Best Health Insurance Companies for Expats

Written and researched by Michael Kays (Travel Insurance Expert) | Fact Checked by Danya Kristen (Insurance Agent).

If you’re an expat, finding the right health insurance can be a challenge. There are a lot of factors to consider, and it can be hard to know where to start. That’s why we’ve put together a list of the best health insurance companies for expats. We’ve considered factors like coverage, cost, and customer service to help you find the right provider for your needs.

Introduction: Why You Need Expat Health Insurance

If you live abroad, you’re probably aware that medical care outside your home country can be very expensive. The good news: there are some excellent health insurance companies that cover international travel, many of which are specifically designed for expats. This guide will help you find the best one for you.

Recommended Plans

✅ Atlas America

Up to $2,000,000 of Overall Maximum Coverage, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Medical coverage for eligible expenses related to COVID-19, Trip Interruption & Travel Delay.

✅ Safe Travels Comprehensive

Coverage for in-patient and out-patient medical accidents up to $1 Million, Coverage of acute episodes of pre-existing conditions, Coverage from 5 days to 364 days (about 12 months).

✅ Patriot America Platinum

Up to $8,000,000 limits, Emergency Medical Evacuation, Coinsurance for treatment received in the U.S. (100% within PPO Network), Acute Onset of Pre-Existing Conditions covered.

The 10 Best Health Insurance Companies for Expats

There are a lot of health insurance companies out there that offer different levels of coverage for expats. It can be difficult to know which one is the best for you and your family. Here is a list of the 10 best health insurance companies for expats:

1. Cigna Global Health Insurance

Cigna is a leading global health insurance company with over 30 years of experience. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Their plans are designed to meet the needs of expats living in countries all over the world.

2. Aetna International Health Insurance

Aetna is a leading provider of international health insurance plans. They have over 150 years of experience and offer a wide range of plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Their plans are designed to meet the needs of expats living in countries all over the world.

3. GeoBlue International Health Insurance

GeoBlue is a leading provider of international health insurance plans. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Their plans are designed to meet the needs of expats living in countries all over the world.

4. Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Health Insurance

Blue Cross Blue Shield is a leading provider of international health insurance plans. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Their plans are designed to meet the needs of expats living in countries all over the world.

5. UnitedHealthcare Global Health Insurance

UnitedHealthcare is a leading provider of international health insurance plans. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Their plans are designed to meet the needs of expats living in countries all over the world.

6. Allianz Global Health Insurance

Allianz is a leading provider of international health insurance plans. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Their plans are designed to meet the needs of expats living in countries all over the world.

7. AXA Global Health Insurance

AXA is a leading provider of international health insurance plans. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Their plans are designed to meet the needs of expats living in countries all over the world.

8. MetLife Global Health Insurance

MetLife is a leading provider of international health insurance plans. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Their plans are designed to meet the needs of expats living in countries all over the world.

9. The Standard Global Health Insurance

The Standard is a leading provider of international health insurance plans. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for individuals, families, and businesses. Their plans are designed to meet the needs of expats living in countries all over the world.

10. Travelers All-World Selection Plus

Travelers is a leading provider of international health insurance plans. They offer a comprehensive range of plans for individuals, families, and businesses.

How to Choose the Right Expat Health Insurance Company for You

It is no secret that expats face a number of challenges when it comes to accessing healthcare. In some cases, out-of-pocket expenses can become astronomical. If you’re like most expats, you want the best possible solution to your healthcare needs.

When it comes to choosing an expat health insurance company, there are a few things you need to take into account. The most important factor is of course the quality of the coverage, but you also need to consider the company’s financial stability, customer service record and the expat community’s feedback.

Here are a few tips on how to choose the right expat health insurance company for you:

1. Make sure the company is financially stable

This is probably the most important factor to consider when choosing an expat health insurance company. You need to make sure that the company you’re signing up with is financially stable and will be able to pay out your claims in the event that you need to make use of your policy.

There are a few ways to research a company’s financial stability. One is to check their rating with Standard & Poor’s or another similar rating agency. Another is to see if they’re a member of the International Association of Insurance Supervisors (IAIS).

2. Check the company’s customer service record

It’s also important to consider the company’s customer service record. This is something you can research by reading online reviews and talking to other expats who have used the company’s services.

3. Consider the company’s coverage

Of course, you also need to make sure that the company you’re choosing offers the coverage you need. This will vary depending on your individual circumstances, but some things to consider include whether the company covers pre-existing conditions, what the deductible is and what the maximum benefit payout is.

4. Get quotes from multiple companies

Once you’ve considered all of the above factors, it’s time to start getting quotes from different companies. Make sure to compare the coverage and prices of each policy before making a decision.

5. Ask for recommendations

Finally, don’t forget to ask for recommendations from friends, family or other expats who have experience with expat health insurance. They may be able to point you in the right direction and help you find the best company for your needs.

The Benefits of Expat Health Insurance

There are a number of benefits to having expat health insurance. Perhaps the most obvious benefit is that it can provide you with access to quality healthcare in a foreign country. If you are living and working in a country with a less developed healthcare system, or if you are simply travelling to a country where medical care is not as readily available, having expat health insurance can give you peace of mind knowing that you will be able to get the treatment you need if something should happen.

Another benefit of expat health insurance is that it can help to cover the cost of evacuation in the event that you need to be transported to another country for medical treatment. This can be an important consideration, particularly if you are travelling to a remote or dangerous location.

Finally, expat health insurance can also provide you with financial protection in the event that you are unable to work due to illness or injury. If you are the breadwinner in your family, this protection can be vital in ensuring that your family is taken care of financially if you are unable to work.

