Which Features and Benefits Should an Expatriate Healthcare Insurance Policy Include?

In this iPMI Global Insights article, iPMI Global CEO Christopher Knight, speaks with leaders from the international private medical insurance (iPMI) market, and asks, which features and benefits should an Expatriate Healthcare Insurance policy include, for expatriates who seek cross border healthcare insurance cover.

Ross Walker, Cigna Healthcare: An international private medical insurance policy offers many benefits and features that can help protect the health of an individual abroad.

Our flagship Vitality Study surveyed thousands of expats around the world and highlighted the trend towards burnout and overwork, accentuated by the always on culture.

As a result, we have put a lot of focus on mental health support in our plans. This includes working on platforms that will help Cigna Healthcare customers access mental health support and coaching.

We also see a growing number of customers who wouldn’t necessarily describe themselves as expats but who are looking for cross-border coverage to get access to the best health care in the world wherever that may be for a specific condition or illness. An international plan can help link that customer with the very best or most appropriate care even if it’s overseas.

Jeroen Van de Velde, Foyer Global Health: IPMI distinguishes itself by offering expatriates seamless access to quality healthcare globally. Its value transcends geographical boundaries, providing a sense of security through comprehensive coverage, including emergency services, preventive care, and increasingly, mental health support. The essence of IPMI lies in its adaptability to the expatriate lifestyle, offering not just healthcare, but peace of mind.

Kevin Melton, International Medical Group (IMG): IMG’s Global Prima Medical Insurance (Global Prima) provides worldwide cover and world-class health services to individuals, families, and groups living or working outside their home country. Global Prima offers various cover options that can cover chronic conditions, as well as complementary medicine, mental health, and wellbeing treatment options. Customers can also customise their plan, which has a choice of excess and currency payment options and includes access to a round-the-clock assistance services hotline offering help with claims information, emergency assistance, and advice on treatment.

There are five plan levels available with Global Prima, starting with the cost-effective bronze plan that predominantly focuses on in-patient care for a private room in a private hospital and covers surgery and associated costs.

As you go up through the plan levels, there are more benefits with higher limits and outpatient treatments. The highest-level Platinum plan is suited to the high-net-worth market and includes all the aforementioned benefits as well as cover for vaccinations, optical care, IVF, dental, and chronic conditions.

The flexible nature of Global Prima allows customers the choice of adding maternity and dental benefits, which are big cost drivers, to any tier. There is also a digital portal to submit claims online, pay premiums, and receive reimbursements.

Dr Christopher Percival, iPMI Expert: My view is that a client should always consider applying for the most comprehensive benefit product available within budget and ideally select FMU unless they are switching on a CME basis. Look for innovative products and A Rated Underwriters for extra security. Key features usually include Private GP, preventative and repatriation benefits, return to home country, plus add-ons such as dental, optical and comprehensive emergency cover whilst travelling. Many clients are extremely price sensitive these days but it’s all about the benefits and absolutely imperative they disclose all medical history upon application.

Iara Vilches, PassportCard: Upon relocating, one seeks the security in means of obtaining a good medical healthcare during their expatriation. The benefits are important however also the plan design. Many providers offer a capped solution for a limited number of years, which does not fit today’s uncertainty. We, at PassportCard, offer health insurance products that adapt to your needs – your potential change of destination, flexible termination of coverage, or even a decision of a lifetime expatriation.

I also notice that people do not always take into consideration the full scope of potential needs they may have in the future. This is why I always suggest opting for an insurance provider which offers comprehensive coverages and not a “travel plan with a lipstick” as we like to call it in the industry.

The last aspect I believe is relevant is the flexibility of use. When in our home-country, we know exactly which doctor we can attend, how to finalise a claim (if at all) and so on. Those aspects do not exist in our expatriation and the ease of claim and free choice of doctors become a critical aspect in our health life. I am pleased to be able to take this burden off our members’ shoulders with our card solution, proving itself for over a dozen years now.

Claire Hargreaves, Trawick International: International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) products accessed via Trawick International are not only comparable with all major IPMI markets on offer: they are also fully customisable and offered on an MHD basis from groups of 5 members or more. The customisable nature of the plans ensures we are agile and continually have an offering that meets the coverage and cost demands of the ever-changing international customer.

Dan Tuman, Tuman Global Solutions: The phrase “Know Your Customer” is customarily associated with compliance. Actually, that phrase should be enshrined in every aspect of your organizations sales and marketing initiatives. An IPMI plan should not be one size fits all. Too many organizations provide IPMI plans from what they have versus want the customer wants. The most successful plans include the following options and services:

• Territory options.
• Plan Limit choices.
• SoB options.
• Plans in major currency: USD, GBP, EURO.
• International network providers.
• Fast Claims Tourn-Around-Time (TAT).
• Claims App.

Lourdes F. Peters, World of America: When expatriates invest in an international private health insurance policy, they access a comprehensive range of benefits. These encompass global medical coverage, ensuring medical care can be received in various countries without concern. Moreover, these policies typically offer high-quality healthcare services, a vast network of healthcare providers, and the flexibility to select from different coverage levels based on individual needs and budgets. Additional benefits may include coverage for emergency medical evacuation, repatriation in the event of serious illness, and round-the-clock multilingual assistance. IPMI policies are meticulously crafted to provide expatriates peace of mind and security while living and working abroad. They are a product that instils confidence and protects expatriates and their families.

Related Reading: Expatriate Healthcare Insurance Strategies Round Table 2024