Zimbabwe Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Zimbabwe

International health insurance is the top choice for expats and travelers spending time in Zimbabwe. Zimbabwe’s limited public sector struggles to provide the medical care necessary to protect locals or foreigners, so choosing a private health insurance plan affords you better healthcare options.

If you’re an expat preparing for a move to Zimbabwe, you are likely wondering what Zimbabwe’s healthcare system looks like or what health insurance you should choose. Travelers might also be researching what coverage they need before heading to the country.

Whether you’re visiting or moving to Zimbabwe, Pacific Prime has the expertise to help you find the best medical insurance for your needs and budget. Click below to get a free quote or continue reading to find out more about health insurance in Zimbabwe.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Zimbabwe

The Healthcare System in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s healthcare system faces numerous challenges, with widespread chronic malnutrition, a high maternal mortality rate, and disease domination. These health crises are exacerbated by a shortage of skilled professionals, ill-equipped hospitals, and a lack of medicine. 

Zimbabwe’s healthcare sector includes both public and private options and relies heavily on foreign aid, such as through the CDC. The Ministry of Health and Child Care, which runs the country’s public sector, hopes to utilize its National Health Strategy of Zimbabwe to improve.

Zimbabwe’s healthcare uses a four-tiered system, with primary care as the first tier, which is distributed at local clinics. Secondary care is given at district hospitals, tertiary care and quaternary care are given at specialized hospitals.  

Public Hospitals in Zimbabwe

Some of Zimbabwe’s top public hospitals include Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals, Mpilo Central Hospital, Chitungwiza Central Hospital, Bulawayo Central Hospital, and Kadoma General Hospital.

Parirenyatwa Group of Hospitals is one of Zimbabwe’s largest and most modern hospitals, with 1,800 beds and over 2,000 staff. Located in the Belgravia neighborhood of Harare, this hospital offers four main sites: the main complex, its maternal ward, its eye hospital, and its psychiatric unit. 

Address: Mazowe St, Harare, Zimbabwe

Phone number: +263 24 2701555

Mpilo Central Hospital is generally known as simply Mpilo Hospital. It is the largest hospital in Bulawayo and offers 1,000 beds to patients. Referrals from the Matabeleland North, Matabeleland South, and Midlands provinces of Zimbabwe come to this hospital.

Address: VHF9+2XR, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Phone number: +263 29 2212011

Chitungwiza Central Hospital offers surgical, medical, maternal, child, and dental care to provide the most comprehensive care possible. Some of the specialized services available at Chitungwiza Hospital include radiology and diagnostic lab work, rehabilitation services, and training programs.

Address: X3M7+25J, Chitungwiza, Zimbabwe

Phone number: +263 24 2131850

Bulawayo Central Hospital focuses on providing medical services, obstetrics and gynecology services, surgeries, and nursing care. Facilities available at the hospital are prepared to offer radiology, pharmacy, physiotherapy, and orthotics services.

Address: RJM8+RGC, Bulawayo, Zimbabwe

Phone number: +263 29 2252111

Kadoma General Hospital is located in central Zimbabwe and generally receives favorable reviews from patients. 

Address: MW96+PR8, Kadoma, Zimbabwe

Phone number: +263 68 2122066

Private Hospitals in Zimbabwe

Some of the top private medical institutions and hospitals in Zimbabwe include St. Anne’s Hospital, Pacific 24-hour Hospital, the Avenues Clinic, New Marlborough, and The Health Bridge Private Hospital.

St. Anne’s Hospital is a Catholic Hospital that was founded in 1877 by the Sisters of the Little Company of Mary Congregation (LCM). The hospital offers six wards, 121 beds, and 6 theatres, and they rely mostly on referrals.  

Address: 155 King George Road, Avondale, Oxford Road, Harare, Zimbabwe

Phone number: +263 24 2303360

Pacific 24-hour Hospital offers a variety of services, including radiology, maternity, casualty, and emergency care.

Address: 11592 Kamunhu Shopping Centre, Harare, Zimbabwe

Phone number: +263 71 377 5884

The Avenues Clinic is part of the Medical Investments Limited group, which also includes St. Clements Clinic, Montagu Clinic, the Avenues Clinic Laboratory, and Baines Imagine Group. This clinic offers a critical care unit, accident and emergency services, surgery, maternity care, and more. 

Address: Corner Baines and Mazowe St, Harare, Zimbabwe

Phone number: +263 8677 006175

New Marlborough Hospital’s reputation for compassionate medical staff, great customer service, and cleanliness makes it a popular option in Harare. They provide private doctor’s rooms, dental services, a pharmacy, a medical laboratory, and inpatient hospital beds.

