Cigna Global: What It Is and How It Works
Cigna Global is an international private health insurance provider that offers coverage for expats, long-term residents, and globally mobile individuals. It is commonly used by people who live outside their home country for extended periods and need consistent healthcare access across borders. This page explains how it works and where it fits in the expat setup process.
What It Is
Overview
Cigna Global provides international private medical insurance designed for people living or working abroad. It operates as a specialized division focused on expat and global coverage, separate from Cigna’s domestic insurance products in the United States.
The coverage is designed to work across multiple countries rather than being tied to a single healthcare system. Policyholders can typically access care through a global network of hospitals and providers, with options for direct billing or reimbursement depending on the situation.
Cigna Global offers both individual and group plans. Individuals can purchase coverage directly, while employers sometimes provide it as part of relocation packages for international employees. The company is regulated as an insurer and operates in markets around the world.
Key Features
- Global coverage area: Plans can cover care in most countries, with options to include or exclude specific regions like the United States
- Provider network: Access to hospitals and doctors through a global network, with direct billing at many facilities
- Multiple plan tiers: Different coverage levels available, from core medical to comprehensive plans with additional benefits
- Portability: Coverage designed to move with you across countries, not tied to a single location
- Evacuation coverage: Medical evacuation options included in many plans for emergencies requiring transfer
- Chronic condition management: Programs for ongoing conditions, though pre-existing condition terms vary by plan
Where It Fits
In the Expat Setup Sequence
People typically consider Cigna Global during the planning or early transition phase of moving abroad. It often comes alongside visa applications and relocation logistics, since some countries require proof of health insurance for residency permits.
Whether it fits your situation depends on your destination country’s healthcare system, your employer’s offerings, and how long you plan to live abroad. For a broader view of insurance options, see insurance options expats use.
Common Timing Patterns
- Before arrival: Some people arrange coverage before relocating to ensure no gap in healthcare access. This is common when visa applications require proof of insurance.
- During transition: Others evaluate options after arriving and understanding local healthcare systems. This allows comparing international coverage against local alternatives.
- After establishing residency: Some long-term residents maintain international coverage alongside local options, particularly if they travel frequently or may relocate again.
How It Works
Getting Started
- Request a quote through Cigna Global’s website or through a broker who handles international insurance
- Provide information about your health history, destination countries, and coverage needs
- Review plan options and select coverage level and add-ons
- Complete the application, which may include medical underwriting depending on your situation
- Receive policy documents and member materials after approval
The process typically takes days to weeks depending on the complexity of medical history and underwriting requirements. Pre-existing conditions may affect coverage terms or premiums.
Ongoing Use
Day-to-day use involves accessing care through the provider network or seeking reimbursement for out-of-network services. Members typically use an online portal or app to find providers, submit claims, and manage their coverage.
For planned care, members can often arrange direct billing with network hospitals. For unexpected care or out-of-network services, members pay upfront and submit claims for reimbursement.
Support is available through customer service, though response times and availability vary by plan level and region.
Costs and Fees
| Category | What to Know |
|---|---|
| Premiums | Monthly or annual payments that vary by age, coverage level, region, and health history |
| Deductibles | Many plans offer deductible options that affect premium costs |
| Co-payments | Some plans include cost-sharing for certain services |
| Out-of-network costs | Reimbursement rates may differ for care outside the network |
| Add-on coverage | Additional costs for dental, vision, maternity, or wellness benefits |
Pricing varies significantly based on individual factors. Current rates are available through quotes from Cigna Global directly.
Common Reasons People Use It
- Long-term expat assignments: People relocating for work or retirement who need coverage that spans multiple years and potentially multiple countries
- Employer-sponsored relocation: International employees whose companies provide or subsidize global coverage as part of relocation packages
- Frequent country changes: Globally mobile individuals who move between countries and need coverage that travels with them
- Access to private care abroad: People in countries with public healthcare who want private options or faster access for certain services
- Visa compliance: Expats in countries that require proof of health insurance meeting specific coverage thresholds
- Family coverage: People relocating with dependents who need comprehensive coverage for the whole family
Tradeoffs
What Works Well For
- Long-term expats who plan to live abroad for years and may move between countries
- People who want English-language support and familiar insurance structures
- Those who need coverage that meets visa requirements in multiple potential destinations
- Individuals who value access to a large hospital network with direct billing options
What May Not Fit
- Short-term travelers or digital nomads who move frequently and need more flexible monthly coverage
- People primarily staying in one country with a strong public healthcare system they can access
- Those seeking the lowest-cost coverage option, as comprehensive international insurance typically costs more than local alternatives
- Individuals with significant pre-existing conditions who may face coverage limitations or higher costs
Compared to Alternatives
| Consideration | Cigna Global | Common Alternatives |
|---|---|---|
| Coverage duration | Designed for annual policies, long-term use | Travel insurance is typically shorter-term; local insurance ties to one country |
| Geographic flexibility | Covers multiple countries under one policy | Local insurance covers one country; travel insurance varies by policy |
| Network approach | Established global network with direct billing | Travel insurance often uses reimbursement; local insurance uses local networks |
| Cost structure | Annual premiums based on comprehensive underwriting | Travel-style coverage often has monthly payments; local coverage varies by country |
For more on how international insurance compares to travel insurance, see travel insurance vs private health insurance.
How It Connects to Other Setup Decisions
Dependencies
- Requires: Valid identification, health history information, payment method for premiums
- Unlocks: Compliance with visa health insurance requirements, access to private care in multiple countries, potential peace of mind during relocation
- Interacts with: Visa applications (may satisfy requirements), local healthcare enrollment (may supplement or replace), employer benefits (may be provided through work)
Cross-Pillar Connections
Healthcare coverage connects to other areas of expat setup. Paying premiums requires a functioning payment method, which may involve setting up international banking arrangements. Some visa categories require specific insurance coverage, making this a dependency for legal residency. Cost of coverage affects overall budget planning for life abroad.
What It Does Not Cover
- Local public healthcare enrollment: Cigna Global does not enroll you in national healthcare systems; that process is separate
- Travel insurance functions: Coverage for trip cancellation, lost luggage, or travel-specific risks requires separate travel insurance
- Pre-existing conditions (in some cases): Depending on underwriting, some conditions may be excluded or have waiting periods
- Experimental treatments: Coverage for unproven or experimental procedures is typically limited or excluded
- Cosmetic procedures: Elective cosmetic treatments are generally not covered
Verification Points
Before making decisions, verify directly with Cigna Global:
- Availability of coverage in your specific destination country
- Current premium costs for your age, health status, and desired coverage level
- How pre-existing conditions would be handled under specific plans
- Network hospital availability in cities where you plan to live
- Visa compliance: whether plans meet your destination country’s requirements
- Claims process and typical reimbursement timelines
- What happens if you move to a different country during the policy term
Next Steps
Related Guides
- Healthcare Hub — Overview of healthcare considerations for expats
- Insurance Options Expats Use — Comparison of insurance types
- Travel Insurance vs Private Health Insurance — Understanding the differences
Other Providers in This Space
- Allianz Care — International health insurance with broad provider networks
- SafetyWing — Travel-style coverage for nomads and remote workers
Important: This page provides general information about Cigna Global for educational purposes. It is not a review, endorsement, or recommendation. Provider features, pricing, availability, and policies change. Always verify current information directly with the provider. This content does not constitute financial, legal, or medical advice. Consider your individual circumstances and consult qualified professionals before making decisions.