Health Insurance for Expats

Benefits of Health Insurance for Expats

Here are the key benefits of buying health insurance for expats:

Coverage for Overseas Medical Expenses – Healthcare services have become quite expensive in India and abroad. With health insurance, expats can pay for a range of medical expenses, right from hospitalization to treatment for critical illness, without burning a hole in their pockets.
Mandatory Requirement – Several countries require expats to have a valid medical insurance policy before moving. By buying the policy, expats can fulfil the mandatory requirement before moving into a new country.
More Affordable – Buying a mediclaim policy from India is more affordable than buying a policy abroad from an international insurer. This is because healthcare expenses are more expensive overseas than in India, increasing the liability of the insurer and in turn, premiums.
Non-stop Coverage – Although most health plans only cover medical expenses incurred within the home country, global health insurance also offers medical coverage in the foreign city of residence. Thus, expats can stay covered against unforeseen medical expenses, regardless of whether they are in India or abroad.
24x7 Assistance – Most health insurance plans offer round-the-clock medical assistance to expats. This enables them to access timely medical attention in their hour of need.
Peace of Mind – The last thing an expat would want is to exhaust all their hard-earned savings to pay medical bills. Medical insurance provides financial support against hefty hospital bills, allowing them to focus on their career and job.

List of Health Insurance Plans for Expats

Take a look at the list of health insurance plans for expats available in India:

Health Insurance Plans for Expats	Sum Insured	Global Coverage Benefits
Aditya Birla Global Health Secure Plan	₹3 crore, ₹6 crore	In-patient treatment for 16 major illnesses International second e-opinion for major illnesses Post-hospitalization expenses Organ donor expenses Repatriation of mortal remains
Bajaj Allianz Global Health Care Plan	₹37.5 lakh to ₹3.75 crore, USD 100,000 to USD1,000,000	OPD treatment In-patient hospitalization expenses Palliative care In-patient mental illness treatment Medical repatriation
Care Health Insurance Plan	₹50 lakh, ₹60 lakh and ₹75 lakh	Maternity expenses Hospitalization expenses Global coverage for 12 critical illnesses Day care treatments
Cholamandalam Flexi Health Supreme Plan	₹50,000 to ₹5 crore	Personal accident cover Day care treatments In-patient hospitalization expenses
Digit Health Insurance Plan	₹2 lakh to ₹3 crore	Day care procedures Organ donor expenses In-patient hospitalization expenses
Future Generali Health Elite Plan	₹75 lakh to ₹6 crore	Treatment of 20 listed critical illnesses Emergency in-patient hospitalization expenses Emergency road and air ambulance expenses Repatriation of mortal remains Return airfare if treatment for listed critical illnesses is obtained
Galaxy Promise Plan	Up to ₹1 crore	Personal accident cover
HDFC ERGO Optima Secure Plan	₹25 lakh to ₹2 crore	E-opinion for critical illnesses In-patient treatment expenses Organ donor expenses Emergency air ambulance Consumables cover
ICICI Lombard Elevate Plan	₹5 lakh to ₹3 crore	Emergency and planned hospitalization expenses In-patient AYUSH hospitalization expenses Day care treatments
Liberty Health Connect Plan	₹2 lakh to ₹40 lakh	Emergency in-patient hospitalization expenses
Magma HDI OneHealth Insurance Plan	₹2 lakh to ₹50 lakh	Planned in-patient and day care treatment Emergency hospitalization expenses Personal accident cover
ManipalCigna LifeTime Health Insurance Plan	₹50 lakh to ₹3 crore	Medical emergency hospitalization expenses Treatment for 27 major illnesses Road and air ambulance expenses Modern and advanced treatments Post-hospitalization expenses
New India Assurance Criti Protect Plan	₹5 lakh to ₹50 lakh	Treatment cost of 41 critical illnesses
Niva Bupa Health Premia Plan	₹10 lakh to ₹3 crore	Personal accident cover Maternity expenses Coverage for 9 critical illnesses Emergency hospitalization expenses OPD expenses
Oriental Happy Family Floater Plan	₹1 lakh to ₹20 lakh	Medical second opinion for 11 listed major illnesses Personal accident cover
Reliance Health Infinity Plan	5 lakh to ₹5 crore	Day care treatments OPD treatments Emergency hospitalization expenses Planned in-patient treatments Emergency road and air ambulance expenses
Royal Sundaram Lifeline Insurance Plan	₹25 lakh to ₹1.5 crore	International treatment for 14 critical illnesses Emergency in-patient hospitalization expenses
SBI Super Health Insurance Plan	₹10 lakh to ₹2 crore	Medical treatment of 16 critical illnesses
Star Super Star Insurance Plan	Up to ₹2 crore	E-international second opinion Personal accident cover
Tata AIG MediCare Premier Plan	Up to ₹3 crore	Planned day care procedures Planned in-patient treatment expenses Compassionate travel
Universal Sompo A Plus Health Insurance Plan	Up to ₹1 crore	In-patient hospitalization expenses
Zuno Health Plus Plan	₹1 lakh to ₹5 crore	Emergency assistance services Day care treatments In-patient hospitalization expenses AYUSH treatments
Zurich Kotak Health Premier Plan	₹2 lakh to ₹25 lakh	Personal accident cover Coverage for 18 listed critical illnesses

