Engage Health Group

Tag: global health insurance

Here’s how an International Health Insurance broker can help…
A good International Health Insurance broker provides impartial advice to any individual or business looking to offer health coverage to its global employees.

Brokers can be the make or break factor in the success or otherwise of a global health plan.

However, all brokers have their own ways of operating – some offering their services for free, others charging, and all with varying levels of expertise across different countries.

In this blog post you will learn:
- The role of an International Health Insurance broker
- How the business model works
- The benefits of employing an expert broker
- Real-life examples of how a broker can help
Need help creating the perfect blend of international employee benefits and health insurance for your global staff? Contact our expert international insurance brokers on 01273 974419 or click on the chat box on the right.

What does a Global Health Insurance broker do?

A health insurance broker should be dedicated to the needs of its clients – rather than the interests of an insurance provider. A broker’s mission is to find you the best policy at the right price point by using their connections with numerous providers and their knowledge of the industry.

For example, there are several elements to the service at Engage Health Group:
- Initial discussion and fact-finding: Businesses come to us with various questions related to the global health insurance market. It usually centres around how such policies work and how much it costs. We provide all our answers in plain English.
- Advice and guidance: We advise clients about the best route forward after we’ve learnt about the business’s needs and scope of coverage required.
- Delivering quotes: We gather policy price-points from across the whole market, tailored to the needs of a business.
- Claims assistance: We assist with claims, should any disputes arise or any further guidance be required.
- Review policies: We review global healthcare policies to ensure they are providing value for money by comparing against other policies on the market. We will highlight any better, more cost-effective, alternatives.
Launching or reviewing a global health insurance scheme is a daunting and time-consuming process for HR departments. But a broker can ensure the process runs more smoothly.

Insider tip: Brokers are usually paid a commission by the insurance providers meaning their services can be provided free of charge to the business. Look out for any brokers that come with their own fees – these are ones to avoid! Also check if they are members of the AMII as this shows they are dedicated to providing impartial advice and are not tied to an insurer.

Why turn to an International Health Insurance broker?

The International Health Insurance market is full of insurers competing for your attention, all claiming to have the ideal policy for your business. International Healthcare is a considerable investment and that only puts more pressure on HR teams to achieve return-on-investment.

A reputable Global Health Insurance broker can:
- Increase you chances of finding the optimal global healthcare policy
- Reduce the time and stress involved in searching for and managing policies
- Ensure you budget is spent wisely
Below we have listed a few issues that can be encountered when looking into International Health Insurance for your staff:
- Location-specific requirements: Different countries can pose specific challenges that need to be addressed. For example, in the UAE it is essential to have health insurance in order to obtain a work visa. Meanwhile, in the US, health insurance is mandatory for many employers
- The range and breadth of global insurance providers: There are a huge number of global health insurers, each with different policies and expertise in different territories.
- Vast number of products and options: There are potentially thousands of product combinations, exclusions/inclusions and price points to consider.
- Choosing between domestic and international policies: In some cases, opting for separate domestic policies could be better than investing in a global scheme. Brokers will balance up cost factors, compliance requirements and how best to simplify its administration.
International Health Insurance brokers will essentially take on the heavy lifting to remove as much stress as possible from the process.

Further insights: How to gather the best International Health Insurance quotes.

Would you like to speak with an international insurance broker right now? Give our award-winning team a call on 01273 974419 for FREE no-obligation advice and support.

What are the benefits of using an Global Health Insurance broker?

The surge in companies employing talent from around the world has led to increasingly complex demands on HR teams. And this trend is set to continue. So, how do employers ensure that all employees are equally supported wherever they are in the world?

Here are some of the key benefits of employing an International Health Insurance broker:
- Global market-wide quotes: An independent broker is constantly reviewing policies available in the global healthcare market, providing the pick of the bunch to you.
- Free expert knowledge: Receive expert knowledge on each insurance company’s terms and conditions – all relayed clearly to you, entirely free of charge.
- Country-specific knowledge: Gain detailed knowledge on how different health systems operate, what the statutory requirements are and more.
- Personalised approach: Brokers take the time to fully understand the unique requirements of your business, leading to a plan that fits your specific needs.
- Broader employee benefits advice: A broker like Engage can also advise on other areas of workplace benefits, including protections schemes, EAPs, corporate wellness, cultural training and more – and explain how they all fit together.
- Policy implementation: Some brokers also help implement schemes – providing educational materials to employees and generally help onboard employees to ensure they are fully aware of the benefits they have and how to use them.
- Claims assistance: If there are any disputes with an insurer, a broker can take it up on your behalf.
- Independent expertise: Assuming they are an impartial broker, you can be assured they are working in your best interests – and not on behalf of the insurance industry!
Examples of a global health insurance broker in action

