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If you're a company looking to provide health insurance for your international employees, there are several options to consider. Many international business health insurance plans offer coverage for employees and their families, regardless of their location.
These plans can be tailored to meet the specific needs of your company and employees, taking into account factors such as age, health, and location. Some plans may also offer additional benefits, such as dental and vision coverage.
International business health insurance plans can be purchased on a group basis, which can be more cost-effective than individual plans. This is especially beneficial for companies with a large number of international employees.
Choosing the Right Plan
Your company's size and budget play a significant role in selecting the right international health insurance plan.
Consider your desired level of coverage to ensure your employees receive the necessary care.
The location of your employees is also a crucial factor, as some countries have specific requirements or regulations that need to be met.
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You can choose from various levels of cover, including Classic, which offers a range of benefits.
Selecting the right level of cover can be overwhelming, but it's essential to find a plan that suits your company's needs.
You can choose to exclude the US from cover to achieve a more competitive premium, as medical treatment in the US can be expensive.
By choosing a region-specific scheme, such as a Europe-only plan, you can save costs while still providing adequate coverage for your employees.
Plan Features and Benefits
International business health insurance plans often come with a range of features and benefits that cater to the diverse needs of global businesses. You can choose from various levels of cover, including Gold Superior, Gold, Classic, and Essential, each providing different levels of protection.
The Core module is included in all Global Health Adapt plans, offering access to a wide range of treatments, including hospital charges, cancer treatment, and emergency evacuation and repatriation. You can select from two limits: £2,000,000 / €2,500,000 / $3,200,000 or £5,000,000 / €6,250,000 / $8,000,000.
Additional benefits may include private doctor visits, maternity benefits, accident & emergency admissions, and routine maintenance for chronic conditions. Some plans also offer a healthcare payment card, allowing employees to pay for eligible treatment quickly and without using their own funds.
Benefits Covered by Quotes
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International health insurance plans offer a wide range of benefits to employees, making it easier for them to access quality healthcare while on assignment abroad.
These plans typically cover core benefits such as hospital charges, cancer treatment, emergency evacuation, and surgery, as well as outpatient benefits like routine maintenance for chronic conditions and preventative wellness screening.
Some plans also offer additional benefits such as private doctor visits, maternity benefits, and dental benefits, which can be valuable for employees and their families.
Here are some of the key benefits covered by international health insurance quotes:
- Private doctor visits
- Maternity benefits
- Accident & Emergency admissions
- Routine maintenance for Chronic conditions
- Congenital and hereditary conditions
- Preventative wellness screening
- Travel vaccinations and child immunisations
- Emergency evacuation & repatriation
- Infertility investigations
- Dental benefits
- 24/7 multi-lingual medical helpline
- Security advice and services
- Optical benefits
These benefits can vary depending on the plan and provider, but most international health insurance plans aim to provide comprehensive coverage for employees' healthcare needs while abroad.
What Currency Pays the Premium?
You can choose to pay your group International Health Insurance policy in British Pounds, US Dollars, or Euros. Some insurers require the payment currency to align with the benefit currency.
It's common to have the option to pay quarterly or annually, with some insurers offering a discount for annual payment. Annual payment is a great option if you want to save on administrative costs.
You can also pay monthly, but this is not always an option with every insurer. Be sure to check with your provider to confirm their payment terms.
Some insurers allow you to set up a group plan with as few as one or two employees, while others require a minimum of three. This can be a good option if you have a small business or startup.
Plan Options and Customization
Choosing the right international business health insurance plan can be overwhelming, but it doesn't have to be. The first step is to consider your company's specific needs, such as your desired level of coverage, company size, budget, and the location of your employees. These factors will help you narrow down your options and find a plan that suits your business.
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A good international business health insurance plan should provide access to expert medical treatment and care, and there are many providers to choose from. Some popular options include Aetna International, Bupa Global, and Cigna Global, each offering a range of products with different optional add-ons and price points.
To get the best plan for your business, it's essential to seek out independent, expert advice. This will help you navigate the complexities of international health insurance and ensure that you're getting the best value for your investment.
