Indonesia (EN) 
UAE (EN) 
Vietnam (EN) 
For three decades, William Russell has specialised in providing international medical insurance to expats around the globe.
Who We Cover
Medical insurance for professionals abroad
- Personal account manager
- 24/7 emergency assistance
- 15% off for new members
International medical insurance for professionals, individuals and frequent flyers
Falling ill or injured when you’re an expat overseas can be highly stressful, so it’s important to know you can access healthcare if you need it. Are you moving abroad for a fixed-term contract or a permanent position? Or perhaps you’re already based overseas, and you’re looking for the right international medical insurance plan? It’s worth spending some time choosing the right health insurance for living abroad.
Whether you’re a professional living or working abroad or you travel a lot on your own, international medical insurance can take care of your medical and healthcare needs. Our health plans for individuals are flexible and personalised.
How does international medical insurance for individuals work?
Expat health insurance, also called international medical insurance, is specially designed for professionals and frequent flyers living and working in other countries. With expat health insurance you can access high-quality private healthcare around the world. Many expats have health insurance for peace of mind should they need urgent medical care while living or working abroad. It covers you for a wide range of medical needs, including:
- Full cover for cancer care and treatment on all of our plans – with additional options available on some plans
- Hospital accommodation and cover for in-patient or day-patient treatments carried out by a medical doctor in a registered hospital
- Dental cover and maternity care, depending on the cover level
- Emergency medical evacuation if treatment isn’t available locally
Knowing your healthcare needs are taken care of can help you enjoy your time overseas to the full. Here are the main benefits that our plans give you:
Most people have a limited impression of insurance companies - but William Russell definitely changed this impression for me. Extremely impressed and definitely do not hesitate to recommend!
D.P., Thailand
William Russell Member
What do you cover with your international medical insurance?
Our plans are flexible and personalised, so coverage is bespoke to you and your needs. The range of illnesses covered is extensive and, depending on your level of cover, you could access a variety of treatments for conditions including cancer, transplants, kidney dialysis and more. All our plans include emergency medical evacuation as standard. In general, you can expect to be covered for being admitted to hospital and serious issues such as cancer. Most plans don’t cover pre-existing health conditions, so check before you decide on a plan.
Bronze
SilverLite
Silver
Gold
Annual benefit limit
US$1,500,000
US$1,500,000
US$2,500,000
US$5,000,000
Hospital accommodation
Semi-private room
Semi-private room
Private room
Private room
Hospital treatment
Cancer treatment
Mental health treatment lifetime sublimit
US$50,000
US$75,000
US$100,000
Vaccinations for kids and adults
Out-patient treatment annual sublimit
No limit*
Up to US$10,000
No limit
No limit
Preventive health & well-being benefits
US$300
US$750
Routine dental care
Optional
Optional
US$1,500
Routine maternity care
Emergency medical evacuation
Certain benefits in this table of benefits specify a waiting period. You must be covered by the same plan for the full duration of the specified waiting period before you can claim for that benefit. No benefit is payable for any treatment costs incurred during the waiting period.
*Cover is limited to post-hospital care.
Example premiums
Example monthly premium based on a 30-year-old man living in Vietnam, with a US$250 per annum excess and Zone 2 cover. These examples do not include the current New Member 15% discount.
Bronze plan
Silver plan
Gold plan
US$95 per month
US$175 per month
US$297 per month
See our full plan description here – and if you need anything explained, feel free to contact us.
How to choose the right international medical insurance cover
Here are some of our top tips:
- Make sure the plan covers the country where you live. Insurance companies sometimes limit your cover in certain countries. Make sure you’ll be fully covered where you and your family live and work in any other countries you might need cover in.
- Pick the right plan. Health insurance gives you access to private healthcare. Your health plan sets the rules and limits of your access. That’s why it’s important to find a health plan with the benefits you need.
- Personalise your plan. Most insurance companies allow you to personalise your health plan. You’ll have options to increase your cover for certain benefits, such as dental cover and doctor visits. William Russell also gives you options to save money on your premium.
- Pick an excess. After choosing your plan, the excess you select is the most important factor affecting your premium. Most of our members choose a US$250 per annum excess, but larger excesses give a bigger discount on your premium. For new members, we offer excesses up to $10,000 per annum.
FAQs on international medical insurance
Will my international medical insurance cover me if I return home?
Yes, it can do. Healthcare plans from William Russell are international, so your cover doesn’t need to stop if you travel abroad or return home temporarily, provided this is within your cover zone.
If you return home permanently, we can offer cover in your home country. Please note the cover is not available to you if the USA, Iran, Libya, North Korea, South Sudan, Syria or Yemen is or becomes your country of residence, irrespective of your nationality.
Is expat health insurance a requirement for living and working abroad?
It is in some destinations, so make sure you check. Before you travel, it’s also a good idea to research the public healthcare. Look at the quality and availability of medical care, for both illness and accidents, and what the eligibility criteria are for accessing it. For extra coverage and peace of mind, you may decide to arrange expat health insurance for you and your family.
What countries will healthcare insurance cover me in?
Our healthcare insurance plans are divided into 5 zones:
Zone 1
Worldwide cover, with restricted cover in the USA.
Zone 2
Provides cover in most countries. But in countries where the cost of private health insurance is high, this is subject to certain limits. There is no cover in the USA.
Zone 3
Special area of cover for residents in Indonesia, with restricted cover where private healthcare is expensive but no cover in the USA.
Zone 4
Full cover in Africa & Indian Subcontinent, with restricted cover elsewhere but no cover in the USA.
Zone 5
Full cover in Africa (except South Africa) & Indian Subcontinent, with restricted cover elsewhere but no cover in the USA.
Does expat healthcare insurance include dental care?
All William Russell plans come with some cover for for emergency dental treatment following an accident, and you may be able to add more depending on what plan you choose.
What is the best plan for me as an individual expat?
The Silver plan is a popular choice amongst our members without partners or families, you have:
- cover for hospital treatment
- everyday medical costs such as doctor visits and specialist consultations
- wellness and vaccination cover
- mental health benefits
- cover on business trips
- holidays
- trips home to visit family or friends
We have a range of tools and options to keep your premium low, so you can put together the right health plan for you whether you’re purchasing a plan yourself or with your employer’s help.
What about expat insurance plans for remote workers?
Yes. The COVID-19 pandemic has brought the concept of remote working into mainstream conversations about work-life balance.
Why slog away in an office in rainy London or freezing New York when you could do your job quite comfortably in a more exotic location?
We can cover you if you’re living abroad but working remotely, even if you’re hopping from place to place and you occasionally return home for business or leisure.
Do I have to live overseas permanently to qualify for an expat health insurance plan?
While most of our customers are expats, you don’t have to live overseas permanently to purchase one of our health plans. Suppose you’re lucky enough to spend at least six months of the year living, travelling or working outside your country of nationality. In that case, you can usually apply for international health insurance with us.
We are also able to offer plans to nationals of Botswana, Kenya, Malawi, Mauritius and Nigeria who are resident in their home country and also to Estonian nationals.
Purchasing an international health insurance plan can have several benefits over a travel insurance policy. You’ll have cover for:
- emergency medical evacuations
- everyday medical costs such as doctor visits and specialist consultations
- medical treatment while you’re not travelling away from home
