If you are living outside your home country for an extended period, choosing international health insurance is very different from buying a standard travel policy. You need coverage that can follow you from country to country, provide access to private healthcare, and remain suitable if your plans abroad change.
IMG’s Global Medical Insurance program is one of the international health insurance options I regularly consider when helping clients compare expat coverage. IMG markets the program specifically to expatriates and global citizens, with multiple plan levels, coverage areas, deductibles and payment options.
In this review, I will look at IMG Global Expat Insurance from a broker’s perspective: what it covers, the available plan levels, potential costs, where it can make sense, and the points I recommend checking before purchasing.
Important: Insurance benefits, eligibility, premiums, exclusions and underwriting requirements can change. The information below is based on IMG’s current 2026 materials and is intended as a guide, not a substitute for the insurance contract or a personalized quotation.
What Is IMG Global Expat Insurance?
IMG Global Expat Insurance refers to IMG’s international health insurance offering for people living or working outside their home country. On IMG’s current international site, the program is presented under its Global Medical Insurance offering for expatriates and global citizens.
The important distinction is that this is designed as long-term international medical insurance, rather than simply emergency medical coverage for a short vacation.
That matters for expats.
Someone moving to Thailand, Mexico, the UAE, Switzerland or another country may need access to routine medical care as well as treatment for serious illnesses or injuries. A suitable international medical plan can provide broader protection than a conventional travel medical policy.
IMG’s current Global Medical Insurance structure gives applicants several choices, including different levels of coverage, geographic areas and deductibles.
IMG Global Medical Insurance Plans
IMG currently lists four main Global Medical Insurance levels for expatriates and global citizens:
| Plan | Lifetime Maximum |
|---|---|
| Global Medical Bronze | $1 million |
| Global Medical Silver | $5 million |
| Global Medical Gold | $5 million |
| Global Medical Platinum | $8 million |
The available deductibles also vary by plan. IMG’s current benefit schedule shows deductible options ranging from $250 to $10,000 for Bronze and Silver, while Gold and Platinum offer higher deductible options, up to $25,000. Platinum can also have a $100 deductible option.
The higher plan levels are not automatically better for every expat. The right choice depends on where you live, the healthcare system you expect to use, your age, medical history, budget and whether you need coverage in the United States.
That is one reason I recommend comparing the plan details rather than choosing an insurer simply because it has the highest maximum benefit.
What Does IMG Global Expat Insurance Cover?
The exact benefits depend on the plan and the terms shown on the policy documents, but IMG’s Global Medical Insurance program is built around major medical expenses and international healthcare needs.
Depending on the plan selected, coverage can include areas such as:
- Inpatient medical treatment
- Outpatient treatment
- Emergency care
- Prescription medication
- Preventive care
- Medical evacuation
- Ambulance services
- Mental health and counseling benefits
- Telehealth on applicable plans
- Dental benefits
- Vision benefits
- Maternity and newborn benefits where applicable and subject to the plan terms
- Treatment within and outside the United States, depending on the selected area of coverage
IMG’s current expatriate page specifically lists medical coverage, medical evacuation, dental, urgent care and telehealth among the features associated with its Global Medical plans.
The important point is that not every benefit applies in the same way to every plan.
For example, IMG’s current materials show that Silver has a $50,000 maximum for emergency medical evacuation, while Gold and Platinum provide emergency medical evacuation up to the applicable lifetime maximum.
That difference can be significant for someone living in a remote location.
Medical Evacuation
Medical evacuation deserves special attention when comparing international health insurance.
If you live abroad, the nearest suitable hospital may not always be in the same city or even the same country. In serious situations, transportation to an appropriate medical facility can become one of the most expensive parts of an emergency.
IMG includes emergency medical evacuation within its Global Medical Insurance benefits, subject to the requirements of the selected plan. The current Silver plan documentation, for example, lists emergency medical evacuation with a $50,000 maximum.
There is an important condition here: medical evacuation generally requires approval and coordination according to the policy requirements. IMG’s policy documents state that emergency medical evacuation requires pre-certification.
