Travel

International Health Insurance for U.S. Full-Time Travelers

| by twahibell

I’ve personally tried these insurance options during my full-time travel, and I review them every year to make sure I’m using the one that fits my needs best. I also added a section at the end of this post for U.S. travelers who are 65 and older, since their insurance rules and options are a bit different.

1. Genki Traveler: Perfect for Digital Nomads

Genki Traveler is a newer option I switched to from IMG Global because the monthly premium is cheaper and the deductible is just €50. It is a European company that offers insurance for full-time international travelers and digital nomads. I also chose Genki because, based on my research, it has better reviews from people who actually filed a claim, which gives me more confidence in their process. One flexible feature is that you can sign up even after your trip has started. But if you sign up after your trip begins, the policy takes 14 days to become fully active unless you already have prior insurance, so you’ll need to plan ahead or keep other coverage during that gap.

Note: Genki charges monthly in euros, so if you’re a U.S.-based customer, use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees.

Pros:

  • Lower monthly premium than most other providers, with just a €50 deductible.
  • You can sign up even after you have started your trip.
  • Great fit for digital nomads.

Cons:

  • If you sign up after your trip starts, there is a 14-day waiting period before the policy becomes fully active unless you already have prior insurance. Only medical emergencies are covered for the first 14 days (waiting period).

2. GeoBlue: Good for Short-Term Travel (Up to 180 days)

GeoBlue is a good option for U.S. travelers who are abroad for no more than 180 days. You must sign up before leaving the U.S., and the policy cannot be renewed while abroad.

My preferred policy is Voyager Essential. If you have pre-existing conditions, the Voyager Choice plan is better but requires a primary U.S. health insurance policy.

Pros:

  • Large global provider network with many direct-pay arrangements.

Cons:

  • Maximum coverage length is 180 days.
  • Cannot renew while abroad.
  • Not good for long-term travel beyond 180 days.
  • Voyager Choice requires U.S. primary insurance.

3. Cigna Global: Good for Long-Term Expats (1 Year or More)

Cigna Global is designed for people outside the U.S. for over one year. It is fully customizable and good for long-term expats.

Pros:

  • Great for people who live abroad long-term and spend most of their time in one country instead of moving from country to country.

Cons:

  • Too expensive for short-term travel under a year.
  • May not be a good fit for digital nomads who regularly change countries and do not have a home base.

4. IMG Global: Flexible for Most Travelers

If for some reason you insist on getting GeoBlue and your trip outside the U.S. is longer than six months, you can start with GeoBlue for the first 180 days, then switch to Genki Traveler or IMG Global. Both Genki Traveler and IMG Global allow you to sign up while abroad.

Pros:

Cons:

  • Coverage is more limited compared to premium plans like GeoBlue or Cigna.
  • It might be more expensive than Genki Traveler.

The International Healthcare Insurance Plan I Use

For my international travels, I now use Genki Traveler because, based on my research, it has more good reviews from people who filed claims. It’s also cheaper and has a €50 deductible. In addition to Genki Traveler, I still keep U.S. coverage through the ACA marketplace so I’m covered when I visit the U.S.

A Note for U.S. Travelers Age 65 and Older

If you’re 65 or older and want to travel full-time outside the U.S., things get a little harder. Most international insurance plans are very expensive for this age group, and you’re still required to enroll in Medicare even if you don’t live full-time in the U.S.

One option to look at is the Wellcare Giveback HMO plan. It’s not full coverage overseas, but it may offer emergency coverage outside the U.S., which might be enough if you just want a simple backup while traveling long-term. Some versions of this plan also offer a Part B premium reduction, which can lower your monthly Medicare cost. Just keep in mind that the Wellcare Giveback (HMO) plan may not be available everywhere, so you’ll need to check your ZIP code to see if it’s offered in your state.

Everyone’s situation is different, but this can be a starting point for people in this age group who want to keep costs down while still having some protection.

 

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