Health Insurance for Digital Nomads: 5 Best Plans for Global Coverage

When planning your next trip as a digital nomad, all you want to think about is how you’ll be sipping margaritas on a sun-soaked beach. The last thing on your mind is finding health insurance. But amidst the bustle of the digital nomad lifestyle, accidental injuries and sudden illness can occur, forcing you into local hospitals. 

This guide will help you understand why health insurance is a must-have for digital nomads like you and the difference between health and travel insurance. Plus, we’ll provide a curated list of the best health insurance options for digital nomads.

Why do digital nomads need health insurance?

Without proper health insurance, your travelling plans can quickly come to an end due to improper care. And let’s be honest — nobody wants their trip ruined because of unexpected illness or high medical costs that drain your travelling budget. 

Even more importantly, when applying for a digital nomad visa, you must provide proof of health insurance. So, health insurance, in most cases, is an essential element in the digital nomad lifestyle. 

Read also: Best Countries for Digital Nomads

Difference between travel and health insurance

Travel insurance typically covers short-term issues such as trip cancellations, delays, lost luggage, and emergency evacuation. In contrast, international health insurance is designed for long-term medical needs, including routine check-ups, hospital stays, and prescription medications. The ideal nomad insurance plan combines both, offering full protection. 

Because of the larger coverage of health insurance, the prices tend to be more expensive. That said, health insurance offers more value, as it can be valid for years, whereas travel insurance can last a maximum of a few months.

Key factors to consider when choosing health insurance

There are plenty of health insurance providers for digital nomads on the market, so picking one can be overwhelming. To help you narrow down your search, make sure you consider the following key factors. 

Coverage limits

Certain digital nomad health insurance policies may exclude coverage in specific countries. Some policies may also exclude coverage in your home country, which could be inconvenient if you plan to spend some time at home. That’s why, before committing to a digital nomad health insurance plan, ensure it covers all the countries you intend to visit.

Emergency evacuation

Emergency evacuation coverage is essential. In the event of a serious medical emergency, your insurance should cover transportation to the nearest suitable medical facility. Repatriation ensures you can return to your home country for treatment if necessary.

Telemedicine

As you’ll be hopping from one country to another, you’d want to access your digital nomad health provider no matter where you are. It’s a good idea to check if they allow you to schedule doctor appointments online or offer a portal so you can get medical care without much effort when injured or feeling sick in another country.

Dental and vision coverage

Although most health insurances for digital nomads offer comprehensive medical coverage, make sure the care needed for your health is also included. Go through the policy coverage carefully to see if there’s dental and vision coverage or if you’ll need to pay extra for such healthcare.

Pre-existing conditions

If you have a pre-existing condition, it's crucial to check whether the plan offers coverage for ongoing treatment, emergencies related to the condition, or any necessary medications. Some providers may offer a waiting period before coverage kicks in for pre-existing conditions, while others may require additional premiums or exclusions.

Cost

Cost is a significant factor when choosing health insurance as a digital nomad, as it directly impacts your budget while living and working abroad. Consider both the monthly premium and potential deductibles, co-pays, or out-of-pocket expenses when evaluating the overall cost. Remember that health insurance in some countries can be more expensive than in others, so it’s wise to factor in the cost of medical care in the places you plan to visit or live.

Read also: From Digital Nomad to Permanent Resident: 7 Countries To Offer Permanent Residency

Top 5 health insurance options for digital nomads

This section will cover the top 5 health insurance options that are ranked high among digital nomads. 

1. SafetyWing

SafetyWing, launched in 2018, offers health insurance plans for digital nomads. Their health insurance starts at $56.28 per month and includes coverage for medical emergencies, hospital stays, doctor visits, prescription medications, and emergency evacuation. 

The best part is that you can start, pause, and cancel your coverage anytime. This makes it a great choice for nomads who are uncertain about how long they will stay in one place. 

In addition to health insurance, SafetyWing also offers a travel insurance plan. This plan covers trip cancellations, interruptions, lost luggage, travel delays, and emergency evacuation, ensuring that you're protected in case of unexpected events during your travels.

Pros

• Global coverage, including over 180 countries
• Reimbursement in as little as 10 days
• No health pre-check required before activating the policy

Cons

• Doesn’t cover pre-existing conditions or cancer treatments

2. Genki

Genki is one of the few health insurance policies that offers coverage in your home country for up to 180 days out of the year. This is particularly beneficial for those who want to visit family and friends or return home for a while without losing access to their healthcare. 

Genki’s coverage plans are subscription-based, giving digital nomads the flexibility to adjust or cancel their coverage as needed. The plans start at €48.30 and go up to €180 per month, depending on the level of coverage. These plans include emergency care, ambulance services, dental care and cleaning, vaccines, and maternal care.

It also offers mental health support, ensuring that digital nomads can access the help they need for emotional and psychological well-being while living abroad.

Pros

• 24/7 multilingual support
• Affordable plans
• Flexible subscription-based coverage

Cons

• Lacks coverage for some travel-related issues like trip cancellation and luggage loss

3. World Nomads

World Nomads offers highly detailed plans that cater to nearly every need a digital nomad could have. Their coverage includes a wide range of benefits such as assault, delayed luggage, medical emergencies, trip delays, and even coverage for your tech gear. 

However, it’s important to note that World Nomads' plans tend to be on the pricier side. For instance, a 1-month plan for a 30-year-old person can cost around $127.64 for their cheapest plan. 

The Explorer plan offers coverage for a larger number of sports and activities and comes with higher reimbursement limits for repatriation of remains, trip cancellation, trip interruption, trip delay, baggage and personal effects, and more. 

Pros

• Coverage for a wide range of sports and activities
• High reimbursement limits for a variety of travel-related incidents

Cons

• Relatively expensive compared to other travel insurance plans

4. Cigna Global

Cigna Global has partnered with 1.65 million doctors and hospitals across 200 countries, covering every corner of the globe. This extensive network ensures that you can access high-quality healthcare wherever you are.

Cigna Global’s health insurance plans cover medical emergencies, routine check-ups, hospital stays, outpatient care, emergency evacuation, and mental health services. You can also add extras such as dental, vision, and maternity coverage. Pricing depends on your location and the level of coverage chosen. 

To make managing your health insurance even easier, Cigna Global offers a secure online portal where you can upload medical documents, check claims, and access your policy details anytime.

Pros

• Extensive global network of doctors and hospitals
• Customisable plans with flexible coverage options

Cons

• Premiums can be higher compared to other digital nomad health insurance providers

5. Insured Nomads

Insured Nomads provides health and travel insurance, specifically digital nomads and remote workers. With global coverage, digital nomads can receive medical care worldwide, including emergency treatment, routine check-ups, preventative services, and maternity care.

The plans also offer access to telehealth services for virtual consultations and mental health support. Additional perks include airport lounge access for delayed flights and evacuation services. 

The starting price is set at $224 per month for individuals with a minimum 6-month coverage; digital nomads can rest assured knowing their health is well taken care of.

Pros

• Flexible plans designed specifically for digital nomads and remote workers
• Airport lounge access and evacuation services

Cons

• Relatively expensive starting price

To wrap up

Securing your health insurance before your digital nomad adventures means that you can travel, explore, and work with peace of mind. Any illnesses, conditions, accidents as well as medical costs can be easily covered with the right health insurance plan by your side. We recommended the best health insurance providers, now it’s up to you to take the first step and insure your health while travelling!

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