IMG Global Expat Health Coverage for China
IMG Global Health Insurance offers multiple plans that feature various benefits and coverage areas to help safeguard insured expats in China from potentially overwhelming medical expenses while living overseas.
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Are you an expat living in China? Are you looking to safeguard your well-being and finances? In this article, we will go over IMG global health insurance coverage for expats living in China to ensure not only your finances are safeguarded, but also your health and wellbeing.
IMG Global Insurance Overview in China
The IMG (International Medical Group) is an expat health insurance provider that offers expats and their families medical coverage worldwide. Founded back in 1990, IMG provides health insurance to customers from over 190 countries and offers both travel and international health insurance plans.
Thanks to its wide availability to various nationalities worldwide, IMG health insurance is perfect for expats looking to travel long-term for a year and above or permanently relocate overseas. This is because the various benefits will provide financial protection for expats and their families.
Available IMG Global Health Insurance Plans for Expats in China
Below are the categories available for IMG Global’s health insurance plans:
- Bronze
- Silver
- Gold
- Platinum
Each of the categories’ lifetime limits are as follows:
- Bronze: $1,000,000/person
- Silver: $5,000,000/person
- Gold: $5,000,000/person
- Platinum: $8,000,000/person
Notable Benefits of IMG Global Insurance Plans
From customizable and worldwide coverage to emergency medical evacuation, IMG Global offers a multitude of benefits in their insurance plans to provide a better experience for their members. Below are the notable benefits of IMG Global Insurance Plans.
Worldwide and Customizable Coverage
Insurance plans from IMG Global provide worldwide coverage as well as the option for expats to choose their area of coverage. These include worldwide coverage or worldwide excluding the US, Hong Kong, Japan, Macau, Singapore, and Taiwan.
Thanks to IMG Global’s flexible insurance plans, expats can also customize their coverage by adding optional benefits such as dental or vision care.
Emergency Medical Evacuation
Available to every IMG member, this benefit safeguards the insured in the event of needing emergency medical evacuation.
Quality Member Support
IMG Global members will get access to around-the-clock medical, travel, and security support services as well as an online portal to manage claims and research nearby providers.
Prescription Drug Coverage
Every tier of coverage in IMG’s international health insurance plans covers prescription medication.
For further reading on various coverage areas included in the bronze, silver, gold, or platinum plan, please click here.
The Cost of IMG Global Insurance for Expats
The exact cost of your expat health insurance under IMG will depend on the following factors:
- Age: As you age, your health insurance coverage fees will also progressively become more expensive due to the increasing risk of health problems over time.
- Gender: Women, during their child-bearing years, generally pay higher premiums as opposed to men. Meanwhile, due to shorter life expectancy, men typically pay higher premiums as they age.
- Coverage Area: For instance, due to the high cost of healthcare in the US, opting for a coverage area that includes the States will also result in potentially overwhelming premiums.
- Payment Frequency: Your premiums can vary depending on your payment frequency, whether it’s monthly, quarterly, or semi-annually.
- Medical History: To determine an expat’s exact cost of health insurance, the IMG may review your health and medical history during the underwriting process.
- Coverage Level: The greater the coverage, the more your health insurance plan will cost. For instance, choosing a plan featuring multiple benefits will result in higher premiums.
What IMG Expat Health Insurance Covers
The exact areas covered by your selected IMG expat health insurance will vary depending on your selected plan, but below are some of the key benefits provided:
- Maternity: Included in the platinum global health insurance plan, the maternity benefit under IMG’s expat health insurance covers pre and post-natal care, delivery, and newborn care.
- Emergency Evacuation: The emergency evacuation benefit covers emergency medical evacuation to the nearest qualified medical facility as well as transportation expenses.
- Emergency Reunion: This benefit covers travel and lodging expenses for a relative or friend during an emergency medical evacuation. This is either the cost of accompanying your evacuation or traveling from their home country to reunite with you.
- Political Evacuation and Repatriation: Available in the platinum plan, this benefit covers transportation fees for evacuating to the nearest place of safety or for repatriation back to your home country or country of residence if you meet certain conditions.
- Pre-Existing Conditions: Usually available once you’ve maintained continuous coverage for a certain period, this benefit covers pre-existing conditions (illnesses or injuries you had before signing up for a policy; pregnancy is not considered one) that are excluded by other insurers.
- Return of Mortal Remains: In the worst-case scenario if a covered illness or injury results in death, this benefit will cover the repatriation of the body’s remains or ashes back to your home country. This benefit also covers preparation, local burial, or cremation at the place of death.
Optional Benefits for IMG Global Health Insurance Plans
On top of basics such as inpatient and outpatient care, maternity care, or evacuation, expats also have the option of adding other benefits to customize their selected IMG Global plans as they would like.
