International Family Health Insurance Plans

International Family Health Insurance: Coverage Abroad

Healthcare abroad can be overwhelming for expat families. Local systems may be unfamiliar, costly, or offer limited access for expats with temporary status. International family health insurance ensures expat families can access undisrupted, quality healthcare, wherever their lives take them.

Family health insurance plans can be tailored to suit your family's specific health needs, from maternity benefits for growing families to preventive care and vaccination coverage for children.

With personalized advice from Pacific Prime’s insurance experts, expats can rest assured that they can secure family health insurance plans tailored to their family’s needs and budgets.

Recommended Family Health Insurance Plans for Expatriates

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

Plan Details Get a Quote

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 $4,000,000
• Flexible deductibles for inpatient and outpatient plans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Family health insurance plans can be tailored to match your budget and specific healthcare needs. Many comprehensive options include benefits like routine checkups and childhood vaccinations, while selecting emergency-only or inpatient-only coverage can help reduce premiums.

How International Health Insurance Works for Families

International family health insurance operates much like individual plans. Let your broker or insurer know you need coverage for your dependents, and they will gather your ages and other details to provide accurate quotes and plan options.

Because private international health insurance involves underwriting, it’s important to apply early. Insurers review medical histories to confirm eligibility and assess coverage for each family member, including any pre-existing conditions.

The claims process is similar to domestic private insurance. Most insurers work with hospitals and clinics that support direct billing, which means the provider submits the claim for you, reducing out-of-pocket payments and simplifying your care experience.

International Medical Insurance Eligibility

Expats are eligible for an international medical insurance policy when they reside outside of their home country for at least three months of the year for more than one year. If you plan to be outside of your home country for a shorter period, you are eligible for a travel insurance policy instead.

Coverage for expats is also subject to underwriting and insurance company age limits. Many insurance companies have a maximum age for issuing new policies.

Pre-existing conditions may also make someone ineligible for an individual or family policy. In this case, an expat would need to participate in a large group policy, like one through an employer, to be eligible for international medical insurance.

International Health Insurance with maternity coverage requires a waiting period to be eligible for coverage of pregnancy-related expenses

International Health Insurance Costs for Families

The cost of international family health insurance differs widely by country. Local healthcare prices, medical inflation, and regulations all influence premiums. Pacific Prime’s 2024 ranking highlights the most and least expensive countries for expat health coverage.

Source: Pacific Prime's Cost of International Health Insurance Report 2024

*Premium data is based on standard IPMI rates for a 36-year-old adult, with inpatient and outpatient care and no deductible. While figures are shown per individual, family premiums are typically calculated using multiples of these rates, giving expats a reliable benchmark.

For a more comprehensive comparison of insurance prices and medical expenses worldwide, you can download Pacific Prime’s free Cost of International Health Insurance Report.

Do Ages Make a Difference in the Cost of Health Insurance for a Family?

Age makes a big difference in the cost of international health insurance. The cost of health insurance increases with the ages of the people on the policy. Let’s consider an older family of four with older children in the following example.

For each cost estimate, our young expat example family of four includes:

• 35-year-old male
• 32-year-old female
• 8-year-old male
• 5-year-old female

For each cost estimate, our older example expat family of four includes

• 50-year-old-male
• 45-year-old-female
• 16-year-old-male
• 13-year-old-female

Comprehensive Coverage Policies Include:

• Inpatient 
• Outpatient
• Dental
• Maternity

Please note that prices are for worldwide coverage excluding the United States, with the exception of the entry for the USA.

As you can see in the table above, health insurance policies are generally more expensive for older policyholders.

International Health Insurance Considerations for Families

Families purchasing international health insurance plans should keep in mind that out-of-pocket medical costs for families can add up quickly, even in countries with more affordable healthcare. Many private health insurance companies have direct billing networks to simplify claims.

• Opting for more comprehensive plans with preventative care coverage will raise premiums but save you on out-of-pocket costs.
• If you plan to travel a lot outside of your resident country, consider plans that offer travel vaccination coverage.
• Maternity insurance coverage has a waiting period before maternity benefits can be used.
• Save money on premiums by excluding coverage in the USA if possible.
• Make sure the annual benefit limit of your selected plan is high enough to cover significant emergencies abroad.
• Verify that you will be able to pay the deductible before choosing a plan. You will probably be better offer paying a little more each month for a lower or $0 deductible.

Affordable Family International Medical Insurance Plans

The most affordable international medical insurance plans for families will likely be through your employer or school. Regional or worldwide excluding the USA, policies are more affordable than plans that include the US. The best-priced insurance company varies by world region.

To see which options fit your budget, you can compare family health insurance quotes quickly and easily online.

