Mali Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Mali

International health insurance is the top choice for expats and travelers spending time in Mali. While Mali developed its universal health insurance scheme in 2018, limited medical facilities and minimal investment in health spending have made Mali’s public healthcare less than ideal for most.

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

Whether you’re visiting or moving to Mali, Pacific Prime is ready to help you find the right 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 Mali. 

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Mali

The Healthcare System in Mali

Mali’s healthcare system faces numerous challenges, with widespread sanitation issues and malnutrition across the nation. The scarcity of medical facilities is evident in the prevalence of health issues like dengue fever, typhoid fever, malaria, hepatitis A, and diarrhea. 

As one of the poorest countries in the world, the healthcare system in Mali is severely lacking and heavily relies on foreign aid. Healthcare facilities and medicines in Mali are very limited, especially outside the capital city of Bamako. 

Public Hospitals in Mali

Mali’s hospitals are mostly located in urban areas, like Bamako. Mali is one of the poorest countries in the world and often spends well below 10% of the GDP on health improvement, so the hospitals available are limited and heavily reliant on foreign aid. Some of Mali’s public hospitals include:  

CHU-CNOS is a government hospital located in Bamako that specializes in odontology and stomatology.
Address: JXPW+QJ5, Bamako, Mali
Phone number: (+223) 20 22 65 17

Gabriel Toure University Hospital is considered one of the country’s best hospitals. This hospital was founded in 1959 and provides services across most specialties within its eleven departments, from general and orthopedic surgery to gynecology.
Address: Ave Al Quds, Bamako, Mali
Phone number: +223 20 23 99 86

Centre Hospitalier Universitaire du Point G is a teaching hospital located in Bamako, Mali. The hospital has multiple national and international collaborators, and they perform both clinical and research work at the facility.
Address: 12.669921°N 7.99982°W
Phone number: +223 20 22 38 98

Private Hospitals in Mali

Golden Life American Hospital provides services for both basic illnesses as well as specialized treatments, with medical professionals available across 14 specialties, from urology to cardiology.
Address: Badalabougou, Rue 50 Porte 734, Bamaki, Mali
Phone: +223 20 22 11 11

Pasteur Polyclinic is a multidisciplinary hospital with medical offerings for patients across several specialties. The hospital features three operating rooms and up-to-date medical equipment. 
Address: 12.636837997310593°N 8.020427954049337°W
Phone number: +223 20 29 10 10

Health Insurance Options in Mali for Expats

Expats spending time in Mali should choose an international health insurance plan to protect their health and their budget. Because medical care in the country is severely lacking, international insurance prepares expats to receive the best necessary care—both inside and outside of Mali.

Public Insurance in Mali

Mali offers universal public health coverage, but it is heavily reliant on foreign countries, such as the United States. Mali’s Universal Health Insurance Plan (UHIP) is broken into compulsory medical insurance, Mutuality, a medical assistance scheme, and voluntary health insurance.

The Universal Health Insurance Plan (UHIP), or Regime d’Assurance Maladie Universelle (RAMU) was a social reform created to alleviate the financial burden of Malians for medical spending as well as the hope of creating a functional universal health insurance.

Compulsory medical insurance (AMO) is provided for anyone employed by the formal economy, while RAMED is the medical assistance scheme for the country’s poorest citizens. Mutuality (CBHI) is the country’s community-based insurance, which covers less than 10% of the country. 

About 78% of the population uses voluntary health insurance.

All of these schemes are regulated by the National Health Insurance Fund (CANAM). In 2024, the United States also initiated the PROPEL Adapt, which aimed to improve the quality and accessibility of health insurance in Mali.

Private Insurance in Mali

International health insurance provides the best coverage for expats in Mali, giving them tailored coverage for medical treatment in Mali or the freedom to seek care outside the country. Those spending time in Mali should also 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. 

For expats visiting Mali on vacation or staying short term, travel insurance with medical coverage is not mandatory to enter the country, but it is still highly recommended, given the country’s high possibility of terrorist attacks, crime rate, and possibility for medical emergencies.

Travel insurance protects travelers from financial losses, whether from lost luggage, canceled flights, emergency medical services, and more. Pacific Prime partners with top travel insurance companies, so reach out or check out our free comparison tool to compare the best travel insurance plans.

For expats looking to relocate to Mali 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 Mali 

Some of the best private health insurance for expats in Mali include 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 their 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 Silver, Gold, and Platinum plans all offer international coverage, while the Close Care plan only offers coverage in Mali and the member’s home country as a cost-effective option. 

The Silver plan offers an annual limit of USD $1,000,000, with the Gold plan offering an annual limit of USD $2,000,000, and the Platinum plan offering an unlimited annual maximum. The Close Care plan offers an annual limit of USD $500,000.

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 Mali

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 which 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 over 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 Mali, 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 Mali. Medical evacuation addresses the costs of transporting you to another location or country for necessary medical care.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Mali

Travel to Mali is highly discouraged due to the high risk of violent crime, robbery, kidnapping, and terrorism. If you must travel to the country, consider the following emergency preparations and visit trusted sources for preparation material:

1. Draft a personal will and determine who will be your power of attorney.
2. Consider how you will maintain personal security while in Mali, and determine whether you need help from a professional security organization.
3. Share important documents, login information, and similar information with a trusted individual at home.
4. Delete any potentially controversial material from your social media.
5. Choose a designated family member as the point of contact should you be taken hostage, and create a proof of life strategy. Also, leave them with DNA samples.
6. Ensure all vaccinations are up to date.

Mali Health Travel Advice

Even though Mali’s healthcare system is considered inadequate, travelers can make use of local healthcare facilities. Healthcare is most accessible for expats and travelers within Bamako. 

If you require general healthcare services, most medical practices will suffice, but you’ll have to visit a private hospital for specialty services. It’s worth noting that you’re required to pay for treatment upfront. 

Both travelers and expats should secure international health insurance before entering Mali. 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. 

Pharmacies are easy to spot thanks to their green-colored plus signs. You might not be able to buy every medicine or drug over the counter. You can also buy antibiotics in pharmacies without a prescription.

Frequently Asked Questions

Does Mali have free healthcare?

Mali has made great strides in its public healthcare sector, offering free healthcare to pregnant women and children under five. Most individuals will have to pay upfront to receive medical care, and health insurance is highly recommended.

Do I really need private health insurance in Mali?

Private health insurance is highly recommended for expats in Mali. While the country continues to improve its healthcare, the care available is limited. Private insurance ensures that expats and travelers have access to better facilities abroad and covers emergencies like medical evacuation.

What diseases are prevalent in Mali?

Malaria is the leading cause of death and sickness in Mali. Meningococcal disease, rabies, chikungunya, HIV/AIDS, tuberculosis, cholera, hepatitis, and polio are all common as well. Ensure that you are up to date on all vaccinations and follow health protocols to avoid these diseases.

Conclusion: Compare Plans and Quotes Now

Expats in Mali are strongly advised to secure a comprehensive international health insurance plan that covers emergency evacuation. It’s advisable to check which insurers and plans are accepted by healthcare sectors in Mali. 

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