditions but at higher premiums. Not all pre-existing conditions qualify for this type of coverage, and not all insurance providers offer this option.

Why Choose an International Health Insurance Broker to Help You Secure a Plan?

Insurance brokers can help you find a plan that works best for you by comparing quotes from a long list of providers and policies. Brokers do not work for one specific insurance company, allowing them to give you unbiased advice over what plan would work best for you.

They can help you compare the pros and cons of each plan and provider and tailor-make a plan suited to your needs. Working with a broker does not cost you extra, as they are paid by the insurance companies instead of by the customer.

Pacific Prime has developed long-standing relationships with several major health insurers, allowing for reduced rates compared to directly dealing with the insurer. Reach out to our team of insurance experts today with any questions you may have, or begin comparing plans directly by using our free tool.

Frequently Asked Questions

How does travel insurance differ from international health insurance?

Travel insurance was created for short-term travel, such as vacations, while international health insurance was created for long-term travel. Travel insurance usually covers basic emergency medical treatment, and international health insurance covers a more comprehensive list of medical benefits.

Will Medicare cover me outside the U.S.?

Medicare does not cover anyone outside the U.S. or its territories. Unless you purchase an international health insurance plan, you will be unprotected during your time abroad. This means you must pay any medical bills you acquire in full.

What is the best international health insurance

The best international health insurance plan will offer inpatient coverage, emergency coverage, 24-hour help, and any other premium benefits you may need. Contact an insurance expert today to find the best international health insurance for your specific needs.

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