What is international health insurance?

International health insurance provides cover for emergency and routine healthcare while you live, study or work abroad for a long period, usually more than a year. It gives you access to private healthcare in your country of residence.

International health insurance is available to individuals and families. It is also available to employers who want to provide health cover for staff working outside the UK.

What an international policy covers varies between providers, so make sure you understand what you are entitled to before you buy.

What does Freedom Worldwide cover?

Freedom Worldwide is our international health insurance, with five levels of cover. Every level includes:

• inpatient and day-patient treatment
• cancer cover
• outpatient treatment, up to a limit that depends on the level of cover
• repatriation
• a compassionate emergency visit benefit

Higher levels of cover add benefits such as dental treatment, maternity cover and emergency medical cover outside your area of cover. Cover and limits vary by level of cover, and full details are set out in the policy documents.

What are the benefits of international health insurance?

It helps you plan for healthcare costs abroad

How you access public healthcare, and what it costs, varies around the world. Some countries have a free public healthcare system similar to the NHS. Others may expect you to pay all or part of the cost of treatment.

It is also common for foreign nationals not to have automatic access to free public healthcare in their new country. With international health insurance, your insurer pays your eligible private hospital bills, in line with your policy, so you can focus on your health. In an emergency, your policy may also cover transport and repatriation.

It covers you in more than one country

International health insurance can cover you in most countries, and is not usually limited to one country. With many policies, you choose an area of cover, such as Europe or worldwide.

Travelling abroad for the purpose of getting medical treatment is not likely to be covered.

It gives you choice

International health insurance gives you flexibility over your healthcare. You can often choose your doctor, your treatment and your hospital.

Some plans also give you the option to return home for treatment, or to go to another country where you spend a lot of time.

It may include extra cover

Most international policies cover medical evacuation, and repatriation to your home country if you cannot be treated where you live. Other options can include maternity, dental and optical cover.

You may also be able to increase your level of cover for a higher premium. Benefits vary between providers, so take time to compare policies and find one that suits your needs.

Who needs international health insurance?

International health insurance is not usually compulsory. However, it can help people living abroad find their way around the local healthcare system, knowing they are covered if they become ill or injured. It could suit:

• individuals and families moving abroad permanently
• people retiring abroad
• people studying, volunteering or working abroad for a set period
• remote workers
• multinational employers
• frequent business travellers
• groups and global businesses

What is the difference between international health insurance and travel insurance?

International health insurance offers long-term cover while you live abroad, usually for at least a year. It usually covers emergency and routine healthcare.

Travel insurance is short-term cover, for less than a year. It only covers medical emergencies and accidents during a holiday or business trip, and includes non-medical cover such as lost luggage and cancellations. Travel insurance will not cover medical care that can wait until you return home.

Read more about international health insurance and travel insurance.

How much does international health insurance cost?

The cost can vary a great deal, and is generally higher than UK health insurance. The main things insurers consider are:

• the age of the people covered, as premiums rise with age
• the country you are moving to, as premiums are higher where healthcare is more expensive
• your medical history, as cover for conditions you already have, where it is offered, is likely to increase your premium
• the level of cover, as more options and higher limits generally mean a higher premium

How does international health insurance work?

Many international policies cover you for a year at a time. You can usually pay monthly or annually.

If you become ill or are injured, you can make a claim to cover the cost of your treatment. You may need to pay an excess towards your treatment, depending on your policy.

How to get international health insurance

International health insurance is a specialist product. Depending on the provider, you can buy it directly or through an intermediary, who can advise you and help set up your policy.

Freedom Worldwide is arranged through an intermediary. Provided they have a Terms of Business Agreement in place with Freedom Health Insurance, they can request a quotation from us on your behalf. If you have any questions, contact us.