India Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in India

For expats planning to relocate to India, acquiring international health insurance is recommended due to variations in healthcare infrastructure across the country. With the appropriate coverage in place, expats can ensure a seamless transition and a fulfilling expat experience.

This guide by Pacific Prime will take you through some of the key points expats should be aware of in India’s healthcare system from private hospitals, and essential vaccinations to safety tips and health insurance.

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in India

Allianz Care Health Insurance

• World-leading Health Insurance Provider for Expats
• Extensive Network With Over 1.9 Million Medical Providers
• Quick and Efficient Claims Process
• Maximum Plan benefit up to USD $5,000,000

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Cigna Global Insurance Plan

• Worldwide Coverage (excluding the US)
• Access to Cigna's trusted network of hospitals and doctors
• Numerous Deductible Options
• 24/7 Customer Support
• 4 Core Insurance Plans

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Healthcare System in India

The Indian government has recently implemented a national health insurance scheme called the Ayushman Bharat Yojana or the National Health Protection Scheme. The scheme is aimed at improving the public healthcare quality in India and providing healthcare coverage to poor and vulnerable families.

For expats living in larger cities like New Delhi, Mumbai, and Bangalore, there are plenty of private hospitals that have English-speaking staff and shorter queues. However, high-quality healthcare facilities may be more limited in rural areas.

Public Hospitals in India

Public hospitals face extremely long queues in big cities thanks to India’s massive urban population. Although many of them also offer English-speaking staff, there is often a lack of equipment, staff, and funding.

This leads to poorer quality services than private hospitals, making it less preferable for expats.

• All India Institute of Medical Science (AIIMS), New Delhi: Established in 1956, the AIIMS hospital has up to 11 branches nationwide and is one of the world’s top medical education institutions. It has been ranked highly in the country, offering quality treatment and excellent infrastructure.

Private Hospitals in India

Private hospitals are the go-to for expats living in India. Their treatments are more in line with the quality of healthcare available in Western countries, offering shorter queues and more English-speaking staff.

Although they charge higher fees, their quality of services, languages available, and medical equipment are superior to their state-run counterparts.

• Tata Memorial Hospital, Mumbai: Founded by Tata Group in 1941, the Tata Memorial Hospital is one of the oldest private hospitals in India. It is well known for offering the best cancer treatment in India, as well as having English-speaking staff and top-quality service.
• Medanta (The Medicity), Gurgaon: The Medanta is one of the newer hospitals, known for having the latest medical equipment and technology, and expertise in Cardiac Surgeries. Medanta is the first hospital in Indian history to perform robotic surgery.

Health Insurance Options in India for Expats

There are several health insurance options available for expats in India from the fully government-funded Ayushman Bharat to private insurance solutions from both local and international insurance providers.

The variety of health insurance options available in India reflects the diversity of the country’s population. With a large and long-standing expat community, the health insurance options have also catered to the medical needs of the expatriate community.

Public Insurance in India

Ayushman Bharat is the Indian government’s flagship government-sponsored health insurance scheme. The scheme aims to achieve the vision of universal health coverage for all citizens. The initiative has been designed to meet sustainable development goals and the commitment to “leave no one behind”.

Private Insurance in India

In India, expats have a selection of private insurance solutions from local insurance providers to international providers. Expats are generally recommended international health insurance plans from international providers to ensure that they are ensured in their country of residence and origin.

Best Private Insurance Providers for Expats in India

These are some of the top global insurers that Pacific Prime partners with, which offer international health coverage in India. India’s insurance market has been growing at a fast pace in recent years. The best insurance providers include Cigna, AXA, Allianz Care, and William Russel

• Cigna
• AXA
• Allianz Care
• William Russel

Cigna Global

Cigna Global offers flexible insurance plans with 24/7 access to their customer care team for expats in India. In addition to comprehensive international health insurance options, Cigna Global also offers short-term expat health insurance options for foreigners.

• Hospitalization
• Inpatient and daypatient treatments
• Cancer treatments
• Physiotherapy
• Accidental death or total permanent disability compensation

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AXA

Expats in India can choose from the five main international health insurance plans AXA offers, Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus. These different plans offer different benefit limits and coverage so expats can choose a plan that suits them.

