Expat Health Insurance Comparison

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, you can simply opt for an international insurance broker or consult one of our broker partners. They can help you get a better idea of the pros and cons of the insurance plans you may be interested in.

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)

ProviderCignaWilliam RussellAllianz CareNow HealthIMG Global
Summary of benefits and coverageFlexible plan choicesHigh-level coverage with superb customer serviceFlexible plan choices with high-level coverage optionsHigh annual limitsBudget plans with a high increase in case of usage
PlanSilverBronzeCare PlusEssentialBronze
Pricing typeCommunity ratedCommunity ratedCommunity ratedCommunity ratedCommunity 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 optionsWorldwide 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 feePaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
Hospital expensePaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
Ancillary fees up to $1,500 per condition
Paid in full
Cancer treatment
(In- and outpatient)
Paid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
MRT, CT, and PET scans$5,000Paid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full$600 per examination
Physiotherapy
(inpatient-related)
$2,500$1,000Paid in full5 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 fullPaid in fullPaid in full$50,000
Maternity coverageNot covered
(optional in Gold and Platinum plans)
Complications cover includedComplications cover includedComplications cover includedNot covered
Outpatient treatmentNot covered
(except cancer)
Pre- and post-hospitalization treatments includedPre- and post-hospitalization treatments includedUp to $2,000 for pre- and post-hospitalization treatments includedNot 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 optionsNil / $375 / $750 / $1,500 / $3,000 / $7,500 / $10,000Nil / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000Nil / $ 610 / $1,015 / $2,025 / $4,050 / $8,100 / $13,500Nil / $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 optionsNil / 10% / 20% / 30%
up to an out-of-pocket maximum
N / AN / AN / A (under Essential)N / A
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Extended Plans (Including Limited Outpatient Treatments)

ProviderNow HealthMorgan PriceWilliam RussellBDAEIMG Europe
Summary of benefits and coverageLow price, regional options, and affordable pricingRegional options with comprehensive benefit alternativesHigh level coverage with superb customer serviceGreat price/value options for most countriesAffordable alternative, especially when choosing the Excess plan
PlanSimple Care 100Standard PlusSilver LiteInfinity – ClassicSilver
PricingCommunity ratedCommunity ratedCommunity ratedCommunity 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$1,500,000Unlimited$5,000,000
(lifetime limit)
Area of coverage optionsAfrica
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 roomStandard private RoomStandard private RoomStandard 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 feePaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
Hospital expensePaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
Cancer treatment
(In- and outpatient)
Paid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
MRT, CT, and PET scansPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
(Outpatient $600)
Physiotherapy
(Inpatient)
Paid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
Worldwide medical assistance including evacuation and repatriation$100,000Paid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
Repatriation €10,000
$50,000
Maternity coverageNot 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$2,500optional
$5,000
$7,500
$10,000
€15,00025 visits max
$70 for doctors and specialist visits
(further sub-limits apply)
Annual routine
check-ups
Not cover
(no option)
$100Not covered
(no option)
Cancer screening coveredNot covered
(no option)
Physiotherapy
(Outpatient)
$60 per visit$500$250Paid in full
(up to the OP limit)
$40 per session
(30 sessions max)
Complementary therapies (such as chiropractic or acupuncture)$60 per visit$500Not covered
(no option)
Paid in full
(up to the OP limit)
Not covered
(no option)
Dental treatmentsNot covered
(no option)
Not covered
(no option)
Not covered
(no option)
check-up / cleaning / routine treatments paid in full
Deductible / Excess optionsNil / $150 / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000 / $15,000Nil / $100 / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $7,500 / $10,000annual: Nil / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000Nil / €250 / €500 / €1,000Nil / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000
Co-payment or Co-insurance optionsN / ANil / 10% / 20%
(Outpatient only)
per claim: Nil / $50 / $100 / $800 / $1,600N / AN / A
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Comprehensive Plans (Including Outpatient, Routine Check-ups, Dental / Vision & Maternity)

ProviderPassport CardWilliam RussellCignaIntegraGlobalFoyer
SpecialsGlobal in- and outpatient direct payment through unique membership card
High level of coverage with superb customer service
High level coverage with superb customer serviceFlexible plan structureGreat price / value options for many countries
includes Accidental Death and disability cover
Not lifetime — only up to age 75
Unlimited cover
PlanPremiumGoldPlatinum (including all riders)Premier Life
Premier Family (incl. maternity)
Exclusive
PricingCommunity ratedCommunity ratedCommunity ratedCommunity ratedCommunity 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 optionsSouth 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 roomPrivate RoomPrivate Room
Semi-private room (optional for Zone 1&2)
Private roomPrivate roomPrivate room
or
Semi-private Room
Surgery feePaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
Hospital expensePaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
Cancer treatment
(In- and outpatient)
Paid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
MRT, CT, and PET scansPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
Physiotherapy
(Inpatient)
Paid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in full
Worldwide medical Assistance including evacuation and repatriationPaid in fullPaid in fullOptional
Paid in full
(important: its not included under any standard Cigna plan like it is for any other international provider)
Paid in rullPaid 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 treatmentPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullPaid in fullUnlimited
Annual routine
check-ups
€1,000
(Vaccine add. €500)
$550Optional
$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€5,000Routine 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 optionsNil / €1,000 / €2,500 / €5,000
(Inpatient only)
Annual: Nil / $250 / $500 / $1,000 / $2,500 / $5,000 / $10,000Nil / $375 / $750 / $1,500 / $3,000 / $7,500 / $10,000Nil / $100 / $200 / $500 / $1,000 / 5,000Nil / €250 / €500 / €1,000
(Outpatient only)
Co-share
Co-payment or Co-insurance options
N / APer claim: Nil / $50 / $100 / $800 / $1,60010% / 20% / 30%
Up to an out-of-pocket maximum
N / AN / A
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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.