I always tell clients not to treat evacuation as an unlimited taxi service. The circumstances under which an insurer will authorize evacuation matter just as much as the headline benefit amount.
Does IMG Cover the United States?
This is one of the first questions I ask when comparing international health insurance for a client.
Healthcare in the United States can be extremely expensive, so including U.S. coverage can have a substantial effect on the suitability and price of an international plan.
IMG offers different areas of coverage. Its documentation distinguishes between worldwide coverage excluding certain countries and worldwide coverage that includes the United States.
For U.S. treatment, the way the plan is used also matters. IMG’s current benefit schedule provides different treatment depending on whether care is received through its PPO network, outside the network, or through its Medical Concierge arrangements.
If you are an American living abroad, or you expect to spend significant time in the U.S., I would not recommend selecting a plan until the U.S. coverage rules have been checked carefully.
IMG Medical Concierge
Another feature worth understanding is IMG’s Medical Concierge service.
IMG describes Medical Concierge as a service designed to help insured members navigate the U.S. healthcare system and identify providers for scheduled inpatient and certain outpatient treatments.
For someone unfamiliar with the U.S. healthcare system, this can be useful.
However, it should not be confused with a separate insurance benefit. The underlying coverage, network requirements, deductible and coinsurance rules still apply.
How Much Does IMG Global Expat Insurance Cost?
There is no single price for IMG Global Expat Insurance.
Premiums can vary significantly according to factors such as:
- Age
- Country of residence
- Area of coverage
- Deductible
- Plan level
- Medical history and underwriting
- Optional benefits
- Payment frequency
- Whether the United States is included
IMG’s 2026 rate material demonstrates just how much age and deductible can change the premium. For example, its published Global Medical rates show substantial differences between younger applicants and older age groups, as well as between low and high deductible options.
The rate sheet also states that rates shown apply to new business purchased from January 2, 2026, and that IMG reserves the right to replace or modify rates.
For that reason, I would be cautious about articles that quote one monthly price and present it as the cost of IMG insurance for everyone.
It isn’t.
Does a Higher Deductible Reduce the Premium?
Generally, choosing a higher deductible can reduce the premium.
IMG offers a range of deductible choices, allowing applicants to decide how much of the initial eligible medical expense they are prepared to pay themselves before the plan begins paying according to its terms.
For some clients, a higher deductible is a sensible way to keep the premium manageable while maintaining substantial protection against major medical expenses.
For others, particularly people who expect regular healthcare expenses, a lower deductible may be more appropriate.
This is one of the areas where I prefer to compare several scenarios rather than simply quoting the cheapest premium.
What About Pre-Existing Conditions?
Pre-existing conditions require particular attention with international health insurance.
The insurer may review your medical history during underwriting, and coverage for existing or previous medical conditions cannot be assumed simply because a condition is not currently causing symptoms.
IMG states that its Global Medical Insurance program offers different underwriting methods based on medical history, with the intention of extending coverage in circumstances where an applicant may be declined by another company.
That does not mean every pre-existing condition will automatically be covered.
The final underwriting decision and policy terms are what matter.
If you have a significant medical history, I recommend disclosing it accurately during the application process. Trying to leave medical information out to obtain a lower premium can create much larger problems when you need to make a claim.
Is Dental and Vision Coverage Included?
Dental and vision benefits depend on the plan and applicable policy terms.
IMG’s current expatriate page lists dental as included across the Global Medical Insurance plan levels shown there, while its detailed plan documents specify the individual benefit limits and conditions that apply.
For Platinum, for example, IMG’s 2026 sample contract includes specific vision benefits such as a maximum for routine eye examinations and a separate maximum for corrective lenses, contacts and frames.
This illustrates why I recommend looking beyond the words “dental included” or “vision included.”
The actual limits are what determine how useful the benefit will be.
IMG Global Expat Insurance for Retirees
IMG can also be relevant to older expatriates, although age and medical underwriting become increasingly important when comparing plans.
