Although living abroad for the next year is an exciting prospect, there is much to plan and consider. One aspect that is often overlooked is extended medical treatment and how to get care if a serious illness or injury occurs.
Many people assume their U.S. managed care plan will cover them overseas, or that they can simply return home for care. While returning home is a common preference, it may not be practical or immediately possible if care and recovery are needed.
Standard U.S. programs such as Medicare and Medicaid do not provide coverage for medical expenses incurred outside the United States. HMOs typically cover emergency room treatment where you are, but routine coverage is limited to provider networks in your resident state. PPOs may cover a greater portion of out-of-network costs if you use a network doctor.
If you are still in the planning phase, consider preparatory resources like Preparing for an Exciting Trip Abroad for practical steps before departure.
Some travelers turn to travel insurance for medical coverage, but most travel plans have shorter benefit periods. Travel policies usually provide illness and injury coverage based on the plan selected, but benefit periods are often limited to months rather than a year. For longer stays you may exhaust that coverage and become responsible for subsequent expenses.
For details on travel-focused medical products, see International and Travelers Medical Insurance.
Expatriate health insurance is designed for people who will be away from their home country for extended periods—typically longer than six months. These plans remove the geographic restrictions and provider-network limits common to U.S. managed care, and they can also help with language barriers, transfer logistics, and currency exchange when receiving care abroad.
Expatriate Health insurance plans
- Basic expatriate plan: Covers in-hospital and in-patient care, services from multiple medical providers, ambulance transportation, and usually emergency dental services and home health nursing care. Many basic plans offer optional enhancements—such as outpatient services, certain therapy services, and prescription drug coverage—for an additional cost. Emergency medical evacuation coverage is often available as an add-on and typically includes transportation to the nearest advanced treatment center and a return fare.
- Comprehensive expatriate plan: Provides broader coverage for services that may include mental health, vision and hearing care, chiropractic and osteopathy, rehabilitation, maternity and labor and delivery, extended home nursing care, certain prescription medications, and diagnostic testing.
Like all health plans, expatriate coverage has exclusions and restrictions. Common exclusions include preexisting conditions, injuries related to war or terrorism, and claims arising from hazardous occupations. Some carriers may evaluate preexisting conditions for possible underwriting or offer limited coverage for an additional premium.
If you expect to be abroad for an extended period or need broader benefits, review options such as Long Term International Health Insurance to compare coverages and limits.
If you prefer professional assistance comparing plans and benefits, consider contacting support to talk to an agent.
Frequently Asked Questions
Will Medicare or Medicaid pay for care while I live abroad?
In general, Medicare and Medicaid do not cover medical expenses incurred outside the United States, so you should plan separate international or expatriate coverage.
How is travel insurance different from expatriate health insurance?
Travel insurance usually offers short-term coverage with limited benefit periods, while expatriate health insurance is designed for long-term stays and broader, ongoing medical needs.
Does expatriate health insurance cover emergency medical evacuation?
Many expatriate plans offer emergency medical evacuation as an optional add-on, often including transport to an advanced treatment center and a return fare.
Are preexisting conditions covered by expatriate plans?
Preexisting conditions are commonly excluded, but some carriers may underwrite them for additional cost or offer limited coverage depending on the case.