From dental to vision care, below are some of the available additional benefits expats can add on top of their basic IMG Global health insurance plan.
- Dental: An add-on available for bronze, silver, and gold plans, this covers USD $750/period of coverage with a $50 deductible. Routine care is covered by 90% while minor treatment is 70% covered and major restorative treatment is 50% covered.
- Vision: An add-on available for bronze, silver, and gold plans, this covers up to USD $100 of eye examination fees and $150 of glasses and lens fees every two years.
- Global term life insurance: This pays a certain amount of money to a policyholder’s beneficiary in the event of the former’s passing while abroad.
- Accidental Death and Dismemberment (AD&D): This pays a principal sum (based on an individual’s age at the time of death) in the event of death or severing two body parts (limbs, eyes, etc) and half of the principal sum in case of severing one body part.
Is Expat Health Insurance Required for Expats in China?
Depending on the country, expats will need to take specific healthcare regulations into consideration. Certain countries will require residents to keep their local health insurance plan while others may allow expats to select their own international health insurance plans.
In the case of China, healthcare is free for local citizens and permanent residents. Expats, however, will not be able to access the country’s government-supported public health insurance. Thus, you will need a comprehensive expat health insurance plan.
Whether or not a country requires expat health insurance, it’s always a good idea to secure a comprehensive expat health insurance plan since certain countries’ healthcare could be overwhelmingly expensive.
IMG Global’s Travel Insurance
Offered through IMG Global’s iTravelInsured plans, their travel insurance plans are available in Lite, SE, and LX forms and are designed to protect expats from financial losses such as flight delays and cancellations, luggage loss, or other unexpected events such as rental car damage or theft.
The Healthcare System in China
China offers universal healthcare for both local citizens and foreigners. However, coverage can vary between regions. The central government oversees national health legislation and administration, while the local government provides healthcare services.
Since the local government provides healthcare services, certain rural areas may not be able to offer healthcare to expats.
The following are basic areas covered by China’s government-provided medical insurance:
- Inpatient care
- Primary and specialist care
- Mental healthcare
- Emergency care
- Physical therapy
- Traditional Chinese medicine
- Specific dental services such as dental extractions
Do keep in mind that basic government-provided medical insurance in China will not cover dental cleanings, most optometry services, home care, or durable medical equipment.
Chinese Public and Private Healthcare
In China, the quality of public healthcare can vary. For instance, hospitals in Beijing feature modern medical equipment and a full array of medical staff. Meanwhile, rural hospitals can be overcrowded, lacking in staff, or lacking resources and quality care.
Private healthcare, however, features more modern, cleaner, less-crowded facilities, and is preferred among expats thanks to its greater quality of care, amenities, and additional benefits. However, the greater care quality and additional benefits come at the cost of higher fees.
Frequently Asked Questions
Why do expats choose IMG Global?
Expats choose IMG Global thanks to their exceptional service, comprehensive medical benefits, as well as diverse insurance products. Whether you’re an individual, a family, a business, a student, or a professional, IMG Global has something for everyone seeking international health insurance.
Who would benefit the most from an IMG Global health insurance plan?
IMG Global’s health insurance plan caters to those seeking medical coverage for long-term (a year and above) travel overseas and would benefit expats and digital nomads the most.
Do IMG Global health insurance plans have age limits?
Individuals aged 75 years and up will no longer be eligible for coverage. However, if one were to enroll before their 65th birthday and maintain the plan, IMG will offer an alternative for them upon reaching 75 years old: the Global Senior Plan.
Conclusion
In conclusion, IMG global health insurance can not only safeguard expats from potentially expensive medical bills but also ensure their well-being while living in China. Thanks to its wide availability to various nationalities worldwide, IMG is perfect for expats living or relocating overseas.
From basics such as maternity and pre-existing coverage to emergency evacuation coverage, getting your money’s worth and making the most out of your selected IMG global health insurance plan while living in China is not outside the realm of possibility after all.
Known as a leading international health insurance broker, Pacific Prime has 20 years of matching both expats and locals to health insurance plans that match both their comfortable budget range as well as their unique healthcare needs.
Whether you’re a local Chinese citizen yourself or an expat living in China, Pacific Prime and our team of specialists are more than happy to help you. And if you have any further questions, please don’t hesitate to get in touch with us.
Enjoyed this article? Click the links below to check out our other articles!
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Serena earned her Bachelor’s Degree in Psychology from the University of British Columbia, Canada. As such, she is an avid advocate of mental health and is fascinated by all things psychology (especially if it’s cognitive psychology!).
Her previous work experience includes teaching toddlers to read, writing for a travel/wellness online magazine, and then a business news blog. These combined experiences give her the skills and insights she needs to explain complex ideas in a succinct way. Being the daughter of an immigrant and a traveler herself, she is passionate about educating expats and digital nomads on travel and international health insurance.
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