The benefits of international private medical insurance

We take a look at what you get for your money with worldwide health cover.

An international private medical insurance (IPMI) policy isn’t for everyone.

However, if you regularly live, study or work overseas it’s definitely worth considering in order to access healthcare and medical treatments while you’re away.

Here are a few of the benefits of taking out an IPMI plan if you’re still undecided.

You can use it when you’re not sick

You don’t need to be ill to use your IPMI plan, as your policy will include routine visits to the doctor as standard.

So you can take advantage of your plan even when you’re not sick for everyday healthcare you’d normally visit a GP for, like prescription medication and in some cases vaccinations. Some plans even have routine eye and dental checks thrown in too.

Basic plans normally cap the number of visits, but more premium ones will have check ups as an unlimited benefit.

High quality healthcare worldwide

Local healthcare can be expensive when you’re abroad and in some areas you might only be able to access the most basic facilities.

But if you fall ill or have an accident overseas, an IPMI plan means you can get access to high quality treatment in a private hospital. What's more many offer evacuation to an appropriate facility if it’s not available nearby.

Bupa Global for example has access to a network of over 800,500 medical providers across the world, which means you’re in safe hands wherever you are.

Round the clock support

Any decent IPMI policy will also have a 24-hour emergency helpline open 365 days a year.

This round the clock support means any health queries or claims can be answered night and day by medical professionals or a team of advisors that speak your language.

They take cancer seriously

All policies will differ on the nitty gritty when it comes to things like hereditary, chronic and acute conditions. But by and large cancer is normally covered as standard.

A policy will typically offer to pay for screenings, treatments like radiotherapy and chemotherapy, and some even put money towards the aftercare for prostheses and wigs.

Aviva International Solutions for example offers support at each stage of cancer treatment as part of its core cover.

Treatments can be unconventional

Lots of IPMI plans offer complementary medicine as an add-on feature.

These medical therapies fall beyond the realms of conventional medicine and can range from acupuncture to Chinese herbal medicines.

Lots offer free child cover

A number of IPMI plans also provide cover for your children at no extra cost, giving families some peace of mind.

The Bupa Global Elite plan for example provides cover for two children under 10, while its Ultimate package provides cover for two children under 16, subject to underwriting.

You can tailor your plan

You can use add-ons to create a plan that suits your needs.

Maternity cover for pregnancy and birth, dental treatment and eye care are just some of the options you can pick and choose to tailor a plan with most providers.

Some also give you the flexibility to remove or reduce levels of cover to lower premiums as well as create a plan that suits you better.

Aviva’s International Solutions for example has a selection of add on and removable features built around its core cover.

You don’t have to buy an annual policy

If you plan to live, work, study or travel overseas for under a year you don’t have to shell out for an annual deal for cover.

There are plenty of providers which offer flexible arrangements and don’t try to lock you into a policy for 12 months when you need something shorter.

Both Bupa Global and AXA PPP International, for example, offer short-term cover options of three to 11 months.

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