If you are an expat looking to buy an insurance plan, there are many insurance providers that cater specifically to foreigners like you. But before you decide on a plan or provider, there are four important factors you need to consider:
- Type of plan: Most, if not all, insurance providers offer at least three to five types of plans, starting with a basic plan that only provides coverage for major medical/hospitalization services to a high-level plan with comprehensive coverage that includes routine health check-ups, maternity, and a generally better outpatient coverage. Some providers may even offer a “worry-free” plan that comes with unlimited hospitalization and outpatient services coverage.
- Exclusion: Exclusions are general policy terms that all insurers impose, and these can vary widely from insurer to insurer. It’s always worth reading the exclusions in the policy before making a decision. Note that even the highest premium plans have exclusions.
- Area of coverage: If you only need coverage within a certain region such as, for example, South East Asia or Africa, then it’s worth checking out plans specifically created for these particular regions because they are usually cheaper than plans that offer worldwide (excluding the U.S.) coverage. Note that most plans include worldwide emergency cover (including the U.S.) for temporary trips outside of one’s area of coverage.
- Pricing: When choosing a plan, you should consider community rating, a pricing system for health insurance that enables everyone to purchase the same product at the same price and renew the policy. Community rating is beneficial for consumers because they can be assured that their age, location, and other individual details won’t impact the product’s price and terms. On the other hand, if both community rating and performance rating apply to the plan’s price, it means that the rates will be based on your personal claims history too.
Here are a few companies that offer good health insurance options for expats.
- Cigna Global – is one of the most popular expat insurance providers out there. They offer a variety of plans, from basic (Silver) to comprehensive (Gold) to worry-free plans (Platinum).
- GeoBlue – is known for its coverage plans in the U.S. and is usually recommended for expats who need health coverage in the U.S. The company provides considerable access to the U.S. healthcare network.
- Vumi – is a good alternative to GeoBlue for U.S.-based expats, as it has the same features and coverage as GeoBlue.
- IMG Global – is a U.S.-based insurance provider that offers affordable plans.
- IMG Europe – offers some of the most affordable health insurance plans, but which can be upgraded to higher tier plans. If you never get a serious medical condition or if you only occasionally get sick, then the premiums you will be paying will stay the same within your particular age group when you obtained the insurance plan.
- Now Health – these plans are quite comprehensive and come with high annual limits. Now Health has two product lines to offer, SimpleCare and WorldCare. SimpleCare is a budget plan with limited hospital access within the covered region. On the other hand, WorldCare is more comprehensive, has a worldwide coverage, and comes with several options: basic hospitalization coverage (Essential); including outpatient services included (Advance); including dental services (Excel); and a high premium plan that includes maternity coverage (Apex).
- William Russell – offers several types of health insurance plans: basic hospitalization plan (Bronze Lite & Bronze), mid-level plan (Silver Lite), comprehensive plan (Silver), and an all-around plan (Gold).
- BDAE – this Germany-based insurance provider offers affordable plans. All of its plans are offered in five specific regions and provide coverage only in certain zones within the insured person’s country of residence and the zones outlined below. For that reason, the plans’ prices are relatively lower compared to similar plans that include coverage in other countries.
- Morgan Price – is an insurance provider based in the UK that offers great regional options.
You have several options when choosing the right plan. If you are still uncertain about which insurance option to choose, you can check out Cigna Global. They offer a comprehensive insurance plan that can be tailored to suit your specific requirements.
Alternatively, getting expat health insurance through a broker is smarter than going straight to an insurance company. Brokers give unbiased advice based on your needs, not a company’s sales goals. They compare plans across companies – something you will never get from an insurance company. Brokers also explain the fine print and help you avoid surprises like hidden exclusions. Plus, they know from experience which insurance companies are easy to deal with and which ones are a hassle. If you have issues with a claim, a good broker will fight for you. We recommend Tenzing Pacific as a broker – check out our full review of them or contact Tenzing directly to see how they can help.
Self-Comparison
If you want to compare plans yourself, you can refer to the comparison table of different insurance providers below. We categorized plans into four categories:
You can compare prominent providers’ offerings for each category.
Since rates can vary widely across countries/areas of coverage, the quotation examples provided below are from the country or zone (excluding the U.S.) with the lowest and highest rates, and are also based on the lowest available annual deductible/excess.
