International Medical Insurance Policies

Frankly, the safest, most secure, and most reliable option for international health insurance, certainly if your plan is to be living overseas for an extended or indefinite period of time, is an international health insurance policy with a big international insurance agency that has a long track record. In most cases, international insurance policies provide the most comprehensive and most appropriate level of medical coverage.

You do not have to rely on one hospital or even facilities in one country. International insurance companies have networks of doctors and hospitals around the globe where you can receive excellent treatment. An international medical policy should cover you nearly anywhere you choose to travel and for whatever period you choose to stay there. Note, however, that some international medical insurance policies do not cover you for travel within the United States. Health care costs are so high in the States that some international policies specifically omit it from their areas of coverage. If you plan to travel in the States, check with your insurance provider to see if you will be covered. If not, the option can be to purchase a more expensive policy.

International medical insurance premiums are based on your age and the amount and type of coverage you want. Most policies are guaranteed for life once you have been accepted for coverage. That is to say, the insurer cannot discontinue your policy as you get older or if you become ill. Furthermore, if you’re moving to a country where you do not speak the local language, international medical insurance providers will give you access to physicians who speak your native language or provide a translator. The larger international insurance companies have networks of providers around the globe so they can settle bills directly with hospitals and ensure that you are receiving the appropriate care. Other benefits of international insurance policies are that they often cover medical evacuation and repatriation.

International insurance may not be ideal for everyone, but you should take a good look at it before making any other choice. I recommend it as the top option for globetrotting expats.

Bupa, Cigna, and HTH Worldwide are the three top international insurance companies (for Americans; HTH Worldwide is not available to non-Americans). HTH offers annual plans for global living, short-term travel medical insurance, and trip cancellation coverage. HTH offers flexible plans designed so that individuals and families get the coverage they need, with the freedom to choose qualified doctors, hospitals, and health services anywhere in the world—they’ve even got an app to help you locate what you need no matter where in the world you are. HTH insurance programs comply fully with state insurance regulations and afford you full consumer protection.

All things considered, Bupa can be the best option in the majority of situations. If you are living or working abroad, Bupa’s international health plans offer choice and flexibility with optional add-ons. Bupa also runs a 24-hour multilingual help line and online access to your policy and account. Bupa is often not the cheapest option, but I feel it’s typically the best one. And a policy with a high deductible can be very affordable.