The Best Health Insurance Options for Digital Nomads
Health insurance is a good option when you’re a digital nomad. Here are the best health insurance for digital nomads to check out.
When you’re getting ready to become a digital nomad, you’re usually focused on things like how you’ll make money and where you’ll travel to first. But, while it’s easy to forget, it’s important to figure out your health insurance, too.
This is a little trickier for nomads. It doesn’t make sense to go through the hassle of signing up for insurance in each individual country you visit, and your normal health insurance might not cover you as much as you’d like.
That’s why many digital nomads turn to international health insurance plans. There are several out there and they each do something slightly different. While you’ll want to do your own research before you settle on just one, here are a few options to keep in mind to get you started:
World Nomads
This is an insurance plan that was actually designed by digital nomads, for digital nomads. While it covers medical emergencies, it also insures other things like trip cancellation, transportation, and tech issues. World Nomads has an emergency line that’s always open, too.
Global Medical Insurance by IMG
IMG’s Global Medical Insurance is designed for people who are traveling for a year or more. They offer a range of coverage to fit your needs and budget. You also get a cash incentive and a 50% reduction in your deductible if you get treated at certain medical facilities outside the U.S. Keep in mind that the more basic (read: cheaper) plans don’t include preventative care. But, if you’re an otherwise healthy person, this might not be an issue for you.
International Medical Coverage by Cigna
Cigna has three levels of coverage for people who are living outside their home country. You can choose between a silver, gold, or platinum package. A basic package will cover you for hospital stays and treatment, intensive care, transplants, diagnostic tests, and ambulance services. It will also cover you for up to 90 days when you’re home.
International Health Plan by Integra Global
Integra Global bills itself as a “different breed of international health provider.” You can use it anywhere you want within the region you choose. The company offers up two plans — a basic yourLife plan that covers routine health checks, vaccines, eye care, prescriptions, mental health appointments, and preventative care, and a PremierLife plan that will help upgrade you to a private room at the hospital and a dental plan. With these plans, you can go to any doctor or hospital you want. Just keep in mind that things like maternity care aren’t covered and that the cost skyrockets if you want to use it in the U.S.
International Health Insurance by Allianz Care
Designed for people who are living and working away from their home country, Allianz is a popular choice with digital nomads. It has an easy plan that allows you to submit claims, find medical care, and manage your account with an app. It also covers private hospital rooms, in-patient care, emergency outpatient treatment, medical evacuation, and oncology, among other things. Just keep in mind that you may need to pay more to get dental care added.
Safety Wing
Safety Wing is another insurance company designed with digital nomads in mind. It offers travel medical insurance for people all around the world when they’re outside their home country. The rates are pretty reasonable — if you’re under 39, you’ll pay about $37 a month (if you’re traveling outside the U.S.), with a $250 deductible and coverage up to $250,000. The company is fairly new, but it’s definitely promising
These are just a few of the more popular plans out there. Keep in mind that if you’re working for a company, they may offer health insurance that will cover you. Just make sure it’ll still works as you travel — that’s kind of crucial.
Read also: 18 Things You Need on Your Digital Nomad Packing List
ABOUT NOMADX
NOMADX is a real estate technology platform developed to meet the needs of the rapidly growing global community of location-independent remote workers, or “Digital Nomads”.
As Digital Nomads ourselves, we know what the market is looking for: trusted, affordable accommodations in highly-attractive locations worldwide at 45% less than AirBNB. We also offer educational masterclasses to help master the lifestyle as well as community events to help foster new friendships.
Please join our community of Digital Nomads and remote workers from around the world:
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Facebook Group: Support Community for Remote Workers
ABOUT THE AUTHOR
Dave Williams is the CEO and Co-founder of NOMADX with his base in Lisbon, Portugal. Dave is a US pioneer in the digital marketing, advertising, and ad tech industries as a serial digital entrepreneur over the past 20+ years with multiple exits in the early formative stages of the search engine marketing, social media, and ad tech industries.