The Engage International team work with a wide range of clients across various sectors, offering expert advice and industry experience. To share more insight into what we do, we’ve provided a few revealing testimonials from our client-base.

Remote:

Global hiring specialist and Employer of Record, Remote, has worked with Engage on its global medical plans.

“They helped us establish a comprehensive medical plan that covers our employees globally, with competitive and flat rates. Additionally, they act as advisors, providing us with valuable guidance on best practices in countries where we lack local knowledge.

“Engage Health’s expertise and network of brokers have been instrumental in navigating the complex world of global benefits. They match us with brokers who share our values and goals, ensuring that we have the right coverage and support for our employees worldwide.

“We highly recommend Engage Health for their exceptional service and expertise. We are grateful for their partnership and look forward to continuing to work with them in the future.”

Joana, Senior Expert, Global Benefits Strategy and Design, Remote

Timber Trading Agency (International):

Helping to establish a detailed benefit scheme for employees working in medium-high risk countries.

“Engage Health Group have been very helpful with our members, many of whom are based in third world countries. They have solved the problems raised regarding the COVID pandemic especially relating to evacuation if needed.”

Eva Maguire, General Manager of Timber Trading.

Global IT Company:

Covering 60 employees in Europe/New Zealand/Australia.

In this instance, this organisation had been quickly scaling their international tech pool, hiring remote global employees working in various parts of the world from the get-go.

“They went out of their way to provide us with the best quote and negotiated with our current provider, they managed to increase our level of cover and drop the cost. They provided support during the change over to the new policy and came to our office to do an all company presentation explaining how to get the best out of our cover.”

BCB Group:

Europe’s leading payment service provider.

“James at Engage was super helpful with explaining all our potential options, he understood the requirement for ensuring the level of cover was appropriate whilst also balancing financial impact.

“Throughout the process, from market review through to cover in place, there was regular and quick communication, keeping us in the loop with any developments.

“I would have absolutely no hesitation in coming to James and the team again for any future support required.”

Take a look at more testimonials here.

Reach out to Engage Health Group!

The international health insurance and employee benefits market can be difficult and confusing to navigate through.

At Engage Health Group, we have a global reach spanning more than 70 countries, enabling us to help international clients streamline their global benefits. We offer genuine expertise and the most competitive quotes in the market.

Contact us at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or call 01273 974419 for FREE no-obligation advice and support.
February 28, 2024
Engage and Allianz launch global healthcare policy for UK tech companies

We’re excited to announce that Engage Health Group has joined forces with Allianz Care to launch a new international healthcare scheme for start-ups and tech companies.

The International Tech Pool is the first healthcare policy of its kind, promising a fairer premium than you’ll find in comparable schemes. The innovative policy has been designed for tech companies and start-ups which employ remote workers or operate satellite offices around the globe.

Rather than set up separate health policies in multiple countries, the International Tech Pool allows businesses to protect their whole workforce under one policy in an exclusive risk pool consisting of fellow tech companies and start-ups.

Engage’s International Director, Ian Abbott, believes the product will be a perfect fit for ambitious young start-ups and tech businesses:

“UK tech companies are increasingly employing overseas workers and are faced with the challenge of providing equal health support to all employees, wherever they are in the world.

“Yet, the cost of global health insurance is often inflated because their premium is calculated against the claims history of a riskier pool of businesses. We’ve created The International Tech Pool to solve that problem.”

Find out more about The International Tech Pool here.

In recent years, we’ve seen a growing trend for companies to “scope the globe” for the best tech talent, yet they often struggle to find health coverage to match. Our new product is designed to help these companies access a more affordable global health insurance premium.

Companies already using the scheme include product discovery platform, Maze, and payment service provider, Saltpay.

