Health Insurance For Expats: Best Options And Companies

Expats are people who move abroad, either temporarily or permanently. Work, nomad or retirement can cause this. All expats worldwide have health insurance, regardless of why they’re there.

Your expat health insurance needs depend on the country you moved to. Still, most expats agree that expat insurance adds security and that everyone should buy a policy that fits their needs.

Who Needs Expat Health Insurance?

If you intend to move to a new country and stay for more than three or six months, you must obtain health insurance. Some countries require health insurance for all residents, so check the health insurance laws in your host country.

What Does Expat Health Insurance Cover?

Expat health insurance covers a wide range of areas which differ on what type of plan you have and from which insurance company you purchase your policy— a basic plan will usually cover the following:

• Hospital visitations (in-patient and out-patient care).
• Doctor consultations.
• Cancer screenings.
• Medical equipment and tools.
• Child and adolescent well-being.

For more extensive coverage, including dental, vision, and maternity care, you may be required to purchase a more expensive insurance plan.

Are Pre-Existing Conditions Included?

Pre-existing conditions are typically excluded from basic expat health insurance plans. However, one advantage of global coverage is that you can customize your plan to meet your specific needs, and you can add coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Some insurance companies will also cover acute pre-existing conditions, which are medical problems that arise unexpectedly as a result of pre-existing medical issues.

Expat Health Insurance: Is It Worth It?

Expat health insurance can be expensive, and you may not even need it while abroad, so many people wonder if it’s worth it. However, the benefits outweigh the drawbacks, making expat health insurance worthwhile in the long run because:

• It offers a sense of security – Even if you may not use your health insurance while living as an expat in another country, having it will offer you a peace of mind just in case. This way you know that no matter what may happen with your health you have solid coverage.
• It allows you to receive healthcare in English – One of the biggest challenges of living as an expatriate is receiving healthcare in English, or in another language you understand, which makes it difficult to communicate with your primary care provider. With expat health insurance you can get access to doctors who can speak more than one language.
• It’s flexible – You can usually tailor your policy according to your needs, you can choose to include more coverage, or opt out of coverage for things you may not need such as maternity. This way you can save money and purchase an affordable plan which you need.

Expat Health Insurance Cost

From $200 a month to over $2,000, expat health insurance costs vary. Age, length of stay in another country, previous medical issues, insurance company, and coverage amount will all affect the price.

Location also affects expat health insurance costs. Moving to a country with more expensive healthcare means more expensive insurance. You can customize your policy to cover the world or exclude countries with expensive healthcare if you won’t visit.

How to Purchase Expat Health Insurance?

You can purchase expat health insurance online before you travel, through comparison marketplaces such as Insubuy or International Citizens Insurance which allow you to compare different plans before settling on one.

• You simply have to enter your personal information (age, family members, where you wish to be covered).
• You will see a list of plans which you can browse through. Always make sure to read the policies carefully to learn what they include.
• Select the plans you think are most befitting to your needs.
• Click on the “Compare” button. You can see the plans featured side-by-side, and you can read through them on a more detailed manner.
• You can select which way you want to pay and whether you wish to pay on a yearly, monthly, quarterly, or six-month basis.

Purchasing a health insurance plan locally

You can also wait to get to your destination country and purchase a plan with a local company. In that case, you have to approach a company directly and go through the options. Make sure to read the policy before purchasing.

However, before you buy an expat health insurance plan, double-check these:

• Do you have national health insurance? If you are eligible for national health insurance mandated by the government, you will likely want private health insurance which fills in any gaps that national insurance leaves, such as treatment in private hospitals.
• Does your employer offer health insurance? Before signing up for your employer’s health insurance plan, make sure you understand the policy. As an expat, you’ll want health insurance that covers you both at home and abroad. A pre-selected plan may provide less or more coverage than you want or need. If your employer’s plan does not meet your needs, find out if you can opt out and choose your own insurers.

Types of Expat Health Insurance

Here are some of the most common types of expat health insurance you can choose from:

• Individual plan. This type of insurance policy is designed to cover you only as a solo traveler.
• Group/family plan. You can opt for group coverage if you’re moving with your family members; this can be cheaper long-term.
• Short-term plan. A short-term policy is for you if you don’t plan on living abroad long-term.
• Long-term plan. You will need this policy if you plan on making your move longer than six months or permanent.
• Worldwide coverage. This type of policy will come in handy if you’re planning on traveling, or living in multiple countries.

For How Long Is Expat Health Insurance Valid?

Expat health insurance can be purchased for as long as necessary, but it is typically required for long-term purposes. If you plan to stay in a country for less than three to six months, you should consider purchasing short-term health insurance or travel insurance that includes comprehensive medical coverage.

How to Pick the Best Expat Health Insurance Plan?

