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International Health Insurance for Expats in Pakistan
Securing an international health insurance plan if you’re going to visit, relocate to, or are already living in Pakistan helps cover your medical costs. Expats will need to secure a private plan since they won’t qualify for public insurance. Consider a global plan for worldwide coverage!
Are you looking for more information about healthcare in Pakistan? Do you need help picking the best health insurance plan for your unique situation?
Pacific Prime makes it easy for you to find the best plan for your needs and budget. Simply click the button below to receive a free quote or continue reading to find out about health insurance plans and the healthcare system in Pakistan.
Recommended International Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates Living in Pakistan
Expat International Medical Coverage in Pakistan
Expats who get international medical coverage in Pakistan can be covered anywhere they travel. This is a great option for individuals living in Pakistan who know they will travel. International plans come with comprehensive inpatient benefits, and many plans offer add-ons.
Some of the add-ons available can include coverage for:
- Outpatient care
- Emergency and ambulatory care
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation to your country of origin
- Dental care
- Vision care
- Maternity care
- Pre-existing medical conditions
- Travel insurance
Some plans will include the above benefits in your original package with no extra charge. It depends which provider and level of coverage you select.
With international health insurance plans in Pakistan, expats acquire access to the private healthcare facilities. This is important to many expats because the private centers have a higher quality of medical professionalism, higher-qualified providers and healthcare workers, and greater sanitation.
Pakistan’s Healthcare System: Explained for Expats
Pakistan’s healthcare system is extremely robust. As an active member of the United Nations, Pakistan follows and models its own social service systems after those recommended by the UN. As a result, Pakistan provides some of the highest quality medical treatment in the South Asian region.
Offering a combination of both public and private medical facilities in Pakistan, the healthcare system delivers a wide variety of medical options.
It’s worth noting that there can be times when the healthcare system is placed under a lot of strain. This is due to the country’s ongoing state of struggle with India and its prevalence of natural disasters like earthquakes.
Public Sector and Hospitals in Pakistan
Pakistan’s public healthcare sector is organized into three levels of care.
- Basic Health Units (BHU) and Rural Health Centers (RHC) create the fundamental level of basic care
- First and Second Referral Facilities create the second level of care, providing acute, ambulatory, and inpatient care. These locations consist of Tehsil Headquarter Hospitals (THQ) and District Headquarter Hospitals (DHQ)
- Teaching Hospitals in Pakistan provide the tertiary level of care
One study of tertiary care hospitals in Pakistan suggests that their public hospitals could increase their level of cleanliness, stock more kits and equipment for mass casualty incidents, and improve their staff behavior toward patients.
It is possible similar challenges could face other public hospitals in Pakistan.
Private Sector and Hospitals in Pakistan
The growing private sector in Pakistan offers the largest providers of outpatient care for residents, including expats. Because the public sector isn’t able to support the high demand of healthcare needs, the private hospitals and clinics serve a vital function in filling this gap.
This sector is made up of private hospitals, clinics, laboratories, pharmacies, and more.
Expats will be interested to learn these benefits of the private sector in Pakistan:
- Private facilities tend to offer higher quality of care and result in better patient satisfaction than public facilities
- Private care is in higher demand, and it’s easier for the middle class to access
- Private facilities are often equipped with the most modern technology and equipment
- There is a higher likelihood of getting care from a bilingual practitioner in private offices
While the quality of healthcare is better in private hospitals and doctor offices, it is more expensive. Having a private health insurance plan is vital for expats who want to receive care in these centers.
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Medical Insurance Options for Expats in Pakistan
Expats in Pakistan can choose to get an international health insurance plan or a local health insurance plan. They will not qualify for the public insurance scheme organized by the government. Getting medical coverage is essential due to the risk of diseases such as malaria and tuberculosis.
It is also likely the public hospitals will be overcrowded, adding to the need to secure access to private facilities through a private plan.
International Health Insurance: Private Coverage
International health insurance</ is the recommended option for expats living in Pakistan. These plans are designed with mobile expats and frequent travelers in mind, and they offer comprehensive medical coverage for healthcare virtually all across the globe.
International health plans often include benefits such as:
- Inpatient and outpatient coverage
- Medical emergency coverage
- Medical evacuation and repatriation coverage
- Direct billing
- Worldwide coverage (can include your home country)
- 24-hour emergency assistance
- Renewable policies
- Flexibility in choosing providers
- And much more!
