We answer our members’ questions and concerns in this FAQ section. Everyone has different needs in terms of health coverage. We make sure this space bring you the clarity and confidence you are looking for.
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Frequently asked questions
A first euro health insurance reimburses your medical expenses from the very first euro spent, without relying on a local healthcare system. Global Health insurance is one of these private health insurance solutions. Quite simply, we reimburse your health expenses from the first euro spent if you opt for a contract with no deductible. This is a simple and time-saving solution for expatriates who benefit from a single contact for reimbursement requests.
It is important when you go to live abroad to be protected from the very beginning of your stay. Therefore, subscribing to a medical coverage is not improvised and is usually done well before your departure. This will allow you to anticipate the medical formalities that are sometimes necessary at the time of subscription, but also the waiting periods that can be a little longer in high season. We therefore recommend that you do this 1 or 2 months in advance, so that you will be more serene as the move approaches.
You can choose at which frequency you want to pay the insurance premium (monthly, quarterly, annually) and the method of payment. This latter will vary depending on your age, destination, deductible and medical conditions assessment. Insurance plans with Global Health have a minimum duration of one year, they are then renewed every year at the anniversary date.
An international health insurance is designed to cover you both in your home country and in countries around the world. It gives you access to care in all the hospitals, clinics and doctors closest to you, regardless of your destination country. Your health coverage is therefore international. However, if you are going to a country under international sanctions, we reserve the right to carry out additional checks (on banking, etc.). To find out if your destination is on the list of countries under sanctions, contact our experts.
If your expatriation also involves your family members, it is quite possible to add them to your insurance policy.
You must declare one of the members as the policyholder, the other persons being the insureds of the contract. The policyholder is the person who enters into the contract and is therefore responsible for paying the insurance premium. There is no limit to the number of insureds in the same family for a single policy. Global Health also offers the option of adding a newborn child to your policy from birth. To do so, we require that one parent is already insured with us, as well as a copy of the birth certificate.
As an expat, you have specific health needs since you are going to live abroad for a long period of time. You will need to be covered for both emergency situations and daily care. An international medical insurance gives you the guarantee that you will get quality private health care regardless of which country you move to and whatever local healthcare system is in place. You will be covered in your home country as well as in your country of expatriation. Believe us, an international health insurance is a must for every expat abroad!
International Health insurance, also referred to as International Private Medical Insurance, or IPMI, is intended for people who are going to live abroad for several months or years. If you plan an expatriation for over3 months, then a worldwide health insurance is a must. It is meant for expats, students, globetrotters, families going abroad on a sabbatical, etc. In a nutshell, to anyone planning to live abroad for a mid to long-term duration.
Travel insurance are designed for short stay only, usually less than three months, and primarily for people going for a holiday, for sightseeing or visiting family and friends abroad. It is not suited for individuals or families who are planning to reside abroad for many months as the cover is usually far more limited.
The perks of an international health insurance are the flexibility and the convenience of having a comprehensive worldwide coverage. You can ask for a customized plan that will cover you in many different countries, so you can travel out of your new residence country without limit. You are not only covered for emergency, evacuation and repatriation, but also for regular check-ups and day-to-day medical expenses. For all these reasons, expat health insurance is the best solution for expats and their families.
With Global Health, you can choose between different levels of coverage at competitive pricing, depending on your specific needs. And for most of our plans, the coverage is unlimited: there is no annual limit, so no need to worry in case of serious illness or major issues.
The CMU is the compulsory cross-border health insurance offered by France, unlike LAMal which is the Swiss compulsory health insurance.
The CMU offers coverage similar to that of the French Social Security system, so expensive treatments such as hospitalization is only minimally reimbursed. This coverage reimburses medical expenses incurred in France, however, medical care in Switzerland is not reimbursed, or only under certain specific conditions or in emergency situations.
The LAMal covers health costs both in France and in Switzerland. Its coverage is somewhat more complete, but dental and optical expenses are also poorly reimbursed.
Making the right choice between these two schemes is all the more important as some border regions such as Ain are described as a medical desert. Having access to healthcare in Switzerland may therefore be essential for some border workers.
Individual & group insurance
Questions about expat health insurance and group insurance plans, pricing, cover and benefits:
