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.
• Your monthly premium is locked in for a full 12-month term, with no rate increase until the policy renews.
• You can cancel anytime after your first month, with no long-term commitment required.
• 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).
• Genki bills in euros, so use a credit card with no foreign transaction fees to avoid extra charges.
• Because Genki bills in euros, your monthly cost in U.S. dollars can fluctuate with the exchange rate.
• For any planned treatment expected to cost €1,000 or more, you must submit an itemized cost estimate to Genki for pre-authorization at least 5 days before starting treatment. This requirement doesn’t apply to inpatient hospital stays if emergency assistance is already involved.
• If you’re visiting the U.S. or Canada, regardless of your citizenship, coverage is limited to the first 7 days of each stay and covers medical emergencies only, even if you’re a U.S. or Canadian citizen whose general home country coverage is normally 6 weeks. You can upgrade to full coverage in both countries for a higher monthly price.

2) GeoBlue: Good for Short-Term Travel (Up to 182 days)

GeoBlue is a good option for U.S. travelers who are abroad for no more than 182 days. You must sign up before leaving the U.S. GeoBlue may allow you to renew the policy one time for another 182 days while you’re still overseas, but only if the initial policy was purchased in the U.S. before you left.

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.
• May allow one renewal for another 182 days while abroad, as long as the original policy was purchased in the U.S. before departure.

Cons

• Maximum coverage length per policy is 182 days, though it may be renewed one time for another 182 days while overseas if the original policy was purchased in the U.S. before you left.
• You pay the full premium as a single lump sum upfront if you choose a policy for the maximum 182 days, unlike Genki, which bills monthly.
• Renewal (if available) is limited to one time.
• Not good for long-term travel beyond what the renewal allows.
• Voyager Choice requires U.S. primary insurance.
• Any medical expenses incurred while back in the U.S. during your trip might not be covered at all, so a brief visit home may not be protected the way it is with some other providers.

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.
• Flexible payment options: pay monthly, quarterly, or annually, with a discount for choosing quarterly or annual billing.
• Coverage for brief visits back to the U.S. is more generous than most providers, depending on what policy and what option you choose.

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 what GeoBlue covers, you can start with GeoBlue for the first 182 days, then either renew for another 182 days if you qualify, or switch to Genki Traveler or IMG Global if you’d rather not renew. Both Genki Traveler and IMG Global allow you to sign up while abroad.

Pros

• You can start a policy even if you’re already abroad.
• Patriot International Platinum is budget-friendly. I used it in 2024 before switching to Genki in 2025.

Cons

• Coverage is more limited compared to premium plans like GeoBlue or Cigna.
• It might be more expensive than Genki Traveler.
• You typically pay the full premium upfront for your selected coverage term, rather than billing monthly like Genki.
• If you return to the U.S. briefly during your trip, coverage might be limited to the first 14 days of that visit.

My Health Insurance Setup (USA & International)

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. I currently pay around €79.80/month for my policy (Genki bills in euros), though your price will vary based on your age, home country, and coverage choices, so it’s worth getting your own quote to compare. 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 expected to enroll in Medicare Part B during your Initial Enrollment Period, even if you don’t live full-time in the U.S. If you skip it and decide to sign up later, you could face a Part B late enrollment penalty, which permanently adds to your monthly premium for as long as you have Part B, unless you have other creditable coverage that qualifies you for a Special Enrollment Period instead. Most travel medical plans, like Genki or GeoBlue, don’t count as creditable coverage, so they won’t protect you from this penalty.

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 better than nothing 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.