More Control and Flexibility
Having more control and flexibility over your international health insurance plan is a must for many businesses. This is where personalized monitoring comes in, providing a single point of contact to assist you in the monitoring and management of your contract.
With simple administration, you can manage your plan and employee movement via dedicated solutions. This makes it easier to keep track of everything and make changes as needed.
Full transparency is also key, with access to personalized reports to monitor your company's claims. This helps you stay on top of expenses and make informed decisions about your plan.
Lower insurance costs are also a benefit of having more control and flexibility. Various coverage and payment options are available to match your budget, so you can find a plan that fits your needs.
For plan administrators, having points of contact in close proximity can be a big advantage. This ensures that you have the support you need, whenever you need it.
Here are some of the benefits of more control and flexibility in international health insurance:
- Personalized monitoring
- Simple administration
- Full transparency
- Lower insurance costs
What's the Price?
The cost of International Business Health Insurance is calculated based on several factors and is offered in two main funding mechanisms.
For groups of 3 to 100 employees, you'll be offered a community rated pricing model, which means your scheme will be placed in a pool with other businesses and the claims experience and risk will be spread across the entire pool.
This provides a more stable platform and your pricing increases will remain fairly stable, whether you have many or few claims in the year.
For groups of around 100+ employees, you're likely to be offered an experience related pricing model, which means the premium you pay each year will be based on the claims experience of your particular scheme from prior years.
There are some core factors at play when it comes to pricing your International Business Health Insurance scheme, regardless of the funding mechanism.
These factors include the age of the employees covered, the level of cover you've selected, and whether you've included an excess/deductible or co-pay on your scheme.
Medical inflationary costs are also factored in each year, with rates running above RPI and CPI indexes and varying country to country.
Policy and Coverage
International Business Health Insurance policies offer a range of benefits that go beyond what's typically covered in domestic health insurance plans. These include private doctor visits, maternity benefits, and emergency evacuation & repatriation, among others.
Some Group International Health Insurance providers also offer additional benefits, such as independent second medical opinions, telemedicine, and international employee assistance programs. These can be valuable for all employees.
The International Business Health Insurance market is competitive, with many recognised providers to choose from. It's essential to work with a knowledgeable broker who can guide you through the process and ensure you get the best coverage for your employees.
Here are some key benefits covered by Group International Health Insurance:
- Private doctor visits
- Maternity benefits
- Accident & Emergency admissions
- Routine maintenance for Chronic conditions
- Congenital and hereditary conditions
- Preventative wellness screening
- Travel vaccinations and child immunisations
- Emergency evacuation & repatriation
- Infertility investigations
- Dental benefits
- 24/7 multi-lingual medical helpline
- Security advice and services
- Optical benefits
It's also worth noting that some Group International Health Insurance providers offer a range of additional benefits, such as independent second medical opinions and telemedicine.
Why Offer?
Offering International Business Health Insurance is a no-brainer, especially considering the market's growth rate is outpacing most domestic markets.
The International Health Insurance market is the sixth largest private medical insurance market in the world, and it's expanding rapidly.
Many businesses have implemented International Business Health Insurance plans to consolidate and harmonize employee benefits across their international footprint, resulting in more efficient processes and cost savings.
This approach also leverages economies of scale, which can be a significant advantage for companies with a global presence.
Some businesses offer International Health Insurance as a key benefit for their expatriate employees or staff on international assignment, demonstrating a duty of care.
Studies have shown that International Health Insurance is one of the most sought-after employee benefits, especially for expatriate and board-level employees.
This is likely due to the peace of mind and financial security it provides, allowing employees to focus on their work without worrying about medical expenses.
By offering International Business Health Insurance, companies can attract and retain top talent, particularly in high-level positions.
Here are some key reasons businesses implement International Business Health Insurance plans:
- A requirement to consolidate, harmonise, or audit the employee benefits offered across their international footprint.
- Having expatriate employees or staff on international assignment to which they have a particular duty of care.
- A desire to ensure that they are offering the very best level of private health insurance to key sections of the workforce.
Factors to Consider in Policy Review
When reviewing a company's International Health Insurance policy, it's essential to consider the quality and availability of healthcare facilities in the locations where employees are based.
