Health Insurance For US Expats – Complete Guide

Every year, thousands of US citizens relocate abroad, either for work, study, or simply to visit a new country and experience different cultures. One of the most difficult issues for US citizens living abroad is obtaining health insurance: do you need it, where can you get it, and does your current domestic plan provide coverage?

Do I Need Health Insurance If I Live Abroad?

Yes, all US citizens who live abroad should get international health insurance since domestic insurance plans do not offer protection outside the borders of the US.

If you are moving abroad on a long-term basis or permanently, then you should get expatriate health insurance. Expatriate health insurance plans offer a broad range of protection during your time living abroad and are valid for a longer period of time. If you are simply going abroad for a vacation or temporarily, then you can just get travel health insurance.

What Type of Health Insurance Can Americans Expats Get?

US citizens moving abroad have three health insurance options, depending on the country they are moving to:

• National (public) insurance – Some countries have state-run public health-insurance programs. If you work in a country with a good public insurance system, you will (usually) be automatically enrolled by making monthly contributions, similar to taxes. In exchange, you will have access to free or low-cost health care at public hospitals or clinics.
• International (private) insurance – In countries without a strong public healthcare system, many Americans rely on private insurance provided by private companies. That is because, in those countries, expats prefer to seek medical care in private hospitals and clinics, which are typically better equipped but more expensive to pay for out of pocket.
• Combination of public and private health insurance – Even when public healthcare is of high quality, waiting times can be lengthy, and clinics can become overcrowded. This is why many expats opt for a private insurance plan to supplement their state insurance and give them access to private hospitals and clinics.

Best Health Insurance for US Expats Abroad

Some of the best international health insurance for US citizens abroad include:

• GeoBlue Xplorer
• Cigna Global Insurance Plan
• William Russell
• Generali Global Assistance
• Global Medical Insurance
• AXA
• Allianz Worldwide

How to Buy Overseas Health Insurance?

You can buy an international health insurance plan 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.

What Does Overseas Health Insurance For US Citizens Cover?

Expat health insurance offers similar coverage as your health insurance in the US. This includes:

• 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.
• Emergency reunion.

Naturally, each insurance policy has different degrees of coverage. For example, not all international health insurance plans cover maternity-related costs or dental care, except in emergencies.

Does Expat Health Insurance Cover Evacuation to the US?

Yes, most international health insurance policies cover emergency repatriation to the United States for medical care. However, they do not always cover the cost of hospital treatment once you return home; for that, you need a global health insurance policy that includes the United States.

Because of the high cost of health care in the United States, worldwide insurance policies that include it are typically more expensive than those that do not.

Does Health Insurance for US Citizens Abroad Cover Maternity?

Some international health insurance policies cover maternity and newborn care, but there is usually a waiting period of at least ten months. Maternity coverage covers all pregnancy-related medical expenses, including checkups, delivery, and postpartum care. Not all policies include maternity care, and coverage may be limited or subject to certain conditions, so read the fine print carefully before purchasing.

How Much Does Expat Health Insurance for Americans Cost?

American people living abroad can get health insurance for as little as $170 a month or as much as $1,000 a month or more per person. Prices vary based on your age, the amount of coverage you need, the deductible, and whether you need coverage in the US or another country. Because healthcare costs so much in the US, insurance policies that cover trips to the US tend to be more expensive.

The policy will cost more if you add your spouse, but not as much as buying two separate policies. Adding children who depend on you to the policy will also make the monthly premiums go up.

Does US Medicare Cover Me Abroad?

No, in most cases Medicare will not cover your medical expenses outside the US. There are a few very specific instances during which Medicare might cover you even if you are treated in a foreign hospital:

• You are in US territory at the time of the medical emergency, and the nearest hospital that can treat you happens to be foreign.
• You are travelling through Canada “without unreasonable delay” using the most direct route between Alaska and another state at the time of the medical emergency and the nearest hospital happens to be Canadian rather than American.
• You live in the US, but the nearest hospital that can treat your medical condition happens to be foreign rather than American, even if the condition is not an emergency.
• In any of these cases, Medicare will only cover you for the Medicare-covered services. They also decide what it means to be travelling “without unreasonable delay” on a case-by-case basis.

Does Obamacare Cover Me Abroad?

No, domestic health insurance plans purchased under Obamacare or the Affordable Care Act do not extend to outside the US. If you are travelling or moving abroad, you have to get either travel insurance or international health insurance.

Free Healthcare for US Citizens Abroad

American expats in some countries can get “free” healthcare, meaning they don’t pay for doctor visits or medical treatment. It’s not free because you’ll pay monthly to the country’s national healthcare fund, either directly or through salary deductions.

Even in countries with free expat healthcare, some procedures, hospital stays, and medications require small fees. National health insurance does not cover private hospitalization or emergency evacuation to the US.

Also Read: Health Insurance Coverage for Foreign Workers Abroad