International Health Insurance for U.S. Full-Time Travelers

As a full-time traveler, having the right healthcare insurance is crucial. Here are 4 options for U.S. travelers who travel full-time internationally. Keep in mind that these policies generally do not cover you in the U.S., so if you need coverage while back home, you will need to sign up for a U.S. policy through the healthcare marketplace or another provider. Please note that I am not affiliated with any of these companies and receive no incentives for mentioning them.

1. GeoBlue: Good for Short-Term Travel (Up to 6 Months)

GeoBlue is a good option for U.S. travelers who are abroad for no more than 6 months. You must sign up before leaving the U.S., and the policy cannot be renewed if you are still outside the U.S. when the 6-month period ends. Additionally, if you want to renew, you’ll need to return to the U.S. for at least one day.

My preferred policy is Voyager Essential, which is great for most travelers, and this is what I usually buy to get coverage for the first 180 days of my trip. However, if you have pre-existing conditions, the Voyager Choice plan is a better fit as it offers coverage for those conditions, although it is slightly more expensive. Keep in mind that Voyager Choice plan requires enrollees to maintain a primary health insurance policy that provides minimum essential coverage in the United States, as defined by the Affordable Care Act or another qualifying health plan.

Pros:

GeoBlue has an extensive global provider network with many direct-pay arrangements, meaning some doctors and hospitals can bill GeoBlue directly, reducing out-of-pocket expenses at the time of care.

Cons:

Voyager Essential and Voyager Choice policies have a maximum coverage duration of 6 months.
Voyager Essential and Voyager Choice cannot be renewed while you are still abroad, requiring a return to the U.S. for renewal.
Voyager Essential and Voyager Choice policies are not a good fit for long-term or continuous travel beyond six months.
Voyager Choice policy requires a primary health insurance policy in the U.S.

2. Cigna Global: Good for Long-Term Expats (1 Year or More)

Cigna Global is designed for those who will be outside the U.S. for over a year. It offers comprehensive coverage for long-term travelers or expats, with plans that can be customized based on your needs. This is not suitable for short-term travel or for those who return to the U.S. frequently.

A key feature of Cigna Global is the flexibility to include or exclude coverage for care received in the U.S. Adding U.S. coverage significantly increases the premium, but excluding U.S. coverage may still provide limited benefits for short visits, such as emergency or catastrophic care only, under certain conditions.

Pros:

A good fit for long-term travel or expatriation lasting more than one year outside the U.S.

Cons:

Not suitable for short-term travel under one year, as it may be more expensive compared to other cost-effective options for short-term travel.

3. IMG Global: Flexible for Most Travelers

If you are traveling outside the U.S. for more than six months, you can start with GeoBlue for the first six months, then switch to IMG Global for the rest of your trip. IMG Global offers a flexible option and lets you sign up while abroad, unlike GeoBlue, which requires you to be in the U.S. for renewal. For example, if you begin traveling abroad on January 1st, you can use GeoBlue for coverage through June 30th. After that, you can transition to IMG Global starting July 1st without needing to return to the U.S., ensuring continuous coverage for the rest of your trip.

Pros:

Policies can be initiated even if you have already left the U.S., offering flexibility for travelers who did not purchase insurance before departure.
The Patriot International Platinum Policy is an affordable option for short-term travel, providing essential coverage at competitive rates. I personally bought this policy in 2024 and found it to be a budget-friendly choice that met my needs at the time, but I switched to Genki Traveler in 2025, which I will cover below.

Cons:

Coverage and benefits may be more limited compared to premium plans like GeoBlue or Cigna Global.

4. Genki Traveler: This is My Current Choice

Genki Traveler is a newer option I switched to from IMG Global because the monthly premium is cheaper and the deductible is just €50. It is a European company that offers insurance for international travelers and digital nomads, and one of the most flexible features is that you can sign up even after your trip has already started. However, it is important to note that the policy takes 14 days to become active if you sign up after your trip starts, so you’ll need to plan ahead or maintain other coverage during that gap.

Pros:

Lower monthly premium than most other providers, with just a €50 deductible.
You can sign up even after you have started your trip.
Great fit for digital nomads.

Cons:

If you sign up after your trip starts, there is a 14-day waiting period before the policy becomes active.

The International Healthcare Insurance Plan I Use

For my travels, I usually start with the GeoBlue Voyager Essential policy, which I buy for the first 180 days of my trip. I used to switch to IMG Global (The Patriot International Platinum Policy) for the rest of my trip, but I have now switched to Genki Explorer because it is more budget-friendly and has a lower deductible. I also keep a U.S. health insurance plan through the healthcare marketplace so I have coverage when I am back in the U.S.