The group international health insurance market is global and complex, so it's crucial to understand the varying cost of treatment around the world.
You'll also want to ensure that the insurance contract is formed in the correct location, allowing for payment of premiums and claims across borders in line with regulation.
Demonstrating suitable hospital choice available in required locations is also vital, and it's best to settle bills directly between the hospital and insurer where possible.
The interaction of your international business medical insurance plan with the state healthcare system in place, if there is one, should also be considered.
Certainty that the group international health insurance solution meets any local state mandatory health insurance requirements is also essential to avoid penalties or being refused entry to certain countries.
International Insurance Details
International Insurance Details can be tailored to suit your business needs. You can choose between worldwide cover, or worldwide cover excluding the USA.
With Global Health Adapt, you can build a plan that's right for your business and employees. This includes choosing your area of cover, building a personalised plan, adding an excess, and managing your payments.
To build your plan, you'll need to select the Outpatient module, which comes in four different limits: £500, £750, £1,000, or £1,250. The limit for this module is 80%, up to £300.
Here are the excess levels you can choose from:
- £500 / €625 / $800 or;
- £750 / €937 / $1,200 or;
- £1,000 / €1,250 / $1,600 or;
- £1,250 / €1,562 / $2,000
Regular payments can be made monthly, quarterly, or annually, with a 5% discount for annual payments.
Can Cover Both Nationals and Expats?
International insurance can be complex, but one thing is clear: it can cover both local nationals and expats, but the degree to which it can do so varies greatly.
In some countries, like the UK, many company International Health Insurance providers are happy with 100% local nationals. However, in other countries, like Nigeria, some insurers limit local nationals to 10% of the insured population.
The reason for this variation is due to government regulation and legislation, insurance companies' business and tax structure, and commercial considerations. For example, the US government requires any insurance for US nationals to be provided by an onshore, US entity.
This can make it challenging for International Health Insurance providers to offer compliant Group International Health Insurance for US nationals in the US.
Here's a breakdown of the factors at play:
Overall, while International insurance can cover both local nationals and expats, it's essential to understand the specific requirements and limitations of each country and provider.
Difference Between Travel Insurance and Insurance
Travel insurance is only designed to cover you while you're abroad, and doesn't cover any planned treatment.
Group International Health Insurance, on the other hand, provides ongoing benefits both in your home country and while traveling.
Travel insurance can be bought for a single trip or an annual plan, allowing trips of up to three months.
Group International Health Insurance offers broader coverage, including planned treatment and pre-existing conditions with MHD underwriting applied.
Hospitals and Facilities
With International Business Health Insurance, employees can access a wide range of medical facilities, including the best private hospitals and specialists.
You can choose any recognised medical facility within your region of cover, rather than being limited to a specific list of hospitals.
This means employees can receive treatment at a top-notch facility, anywhere in their area of coverage.
However, they would need to cover the cost of travel to that facility, unless they're unable to access suitable treatment locally.
Some Group International Health Insurance providers offer a direct settlement network, which guarantees to settle In and Day patient bills directly with the medical facilities.
This arrangement is called Direct Settlement, and it means employees can avoid paying large sums for medical treatment upfront.
If the insurer offers a direct 'quick pay' network, they'll often provide online tools and apps to help search for medical facilities close to you and detail what specialisms they offer.
Plan Management and Administration
Plan management and administration is a crucial aspect of international business health insurance. Most insurers provide some online access for employees and company group administrators, allowing them to log in, view, and download details of their International Health Insurance plans.
Some insurers offer more sophisticated online access, enabling employees to submit and track claims in real-time, live chat with customer service, and view the remaining balance of their benefits, all via their web portal.
Accordion Trigger Label Module
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The Global Health Adapt plan offers a range of modules to suit different needs, including the Core module, which is included in all plans.
This module provides access to a wide range of treatments, including hospital charges, cancer treatment, emergency evacuation, and more, with a maximum annual limit of either £2,000,000, €2,500,000, or $3,200,000, or £5,000,000, €6,250,000, or $8,000,000, depending on the chosen limit.