The published 2026 rates show a substantial increase in premiums at older ages, and the rate table lists different pricing bands through age 69, with separate underwriting/pricing considerations beyond that point.
For retirees, I would compare:
- Maximum age for new enrollment
- Renewal provisions
- Pre-existing condition treatment
- Prescription coverage
- Outpatient benefits
- Cancer treatment coverage
- Emergency evacuation
- Geographic coverage
- U.S. coverage, if required
- Annual premium and deductible
A low starting premium is not necessarily the best retirement insurance if important benefits are restricted.
IMG for Families
International health insurance can also be structured for families, but family pricing and eligibility should be reviewed individually.
Parents should pay particular attention to:
- Pediatric care
- Preventive care
- Emergency treatment
- Prescription medication
- Dental and vision
- Maternity
- Newborn coverage
- Family deductible provisions
IMG’s benefit schedules include specific provisions for children and preventive care, with limits varying by plan.
If maternity or newborn coverage is important, I would review the waiting periods, eligibility requirements and benefit limits before purchasing rather than assuming that a comprehensive medical plan automatically provides full maternity coverage.
Advantages of IMG Global Expat Insurance
From a broker’s perspective, several features make IMG worth considering.
1. Multiple plan levels
There are four main Global Medical Insurance options, allowing applicants to choose between different maximum benefit levels and coverage features.
2. Flexible deductibles
IMG provides a wide range of deductible choices, which can help clients balance premium and out-of-pocket exposure.
3. International coverage options
The ability to select different areas of coverage is useful for people whose lives extend across several countries.
4. Medical evacuation
Emergency medical evacuation is an important component of international health insurance, particularly for people living in countries where specialist treatment may not be readily available.
5. High maximum benefits
Depending on the plan, the lifetime maximum can reach $8 million per insured person.
6. Options for different medical histories
IMG states that its underwriting approach provides different options based on an applicant’s medical history.
Things I Would Check Before Buying
IMG Global Medical Insurance has attractive features, but I would not recommend buying it without checking the details of the particular quotation.
Here are the areas I would review first:
Geographic coverage
Make sure your actual countries of residence and travel are covered.
U.S. coverage
If you need treatment in the United States, check the exact rules, network requirements and cost-sharing arrangements.
Pre-existing conditions
Ask for clarification on any medical condition that existed before the policy began.
Deductible
Don’t select a deductible simply because it produces the lowest premium. Make sure you could comfortably pay it if you need treatment.
Medical evacuation
Check the maximum benefit and the conditions for authorization.
Outpatient treatment
Some clients focus heavily on hospitalization while overlooking the cost of regular consultations, diagnostic tests and specialist appointments.
Prescription coverage
Review the limits and rules, particularly if you take long-term medication.
Maternity
If pregnancy is relevant, check waiting periods and benefit limits before enrollment.
Renewal
Understand the renewal terms and how premiums can change over time.
IMG Global Expat vs. Other International Health Insurance
I would not say that IMG is automatically the best international health insurance company for every expat.
That’s not how I approach insurance comparisons.
A person living in Mexico with no U.S. coverage requirement may need a very different plan from an American retiree living in Spain who wants to return to the U.S. for treatment.
Likewise, a healthy 30-year-old digital nomad may prioritize a low premium and high deductible, while a 62-year-old retiree may place much more importance on predictable access to specialists, prescription benefits and coverage for existing medical conditions.
Other international insurers may offer different combinations of:
- Coverage areas
- Maximum benefits
- Deductibles
- Underwriting
- Provider networks
- Maternity benefits
- Dental and vision
- Evacuation
- U.S. coverage
- Premiums
That is why I recommend comparing IMG with alternatives rather than treating any single provider as the universal answer.
Who Is IMG Global Expat Insurance Best For?
Based on the plan structure, IMG is worth considering for people who want a long-term international medical insurance solution and value flexibility in plan level, deductible and geographic coverage.