The Drawbacks of Expat Health Insurance

There are a number of potential drawbacks to expat health insurance. One is that it can be expensive, particularly if you are living and working in a country with high medical costs.

This is especially true if you are not covered by a government health plan or your employer does not provide health insurance. Another potential drawback is that you may not be covered for all the medical care you need while living abroad.

For example, you may not be covered for emergency evacuation or for treatment in your home country if you become seriously ill or injured while abroad. Additionally, your coverage may be limited if you have a pre-existing medical condition.

Finally, you may not be able to obtain health insurance at all if you have a criminal record or are HIV-positive.

How to Get the Most Out of Your Expat Health Insurance

If you are planning to move abroad, it is important to understand your health insurance options. While your home country’s health insurance may cover you while you are abroad, it is often limited. For this reason, many people choose to purchase expat health insurance.

There are a few things to keep in mind when choosing an expat health insurance policy. First, you need to make sure that the policy covers you for the country you are moving to. Some policies only cover you in specific countries, so be sure to check the details.

Second, you need to make sure that the policy covers you for the type of health care you need. For example, if you are moving to a country with high-quality medical care, you may not need as much coverage as someone who is moving to a country with less developed medical care.

Third, you need to make sure that the policy covers you for the length of time you need it. Some policies only cover you for a year, while others may cover you for multiple years.

Finally, you need to make sure that the policy covers you for the deductible you are comfortable with. A higher deductible means you will have to pay more out of pocket if you need to use your health insurance, but it also means you will have lower monthly premiums.

When you are looking for an expat health insurance policy, be sure to compare different policies and companies. There are a number of websites that allow you to compare different policies side-by-side.

Once you have found a policy that you are happy with, be sure to read the fine print. You want to make sure that you understand all of the terms and conditions before you agree to anything.

If you have any questions, be sure to contact the company directly. They should be able to answer any questions you have about the policy.

By following these tips, you can be sure that you are getting the most out of your expat health insurance policy.

The Different Types of Expat Health Insurance

There are four main types of health insurance for expats:

1. Local health insurance:

This is health insurance that is provided by the government of the country where you are living. It will usually cover you for basic medical needs, but may not cover you for more expensive treatments or for repatriation back to your home country.

2. International health insurance:

This is health insurance that is provided by a private company and which covers you for medical treatment anywhere in the world. It is usually more expensive than local health insurance, but it will give you a greater level of cover.

3. Employer-provided health insurance:

If you are working for a company that has offices in multiple countries, they may provide you with health insurance that covers you for medical treatment in all of those countries.

4. Travel insurance:

This is health insurance that is designed specifically for people who are travelling. It will usually cover you for emergency medical treatment and for repatriation back to your home country.

How Much Does Expatriate Health Insurance Cost?

The cost of expatriate health insurance can vary greatly depending on the country you are living in, your age, the type of coverage you need, and the length of time you need coverage.

In general, the monthly cost of an expatriate health insurance policy is higher than the cost of a domestic health insurance policy. This is because expatriate health insurance policies are designed to cover a wider range of risks, including medical evacuation and repatriation.

There are a few ways to estimate the cost of an expatriate health insurance policy. One way is to use the World Health Organization’s International Health Insurance Database.

This database provides average monthly premiums for a range of different countries. Another way to estimate the cost of an expatriate health insurance policy is to contact a few different insurance companies and request quotes.

In general, the cost of an expatriate health insurance policy will be higher if you are older, if you need comprehensive coverage, or if you need coverage for a longer period of time. However, there are a number of ways to reduce the cost of an expatriate health insurance policy.

For example, you may be able to get a discount if you are a member of an expatriate organization or if you have a good health history.

How to Choose the Right Expatriate Health Insurance

When considering whether or not to purchase expatriate health insurance, there are a few key factors that you will need to take into account in order to make the best decision for your needs.

The first factor to consider is the type of coverage that you need. There are a variety of different health insurance plans available, so it is important to determine which type of coverage will best suit your needs. For example, if you are only looking for basic health insurance coverage, then a less comprehensive plan may be all that you need. However, if you are looking for more comprehensive coverage, such as dental or vision coverage, then you will need to purchase a more comprehensive plan.

The second factor to consider is the cost of the health insurance plan. There are a variety of different health insurance plans available, and the cost of each plan will vary depending on the type of coverage that you need. It is important to compare the costs of different plans before making a final decision.

The third factor to consider is the company that you purchase your health insurance from. There are a variety of different companies that offer health insurance plans, and it is important to research each company in order to find the one that offers the best coverage for your needs.

The fourth factor to consider is the deductible. The deductible is the amount of money that you will be required to pay out-of-pocket before your health insurance plan will begin to pay for your medical expenses. It is important to choose a deductible that you can afford to pay, because if you cannot afford to pay the deductible, then you will not be able to use your health insurance plan.

The fifth factor to consider is the co-pay. The co-pay is the amount of money that you will be required to pay each time you visit the doctor or the hospital. It is important to choose a co-pay that you can afford to pay, because if you cannot afford to pay the co-pay, then you will not be able to use your health insurance plan.

The sixth factor to consider is the policy term. The policy term is the length of time that you will be covered by your health insurance plan. It is important to choose a policy term that you can afford to pay, because if you cannot afford to pay the policy term, then you will not be able to use your health insurance plan.

The seventh factor to consider is the pre-existing conditions clause. The pre-existing conditions clause is a provision in your health insurance plan that prevents you from being denied coverage due to a pre-existing condition. It is important to read the entire policy to determine if your health insurance plan has a pre-existing conditions clause.

In addition to these seven factors, it is also important to consider the country in which you will be living for the duration of your assignment or relocation. Certain countries require you to obtain their own private expatriate health insurance coverage, which may or may not be available.