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If you’re an American expat living in a foreign country or you are just now starting your new life as an expatriate, you need to understand the importance of international health insurance while living abroad.
Healthcare in other countries is different from the healthcare system in the US, and international health insurance allows you to get access to healthcare and converge wherever you are. This is why we’ve detailed all the health insurance information you need as an American expat and where to get the best insurance for you.
Do I Need Health Insurance as an American Expat?
Yes, having health insurance while living abroad is always the best for you as an expat because of the following reasons:
- Your new country may not allow you to use the health insurance they provide for their citizens if you’re a temporary resident.
- Without insurance, you may not be able to afford the costs of healthcare and medical services in your new country.
- You may be planning to travel, which means you need health insurance to cover you everywhere.
- You want access to private healthcare and English-speaking countries (in most countries outside the US, healthcare can be public, and finding an English-speaking doctor can be difficult).
In all of these cases, international or expat health insurance covers you the best.
If you are a US citizen already living, or planning to live, abroad, you can get a free expat health quote at Insubuy or International Citizens Insurance.
Best Health Insurance for US Expats Abroad
Here are some of the best health insurance plans you can buy as a US expat:
- GeoBlue Xplorer Essential
- This is one of the most popular international health insurance plans among American expats, considering it is an independent licensee of the Blue Cross Blue Shield Association.
- It offers different levels of coverage, so the price can vary, but the GeoBlue Xplores Essential average cost is around $400 per month/per person in their early thirties.
- This plan has a zero deductible.
- Unlimited policy maximum per person.
- Evacuation and repatriation are also covered.
- Worldwide coverage, excluding the US.
- Meridian Essential
- This plan for American expats costs around $117 per month/per person in their early thirties.
- It has a $250 deductible.
- After the deductible, you pay 20% of the first $5,000 eligible expenses, and the rest are covered up to the policy maximum.
- It also includes coverage for evacuation and repatriation.
- Worldwide coverage, excluding the US.
- GMI
- This plan has different coverage levels, for example, GMI Gold, Bronze, and Platinum.
- The cost of the plan varies on your chosen coverage level, but GMI Platinum can go up to $400 per month/ per person in their early thirties.
- The deductible is usually $250 with most levels, but it can change depending on the coverage level.
- Worldwide coverage, excluding the US.
- Allianz Care Plus
- This is one of the many international health insurance plans Allianz offers. The company is a global leader in health insurance.
- The Care Plus plan costs around $115 per month/per person in their early thirties.
- The deductible may change depending on the benefits level and the option you choose.
- Worldwide, excluding the US.
To find more plans and see their benefits, you can use online insurance brokers like Insubuy or International Citizens Insurance. There, you can get free quotes on several plans and even compare the benefits among them to see which one suits you best.
What Does Expat Health Insurance For US Citizens Cover?
Expat health insurance covers the following:
- Doctor’s consultation.
- Specialist’s consultation.
- Hospitalization.
- Surgery and anesthesia.
- Urgent care.
- Ambulance.
- Prescription medication.
- Lab tests and X-rays.
- Emergency evacuation to the US.
- Chemotherapy or radiation therapy.
- Maternity.
- Dental care.
It’s important to remember that just like with any other type of health insurance, expat health insurance coverage will also depend on the type of health insurance plan you purchase, what kind of benefits your health insurance company offers, and what customizations you make for your health insurance plan. So, while basic coverage may be the same, you’ll find variations of the benefits among different health insurance companies and their plans.
Does Expat Health Insurance Cover Evacuation to the US?
Yes, most international health insurance policies offer coverage for emergency repatriation to the US for medical treatment. However, they do not necessarily cover the cost of hospital treatment once you are back home.
In this case, you need to use health insurance that is valid in the US, which can be your old insurance plan if you still have it from when you were living in the country, or purchase expat health insurance that offers worldwide coverage, including the US.
Worldwide insurance policies, including the US, are usually more expensive than those excluding it, simply because of the high cost of health care in the States.
Does Health Insurance for US Citizens Abroad Cover Maternity?
Some international health insurance policies include maternity and newborn care, but they usually have a waiting period of at least ten months. Maternity coverage includes all medical expenses related to pregnancy, such as checkups, delivery, and post-natal care.
Not all policies offer maternity care, and the coverage may be limited or under certain conditions, so make sure you read the fine print well before purchasing.
Does US Medicare Cover Me Abroad?
No, Medicare does not cover you while you are living abroad. While there are some very specific cases where it may offer limited coverage for when you are traveling abroad, it does not offer long-term care coverage for you as an expatriate.
Does Obamacare Cover Me Abroad?
No, health insurance plans you bought under Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act do not extend outside the US. If you are traveling or moving abroad, you have to get either travel insurance or international health insurance.
How to Buy Expat Health Insurance?
You can buy an international health insurance plan or expat insurance online, either directly from an insurance company or through online marketplaces like Insubuy or International Citizens Insurance.
When browsing for expat health insurance, make sure to compare different policies and see whether you have the coverage you need and are comfortable with.
- How to purchase health insurance in Costa Rica?
- How to purchase health insurance in Mexico?
- How to purchase health insurance in Germany?
- How to purchase health insurance in Thailand?
- How to purchase health insurance in Spain?
How Much Does Expat Health Insurance for Americans Cost?
Health insurance for American expats can range from as little as $170/month to almost $1,000/month per person or more. The price depends on the deductible, the coverage maximum, your age, and – most importantly – whether you need coverage in the US as well as abroad.
If you include your spouse, the policy will be more expensive, but not as much as purchasing two separate policies. Including dependent children in the policy will also increase the monthly premiums.
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