Paddy Lawlor, Head of Sales & Distribution, UK & Ireland at Allianz Partners, is excited by the product’s potential:

“Tech starts-ups are often at a real disadvantage compared to well-established companies in their ability to provide top level employee benefits to their employees.”

“We agreed that if we could build a comprehensive product and combine a pool of many tech start-ups we could offer an employee benefit package at an affordable premium to allow these companies to attract and retain key staff to help them grow.

“Since the inception of the Engage Health partnership we have seen rapid growth. It has massively surpassed our initial predictions.

“I am really excited to be able to keep working with a partner who is pushing the boundaries of what is possible in this segment. We are already looking at adding additional lines of insurance to the offering as it keeps developing. The exciting part is that we are only getting started.”

As an independent health insurance brokerage, Engage will only recommend a policy if it fits the needs of a business. If this product isn’t right for your company, we won’t hesitate to say so.

> Learn more about The International Tech Pool <

February 23, 2023
How to develop a successful global employee benefits plan
Any company which employs people in different parts of the world faces the challenge of looking after them with an affordable and effective benefit scheme. We’re talking about the kind of benefits which protect the health, happiness, and wellbeing of global staff.

But how do you do it?

A huge range of global employee benefits and insurance products are available which can be used to strike the perfect balance between proactive and reactive health support, lifestyle rewards and financial support.

This straightforward guide will take you through the key building blocks of a successful global benefits plan, as well as giving a comprehensive list of the international benefits you can select from.

Get FREE one-to-one advice and support from our team of international insurance brokers on 01273 974419 or click on the chat box to the right. We’re here to answer all your questions and deliver the best quotes available in the market today.

Get started with these 5 top tips

When it comes to creating an employee benefits plan that meets the needs of your global teams, knowing where to begin can be difficult. However, as brokers with international expertise we have a few tips to help you simplify the whole process and kickstart your global benefits plan.

#1 Assess staff needs:

The key to a successful global employee benefits plan is to provide your staff with the protection and benefits that they need. You need to know they really want and need from a health, wellbeing and lifestyle perspective.

Ask your employees what benefits are most important to them. You can do this by providing them with a thorough list of benefits to choose from and asking them to rank in order of preference. It’s also worth leaving space for them to input their own suggestions.

Other means of gathering staff needs, include:
- Arranging one-to-one meetings
- Arranging team meetings
- Tracking HR data and demographic trends
- Tracking usage of current benefits, if already in place
- Assessing absence levels, alongside productivity, quality/quantity of work being produced
- Opening up convenient systems of communication – online portals, emails, WhatsApp
Performing a comprehensive assessment is the foundation to any successful global employee benefit plan.

#2 Track the success of your benefits

The same principal applies to tracking the success of your global employee benefits after they have been implemented. It’s important to review how well your chosen benefits are actually working, and if your staff are using them.
- Are my staff using the benefits on offer?
- Have any country-specific regulations changed?
- Is the global benefits plan achieving your overall business objectives? Think staff turnover rates, staff satisfaction levels, absence rates and more.
- Have employee needs changed at all? It’s important to provide a yearly review with staff for this reason.
- Can I squeeze more value from the scheme? For example, if you have employee health insurance – is there a better deal elsewhere?
An international benefits consultant like Engage can help on all these issues.

#3 Strike the right balance:

Taking a ‘blended’ holistic approach is the best way to deliver employee benefits and health insurance. That means tackling each area of wellbeing: mental, physical and financial. This should be approached in both a proactive and reactive way. Ideally, you want to be able to stop ill-health occurring in the first place, but at the same time be able to provide a safety net to help staff out when they do become ill or injured.

Here are some ideas:

Proactive health support: Private Healthcare schemes (often includes added extras which offer proactive support), Cash Plan schemes (for everyday health needs) and wellness tools (digital platforms, apps and Employee Assistance Programmes).

Reactive health support: Private Healthcare, Cash Plans, Critical Illness Cover.

Financial support: Income Protection, Life Insurance, bonus schemes, travel cost reimbursement, retail discount schemes and more.

Lifestyle perks: flexi-working and remote working arrangements.

Fun perks: staff socials

Striking the right balance will ensure all your staff get something out of your benefit scheme.

#4 Get to know your locations:

You must be knowledgeable about the different international locations your staff are working from – or at least ensure you’re working with a broker who is!

It’s vital to be aware of the different standards and requirements countries have in place. For example, in the US, UAE and Saudi Arabia companies must have health insurance for their employees.

Each country will also vary massively in terms of their culture, so getting to grips with local etiquette will go a long way.

#5 Prepare your employees for overseas placements

The most common reason that expat assignments fail is due to culture shock and disrupted family relations, with failure rates sat between 10% to 50%. Preparation is key which is why pre-assignment screening and cultural training is so important.

Pre-assignment screening provides a risk assessment for any staff member who is being considered for an overseas placement, while cultural training helps bridge the gap between different cultures within an organisation – with specific modules available for expat employees.

But of course, open lines of communications must be maintained during a placement so that if any problems arise, help is on hand.

Need FREE one-to-one assistance from an international benefits consultant? Contact our award-winning brokers on 01273 974419 or click on the right chat box. We’ll be happy to answer all your questions and help you deliver the perfect benefit scheme for your global workforce.

Global employee benefits and health insurance

International Health Insurance:

Global Health Insurance gives staff access to private healthcare anywhere around the world. It gives staff the medical support they need, wherever and whenever they need it. It fulfils employer duty of care, reduces failure rates of expat assignments, and reduces absenteeism by diagnosing problems often even before they occur.

International Group Life Insurance:

International Group Life provides financial support to a team member’s loved-ones in the event of their passing away. It reassures your staff that their family/loved-ones are looked after if the worst-case scenario occurs. It’s also a relatively low-cost global insurance plan.

International Group Income Protection:

Essentially a form of sick pay, International Group Income Protection provides financial support to employees in the event of them falling ill, anywhere in the world. Usually, businesses will foot the bill for staff absence, but this covers the costs, helping businesses avoid a potentially huge financial hit whilst giving staff the financial support they need.

International Group Critical Illness:

Similar to Group Income, International Group Critical Illness provides financial support to staff suffering from a serious illness or, often in some policies, a disability. Employees are provided with the financial means to support themselves and their families in the absence of a regular and guaranteed income.

International Employee Assistance Programmes (IEAPs):

IEAPs are often included within an insurance policy, providing staff with the tools to help themselves deal with emotional and psychological stresses. Ultimately, it’s helping them become happier, healthier, and more at ease with whatever life and work throws at them. A digital platform is included with the IEAP, allowing access to practical health and wellbeing support via a mobile or desktop app. International services offer multi-lingual support including: counselling, financial advice and stress support.

Group Travel Insurance:

Group Travel Insurance provides cover for staff travelling abroad. Accidents, illnesses, lost possessions, travel cancellations and more can be included with a group policy. This is a great insurance policy for teams often travelling on business trips as it reduces the burden on HR if staff encounter any issues while away. Group Travel gives fast support and guidance for all issues highlighted under the policy, and some now can even include Covid cover.

Pre-Assignment Screening:

These include a series of checks to assess if an employee is suitable/a good match for working overseas or expat assignments. Pre-Assignment Screening can include health screenings, personal evaluations, pre-trip preparation/training, and family support.

This benefit is only going to maximise the chances of a successful assignment where the checks target the psychological and physical wellbeing of your teams before setting off. This ensures there are no potential challenges that have been missed.

Kidnap and Ransom Insurance:

Kidnap and Ransom provides support to businesses if an employee is kidnapped or held hostage. The policy covers consultancy costs (hostage negotiators), care expenses for physical and mental needs, legal costs, and employee replacement costs. This insurance policy can be vital for businesses that operate in areas of the world prone to incidents and dangerous circumstances, or if companies have high net-worth individuals. It helps to protect both staff and business, during and after incidents, ensuring everyone involved is covered and supported.

Cultural Training:

Cross-cultural training equips staff with the knowledge and skills to improve their communication across different cultures and countries, and to avoid any misunderstandings or cause offense. Cultural training can be offered for any type of team, from expats, to multi-national workforces, to global leadership teams, and multi-cultural teams. Team dynamics, productivity, morale, and mutual respect can be improved with a well-designed programme.

Click here for a wider in-depth look at what international benefits are on offer. Or check out some additional global employee benefits that can be included in your plan.