Please note that insurance plans and coverage are always subject to change. So make sure to check with the insurance company or broker before purchasing any plan.
Don’t have time to compare plans right now? No worries! Enter your email below, and we’ll send you the PDF version of our expat health insurance comparison. You can review and compare plans at your convenience.
Basic Plans (Major Medical/Hospitalization)
| Provider | Cigna | William Russell | Allianz Care | Now Health | IMG Global |
| Summary of benefits and coverage | Flexible plan choices | High-level coverage with superb customer service | Flexible plan choices with high-level coverage options | High annual limits | Budget plans with a high increase in case of usage |
| Plan | Silver | Bronze | Care Plus | Essential | Bronze |
| Pricing type | Community rated | Community rated | Community rated | Community rated | Community and performance rated |
| 30 – 39 | $1,481 – $3,909 | $968 – $3,102 | $1,300 – $3,454 | $1,128 – $3,010 | $1,208 – $1,838 |
| 40 – 49 | $1,890 – $5,283 | $1,136 – $5,053 | $1,596 – $4,537 | $1,351 – $4,138 | $1,516 – $2,256 |
| 50 – 59 | $2,518 – $6,927 | $1,979 – $8,423 | $2,177 – $7,376 | $1,857 – $6,406 | $1,693 – $2,504 |
| Annual limit | $1,000,000 | $1,500,000 | $1,518,750 | $3,000,000 | $1,000,000 (lifetime limit) |
| Area of coverage options | Worldwide excl. the US or Worldwide incl. the US | Africa Worldwide excl. high cost countries Worldwide excl. the US or incl. restricted cover | Worldwide excl. the US or Worldwide incl. the US | Africa Worldwide excl. the US Worldwide incl. the US | Worldwide excl. the US / CA / Hong Kong / China / Singapore / Taiwan / Japan Worldwide incl. the US |
| Hospital room | Semi-private room | Private room Semi-private room (optional for zone 1&2) | Private room | Semi- or private room | Semi-private room |
| Surgery fee | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| Hospital expense | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Ancillary fees up to $1,500 per condition | Paid in full |
| Cancer treatment (In- and outpatient) | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| MRT, CT, and PET scans | $5,000 | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | $600 per examination |
| Physiotherapy (inpatient-related) | $2,500 | $1,000 | Paid in full | 5 visits within 30 days after hospitalization | $40 per session |
Worldwide medical assistance including evacuation and repatriation | Additional option; not included in the basic plan (incurs additional cost) | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | $50,000 |
| Maternity coverage | Not covered (optional in Gold and Platinum plans) | Complications cover included | Complications cover included | Complications cover included | Not covered |
| Outpatient treatment | Not covered (except cancer) | Pre- and post-hospitalization treatments included | Pre- and post-hospitalization treatments included | Up to $2,000 for pre- and post-hospitalization treatments included | Not covered (pre- and post-hospitalization covered only up to $500) |
| Annual routine check-ups | Not covered (optional) | Not covered (no option) | Not covered (no option) | Not covered (no option) | Not covered (no option) |
| Deductible / Excess options | Nil / $375 / $750 / $1,500 / $3,000 / $7,500 / $10,000 | Nil / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000 | Nil / $ 610 / $1,015 / $2,025 / $4,050 / $8,100 / $13,500 | Nil / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000 / $15,000 | $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000 (Nil, no option) |
| Co-payment or co-insurance options | Nil / 10% / 20% / 30% up to an out-of-pocket maximum | N / A | N / A | N / A (under Essential) | N / A |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Extended Plans (Including Limited Outpatient Treatments)
| Provider | Now Health | Morgan Price | William Russell | BDAE | IMG Europe |
| Summary of benefits and coverage | Low price, regional options, and affordable pricing | Regional options with comprehensive benefit alternatives | High level coverage with superb customer service | Great price/value options for most countries | Affordable alternative, especially when choosing the Excess plan |
| Plan | Simple Care 100 | Standard Plus | Silver Lite | Infinity – Classic | Silver |
