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Expat Health Insurance
For individuals living outside of their home countries, finding affordable, comprehensive health coverage can be a challenge. International health insurance plans help expatriates get the health coverage they need while living abroad.
Expat health insurance plans are highly customizable and provide the essential benefits you need to maintain peace of mind while living outside of your home country. From inpatient care to mental healthcare services, Cigna Global health insurance plans are designed to offer flexible coverage to expats across the globe.
Here’s everything you need to know about expat health insurance.
International Health Insurance for Expatriates
International health insurance is a specialized type of health insurance policy designed for individuals moving abroad for at least six months. In these instances, standard travel insurance policies may not be sufficient.
Expat health insurance plans are fully customizable, allowing you to pick the coverage level and additional benefits you need to ensure you have access to high-quality medical care while living abroad.
With Cigna Global health insurance plans, you get access to a global network of trusted hospitals and healthcare providers, which is particularly beneficial for expats living in areas with expensive local healthcare systems.
What’s the difference between expat health insurance and travel insurance?
Travel insurance offers limited coverage for individuals who live in one country but are temporarily visiting another country where their existing health coverage does not apply.
Expat health insurance is specifically designed to offer comprehensive health coverage to expats that plan to live outside of their home countries for extended periods of time. These policies ensure you have access to the same range of medical treatments you would typically have access to in your home country.
What Does Cigna Expat Health Insurance Cover?
Cigna expat health insurance offers flexible coverage that can be modified to meet your needs.
The core policy covers essential treatment and hospital stays, as well as fees for consultation, wellness care, accommodation, and inpatient and outpatient treatments. Gold and Platinum policies offer higher levels of coverage, including coverage for maternity checkups.
Beyond the core coverages offered by Cigna Global health policies, individuals can enhance their policies with optional modules, including:
- Outpatient coverage for consultation fees with specialists and medical professionals, as well as prescription drugs and dressings, chiropractic care, and more.
- Medical evacuation coverage, which covers transportation costs for emergency medical treatment, repatriation, and compassionate visits for the family members of a beneficiary.
- Health and wellbeing coverage for screenings, tests, examinations, and counseling support for a range of conditions.
- Vision and dental coverage.
By adding optional modules to your expat health insurance policy, you can ensure your policy meets your unique needs while living abroad.
Expat Health Insurance Plan Benefits
Cigna Global offers three core plan levels: Silver, Gold, and Platinum. While higher-level plans offer expanded coverage limits and other benefits, all Cigna expat health insurance plans offer several of the same core benefits, including:
Adjustable deductibles
Cigna members can choose their deductible and cost-share option to adjust their premiums based on their needs.
Mental healthcare
All plans include coverage for mental health conditions, disorders, and addiction.
Online customer area access
Members can use the online customer area to easily manage their plan documents and find important plan information.
Global telehealth services
Members can use telehealth services with doctors outside of the Cigna network.
Two areas of coverage
Members can choose between worldwide coverage or worldwide coverage, excluding the United States.
Medical support services
All Cigna members have full access to Cigna’s medical support services.
Cigna expat health insurance plans also offer other great perks, including the option to add newborn care coverage, vaccination coverage, the ability to add or remove beneficiaries at any time, and more.
How Much Does Expat Health Insurance Cost
Cigna Global expat health insurance plans start at as little as $100 per month, while the average plan costs around $350 per month.
With that in mind, policy costs can vary significantly depending on several factors, including:
- Age
- Citizenship
- Where you will be living
- Plan level
- Area of coverage
- Deductibles
- Cost-share options
- Optional modules
For most members, plan costs range from $4,000 to $6,000 per year.
Cigna Global health plans can be modified as needed to adjust their cost.
Request A Quote Today
Expatriates often have trouble finding adequate health coverage at affordable rates. Cigna Global expat health insurance policies provide comprehensive, flexible coverage to individuals living outside of their home countries.
At KSA Insurance, we work with individuals in South Carolina and across the southeastern United States to help them find international health plans that meet their coverage needs.
Contact us today to get a quote and learn more about expat health insurance.
Frequently Asked Questions About Expat Health Insurance in South Carolina
Do I need special “expat” health insurance if I’m moving to South Carolina?
Yes — depending on your situation.
- If you’re relocating from abroad (or outside the U.S.) to live in South Carolina, your “home country” insurance may not cover U.S. care, or may only cover emergencies.
- Domestic U.S. plans (employer-provided or ACA marketplace) apply in South Carolina, but may have geographic/network limits (especially for out-of-state care), and they often do not provide benefits like medical evacuation abroad.
- If you’ll still travel internationally, want “global” coverage, or frequently live abroad, a dedicated “global/expat” plan makes sense.
If you are simply living full-time in SC and only obtaining care inside the U.S., then a strong domestic plan may suffice — but you still need to check network, out-of-state coverage, and exclusions.
What key features should I look for in an expat-friendly health plan in South Carolina?
- Global coverage & evacuation/repatriation: Especially if you’ll travel or move abroad.
- Network & in-state/out-of-state access: Many U.S. health plans restrict care outside the home state unless it’s an emergency.
- Pre-existing conditions / chronic care: Expat plans vary widely in how they treat pre-existing conditions, look-back periods, and exclusions.
- Emergency care definition: A plan may cover “emergency” care outside the network or outside the state, but routine care may not be covered.
- Telemedicine / virtual access: Useful especially if you travel or live in less densely populated areas.