Get free help from an independent broker

Understanding and navigating the global employee benefits and international health insurance market can be incredibly confusing without a little guidance. Reaching out to an independent international benefits broker and expert helps alleviate any burden and stress from the process of setting up your benefits plan.

At Engage Health Group, we have a large and wide reach of global partnerships spanning 50+ countries and territories, enabling us to give the best advice and source the most competitive quotes in the market. Our aim is to ensure there are no nasty surprises encountered in the whole process, working for your organisation and needs to create the ideal global employee benefits and international insurance plan to suit your business.

Contact us at enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or call 01273 974419 for FREE no-obligation advice and support.
February 2, 2023
AXA Global Healthcare: is it the right option for your business?
AXA Global Healthcare is an International Health Insurance product available to both UK individuals and businesses. Essentially, it’s a single policy which can be used to provide health coverage in multiple countries.

But what do our expert brokers think?

Engage Health Group’s International Director, Ian Abbott, and Senior International Manager, James Carrick, provide their expert insight into AXA’s international health insurance products and the level of service customers can expect.

Contents:
- An overview of AXA Global Healthcare
- The AXA Global product range:
– Personal
– Small business
– Medium-sized business
– Large corporate business
– NGOs and IGOs
- The broker’s verdict: Key strengths & issues to consider
- Summary: Is AXA Global Healthcare right for you?
Would you rather speak one-to-one with an AMII-accredited independent expert? We’ll advise on the various health insurance options available for your global business. Call 01273 974419 or email enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk

AXA Global: a brief overview

AXA Global Healthcare is one of the leading providers of International Health Insurance, with a particularly strong reputation across Europe. Its core international products consist of the following plans:
- Personal: for individuals and families
- Small business: covering businesses with 1-74 employees
- Medium-sized business: covering 75-149 employees
- Large corporate: covering 150-plus employees
- NGO/IGOs
Many international insurers are tied to a particular customer type, such as large corporates. But AXA Global offers something for anyone seeking out a health insurance policy which works around the world.

It’s worth noting that all International Health Insurance schemes, whoever the provider, will cover what you’d expect in a typical domestic health insurance plan. This includes in-patient, day-patient and out-patient services. However, international schemes offer a greater range of services which typically includes:
- A wider range of cancer treatments
- Emergency evacuation and repatriation
- Unlimited virtual consultations
- Second medical opinions
- A personal account manager to answer all your queries
The AXA Global product range

> Personal plans

AXA provides personal plans for individuals and families covering a range of circumstances, including:
- Expats
- People living or working in one other country
- People living or working in more than one country
Coverage can be provided on a short-term or long-term basis.

Short-term is designed for those:
- Living or working abroad for less than a year
- Unsure whether they will need coverage beyond a year
- Needing cover while in the process of applying to a local healthcare system
Long-term coverage is designed for those who require coverage for longer than a year.

> Small business plans: 1-74 employees

A global AXA small business policy provides five different levels of cover which cater for varying budgets and business needs. As with AXA’s other international schemes, customers get their own account manager, virtual doctor, mind health access and emergency medical evacuation services where claims made don’t impact allowances or excesses – plus everything you would get in a regular business health insurance scheme in the UK.

Other features included in all five tiers of coverage include:
- Ambulance transport
- Accidental damage to teeth
- Medical issues arising from pregnancy
- Surgery
- Parental accommodation (should a child be hospitalised)
- Access to a Healthcare Hub and online account, providing information on how to make the most of the services available.
It’s worth noting that this plan is very much a “set menu” which means there is little room for tailoring these plans to the distinct needs of a business. On the plus side, customers can benefit from the simplicity of knowing that what they see is what they get. If you like what you see on the shelf, the process of buying the scheme is relatively straightforward.

> Medium-sized businesses: 75-149 employees

Medium-sized businesses can get a more flexible plan compared to what’s available on AXA’s small business scheme. Expect all the services mentioned above, plus a few extra features.

There are four core products to choose from, with the main variable being the maximum insurance payout amount allowed in any given year. I.e. the higher the maximum, the higher the premium.

Added extras include the following ‘cost control’ features:
- A guarantee that premiums won’t increase at first renewal, if your claims stay under a set amount.
- A range of excess options designed to help you cut your costs
- Different ways of covering existing medical conditions (underwriting options)
- A profit share arrangement – you’ll get money back if claims add up to less than 75% of the premium (minus tax)
- A £35,000 cap on high value claims – meaning any amount claimed above that will not be added to your renewal premium.
- A variable treatment allowance which you can set differently for different groups of employees (higher risk/lower risk)
You’ll also receive support from a dedicated account manager along with performance dashboard helping you to manage your scheme.