It may be particularly relevant for:
- Expats living overseas
- Global citizens
- Retirees abroad
- Professionals working internationally
- Families relocating overseas
- People who spend significant time in multiple countries
- Individuals who want substantial medical maximums
- Applicants who need different underwriting options
It may be less suitable if you only need short-term emergency medical coverage for a vacation or brief trip. In that situation, a travel medical policy may be more appropriate.
My Verdict: Is IMG Global Expat Insurance Worth Considering in 2026?
Yes — IMG Global Medical Insurance is a plan I would include in an international health insurance comparison.
Its strongest points are the range of plan levels, high maximum benefits, deductible flexibility, international coverage options and medical evacuation benefits. IMG’s current expatriate offering includes Bronze, Silver, Gold and Platinum options, with lifetime maximums ranging from $1 million to $8 million depending on the plan.
But I would not choose IMG solely because of those headline numbers.
The better question is:
Does the specific IMG plan fit your country of residence, medical needs, budget and future plans?
That is where a proper comparison becomes valuable.
At Expat Global Medical, I don’t believe in recommending an insurance plan simply because it looks good on paper. I prefer to compare the available options against the client’s circumstances — including age, residence, travel pattern, desired coverage area, deductible, medical history and budget.
For one expat, IMG may be an excellent choice. For another, Cigna, Allianz, VUMI, Bupa or another international provider may offer a better fit.
Want to Compare IMG With Other International Plans?
If you’re considering IMG Global Expat Insurance, I can help you compare it with other international health insurance options based on your actual requirements.
Request an international health insurance quote from Expat Global Medical and compare your options before you make a decision.
Frequently Asked Questions
Is IMG Global Expat Insurance the same as travel insurance?
No. IMG’s Global Medical Insurance is designed as international health insurance for expatriates and global citizens, while travel medical insurance is generally designed for shorter-term travel. IMG offers both types of insurance.
How much does IMG Global Expat Insurance cost?
There is no universal price. Premiums depend on factors including age, deductible, plan, geographic coverage and medical underwriting. IMG publishes 2026 rate information for its Global Medical Insurance plans, but an individual quotation is needed to determine the actual premium.
Does IMG Global Medical Insurance cover medical evacuation?
Yes, emergency medical evacuation is included, but the benefit and maximum depend on the selected plan. The current IMG Silver documentation lists a $50,000 maximum, while higher plans can provide evacuation coverage up to the applicable lifetime maximum.
Does IMG cover treatment in the United States?
Certain IMG Global Medical Insurance options provide U.S. coverage, but the exact terms depend on the area of coverage and how treatment is received. Network, Medical Concierge, deductible and coinsurance rules can apply.
Can IMG cover pre-existing conditions?
Pre-existing conditions are subject to underwriting and the terms of the policy. IMG states that it offers different underwriting methods based on medical history, but coverage should never be assumed until the insurer has completed its underwriting decision.
Is IMG Global Expat Insurance good for retirees?
It can be worth considering, but retirees should pay particular attention to age eligibility, premiums, medical underwriting, pre-existing conditions, prescription coverage, renewal terms and geographic coverage.
Should I choose the cheapest IMG plan?
Not necessarily. A lower premium may come with a lower maximum benefit or different coverage features. I recommend comparing the total protection offered by each plan against the level of risk you are comfortable retaining yourself.
How do I compare IMG with Cigna, Allianz or VUMI?
The best comparison depends on your circumstances. At a minimum, compare geographic coverage, U.S. coverage, maximum benefits, deductible, coinsurance, outpatient care, prescriptions, maternity, dental, evacuation, pre-existing conditions and premium.
Sources: IMG’s current expatriate/global citizen plan information, 2026 Global Medical Insurance rate material, and current benefit schedules.
This article provides general information and is not insurance advice or a guarantee of coverage. Benefits, exclusions, premiums, eligibility, underwriting and policy terms vary by plan and applicant. The applicable Certificate of Insurance, policy wording, application and approved quotation govern coverage.