Some of the treatments covered under the Core module include hospital charges as an inpatient or day patient, a wide range of cancer treatment, emergency evacuation and repatriation, surgery, ambulance transport, and more.
The Global Health Adapt Outpatient module offers an innovative healthcare payment card that allows employees to pay for eligible treatment from their mobile device quickly and without using their own funds.
For companies based in Hong Kong, the semi-private room module provides cover for treatment received in a semi-private room rather than a fully private room, saving money on premiums.
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This module is only available for businesses based in Hong Kong who are taking out a plan insured by AXA General Insurance Hong Kong Limited.
Choosing the semi-private room module means employees can upload a photo of their invoice to the AXA - Global Healthcare Card app and let Global Health Adapt take care of the rest, making claiming simple and hassle-free.
Here are the treatment options covered under the Core module:
- Hospital charges as an inpatient or a day patient
- A wide range of cancer treatment, including radiotherapy, chemotherapy and biological therapies
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- Surgery
- Ambulance transport
- Parental accommodation: if your employee’s child is having treatment covered by the plan, a parent can stay nearby.
- Accidental damage to teeth
- Inpatient psychiatric treatment.
Plan Management and Administration
You can manage your Group International Health Insurance plan online, but the level of sophistication varies between insurers. Some plans allow employees to submit and track claims in real time, live chat with customer service, and view the remaining balance of their benefits.
Most insurers provide online access for employees and company group administrators to log in, view, and download details of their International Health Insurance plans. This can be a convenient way to stay on top of your plan.
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You can choose to pay your group International Health Insurance policy either quarterly or annually, with some insurers offering a discount for annual payment and others allowing a monthly payment also. This can help you budget and manage your expenses.
Some insurers require the payment currency to align with the benefit currency, so if you pay in USD, your benefits will be provided and measured in USD. This is something to consider when selecting a plan.
You can generally choose between British Pounds, US Dollars, and Euros as the currency for your Group International Health Insurance plan. This can help you tailor your plan to your business needs.
Here are some common payment options for group International Health Insurance policies:
- Quarterly payments
- Annual payments
- Monthly payments
- Payment currency: British Pounds, US Dollars, or Euros
Note that some insurers may have specific requirements or restrictions for payment methods and currencies.
Can I Cancel a Scheme Mid-Year?
You can cancel a Group International Health Insurance scheme during the year, but be aware that you may still be liable to pay up the premium for the remainder of your contract.
Some insurers will reimburse you a pro-rata amount if you pay annually, provided claims haven't exceeded your paid premium.
Others will not provide any refund and charge you in full for the year.
It's essential to review your contract terms to understand the specific cancellation policy of your insurer.
Plan Management and Administration
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You can manage your Group International Health Insurance plan online, with most insurers providing some level of access for employees and company group administrators.
Most insurers allow employees and administrators to log in and view their plan details, as well as download documents. Some also provide a membership app for easy access to important documents.
Some International Private Medical Insurance plans are more sophisticated, allowing employees to submit and track claims in real time, live chat with customer service, and view their remaining benefits balance, all through their web portal.
Others are less integrated, hosting only policy information and not offering the same level of online access.
Frequently Asked Questions
How much does it cost to get international health insurance?
International health insurance costs range from $500 to $10,000 or more per year, depending on the level of coverage and benefits. Annual premiums typically start at around $5,500, but can vary significantly.
What is an international health insurance plan?
International health insurance plans provide medical coverage for individuals living abroad for extended periods, offering protection against unexpected health issues. If you're an expat, this type of insurance can give you peace of mind and financial security while living overseas.
Is international health insurance worth it?
Yes, international health insurance is worth considering, especially if your regular health insurance doesn't cover you abroad. It can save you from unexpected medical expenses and financial stress during travel emergencies.
Sources
- https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/en/business-health-insurance/small-business/
- https://www.april-international.com/en/corporate/international-health-plans-for-companies
- https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/en/business-health-insurance/
- https://www.bupaglobal.com/en/business-health-insurance/company
- https://www.engagehealthgroup.co.uk/international-business-health-insurance/
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