| Pricing | Community rated | Community rated | Community rated | Community rated Rates are based on covered zones (5 zones available) Price differences among zones are significant and can cause rates to increase when the insured moves to another country | Community and performance rated Rates are based on the area of coverage and the claims history |
| 30 – 39 | $989 – $2,738 | $1,022 – $2,392 | $919 – $2,680 | €1,188 – €2,832 | $1,339 – $2,719 |
| 40 – 49 | $1,186 – $3,765 | $1,329 – $3,315 | $1,078 – $3,965 | €1,476 – €3,456 | $1,814 – $3,545 |
| 50 – 59 | $1,630 – $5,828 | $1,928 – $6,582 | $1,648 – $6,343 | €1,812 – €4,332 | $2,348 – $4,838 |
| Annual limit | $1,500,000 | $750,000 | $1,500,000 | Unlimited | $5,000,000 (lifetime limit) |
| Area of coverage options | Africa South East Asia Europe Worldwide excl. US | Africa Europe Worldwide excl. US / China / Hong Kong / Singapore Worldwide excl. US Worldwide incl. US | Africa Worldwide excluding high cost countries Worldwide excl. US or incl. restricted cover in the US | within the selected zone (covers also the zones below) | Europe worldwide excl. US / CA / Hong Kong / China / Singapore / Taiwan / Japan worldwide incl. US |
| Hospital room | Standard private Room | Standard private Room | Standard private Room Semi-private room (optional for zone 2-4) | Semi-private room Private room | Private Room up to $600 per day max 240 days |
| Surgery fee | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| Hospital expense | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| Cancer treatment (In- and outpatient) | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| MRT, CT, and PET scans | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full (Outpatient $600) |
| Physiotherapy (Inpatient) | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| Worldwide medical assistance including evacuation and repatriation | $100,000 | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full Repatriation €10,000 | $50,000 |
| Maternity coverage | Not covered (no option) | Not covered (no option) | Not covered (no option) Complications $10,000 | Not covered (no option) | Not covered (no option) |
| Outpatient treatment | $1,000 | $2,500 | optional $5,000 $7,500 $10,000 | €15,000 | 25 visits max $70 for doctors and specialist visits (further sub-limits apply) |
| Annual routine check-ups | Not cover (no option) | $100 | Not covered (no option) | Cancer screening covered | Not covered (no option) |
| Physiotherapy (Outpatient) | $60 per visit | $500 | $250 | Paid in full (up to the OP limit) | $40 per session (30 sessions max) |
| Complementary therapies (such as chiropractic or acupuncture) | $60 per visit | $500 | Not covered (no option) | Paid in full (up to the OP limit) | Not covered (no option) |
| Dental treatments | Not covered (no option) | Not covered (no option) | Not covered (no option) | check-up / cleaning / routine treatments paid in full | |
| Deductible / Excess options | Nil / $150 / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000 / $15,000 | Nil / $100 / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $7,500 / $10,000 | annual: Nil / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000 | Nil / €250 / €500 / €1,000 | Nil / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000 |
| Co-payment or Co-insurance options | N / A | Nil / 10% / 20% (Outpatient only) | per claim: Nil / $50 / $100 / $800 / $1,600 | N / A | N / A |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
Comprehensive Plans (Including Outpatient, Routine Check-ups, Dental / Vision & Maternity)
| Provider | Passport Card | William Russell | Cigna | IntegraGlobal | Foyer |
| Specials | Global in- and outpatient direct payment through unique membership card High level of coverage with superb customer service | High level coverage with superb customer service | Flexible plan structure | Great price / value options for many countries includes Accidental Death and disability cover Not lifetime — only up to age 75 | Unlimited cover |
| Plan | Premium | Gold | Platinum (including all riders) | Premier Life Premier Family (incl. maternity) | Exclusive |
| Pricing | Community rated | Community rated | Community rated | Community rated | Community rated |
| 30 – 39 | €2,616 – €5,880 | $2,227 – $12,482 | $5,559 – $16,026 | $3,439 – $10,755 | €2,724 – €7,380 |
| 40 – 49 | €3,552 – €7,164 | $2,587 – $18,382 | $6,579- $20,306 | $4,990 – $9,743 | €3,120 – €9,254 |
| 50 – 59 | €5,220 – €12,084 | $3,949 – $29,341 | $8,344 – $25,616 | $8,700 – $22,711 | €3,806 – €14,853 |
