This algorithm is for expatriate health insurance plans. It took almost two years to develop, leveraging statistics provided by our insurers, reports (e.g. WHO reports) on health expenses and trends, and the CFE's established reimbursement policies.
Its goal is to offer the most suitable coverage for each country and each situation.
For example, in Hong Kong, people need a more comprehensive plan if they want to be fully reimbursed, while in Argentina, more affordable coverage will suffice. If the displayed score does not take this into account, it may be misleading for consumers.
Coverage for care is divided into four categories:
- Hospitalization
- General practitioners and specialists
- Other common medical expenses (pharmacies, physiotherapists, osteopaths, nurses, etc.)
- Vision and dental care
For each category, the score depends on the coverage amount plus at least four other criteria. We pay special attention to potential hidden costs that policyholders may be overlooking.
Some examples are:
- When it comes to specialist fees, it is not the consultation that can be costly, but rather the technical procedures (e.g., a cardiologist who performs an ECG followed by an ultrasound of the heart, a dermatologist who removes moles, etc.). These fees range from €200 to €2,000, depending on the country. We look at how these costs can be reimbursed in each plan.
- For other common medical expenses, we look at what can be expensive for those with a chronic illness (e.g., costly pharmaceutical specialties and lab tests) and advanced medical imaging (e.g., MRIs, CT scans).
Each category's scores are then recalculated by our algorithm for each country of residence. A plan that earns only 3 stars in Hong Kong might earn 5 stars in Argentina.
If a plan is rated 5/5 in your country of residence, that means that it will fully reimburse you in at least 95% of cases.
To be displayed, an expat health insurance plan must meet all of the following criteria:
- The plan's coverage includes the destination country.
- The plan is valid for the nationality, the type of stay, and the age of the member and others to be covered.
- The plan covers at least the user's requested health expenses.
- The plan takes effect with the 1st euro or in addition to the Caisse des Français de l'Etranger.
- The plan offers the level of coverage selected by the user:
Economy: Effective, low-cost protection for those with a limited healthcare budget.
Comfort: Higher coverage limits and packages. For those who keep a close watch on their healthcare spending.
Enhanced: High limits and packages to be fully covered most of the time.
Maximum: For those looking for the highest level of coverage on the market for maximum protection.
These definitions do not account for the particulars of each circumstance, such as the cost of healthcare in each country or the healthcare habits of each user. If you speak with a consultant, we can narrow down the best options for you and provide you with more personalized recommendations.
Given the complexity of the underwriting and selection terms, the full names of the plans are initially hidden. After a 10- to 30-minute interview with a consultant, users receive a detailed comparison based on their specific situation. There is no charge for this detailed comparison.
In all comparisons, plans are ranked from lowest to highest price. No other criteria are used to rank the plans.
The price shown is the monthly health insurance premium, excluding options, enrollment costs, related charges, and installment fees. These fees, if any, are displayed in the comparison table's Miscellaneous Fees box. No additional fees are charged by HealthForExpats.
To be displayed, a temporary international health insurance plan must meet all of the following criteria:
- The plan's coverage includes the destination country.
- The plan is valid for the insured's nationality and country of origin, the type of stay, the age of the member and others to be covered, and the length of the stay.
- The plan covers at least the user's requested coverage level.
- The plan takes effect with the 1st euro or in addition to the Caisse des Français de l'Etranger.
- The plan offers the level of coverage selected by the user:
Economy: Basic coverage in case of an accident. Covers hospitalization and related expenses.
Comfort: Coverage for accidents and unexpected illnesses. Hospitalization and all medical expenses.
Enhanced: High limits for expensive countries, full coverage for accidents and unexpected illnesses.
Maximum: Also covers non-emergency expenses and check-ups, in addition to unexpected illnesses and accidents.
These definitions do not account for the particulars of each circumstance, such as the cost of healthcare in each country or the healthcare habits of each user. If you speak with a consultant, we can narrow down the best options for you and provide you with more personalized recommendations.
Plans are then ranked from lowest to highest price. No other criteria are used to rank the plans.
The displayed price reflects the premium to be paid for the requested insurance period, calculated without options. No additional fees are charged by HealthForExpats.
The criteria stated in the points, 1.1. and 1.2. serve as the basis for the displayed prices. However, they do not exhaustively reflect the insurer's underwriting terms. Insurers may require that applicants complete a health questionnaire or provide additional information, such as their employment status or place of residence for tax purposes. The only way to fully understand a user's needs and find the best insurance option for them is through a consultation to discuss details like the country of care, the need for public or private care services, preexisting conditions, the expat's family and financial situation, and more.
Depending on these additional terms and the user's responses to the health questionnaire, the insurer may:
- Agree to insure the user under normal terms
- Agree to insure the user with a proposed fee increase
- Agree to insure the user with partial coverage exclusions
- Refuse to insure the user
The insurer's Medical Department makes all final determinations, for which HealthForExpats cannot be held liable.
HealthForExpats does not receive any compensation for listing insurers or for displaying and ranking plans.
HealthForExpats receives a fee for each requested insurance company referral and sale. This compensation has no impact on how insurance plans are ranked.
HealthForExpats has no specific contractual relationship that affects how plans are ranked, nor does it have any financial interest in the insurers offering the listed insurance plans.
Each insurance plan has its own terms and conditions, which are available for download when viewing the plan's coverage details or its comparisons.
They can also be provided upon request by sending an email to contact@healthforexpats.com .
The presented plans are not an exhaustive list of all insurance plans available on the market.
The site always lists more than 300 plans offered by about 20 different insurance companies.
Plans are updated manually based on information provided by insurers.
New plans can be added in a number of ways:
- An insurer may submit a request to International Santé along with the necessary information for the online comparison.
- HealthForExpats may request a plan from an insurer, along with the necessary information for the online comparison.
HealthForExpats does not charge insurers for any development work, listings, or implementation.
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