How to Choose International Health Insurance

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1. International Travel Insurance vs. International Medical Insurance

  • Travel Insurance: Designed for short-term trips (vacations, layovers). It covers lost luggage, flight cancellations, and limited medical emergencies to “keep you whole” during the trip.

    • Recommendation: IMG Patriot Plan (good for 10 days to 12 months).

  • International Medical (Expat) Insurance: Designed for long-term living abroad. It functions like standard health insurance but globally.

    • Recommendation: Warren & Julie personally use a plan with a $1 million limit and a $2,500 deductible.

    • Providers Mentioned: IMG, Cigna Global, GeoBlue, and Safety Wing.

2. Cost of Care & Deductible Strategy

  • High Deductible Strategy: Warren advises choosing a higher deductible (e.g., $2,500) to lower monthly premiums. Because medical care in many countries (outside the US, Singapore, Hong Kong) is very affordable, they pay for minor issues out-of-pocket and rarely hit the deductible.

  • Real-World Cost Examples (Out-of-Pocket):

    • Turkey: Emergency room visit for pneumonia (MRI, labs, Covid test) = $750. Pharmacy meds = $60.

    • Montenegro: Gastroenterologist consultation (1.5 hours), gastroscopy, and EKG = $234. Root canals = $295.

    • Ecuador: Ultrasound scan = $30. General doctor visit = $2. Meds = $15.

    • Turkey: Sports physiotherapist home visits and crutches for a severe ankle sprain = $156.

3. Why Catastrophic Coverage is Essential

  • Even though routine care is cheap, catastrophic events can be ruinous.

  • Example: A 26-year-old friend contracted Malaria in Africa. He fell ill in Montenegro, which couldn’t treat him, requiring an airlift to Slovenia ($9,000) and a 3-week ICU stay (€50,000+).

  • Excluding Expensive Countries: Excluding the US, Hong Kong, and Singapore from your policy can significantly lower premiums.

4. Specific Plan Recommendations

  • Young Digital Nomads: Safety Wing is recommended for its simplicity and low cost for young, healthy individuals.

  • Seniors (65+):

    • IMG GlobeHopper is a good option for those over 65 not already on a global plan.

    • Cigna Global & GeoBlue can cover up to age 75 or even 95, but premiums increase substantially with age.

5. Practical Tips

  • Pharmacies: Medications are often much cheaper abroad (e.g., migraine meds for €1) and pharmacists can often prescribe or guide you to OTC options that would require a prescription in the US.

  • Language Barrier: Not a major issue; most doctors speak English, or Google Translate works effectively.

  • Direct Billing: For major surgeries or hospitalizations, insurance companies usually arrange direct payment with the facility so you don’t have to pay huge sums upfront.

I am EXPAT so this is not about Travel insurance but a comprehensive annual plan for those retired overseas. I have Cignal Global Silver. 1mUSD for the daypatient/inpatient. covers many testing like MRI, CAT on outpatient. covers worldwide anywhere BUT the USA (i have a pension plan for the US_. you can look it over. i like having one of the BIG insurers (AXA, Allianz, CIGNA). an elder Canadian in Thailand goes to Singapore for business. chest pains. turns out to be stents. 2 days ICU and 3 nights regular room $25K all together.

He paid $500. plus they pay, hence his doctor gave him a letter, business class back to Bangkok. the gave him a case manager to coordinate, pre pay his cardiac rehab in Bangkok. step by step was with him. his choice of hospital, ect. all arranged by CIGNA he pays his small deductible. there are good local company’s, and maybe 20% less expensive but CIGNA is for me. been with them years and yes the price goes up a bit each year with medical inflation and age increase BUT the amount/number of claims is not a factor.

Currently Travel to the Asia area and plan to retire there. I was in the insurance business decades ago, so I can relate to your suggestions. I had a policy in mind and your video confirmed what I thought. I have used the short term policies but since I plan on a more permanent long term eventually, I felt getting an annual policy is probably the way to go.

I was living Mexico with my husband and four children. My late husband contract H1N1 and I am so thankful that her got major medical insurance prior to becoming ill. Even though my husband passed away the 3 months of care he received was top notch. But due to an insurance error I had to pay out of pocket in the initial onset for life saving medications. You can never have enough insurance when traveling and living abroad.

I will be moving to the Philippines soon and getting perspective from you and your channel is beneficial in allowing me the knowledge to make a successful move overseas. As a physician, I always research everything before taking action and you are giving me a good perspective and insight on so many aspects of what I have to consider. Hopefully, by next year I will be over there and starting up my practice to live my best life as you are.

I have BCBS Global Core included with my Anthem Blue Cross part B Medicare supplement which is part of my retirement benefit. It covers 80% after a $100 deductible. It covers up to 6 months, so it’s not going work if/when I’m permanently abroad. I’ll always keep my Medicare as my retirement benefit includes, not only my supplement, but also reimburses my Medicare part B premium, so it’s free for me.

I don’t think the BCBS Global Core covers emergency medical evacuation, so I am considering getting that. My Delta Dental PPO covers overseas. I had a crown come out while in Budapest and they said they would cover it, but as it ended up being HUF 8,000 ($21.75 at that time), I didn’t bother with the paperwork.

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