BCBS Expat Long-Term International Health Insurance: Comprehensive Coverage for Living Abroad
For individuals or teams living or working outside their home country for extended periods — such as long-term mission assignments, humanitarian projects, faith-based service, or international fieldwork — short-term travel medical plans often fall short.
BCBS Expat plans provide long-term international health insurance for those spending at least 3 months abroad each year. Coverage can be renewed indefinitely and provides continuous Accident and Sickness protection with unlimited annual and lifetime medical maximums.
Two main options are available:
Expat Premier (Worldwide) — comprehensive coverage anywhere in the world, including the U.S.
Expat Essential (Outside the U.S.) — focused coverage while living abroad, without U.S. benefits.
Both offer flexible deductibles, waived deductibles for many office visits and preventive care, strong emergency evacuation, and options for pre-existing conditions with evidence of prior coverage. These plans help small nonprofits, faith-based organizations, humanitarian groups, and individuals maintain reliable, portable health protection while operating on minimal budgets.
Core Benefits Included in BCBS Expat Plans
Inpatient and outpatient medical expenses (hospitalization, surgery, doctor visits, diagnostics)
Preventive care and annual physical exams (no waiting period)
Emergency medical evacuation and repatriation of remains
Mental health, maternity, and skilled nursing benefits (Premier)
Outpatient prescription drugs
Access to elite international providers and U.S. PPO network (Premier)
24/7 global assistance for referrals and coordination
Coverage requires being outside the home country for at least 3 months in the first year. Always review the specific certificate for age eligibility (typically up to age 74 at the time of application), deductibles, coinsurance, full exclusions, and state variations.