Vanuatu Health Insurance for Expats

International Health Insurance for Expats in Vanuatu

Expats visiting or moving to Vanuatu should purchase health insurance for their trip to protect them against unexpected illness or accident. Due to the limited healthcare facilities in the region, health insurance with medical evacuation coverage is crucial.

Are you planning a trip to Vanuatu? These beautiful but remote islands offer a limited healthcare system, so expats must come prepared with their own health insurance plans. This guide from Pacific Prime will help you find the right insurance coverage.

We will discuss the best international insurance providers and plans for Vanuatu and share an overview of what you can expect from the healthcare system on the islands. We will also share health and safety tips for the country. Keep reading to learn more, or click below for a free quote!

Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Vanuatu

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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AXA Global Health Insurance Plan

• Experienced Personal Support 24/7
• Easy Online Access
• Virtual Doctor Service
• Mind Health Support
• Maximum Annual Benefit Limit up to USD $8,000,000

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The Healthcare System in Vanuatu

Healthcare is a serious social issue in Vanuatu, as the distance between the islands and the relative poverty hinders the accessibility of quality healthcare. Vanuatu also suffers from a severe shortage of qualified healthcare professionals and specialized medical supplies.

Because of limited medical facilities and resources in Vanuatu, patients with serious illnesses or injuries are often medically evacuated to a facility in Australia or New Zealand. These medical evacuations can cost more than ten thousand US dollars.

Hospitals in Vanuatu

There are four public hospitals and one private hospital in Vanuatu, with additional health centers located across all islands. These hospitals offer basic medical care to locals and foreigners alike and often require patients to pay in cash for their medical treatments.

Public Hospitals in Vanuatu:

• Vila Central Hospital
• Lenakel Hospital
• Northern Provincial Hospital
• Norsup Hospital

Private Hospitals in Vanuatu:

• Vanuatu Private Hospital

Health Insurance Options for Expats in Vanuatu

Expats don’t have the option of receiving public health insurance coverage in Vanuatu, leaving private health insurance to be their best option for financial protection during their stay on the islands. Private health insurance can protect expats against the high costs of medical evacuation.

Private health insurance in Vanuatu can be purchased through travel insurance, short-term health insurance plans, or long-term international health insurance plans. The specifics of your plan will be determined by how long you will be staying on the islands, and how much coverage you need.

International health insurance is a popular choice for expats in Vanuatu as it offers valuable benefits like global portability, access to your choice of private medical facility, and medical evacuation coverage in case you need to relocate to Australia or another neighboring country for treatment.

International health insurance plans are often customizable, allowing you to tailor your plans to your needs. This flexibility in coverage is an attractive benefit that helps you only pay for what you need.

Best Private Health Insurance Providers for Expats in Vanuatu

The best private insurance providers for expats in Vanuatu are offered by international health insurance providers Cigna, AXA, Bupa Global, and April International. We will share a brief overview and highlight these provider’s plans in the following sections.

Cigna Global Health Insurance for Expats in Vanuatu

Cigna provides flexible insurance plans to expats in Vanuatu and across the world. They offer their members 24/7 access to a customer care team and access to any of Vanuatu’s and neighboring country’s private healthcare facilities. Their plans are customizable and comprehensive.

Cigna has a Silver, Gold, and Platinum plan with different levels of coverage. All three of these plans share several common key coverage benefits:

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

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AXA for Health Insurance Expats in Vanuatu

AXA is a leading international health insurance provider that insures expat individuals and families in Vanuatu. Its health insurance plans are offered in five coverage tiers: Foundation, Standard, Comprehensive, Prestige, and Prestige Plus.

Each of these plans includes comprehensive inpatient coverage, with annual limits ranging from USD $160,000 to $8,000,000. Exact coverage benefits will vary from plan to plan.

The core benefits included in all five plans are:

• 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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April International Health Insurance for Expats in Vanuatu

April International is a leading international insurance provider that offers affordable comprehensive coverage to expats in Vanuatu and worldwide. They offer health benefits in different tiers of coverage through their Emergency Plan, Formule Basic, Essential Plan, Comfort, and Premium Plan.

April International offers a variety of benefits in their plans, including:

• Inpatient treatment
• Outpatient treatment
• Emergency repatriation
• Emergency evacuation
• Maternity coverage
• Vision and dental coverage

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If you’d like to compare quotes from these insurance providers and others, check out our free quote tool here.

Facts to Consider when Picking Insurance in Vanuatu

Choosing a health insurance plan for Vanuatu can be made easier by considering your budget, how long your trip is, and what your coverage needs are. Considering these factors is an important step to finding the right insurance plan for you.

• Your Budget: You should understand how much you can afford in monthly or yearly premiums, but this doesn’t mean you should try to find the cheapest coverage possible. You should ensure that your health and finances will be adequately protected through the coverage limit you purchase.
• The Length of Your Trip: How long your trip is will determine how long you will need to purchase coverage, and whether you will need a travel insurance plan that will last only a few months or something more comprehensive like an international health insurance plan.
• Your Coverage Needs: Do you plan on needing outpatient care for your time in Vanuatu? Or preventative care? Take the time to determine where you may need additional medical support to ensure that you have the right coverage for your health needs.

Health and Safety Tips for Travelers in Vanuatu

Expats can stay safe while in Vanuatu by following tips like checking natural disaster forecasts, wearing mosquito repellent, and getting all necessary vaccinations before you leave. We will discuss more of these safety tips below.

• Check Natural Disaster Forecasts: As an island country, Vanuatu is prone to natural disasters such as tsunamis, earthquakes, and volcanic eruptions. Check the weather forecasts often, and be aware of the natural disaster seasonal risks.
• Vaccinate Before You Leave: Make sure you are up to date on your routine vaccinations before you leave, and for further protection, you can get a typhoid vaccine.

Only Drink Clean Water: Visitors should avoid drinking tap water unless it has been boiled or otherwise sanitized. Expats can stick to drinking bottled water and beverages and should avoid getting ice in their drinks.

Compare Plans and Quotes Now

To navigate health insurance in Vanuatu, talk to health insurance experts at Pacific Prime to find the best health insurance option for you. Our policies cover a range of medical services including dental, maternity, pre-existing conditions, family health insurance, and more.

For more information about Vanuatu health insurance and locally compliant international health insurance plans that we can offer there, or to receive a free quote, please contact one of our expert advisers today.