> Large corporate plan: 150+ employees

The large corporate plan is entirely bespoke rather than a tiered plan. Under this plan, AXA will work with you to design a scheme according to your exacting needs.

Expect all the features which have been outlined in the plans for small and medium-sized businesses, plus regular detailed reports which monitor the performance of your plan, plus extra support for cancer diagnosis via a dedicated case manager.

Broadly speaking, whatever features you desire in your international health insurance policy, AXA Global Healthcare can deliver.

Whether you’re an SME or a large corporation, the independent experts at Engage Health Group are here to help you make the wisest decision. Simply call us on 01273 974419 or use the contact form on the right for objective analysis and individually tailored advice.

The broker’s verdict on AXA Global Healthcare

Key strengths

Strong reputation across Europe

“Their European heritage makes them a very strong brand across Europe,” says Ian Abbott, International Director at Engage Health Group. “It means that when you turn up to a hospital, you don’t have to put your hand in your pocket and pay the bill yourself before later getting it back from the insurer.

“Instead, you can simply show your AXA card and the hospital will immediately know what to do and the insurer will directly settle most in-patient and day-patient cases themselves.

“Conversely, if you were with a smaller provider or one with a weaker reputation, the response might be ‘who are they?’ and ‘are we going to get paid?’ and so more checks will be required in order to get the payment settled.

“In this sense, the AXA brand holds a tangible value because it enables a smooth process, which is exactly what you need when you’re ill. AXA is very trusted on the continent – more so than a UK brand like Bupa.”

Excellent customer service

“AXA’s customer service is excellent,” says James Carrick, Senior International Manager at Engage. “Their claims turnaround time is very quick compared to the rest of the industry, with online claims usually paid within 24 to 48 hours.”

“They provide twenty-four seven support, so they’re very supportive to HR teams. They’ve also received a stellar rating for customer service from their customers.”

Ian concurs: “When we surveyed one client’s employees, the feedback was all very positive. The main comments centred around fast turnaround of claims, and ease with which they could always get hold of someone for support.”

“We’ve never had a client with AXA Global who’ve had a problem with their service or wanted to leave because of it. The feedback we get is always positive. They’re definitely one of the better insurers in terms of the experience the employees get by being a member with them.”

Simplicity of scheme

“It’s a simple product to understand because it has a tiered structure for SMEs,” says Ian. “Yes, it has less flexibility compared to some plans, but for companies who are buying for the first time it’s easier to put in place and ticks a lot of boxes in one go.”

Clearly, this simplicity can be both a strength and a weakness. However, for medium-sized businesses of over 75 employees, or large corporates with more than 150 employees, schemes can be individually tailored.

Low price rises at renewal

Some insurers hit their customers with a major hike at renewal, but AXA Global Healthcare has been performing well in this respect.

“They offer sustainable premiums, most likely owing to their big footprint in Europe which essentially means they probably get the best discounted rates,” says James. “This means that customers pay less over a longer period of time. For example, one of our clients had a two percent increase with AXA Global this year but in the wider industry you’re typically looking at ten percent year-on-year in medical inflation. So for AXA to offer such low increases year-on-year is testament to how they manage their claims.”

Indeed, this is reflected by AXA’s own data which shows an average annual increase of just over 6% over three years which is below the industry average.

Issues to consider

Lack of flexibility for SMEs

While the simplicity of AXA Global Healthcare’s SME products is often a selling point, it also means the policy is somewhat rigid in nature for some businesses.

“They are quite inflexible in certain areas which is something they are addressing,” admits James. “A lot of other insurance providers have become more modular, so you can add and remove features. A lot of companies would want that flexibility. AXA’s global offering is still very much an off-the-shelf package for SMEs, though there are certain optional upgrades such as dental and rotine pregnancy cover. They’ve tried to change that, but it’s not as modular as Allianz, Aetna or Cigna.

“However, it’s more flexible for bigger businesses because for anything over 74 employees there is more room for customisation and for over 150 employees you can pretty much have whatever you want. You can add or remove benefits and include anything ranging from infertility to gender dysphoria treatments.”