Address: 1751 Mutoko Rd, Harare, Zimbabwe

Phone number: +263 24 2335113

The Health Bridge Private Hospital has expanded since its opening in 2013 to include radiology, dental care, admissions, renal dialysis, and accident and emergency services to care for patients in Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe. 

Address: 3RFM+GM6, West Dr, Victoria Falls, Zimbabwe

Phone number: +263 83 2846634

Health Insurance Options in Zimbabwe for Expats

Expats in Zimbabwe choose international health insurance to protect their health and their budget. Since medical care in the country is limited and the best care is often available at private institutions, international insurance allows expats to access top services inside and outside the country.

Public Insurance in Zimbabwe

Zimbabwe’s public healthcare is run by the Ministry of Health and Child Care. The country does not offer a universal system, and out-of-pocket expenses are common and not always regulated.

Private Insurance in Zimbabwe

International health insurance provides the best tailored coverage for expats in Zimbabwe to meet their needs in the country while also providing the freedom to seek care outside of Zimbabwe. Those spending time in Zimbabwe should ensure their plan includes medical evacuation.

Individuals who choose an international insurance plan have the luxury of customizing their coverage benefits, from the length of coverage to annual maximums to add-ons like maternity or vision care. Some of the common benefits included in an international health insurance plan include:

• Worldwide coverage
• Inpatient and day patient care
• Cancer care
• Mental health care
• Emergency ambulatory services and ER care
• Palliative care
• Home nursing
• Lab work and testing
• Prescription medications
• Emergency dental care
• Rehabilitation

These policies are often renewable and offer 24-hour assistance for emergencies. 

Expats visiting Zimbabwe on vacation or staying short-term can secure travel insurance with medical coverage. It is not mandatory to enter the country, but it is still highly recommended, given the country’s relatively high crime rate and the possibility of medical emergencies.

Travel insurance protects travelers to Zimbabwe from financial losses, from lost luggage to cancelled flights to emergency medical services. Pacific Prime partners with top travel insurance companies, so you can confidently use our free comparison tool to find the best travel insurance plans.

For expats looking to relocate to Zimbabwe long term, the insurance experts at Pacific Prime can also guide you through the many international insurance plans available free of charge, or keep reading to find some of our top plan suggestions.

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in Zimbabwe 

Some of the best private health insurance for expats in Zimbabwe includes Allianz, AXA, Cigna, and NOW International. Keep reading below to find out about these fantastic providers.

Allianz

Allianz has offered its quality services to expats around the world in over 72 million cases and 58 languages. Allianz offers three international plans: Allianz Care, Allianz Care Plus, and Allianz Care Pro, which all cover inpatient and day-care services, oncology treatment, and medical evacuation.

The annual limit per plan is:

• Care plan: USD $2,500,000
• Care Plus plan: USD $4,000,000
• Care Pro plan: USD $5,00,000

Each tier of coverage offers additional benefits. Beyond the benefits offered in each core Care plan, expats may purchase add-on plans for further coverage, such as an outpatient plan, a dental plan, a repatriation plan, and a maternity plan.

AXA

AXA boasts over 55 years of experience and 95 million clients to provide excellent care across its Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus plans. These plans offer 24/7 personal support, claims repayment within 48 hours, second medical opinions, and virtual doctor visits. 

AXA’s five international plans all offer coverage for:

The Prestige and Prestige Plus plans also cover routine pregnancy care and annual health checks.

The annual limit of each plan is:

• Foundation plan: USD $160,000
• Standard plan: USD $1,600,000
• Comprehensive plan: USD $2,400,000
• Prestige plan: USD $3,200,000
• Prestige Plus plan: USD $8,00,000

Cigna

With over 1.5 million health professionals in their network, Cigna’s health insurance plans offer excellent coverage for expats seeking both inpatient and outpatient services. Cigna’s Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans, as well as their Close Care plan, share the following core benefits: 

The core benefits included in Cigna’s international insurance plans include:

Expats have the option to customize their plan for their health and lifestyle needs, with some popular add-on benefits including: 

• Dental and vision benefits
• Evacuation and Crisis Assistance Plus™
• Outpatient services
• Health and wellbeing services

The annual limits for each plan are: 

• USD $1,000,000 for the Silver plan
• USD $2,000,000 for the Gold plan
• An unlimited annual maximum for the Platinum plan 
• USD $500,000 for the Close Care plan 

 

The Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans all offer international coverage, while the Close Care plan only offers coverage in Zimbabwe and the member’s home country as a cost-effective option. 

NOW Health

NOW Health customers love the company’s hassle-free claims, their simple application and renewal processes, and the service teams that speak multiple languages. NOW Health’s WorldCare plan includes four tiers of coverage, while the SimpleCare plan comes with three tiered options for coverage.