The top providers of international family health insurance include Now Health International, VUMI, April International, Allianz Care, Blue Cross Blue Shield Global Solutions, Cigna, AXA, and Bupa Global. There are also many other trusted insurers offering coverage options for families living overseas.

• Quick and Hassle-free Claims Filing
• Customer Service Support in Multiple Languages
• Maximum Benefit Limit up to USD $4,500,000

Plan Details Get a Quote

VUMI Global Insurance Plan

• Over 35 Years of Experience
• Flexible Plans
• Maximum Annual Benefit Limit up to USD $4,500,000
• Exclusive Proprietary Medical Network

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• Over 30 Years of Experience in International Health Insurance
• 24/7 Contact by Phone, Chat, Messenger, or WhatsApp
• Paperless Reimbursement via the Easy Claim App
• Unlimited Annual Benefits Limit

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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 $4,000,000
• Flexible deductibles for inpatient and outpatient plans

Plan Details Get a Quote

• Diagnostic lab work and X-rays
• Surgery
• Inpatient medical emergencies
• Emergency evacuation and repatriation
• Yearly physicals

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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

Plan Details Get a Quote

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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Bupa Global International Private Health Insurance

• Extensive Network of Providers
• Direct Billing Options
• 24/7 Medical Help via Global Virtual Care
• Lifetime Renewal Options
• Maximum Annual limit up to USD $4,764,300

Plan Details Get a Quote

International maternity insurance coverage is available for families. Please be aware that maternity coverage typically has a waiting period, so plan ahead if you’re starting or growing your family. You can find more information about maternity insurance coverage here.

Travel insurance is available for families traveling abroad. There are single-trip plans and multi-trip annual plans. For more information about travel insurance and to find travel insurance quotes, see more here.

For families living abroad with an international health insurance policy, your health insurance may cover you when you travel. As long as you travel within your coverage area, you will have coverage for medical expenses.

International health insurance plans for families can be purchased through the insurance company directly, but insurance brokers offer additional services at no extra cost and provide more competitive deals. Insurance brokers work to make you happy!

For example, Pacific Prime offers claims support and has a local presence and expertise in regions all around the world to provide the best advice and services.

International Family Plans: Insurance Brokers vs. Insurance Agents

Choosing the right international family health insurance can be complex, especially with so many providers and plan types. Working with a broker gives expatriates key advantages, and you can easily compare family health insurance quotes online to see which plans best suit your needs.

• Unbiased advice: Brokers work with multiple insurers, ensuring recommendations are tailored to your family’s needs.
  

• Easy comparisons: Side-by-side plan reviews help you balance cost, coverage, and benefits without confusion.
  

• Expert guidance: From maternity care to pediatric coverage, brokers explain policy details in simple terms.
  

• Time savings: Instead of contacting different insurers individually, brokers streamline the search and enrollment.
  

• Ongoing support: Assistance doesn’t stop at purchase—brokers help with renewals, claims, and adjustments as your family’s needs change.

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

Plan Details Get a Quote

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 $4,000,000
• Flexible deductibles for inpatient and outpatient plans

Plan Details Get a Quote

Using a large group international health insurance policy, like one offered through an employer or school, for your family is the best way to find coverage for pre-existing conditions. Premiums may also be more affordable through a large group. 

Speak to your employer about the possibility of corporate health insurance for working abroad to maximize coverage benefits.

International dental insurance is available for families as a rider on an international health insurance policy. Coverage for dental treatments typically has a waiting period of at least six months. Compare health insurance plans with dental coverage by selecting “dental” as an option.

Does my family need international health insurance?

Expatriate families need health insurance to cover medical expenses living abroad. Domestic health insurance does not cover you or your family when living or traveling abroad. International health insurance policies cover families living abroad for a year or longer.

Does international medical insurance cost the same everywhere in the world?

International medical insurance policy prices vary according to medical costs in the country of residence. For example, policies with coverage in the United States are the most expensive policies for expatriates. Countries with more affordable healthcare have lower premiums for policies.

What is the best international health insurance for families?

The best international health insurance is through an insurance company well-established in your country of residence that provides the coverage you need. Working with a broker will help you identify the best for your family situation by comparing multiple companies and plans.

What does international family health insurance cover?

International family health insurance typically covers inpatient care, emergency treatments, and major treatments for all family members. Many plans also include outpatient visits, maternity options, childhood vaccines, and preventive care, depending on the coverage level chosen.

Can I add or remove family members from my international family health insurance plan?

Most insurers allow you to add a spouse, newborn, or adopted child during enrollment or after major life events. Removing family members is also possible at renewal. Your insurer or broker will update the policy and adjust premiums based on the new coverage details.