Limited coverage for local nationals

Many businesses employ local nationals in different parts of the world. It’s often a key reason why they seek out health insurance with global coverage. However, while AXA Global Healthcare has strong coverage in Europe, in other parts of the world there have been limitations.

“Historically, AXA have been unable to quote for a number of locations in which other insurers have done so,” says James. “However, they have started to relax their stance. Whether they can provide a quote largely depends on the company, the makeup of the census, percentage of locals on the plan and where payment is being received from.”

If you’re a company looking to provide health insurance to employees living in different parts of the world, it’s worth arranging a FREE call with our international brokers. We’ll provide the latest advice and guidance, and gather personalised quotes from across the whole market.

Provides health insurance only

Other international health insurers may also provide other international policies such as Life Insurance, Global Income Protection and Global Critical Illness Cover. AXA Global Healthcare provides these policies, but only for companies based outside of the UK, due to Brexit. This means UK-headquartered companies can only access AXA’s International Health Insurance products. On the plus side, you can be assured that they have a dedicated team who know this market very well.

Summary: Is AXA Global Healthcare right for you?

The answer to this question really depends on the precise needs of your business. It may be that a simple-to-administer global health insurance policy, which works particularly well across Europe, is just what you need. However, the lack of customisation for SMEs may make those businesses question whether it will provide true value for money.

As ever, with the complex topic of health insurance, we recommend speaking to an independent broker like Engage Health Group. We provide expert help and guidance on all the complex issues facing international businesses. We will also deliver a range of FREE quotes according to your exacting requirements.

And our assistance doesn’t end there. We’ll also help you implement a new scheme, introduce any new employee benefits to your global teams and help with the claims process.

Call us 01273 974419 or use the chatbox in the bottom right to start the conversation.

Title image by Laurent Grassin – CC
October 20, 2022
Which is the best International Health Insurance company?
Every International Health Insurance provider offers a range of plans and price points which target different types of business customers. Whether you’re an SME looking to protect your growing workforce of global employees, or a large corporation looking to protect high-net-worth individuals around the world; there’s a policy designed for you.

But is there one provider which we’d recommend above the rest?

To be honest, it’s not that simple. The best solution for you will depend on the exact requirements of your business, the scale of your international workforce and the spending power you have at your disposal.

In this blog post, we’ve listed nine of the best International Health Insurance companies operating in the market today. It’s designed to provide you with a valuable overview of the different providers to help you understand what’s available today.

Need one-to-one advice from an independent broker? Contact our team of AMII-affiliated experts for FREE quotes and guidance. Call +44 (0)1273 974419 or click on the bottom right chat box.

Top 9 Global Health Insurance Companies

1. April International

April International has been in the market for over 40 years now with over 150,000 insured members across 180 countries, 260 global employees, 20,000 distribution partners, and 12 offices worldwide. Their support for both SMEs and larger corporates are three-fold: long-term health insurance, short-term health insurance, and student health insurance.

Products/services include:
- Medical expenses
- Repatriation assistance
- Private civil liability
- Death and disability
- Security
- Retirement
- International health insurance for SMEs and large corporates
- Specific regional solutions
- Case management
2. Allianz Worldwide Care

With more than 130 years of service for international organisations under its belt, Allianz Worldwide Care is a vastly experienced outfit. They are based across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Asia, the Americas, and Africa with a network of 1.3 million providers and partners.

Products/services include:
- Digital access to care resources/platforms
- Global telehealth services
- 24/7 multilingual helpline
- 3 different health insurance coverage plans – Essential, Classic, Premier
3. AXA Global Healthcare

Headquartered in France, AXA Global Healthcare is one of the top life and health insurance companies today. AXA Global now has over 1.4 million medical facilities worldwide, a medical network spread across nearly 150 countries, and 88% of its claims are paid in just 3 days.

They offer three options of cover for different-sized companies, simplifying the process of finding an appropriate level of cover:
- Cover for 1-74 employees
- Cover for 75-149 employees
- Cover for over 150 employees
> Further reading: A broker’s review of AXA Global Healthcare <

4. Bupa Global

Bupa Global is a UK organisation, with bases now spread across Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. They were established in 1971 and have grown to work with over 1.2 million medical providers, helping over 38 million customers.