Under the SimpleCare plan, annual limits are:

• USD $1,000,000 for the SimpleCare Core tier
• USD $1,500,000 for the SimpleCare 100 tier
• USD $1,500,000 for the SimpleCare 250 tier

Under the WorldCare plan, annual limits are:

• USD $3,000,000 for the Essential tier
• USD $3,500,000 for the Advance tier
• USD $4,000,000 for the Excel tier
• USD $4,500,000 for the Apex tier

Facts to Consider When Picking Insurance in Zimbabwe

When choosing private health insurance, expats should consider an insurer's reputation, the size of the provider network, direct billing options, and specifics of their health and budget. We’ve listed the main factors to keep in mind below:

Your Budget 

Your health history, desired coverage, add-on benefits, and even age and gender all contribute to your plan cost. We’ve defined common terms below that relate to payments in your insurance plan:

• Premiums are the amount you pay each month for health insurance. 
• Deductibles are the amount you pay before your insurance covers costs. 
• Copays are the amount you pay for medical visits, like doctor’s visits. 
• Coinsurance is the coverage percentage you pay once you have met your deductible. 

The out-of-pocket maximum is the total maximum amount you may pay for health care within a term.

Plan Limits

Coverage limits refer to the maximum amount the insurer will pay for medical expenses, which varies per plan. International health insurance limits usually run annually. Ensure that plan limits align with your healthcare needs, especially if you often receive extensive care.

Range of Benefits 

Expats should evaluate which plans provide comprehensive coverage that includes inpatient and outpatient services and preventive care. If necessary, choose a plan with coverage for maternity care, mental health services, and prescription medications.

Exclusions

Most plans have exclusions, such as not providing coverage for pre-existing conditions, specific treatments, or alternative therapies. Review your policy carefully or seek guidance from a trained broker before choosing your plan to avoid covering costs out of pocket.

Prescription Medication 

Check if prescription drugs are covered, including any chronic medication you may need. If not, you may need to bring any necessary medications for the duration of your stay in the country.

Insurer Reputation

Pacific Prime partners with top-tier insurance providers, giving you many trusted companies to pick from on our site. If you look elsewhere, look at ratings and reviews online from current policyholders. 

Direct Billing Options

Some providers provide direct billing, which allows expats to receive treatment upfront before payment, alleviating financial stress and streamlining the medical process. 

Language Support

Ensure that your chosen insurer provides customer service in a language you are comfortable with. Also, ensure that they can communicate with those in Zimbabwe, where many languages are spoken. This will facilitate filing claims and navigating emergencies.

Medical Evacuation

Confirm that the plan includes medical evacuation coverage. This is particularly important for expats and travelers in Zimbabwe. Medical evacuation addresses the costs of transporting you to another location or country for necessary medical care.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Zimbabwe

Travel to Zimbabwe is considered relatively safe if travelers exercise increased caution. Since criminals in Zimbabwe frequently resort to pickpocketing, theft, and smashing car windows to steal, use caution when out in public. 

Violent crime is also fairly common in Zimbabwe, and criminals often target foreigners and those suspected of having large sums of cash. Avoid demonstrations around political events, as large gatherings are often restricted by the government and can quickly escalate to violence.

Zimbabwe Health Travel Advice

Both travelers and expats should secure international health insurance or travel insurance before entering Zimbabwe. It’s also important to ensure that your policy covers emergency evacuations to avoid paying hefty out-of-pocket expenses if you need medical transportation. 

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Zimbabwe have free healthcare?

Zimbabwe does not offer free healthcare in its private or public sectors. Even within the public healthcare sector, fees are common and not well regulated, so private insurance is highly recommended to protect your wallet.

Do I really need private health insurance in Zimbabwe?

Private health insurance is highly recommended for expats in Zimbabwe. Medical care across Zimbabwe is limited and falls below the standards most expats are used to. Private insurance ensures that you have access to better facilities abroad and covers emergencies like medical evacuation.

What diseases are prevalent in Zimbabwe?

HIV/AIDS is a leading cause of death in Zimbabwe, and other diseases such as tuberculosis, malaria, and cholera are all common. Travelers and expats should also be aware of Neglected Tropical Diseases (NTDs) like bilharzia and intestinal worms across Zimbabwe.

Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Expats in Zimbabwe are strongly advised to secure a comprehensive international health insurance plan to ensure they can access the best medical care in Zimbabwe and outside the country as well. Because the country lacks stable medical care, medical evacuation coverage is also preferred.

Get in touch with Pacific Prime to compare health insurance plans for Zimbabwe, learn more about their benefits, and choose the plan that’s right for you.