| Annual limit | €5,000,000 | $5,000,000 | $30,000,000 | $2,000,000 (lifetime limit $3,000,000) | Unlimited |
| Area of coverage options | South East Asia / Asia (excl. high cost) Europe Central / South America Worldwide incl. US | Africa Worldwide excl. high cost countries Worldwide excl. US or incl. restricted cover in the US | Worldwide excl. US Worldwide incl. US | Worldwide excl. US / CA Worldwide incl. US / CA | Worldwide excl. US Worldwide incl. US |
| Hospital room | Private Room | Private Room Semi-private room (optional for Zone 1&2) | Private room | Private room | Private room or Semi-private Room |
| Surgery fee | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| Hospital expense | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| Cancer treatment (In- and outpatient) | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| MRT, CT, and PET scans | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| Physiotherapy (Inpatient) | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full |
| Worldwide medical Assistance including evacuation and repatriation | Paid in full | Paid in full | Optional Paid in full (important: its not included under any standard Cigna plan like it is for any other international provider) | Paid in rull | Paid in full |
| Maternity coverage | €25,000 Complications paid in full | $15,000 Complications paid in full | $14,000 Complications $28,000 | Optional family plan $20,000 Complications $30,000 | €20,000 Complications paid in full |
| Outpatient treatment | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Paid in full | Unlimited |
| Annual routine check-ups | €1,000 (Vaccine add. €500) | $550 | Optional $600 | $750 | €500 |
| Physiotherapy (Outpatient) | Paid in full (12 Sessions) | Paid in full (10 Sessions) | Paid in full | $75 per session (50 Sessions max) | Paid in full |
| Complementary therapies (such as chiropractic or acupuncture) | Paid in full (12 Sessions) | Paid in full (10 Sessions) | Paid in full (30 Sessions) | $1,500 | €5,000 |
| Dental treatments | €5,000 | Routine incl. $1,000 Complex optional up to $2,000 (20% Copay) | Optional $5,500 | Routine incl. $1,500 Complex optional up to $3,000 (10% & 40% co-pay + $50 excess) | Routine paid in full Complex up to €5,000 |
| Deductible / Excess options | Nil / €1,000 / €2,500 / €5,000 (Inpatient only) | Annual: Nil / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000 | Nil / $375 / $750 / $1,500 / $3,000 / $7,500 / $10,000 | Nil / $100 / $200 / $500 / $1,000 / 5,000 | Nil / €250 / €500 / €1,000 (Outpatient only) |
| Co-share Co-payment or Co-insurance options | N / A | Per claim: Nil / $50 / $100 / $800 / $1,600 | 10% / 20% / 30% Up to an out-of-pocket maximum | N / A | N / A |
| Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote | Get Quote |
International Insurance Plans with U.S. Coverage
Any of the above options and other international medical insurance plans can be purchased with elective coverage (including U.S. coverage), although most plans provide emergency coverage if the insured is traveling to the U.S. temporarily, such as for a vacation or business trip.
However, there are a few plans that have particular advantages over others, and these are plans mostly from American-based providers that know the needs of U.S. citizens living abroad:
- Cigna: Elective U.S. coverage for U.S. citizens is considerably cheap, but it provides only three months coverage in the U.S. while living abroad. For any other nationalities, their U.S. coverage is as expensive as most other providers’.
- IMG: They offer worldwide coverage with additional co-pay depending on the hospital.
- Within U.S. PPO Network = no co-pay
- Outside US PPO Network = 20% co-pay for the first $5,000 cost; nil copay afterwards
- VUMI: There is no additional copay or deductibles for U.S. elective cover, but the overall annual limit for the U.S. is $3,000,000
- GeoBlue: This is good for U.S. citizens, in general.
Plan Explanation
Let’s take a look at the following terms in detail.
Annual Limit
Annual limit is the total maximum amount that an insurance provider will pay you in a particular year. Generally speaking, the higher the limit, the better.
Note that the annual limit can also depend on the country you are living in. If you are living in a country like Thailand or Indonesia, an annual limit of $1,000,000 is usually enough. If you are living in a developed country, you may need a higher limit than that.