See more plans

What is Covered by Health Insurance for Expats?

Health insurance for expats covers the following:

In-patient hospitalization expenses
Critical illness cover
Day care procedures
Organ donor expenses
Personal accident cover
Repatriation of mortal remains
International second opinion for major illnesses
OPD cover
Emergency road ambulance expenses
Emergency air ambulance expenses
Maternity cover
Post-hospitalization expenses
Palliative care
Consumables cover
Mental illness treatments
Modern treatments

Note: The exact coverage may vary from one expat health insurance plan to another.

What is Not Covered by Health Insurance for Expats?

The following medical expenses are not covered by health insurance for expats:

Weight-control treatments
Treatment for alcohol or drug addiction
Cosmetic or plastic surgery
Self-inflicted injuries
Treatment for injuries due to participation in adventure sports
Unproven treatments

Note: The list of exclusions may vary from one expat health insurance plan to another.

How to Choose a Health Insurance Plan for Expats?

Check out a few tips to consider while choosing a health insurance plan for expats:

Check the Area of Cover – While some global health insurance plans offer worldwide coverage, others provide limited overseas coverage, excluding the USA & Canada. Thus, check the area of cover before opting for a plan and choose the one that provides coverage in the country where the expat lives.
Go for Cashless Treatment – Make sure to choose a cashless health insurance that allows expats to avail medical treatment without paying upfront. Make sure to check if the insurer has a tie-up with an international TPA (third party administrator), enabling expats to avail cashless treatments overseas.
Choose an Adequate Sum Insured – Go for a sum insured amount under the health policy that can sufficiently cover the healthcare expenses in the foreign country. While opting for a low sum insured can increase out-of-pocket expenses, a higher sum insured can hike the premiums.
Opt for Sufficient Coverage - Analyze the health needs and opt for a plan that offers the required coverage, preferably up to the sum insured limit. While most plans cover expats for in-patient hospitalization, day care procedures and critical illnesses, others also offer coverage for OPD expenses, maternity expenses, second medical opinions, accidental injuries, etc.
Go for Minimal/No Waiting Period – Some health insurance companies may offer worldwide medical coverage after a waiting period of up to 3 years. Prefer to choose a plan that covers overseas medical expenses with minimal or no waiting period.
Choose Plans with Renewal Benefits – Make sure to go for an international health insurance plan that comes with renewal benefits like cumulative bonus, restoration of sum insured benefit, annual health check-ups, etc.

Health Insurance for Expats: FAQs

Q1. Can expats get health insurance in India?

Ans: Yes. Expats can buy health insurance in India.
Q2. What is the meaning of expat insurance?

Ans: Expat insurance covers the medical expenses incurred by expats while residing in a foreign country.
Q3. What is the best health insurance for expats?

Ans: No single health insurance plan is the best for all expats, as their health needs may differ. It is best to compare different health insurance plans for expats based on their coverage and benefits and buy the one that best suits your health needs.
Q4. Is Indian health insurance valid abroad?

Ans: Yes. Health insurance for expats is valid abroad as they mostly come with worldwide medical coverage.
Q5. Does expat health insurance cover pre-existing diseases?

Ans: Yes. All health insurance plans for expats cover medical expenses arising out of pre-existing diseases (PED) but after a waiting period of up to 3 years. You can check the exact PED waiting period by going through your policy terms and conditions.

Confused which plan to buy?

Get expert advice at your home

Book at your convenience

No obligation to buy

Trusted and reliable advice

Book a FREE home visit ›

Health insurance companies

View more insurers

Disclaimer: The list mentioned is according to the alphabetical order of the insurance companies. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in