Bupa Global provide customers with products and services to access the international healthcare they require anytime, anywhere in the world, advising through their global team of experts. Now partnered with GeoBlue, these two organisations also offer health insurance coverage to US citizens travelling abroad or any person moving to the US.

Bupa Global’s “Ultimate Health Plan”, has long been considered the most extensive in the market which makes it well-suited to high net-worth individuals.

5. Cigna Global

Spanning across over 200 countries and territories with a global network of 1.5 million healthcare providers, Cigna Global is another huge successful option for international healthcare and support. They have more than 60 years of experience in the market, constantly designing and managing International Group Health Insurance and employee benefits plans for their over 180 million global customers.

Products/services include:
- EssentialCare – simple and flexible international health cover
- ExecutiveCare – comprehensive international health cover offering enhanced core cover
- EliteCare – premium international health cover
- Offers modular and flexible options to personalise any plan
Are you looking for FREE quotes on International Health Insurance tailored to your business? Click the ‘Get Quotes’ button at the top of the page or call 01273 974419 for impartial expert assistance.

6. Now Health International

Now Health International is a provider based in Hong Kong with regional service centres in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai, Singapore, Jakarta, Malta, and the UK. In 2015, they acquired Best Doctors Insurance (a major medical insurance provider) with distribution throughout Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean. The combination of both providers created one of the largest independent IPMI providers worldwide with 125,000 members, more than 370 staff members, and over 5,000 distribution partners.

Products/services include:
- Micro group health option (3-9 employees)
- Mini-group health option (10-24 employees)
- Small group health option (25-49 employees)
- Medium group health option (50-99 employees)
- WorldCare – members have access to the best healthcare both at home and overseas
- SimpleCare – offers vital health protection and access to world-class medical facilities at an affordable price
7. William Russell

Entering the market in 1992 as part of the AWP Health & Life SA (Allianz Group), William Russell is growing at a successful rate now with a network of 40,000 hospitals worldwide, 75 employees, and members in over 160 countries. William Russell’s cover options and health insurance plans are available to any expats wanting to live and work anywhere in the world, aside from USA and Switzerland.

Products/services include:
- Bronze health insurance plan
- SilverLite health insurance plan
- Silver health insurance plan
- Gold health insurance plan
- Cover for up-to-date cancer care and treatments, including providing wigs, counselling, dietitian consultations and more
8. UnitedHealthcare Global

Emerging from UnitedHealth Group in 2014, UnitedHealthcare Global aims to support globally mobile groups through a range of solutions targeting long and short-term assignments, individual travel, assistance and security services, and medical services. In the US, UnitedHealthcare Global is contracted with over 1.2 million physicians/care professionals and 6,500 hospitals/care facilities.

Products/services include:
- Domestic and international benefits plans
- Customisable assistance, security, and intelligence services to meet specific needs of global businesses
- Remote medical services for extreme/challenging locations – on-site staffing, supplies, and virtual health support
9. Global Benefits Group

Global Benefits Group has over 40 years in the market distributing and underwriting international health, life, disability, educational, and travel insurance on a global level. They have offices in Serbia, California, India, South Africa, England, the Philippines, Florida, New Jersey, and China.

Products/services include:
- Ability to tailor benefits to create your ideal plans e.g., low deductibles, robust benefits or increased deductibles, reduced benefits – according to budget and business need
- Partner with local insurance companies, meeting with specific country regulations
How do I find the best health insurance policy?

There is no one right answer as to who is the best International Health Insurance company. As we’ve already mentioned, it really depends on the precise nature of your business, the different territories you’re operating within and the budgetary power you’re able to wield.

We strongly advise that you speak to an independent broker with expertise in the international employee benefits market. Engage Group Health is just such a broker.

If you contact a member of our team, we’ll give you the chance to ask all the questions you’ve ever wanted to ask about International Health Insurance and other related topics – cutting the time you would otherwise spend researching online. We’ll then advise on the best policies currently available on the market and deliver a range of quotes FREE of charge.

Engage is fully independent of any one insurance provider, meaning we can give you completely impartial advice in your best interest.

To kickstart your search, contact us at +44 (0)1273 974419 or use the contact form on the right.
August 12, 2022