Medical Conditions and Cover – Watch Out for Policy Exclusions!

When you have an accident or fall ill you’ll want to know that you will have the full backing of your international private medical insurance (IPMI) plan to get you back on your feet as soon as possible. In most circumstances your policy will do just that but it’s important to think ahead when buying your policy to make sure you maximise your cover within the budget you have available.

The process of choosing your expat health insurance isn’t straightforward. There are many different insurers all offering a wide range of plans with different options. The cover permutations and combinations are almost endless. Insurers will provide the option of excluding certain benefit categories in exchange for lower premiums. Pregnancy is a good example that is usually clear cut – after all, if you are a man in your 40s looking for an individual insurance plan, you are not going to want pregnancy cover. Dental is another example, although we all have teeth so it’s a little trickier to decide if you really need that benefit!

In fact, international private medical insurance usually comes with clear choices to omit maternity, dental and even out-patient as options.

As a rule of thumb, buy the most comprehensive cover you can afford. That way you’ll limit your exposure if something unexpected does happen.

Cover limits

Of course, it’s not just about what is excluded from your policy, it’s also about how limited your cover is. One plan, for example, might have an overall annual payment limit of US$7,000,000 whereas a seemingly comparable plan may limit this to only US$3,000,000. Another may have a limited scope to pay out for prescription drugs compared to one that refunds this benefit in full. And a third plan may offer comprehensive cover for dental compared to one that’s severely limited.
Understanding when a policy won’t pay for a certain condition when buying your insurance is relatively easy. Understanding whether the policy you are considering is limited in the areas that are important to you can be very difficult when looking to compare plans yourself.

Time-based exclusions

Insurers may exclude cover on the basis of pre-existing conditions. If you request a policy and already have (or have had) a condition, the insurer may deny cover. What an insurer will decide to do is complicated and based on many factors. If you are in a large group plan, you may not be denied cover at all. If you have an individual policy and your condition is permanent, however, it may be very difficult for you to ever secure the insurance protection you need. Conditions from which you have recovered should be covered but there may be a time-lapse; the insurer may offer you that benefit but only after a set number of months have passed.

Exclusions through excesses

Excesses are important to. In a sense these are self-imposed cover limitations. If you take out a plan with a high excess – say US$500 per claim – you are effectively making it more difficult for you to make a claim; because you know you’ll be paying the first US$500 out of your own pocket. Of course, excesses give you the advantage of lower premiums. It’s often worthwhile for those on tight budgets to think of their cover in terms of insurance for major events. A policy with a very high excess, say thousands of US dollars, will mean that you have to pay for minor treatment but if a major event occurs, that will cost you hundreds of thousands, you’ll be covered.

Buying the right IPMI policy can be essential to your well-being. Buy the wrong cover and you could be very exposed. The trick is to pay a competitive premium for a policy that provides you with the precise benefits you need but not the cover you don’t. If this logic sounds as sensible to you as it does to us, jump onto My Matchmaker’s Selector tool and you might find it really helps.

David Eline

David Eline

Founder Rivier Expat

After experiencing the frustrations of expat healthcare firsthand, David built what was missing: a truly independent advisory service backed by a proprietary comparison engine that prioritizes quality over commissions.

His approach is refreshingly straightforward: diagnose your exact coverage needs, design a modular solution with genuine portability and deliver transparent advice without hidden agendas

Whether you’re a digital nomad bouncing between borders or a corporate executive relocating your family, David eliminates the administrative headaches and coverage gaps that plague international professionals.

👉 Connect with me on Linkedin

Health is your most important asset ❤️‍🩹

With just a few details, we’ll recommend a policy that precisely fits your protection needs from the world’s leading insurers. Finding the best value cover for clients is
our business!

The Complete Guide to Tax Implications of Expat Health Insurance in 2025

IMPORTANT DISCLAIMER: This article provides general information only and does not constitute tax advice. Tax laws vary by country and individual circumstances. Always consult with qualified tax professionals for advice specific to your situation. Here's something most...

The Comprehensive Guide to Managing Chronic Conditions with Expat Health Insurance

Here's the brutal truth about having chronic conditions as an expatriate. Most international health insurance companies will reject your application outright. Cancer history? Application declined. Diabetes? Sorry, too risky. Heart disease? Find another insurer. The...

IPMI for Expats Working in Offshore Industries

Here's a shocking truth about working offshore as an expatriate. Your standard international health insurance is probably worthless. Worse than worthless. Dangerously inadequate. You're working on an oil platform in the North Sea. A drilling accident happens. You need...

The Ultimate Guide to Multi-Country Expat Health Insurance Plans in 2025

Here's the brutal truth about being a globally mobile expatriate. Traditional health insurance is designed for people who stay put. One country. One healthcare system. One set of providers. But your life doesn't work that way. You live in Singapore for two years....

Switching International Health Insurance Without Losing Coverage or Continuity

Here's a terrifying truth about switching international health insurance. Most expatriates do it completely wrong. They get frustrated with premium increases. They see a "better deal" somewhere else. They cancel their current policy and apply for a new one. Then...

The Ultimate Senior Expatriate Health Insurance Guide: How to Find Bulletproof Coverage That Actually Works When You’re 55+

Here's the harsh reality about being a senior expatriate. You're living your dream retirement abroad. Perfect weather. Lower cost of living. Amazing experiences. Then you realize something terrifying. Your health insurance is garbage. Most international health...

Cracking the Code: Why IPMI Geographical Zones Can Make or Break Your Expatriate Health Insurance

Picture this scenario. You're living your best expat life in Singapore. Premium healthcare. World-class facilities. Everything's perfect. Then your company transfers you to Dubai. Suddenly, your expatriate health insurance premium doubles. What happened? Geographical...

Why International Health Cover Could Save Your Life (And Your Wallet)

Picture this. You're living your dream life in Singapore as a regional director. Six-figure salary. Corner office. Everything's perfect. Then your wife collapses during a morning jog. The ambulance arrives. Emergency room. Tests. Scans. The bill? $47,000. Your company...

IPMI Singapore: The Complete Guide That Could Save Your Financial Future

Singapore's medical bills don't mess around. A friend of mine learned this the hard way when her appendix decided to explode during a client dinner in Marina Bay. Emergency surgery at Mount Elizabeth Hospital. Private room for recovery. Specialist consultations. The...

IPMI Cost Breakdown by Region: The Truth About Global Health Insurance Pricing

Marcus had always been good with numbers. Twenty years in investment banking. Deals across six continents. Risk analysis was his specialty. But when his company offered him a choice between assignments in Singapore, Dubai, or Prague, he was stunned by something...