Local Health Insurance: Public Coverage
Alternatively, expats can choose a local Pakistan health insurance plan, though the coverage will be limited to within the country only. Local health insurance is a good option if you’re going to spend most of your time in Pakistan and only travel overseas occasionally.
Pakistan has a government-funded public health insurance scheme called Sehat Sahulat Program (SSP) for eligible households. A second public scheme is the State Life Insurance Corporation's SHP. Expats will not qualify for either program, however, unless they become permanent citizens of Pakistan.
Travel Insurance
If you’re traveling to Pakistan for a short period of time, travel insurance may be the best choice for you. This type of insurance provides coverage for emergency medical treatment and repatriation costs along with mishaps that are related to travel, such as flight delays and cancellations.
Top International Insurance Plans for Expats in Pakistan
Among the very best private health insurance providers for expats in Pakistan are the international plans offered by Cigna, AXA, Bupa, Allianz Care, and VUMI. We will introduce you to each insurer below.
To read the full list of top providers, read our blog post The Top 10 International Health Insurance Providers.
Cigna Global
Cigna Global offers international health insurance to expats living in more than 200 markets and territories around the world. Cigna has 1.5 million health professionals and 24/7 customer support workers who speak more than 50 languages. Individuals, families, and businesses can get Cigna coverage.
Here are some more Cigna highlights:
AXA
AXA Global, also known as AXA Group or simply AXA, has more than 55 years of experience. They serve more than 95 million expats, digital nomads, businesses, and others in over 50 countries. Standard in AXA plans are their second medical opinion service and evacuation and repatriation coverage.
Here are some more AXA highlights:
Allianz Care
Allianz Care is a world-leading health insurance provider for expats living globally. As the international health brand of the larger Allianz Partners, Allianz Care offers health, life, critical illness, and disability insurance around the globe in 75 countries and in over 58 languages.
Here are some more Allianz highlights:
VUMI
VIP Universal Medical Insurance Group (VUMI) sells international health, life, and travel insurance policies for individuals and corporations. VUMI is well-known for its high quality expat maternity insurance, which is included in three of its Global Flex plans. VUMI has 35 years in the industry.
Here are some more VUMI highlights:
Cost of International Health Insurance in Pakistan
According to our 2023 Cost of International Health Insurance Report, the average cost of international health insurance in Pakistan is USD $4,313. The cost of international health insurance will vary based on factors such as age, current health status, and coverage requirements.
The average cost of health insurance for international plans range from:
- USD $3,594 - $9,817 for an individual international health insurance plan
- USD $10,586 - $28,250 for a family international health insurance plan
Want to know more about health insurance options in Pakistan for you or your family? Get a free personalized quote today!
Pakistan Health and Travel Advice for Expats
Expats and travelers visiting Pakistan should be aware of the political environment they are entering. Stay up to date on the news, avoid large crowds and social protests, and be alert and prepared to protect yourself from theft or harm. There are also many disease risks you should know about.
- Avoid Crowds. Due to ongoing conflicts in Pakistan, there is a high threat of terrorism against foreign nationals in Pakistan. Travelers should avoid large groups and gatherings and not get involved in any form of social protest.
- Read the News. When traveling through or residing in Pakistan, you should stay alert for any government announcements involving civil unrest or terrorist acts and follow official directions accordingly.
- Stay Alert and Ready. The most common types of crimes against foreign nationals include petty theft involving passports and wallets, armed car robbery, kidnappings, and murders.
- Get Vaccinated. Disease risks in Pakistan include bacterial diarrhea, hepatitis A through E, typhoid fever, dengue fever, malaria, rabies, tuberculosis, and polio. Some cases of bird flu have been reported in remote areas, and the H5N1 virus remains a severe health threat. All those visiting and residing in Pakistan are advised to be aware of the potential health threats and take the necessary precautions.
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Compare Expat Insurance Plans and Quotes
To begin comparing international health insurance providers and plans, our experts can provide you with a personalized quote based on your needs and requirements. You can reach out to us online or via phone at 1-800-868-1451.
You can also compare over 50,000 insurance plans in the same place with our free insurance quote generator. This is an invaluable resource for expats who want the simplicity of plan analysis and comparison all in one place.
Pacific Prime has helped over one and a half million expats secure health insurance worldwide. With our over twenty years of experience, we know how to help you find the right plan for your individual situation. Let us help you by contacting us today!
Additional Reading:
- Maternity Insurance: Pregnancy while Living Abroad
- International Health Insurance for Pre-Existing Conditions
- Short Term Health Insurance Plans
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