International Health Insurance for UK Residents and Expats
International private medical insurance (IPMI) is a global health policy designed for people who live, work, or travel outside the UK long-term. Unlike travel insurance, which covers short trips and emergencies, IPMI covers ongoing medical care wherever you happen to be.
Insured Health helps UK expats, digital nomads and international workers compare global health insurance. Call 0800 131 0400 or email info@insuredhealth.co.uk.
How IPMI differs from UK PMI and travel insurance
UK private medical insurance only covers treatment in the UK and rarely beyond a 90-day overseas trip. Travel insurance covers emergencies on holiday but not ongoing or chronic care, and policies usually cap individual claims.
International health insurance is built for people who actually live abroad. Cover applies year-round, in your country of residence and across whichever geographical regions you select. Annual benefit limits are typically high; often £1m+ per person per year, and cover includes routine care, not just emergencies.
Who needs international health insurance
- UK expats relocating for work, retirement or family reasons
- Digital nomads living between countries with no fixed base
- International students studying abroad longer than a standard travel policy will cover
- Overseas contractors and remote workers without an employer-sponsored scheme
- Yacht crew and international sailors
- Returning expats who want continuity of cover when moving back to the UK
What IPMI usually covers
- Inpatient hospital treatment worldwide (within your selected region)
- Outpatient consultations, diagnostics, and prescribed treatment
- Maternity care (after a waiting period, usually 10-12 months)
- Cancer care, including advanced and targeted therapies
- Mental health treatment
- Dental and optical (on higher tiers)
- Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation
- Direct-billing arrangements with major international hospitals
Choosing your geographical area
Premiums depend heavily on the regions you select. Common options:
- Worldwide excluding USA; the most popular and most cost-effective tier
- Worldwide including USA; significantly more expensive due to US healthcare costs
- Europe-only or regional; cheapest, but restrictive if you travel widely
If you only spend short holidays in the US, many insurers offer a US “trip cover” add-on that’s far cheaper than full US inclusion.
Underwriting on IPMI policies
International insurers usually offer the same two underwriting routes as UK PMI:
- Full Medical Underwriting; disclose your history, get a clear list of what is and isn’t covered
- Moratorium; recent conditions are excluded automatically, with a route back to cover after a symptom-free period
Some insurers also offer a Continuous Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME) basis when switching from another IPMI policy, preserving cover for conditions already accepted.
Leading IPMI insurers
The international market is led by specialist global insurers including Bupa Global, Cigna Global, AXA Global Healthcare, Allianz Care, William Russell, IMG Global, and Now Health. Each has different strengths; some are stronger in Asia, others in Europe, others on US-inclusive plans.
Frequently asked questions
Can I keep my UK NHS access if I have IPMI? Yes. NHS access depends on your residency status, not your insurance. IPMI is a separate, private layer of cover.
Does IPMI cover me back in the UK? Most plans include some UK cover when you’re visiting, and full UK cover if you select the UK as part of your region. Check your specific plan.
Is IPMI more expensive than UK PMI? Usually yes, because the geographical reach and benefit limits are much wider. Premiums vary hugely by age and region.
Can my family be on the same policy? Yes. Most IPMI insurers offer family policies, and children are often added at low cost or free up to a certain age on family-tier plans.
Looking for international cover? Call 0800 131 0400 or email info@insuredhealth.co.uk for a tailored quote.