The best expat health insurance plan for you depends on what your budget is, what your situation is, and where you plan on moving to, but below are a few tips to keep in mind when you shop for an expat insurance plan:

• Compare plans – There are hundreds of insurance policies for expats available, and choosing one can be difficult. To make the process easier, go to a comparison insurance website and compare several plans side by side to see which one best fits your needs. You can also ask your insurance broker to assist you in selecting the best plan for your needs.
• Find valid insurance companies – Find an insurance company that deals with expats and offers plans tailored to them. When choosing an insurance company, you should review their claim records, including how many insurance claims were filed and approved. This allows you to determine whether your insurance claim will be rejected and why.
• Set a deductible that fits your budget – In layman’s terms, a deductible is the amount you must pay out of pocket before being reimbursed by your insurance company. The higher your deductible, the lower your premium cost. This does not imply that you must set the highest possible deductible in order to lower your insurance costs. Consult with your budget and determine an amount that works for you.
• Find a customizable plan –  Look for an insurance plan that can be customized to meet your specific needs. For example, you can choose to exclude unnecessary coverage while including coverage for any pre-existing conditions you may have. Having the ability to customize your plan will make it easier for you to select the best expat health insurance plan.

Do US Expats Need Health Insurance?

Yes, US expats also need health insurance when moving to a new country. Insurance from the US won’t cover you outside of the country; even if it does, your company may offer a plan only for emergencies.

Best Health Insurance Companies for Expats

Some of the best companies that offer international health insurance for expats include the following:

• Allianz.
• AXA.
• Cigna Global.
• William Russell.
• Aetna.

Expat Health Insurance by Country

If you’re planning on making a new country your home, read on how to get health insurance for expats by country:

• Expat health insurance in Costa Rica.
• Expat health insurance in Spain.
• Expat health insurance in Mexico.
• Expat health insurance in Thailand.
• Countries with the best healthcare for expats.

Can Expats Qualify for Universal Healthcare?

Expatriates may qualify for universal healthcare in some countries if they meet residency requirements. Even with universal healthcare in your host country, not all medical procedures are covered, so you may buy an expat health insurance plan.

Expat health insurance is crucial if you’re moving abroad. As its name implies, expat health insurance covers medical expenses while living or traveling abroad.

Expatriate health insurance works like domestic health insurance: you buy a plan, choose coverage, and pay monthly or annual premiums. In the event of a sickness or accident, your health insurance company will cover your medical treatment, hospitalization, and medication to the agreed-upon amount.

Health Insurance Options for Expats

Depending on where you are moving, you will have the following options for obtaining health insurance:

• Pay into a national (public) health insurance scheme – If you are employed abroad, then you pay into a government health insurance scheme, and then you benefit from free or relatively inexpensive public healthcare. This type of healthcare scheme is not available in all countries.
• Purchase private health insurance from a local company – Once you arrive in your destination country, you can purchase a health insurance policy from a local company. Coverage is usually limited within the borders of that country.
• Purchase international health insurance – This type of health insurance offers coverage across several destinations (or worldwide). It is the most common type of expat health insurance, especially for people who travel or move around a lot. You can purchase an international health insurance plan at Insubuy or International Citizens Insurance. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for expats that suit the needs of both families and individuals.

National Health Insurance for Expats

If the country you are moving to has a public insurance scheme, then as a working resident, you will likely be able to use it. National health insurance only pays for treatment in public hospitals, so if you want to get treated elsewhere, you have to pay from your pocket or purchase a private health insurance scheme.

• Example: Expats who are employed in Thailand automatically pay into a public health insurance scheme through social security contributions (taxes). This allows them to go to certain public hospitals and clinics in Thailand and receive free treatment and care. But if they want treatment in one of the higher-quality private hospitals, they either have to pay out-of-pocket or invest in a private or international expat health insurance scheme.
• Remember: Not all countries offer public healthcare, so before you move, you should do your research and learn what to expect.

Private Health Insurance for Expats

Expats can purchase health insurance from a local company at any time after they relocate. Private health insurance plans provide coverage for treatment in both private and public hospitals, as well as medication, hospitalization, and surgeries. However, they have limitations in that they do not cover emergency evacuation or repatriation to your home country, as well as medical treatment abroad.

International Health Insurance for Expats

International health insurance is like regular medical insurance, but it covers medical treatment worldwide. This is why expats who travel frequently or move between countries prefer it.

Additionally, imagine working abroad in a country with a less advanced medical system than the US. You may want to be flown home for treatment in a serious emergency. Evacuation coverage is not offered by most local insurance companies. Moving abroad, US citizens must have health insurance. Since Canadian health insurance won’t cover emergencies abroad, Canadians must buy additional coverage.

Also check out this article: Travel Insurance For Expats – Coverage Options