- Regulatory/plan context: If you’re using a domestic‐based plan you’ll want to check regulatory status (e.g., self-funded vs regulated by state).
Is health insurance mandatory in South Carolina?
Under the U.S. federal law (Affordable Care Act or ACA), there’s no longer a federal tax penalty for not having health coverage. At the state level: There is no state law mandating employers in SC to offer health insurance. The SC Department of Insurance FAQ states “there is no law on a federal or state level that requires an employer to offer health insurance coverage.”
Important for expats: Just because there is no penalty doesn’t mean you should be uninsured. U.S. medical costs can be very high, and for someone relocating internationally, the risks are elevated.
How much does an international/expat health plan cost for someone in South Carolina?
Costs are highly variable and depend on age, health status, deductible, coverage limits, etc.
If I have U.S. domestic health insurance (e.g., employer plan or ACA plan) and then live in South Carolina part-time or travel internationally, is that enough?
Possibly good enough for U.S. care, but may have limitations for international travel/care. If your living arrangement is more “expat” (you’re moving from abroad, or spending extended time abroad and in the U.S.), then you may need supplemental or specialized global coverage.
If you plan both U.S. and global care (or U.S. + significant travel), you may need a hybrid arrangement: a domestic base plan plus a global “top up” or choosing a global plan that covers both U.S. and abroad.
What happens if I leave my employer or change jobs while living in South Carolina?
If your health insurance was through your employer and you leave, the SC DOI FAQ reminds you that you may be eligible for continuation coverage under federal law (COBRA) or state continuation if your employer is small.
For expats relocating, job changes or leaving an employer can mean a change in insurance eligibility, so you’ll want to plan continuity of coverage — both for U.S. and global care.
Also: Some global/expat health plans may have rules about gaps in coverage, so you’ll want to ensure there’s no unacceptable gap when changing jobs or moving.
What about care when traveling abroad (or returning abroad) while living in South Carolina?
For international care plans, check whether your plan covers you in the country you’ll stay in (or travel to) and in transit. Also check: How is “emergency” defined? What is the network abroad? What is repatriation/evacuation coverage?
Many domestic U.S. plans cover only emergencies abroad and may require you to pay up front and file for reimbursement.
If you’ll split time between South Carolina and another country, one strategy is: choose a global plan that includes U.S. coverage + international coverage, rather than rely solely on a domestic plan.
Are there regulatory things in South Carolina I should be aware of as an expat getting health insurance?
Yes. For example, many plans are self-funded and not regulated by the SC Department of Insurance — if your employer plan is self-funded it may fall under federal jurisdiction instead.
For individual/family coverage on the marketplace you’ll want to check whether the plan is compliant with ACA provisions (if you meet resident eligibility).
For global/expat plans, some are provided by insurers outside the U.S., and they may not follow exactly the same regulatory frameworks.
If you’re non-U.S. citizen or working in SC under a visa, you’ll need to confirm what legal status the plan requires. (e.g., some global plans have residence requirements or exclude individuals residing in the U.S. permanently.)
What are common mistakes people make when arranging expat/health insurance in South Carolina?
- Assuming a domestic U.S. plan will fully cover care abroad (or in another country) without reading the fine print.
- Waiting until after arrival in SC or abroad to get coverage — some benefits (especially pre-existing condition coverage) require the plan to be in place before certain events.
- Overlooking network and geographic restrictions (especially in rural areas or if moving abroad).
- Underestimating costs: U.S. healthcare cost is high, especially for uninsured or out-of-network care.
- Ignoring evacuation/medical repatriation benefits if you will travel internationally.
- Thinking employer-provided coverage will follow you abroad without understanding the limitations.
- Neglecting to review what “emergency” means (for example in-state vs out-of-state vs abroad) and whether routine care is included.
How can I choose the right plan (or what steps should I take)?
- Define your needs:
- Will you live full-time in South Carolina or split time abroad?
- Will you travel frequently?
- Do you have chronic or pre-existing conditions?
- Do you need global coverage, or just U.S. coverage with occasional travel abroad?
- Compare plan types:
- Domestic U.S. individual/marketplace plans (good for SC residency with minimal abroad travel)
- Employer-sponsored plans
- Global/expat health plans (for U.S. + abroad, high mobility)
- Travel medical plans (useful for shorter stays abroad but not always for full residency)
- Check key features: Deductible, coinsurance, out-of-pocket max, network of providers (especially in SC and in the other country if relevant), coverage outside state/abroad, evacuation/repatriation, pre-existing condition treatment, telemedicine.
- Review regulatory/fine-print issues: Are you considered a resident? Does the plan comply with ACA (if required)? What happens if you change employment or move? Are you covered outside the U.S.?
- Budget for worst-case scenario: Given high costs of U.S. healthcare, plan for something serious rather than just routine care.
- Seek expert advice if needed: Global/expat health plans can be complex; brokers with experience in expat health insurance may help.
- Ensure continuity of coverage: If you transition from abroad to the U.S. (or vice versa) or change jobs, avoid gaps.
Request A Quote Today
Expatriates often have trouble finding adequate health coverage at affordable rates. Cigna Global expat health insurance policies provide comprehensive, flexible coverage to individuals living outside of their home countries.
At KSA Insurance, we work with individuals in South Carolina and across the southeastern United States to help them find international health plans that meet their coverage needs.
Contact us today to get a quote and learn more about expat health insurance.