Area of Coverage
Area of coverage refers to the country or countries where you will be covered by your health insurance provider. Normally, expat insurance comes with worldwide coverage, excluding the United States.
Most insurance providers have an option to provide coverage in the United States, but the premium will be significantly increased.
Hospital Room
If you are hospitalized, your insurance provider should pay for the hospital room in full.
Note that some providers may pay only for a semi-private room, while some providers may not pay for premium hospitals in certain countries.
Surgery Fees
If you need to have surgery, your insurance should cover the cost in full. Please note that some plans may not pay for the surgeon’s assistant fee.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, you might need to take a COVID-19 test before the surgery. Some plans might not cover the cost of testing.
Hospital Expenses
Hospital expenses refer to general expenses, such as nursing fees, medications, and so on.
Some insurance providers may also cover costs for food and drinks while you are hospitalized.
ICU
ICU coverage usually includes both regular intensive care units and cardiac intensive care units.
Cancer Treatment
Cancer treatment coverage may not include preventative surgery. However, if a doctor recommends surgery because the cancer is early-stage, then the treatment will be covered under the cancer treatment benefit unless it is a preexisting condition.
Parental Accommodation
Some insurance providers may give an additional daily budget if your parents stay with you while you are hospitalized.
MRT, CT, and PET Scans
If you get hospitalized, all basic plans should cover the costs of MRI, CT scans, PET scans, and medical imaging, including X-rays.
On the other hand, basic plans might not cover outpatient treatment costs.
Physiotherapy
If physiotherapy is deemed necessary, your insurance may pay for it.
Home Nursing
If you need home nursing, the insurance company may also pay for it. The company usually imposes a limit on how much they pay per day. And they may have a cap of 30 visits per year, on average.
Medical Evacuation
Expat insurance basic plans usually come with domestic medical evacuation. If you need international medical evacuation, a basic plan may provide coverage.
Newborn Care
Your insurance company may pay for the cost of baby delivery and maternity-related expenses. Every company sets its own terms regarding maternity-related expenses, so it’s best to read the policy details.
Newborn care usually has a waiting period of 10 to 12 months.
Outpatient Treatment
Outpatient treatment is usually not covered in basic plans unless it’s for follow-up treatments after hospitalization.
If you upgrade your plan to include outpatient treatment coverage, insurance companies usually have a separate limit on how much you can claim per visit and how many times you will have coverage per year.
Deductible
A deductible refers to the decreases or deductions in your insurance premiums. Simply put, it’s the amount of money you need to pay out of pocket first, before the insurance company pays later on.
Every insurance provider has their own rules on deductibles.
With some providers, deductibles are only paid for inpatient treatments. With other providers, you may need to pay a deductible whenever you visit a hospital outside of their network.
Co-payment
Co-payment refers to the percentage you need to pay out of pocket when you make a claim.
For example, if your plan has a 10% co-pay and you are making a claim for a total of $10,000, you will pay have to pay $1,000 yourself and the insurance company will pay for the rest ($9,000).
Which Health Insurance Plan Should You Get?
If you’ve gotten this far and you’re still not sure which insurance plan to get (or you feel overwhelmed by all the info), we recommend you try Cigna Global.
Being one of the largest expat health insurance providers in the world, Cigna Global has suitable health insurance plans no matter where you live. In addition, its plans are more flexible than those of other insurance companies. This means you can customize your health insurance plan to suit your budget and needs.
Additionally, Cigna Global is also cost effective for those who need coverage while in the U.S. However, an alternative option for those who need U.S. coverage is GeoBlue. And if you need a comprehensive plan with unlimited coverage, you can check out Foyer or William Russell.
If you’re on a tight budget, look into IMG Global or Now Health. But read their policies carefully to understand what you’re really getting. For example, IMG Global comes with lifetime coverage limits instead of annual coverage limits, which means you could run out of coverage if you need extensive care. Now Health, on the other hand, comes with limited hospital access.
If you’re over 60 years old, your options are more limited. But a good plan is Cigna Close Care. It’s a newer budget plan from Cigna Global and cheaper than standard plans. Despite the lower cost, it still comes with the basic coverage you’d expect from a health insurance provider.
The main disadvantage is that you’re only covered in the country you’re currently living in, with limited emergency coverage for trips back home.