• Hospital charges and surgery
• Virtual doctor service
• Mind health service
• Emergency coverage
• Medical evacuation and repatriation
• Wide range of cancer treatment
• Ambulance transport
• CT, PET and MRI scans

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Allianz Care

Allianz Care offers international health insurance plans and comprehensive travel insurance plans for expats and travelers to India. Their international health insurance plans cover inpatient and outpatient treatments, dental care, and medical evacuations.

• Inpatient costs
• Diagnostics and laboratory tests
• Surgeries
• Ambulances transport
• Cancer treatment

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William Russel

Wiliam Russell offers international insurance solutions to over 160 countries. Their extensive network offers expats and travelers in India peace of mind knowing they will have access to quality healthcare wherever they go.

• Hospotalization treatment
• Cancer treatment and care
• Emergency evacuations
• Diagnostics
• Post-hospital physiotherapy

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Facts to Consider When Picking Insurance in India

When picking an insurance plan in India, the first thing you need to do is consider your needs and requirements. Once you have determined what you need to be covered, you will be able to look for a plan that suits your needs and requirements the most.

Important factors to consider when picking health insurance in India include:

Premiums and Payment Options

Premiums are an important factor to consider when picking the right insurance plan in India. Choosing a plan with flexible payment options such as deductibles and copayments will allow you to adjust your plan to have the most coverage whilst still staying within budget.

Plan Customizations

Customizability is another key factor to consider when picking insurance in India. The ability to add or drop benefits from a plan will allow you to customize your benefits and create a plan that covers you the way you need it to.

Exclusions

The benefits and coverage of a plan are important, and it is also equally important that you look at a plan’s exclusions when picking an insurance plan that’s right for you in India. Those with chronic conditions and pre-existing conditions should pay particular attention to this factor.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in India

While major cities and tourist destinations in India are generally considered safe, It is crucial to take proper safety precautions such as ensuring you are updated on your vaccinations for diseases like hepatitis A, typhoid, and tetanus.

To best prepare for infectious diseases, here are the recommended vaccinations expats should get before moving or traveling to India:

• Hepatitis A
• Hepatitis B
• Oral Polio
• Typhoid
• Varicella
• Japanese Encephalitis
• Rabies
• Yellow Fever

India faces various social and environmental challenges, leading to the prevalence of various diseases related to smoking, air pollution, unsafe sexual intercourse, and lack of hygiene.

Before going to India, it is worth noting what the most common diseases are so that you can take better precautions while living or traveling there:

• Lung Cancer
• Stomach Cancer
• Liver Cancer
• Ischemic Heart Disease (IHD)
• HIV/AIDS
• Diarrheal diseases

Given the wide array of vaccination recommendations, you should also check whether your health insurance plan covers vaccinations in advance before you travel.

Frequently Asked Questions

What vaccinations do I need before going to India?

Before traveling to India, you should ensure you are vaccinated according to the recommended vaccinations which include Hepatitis, Oral Polio, Typhoid, Varicella, Rabies, Yellow Fever, and Japanese Encephalitis.

Is the tap water in India safe to drink?

It is generally not safe to drink tap water directly from the faucet. The water quality in many parts of India may not meet international standards, and drinking contaminated water can lead to waterborne illnesses such as traveler's diarrhea, cholera, typhoid, and hepatitis A.

What precautions should I take in India to stay healthy?

India faces many social and environmental challenges such as lack of hygiene, expats and travelers are recommended to carry hand sanitizers with them, avoid drinking tap water directly from faucets, and avoid undercooked or raw food to reduce the risk of foodborne illnesses.

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India, with its rich history and diverse culture, can provide expats and travelers with a transformative experience. In order to fully enjoy the experience, it's crucial that expats remember that unforeseen events can occur at any moment.

A reliable health insurance plan in place can offer you the reassurance necessary to immerse yourself fully in the wonders of India, ensuring that you can navigate any health-related challenges with confidence and focus on making the most of your stay.

Pacific Prime offers a wide range of policies to meet your individual needs, be it international health insurance policies for you or your entire family. Contact our advisors today for impartial advice, or click the button below to revive an instant quote.