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7 Best Global Health Insurances for Digital Nomads in Mexico

Are you a digital nomad and do you like to move country often? Do you need international health insurance to give you security in the countries you are going to live in? Then you need to know the 7 best international health insurance options with the best cost benefit that suits you!

Everyone knows that health insurance are essential for those who want comfort and safety in their travels, when entering a different country – whether to travel or live. Therefore, many companies greatly increase prices because they know they will be hired in the same way, as it is an essential item.

So, to help you, I chose the the best international health insurance plans for digital nomads. Those people who work online from anywhere… are you one of these?

Mexico is a very popular choice for digital nomads, as the country offers a low cost of living, beautiful landscapes, great food, climate and high quality of life. In addition, most cities in the country have an excellent infrastructure for those who work remotely!

 

The 5 Best Cities for Digital Nomads in Mexico

  1. Oaxaca City – a vibrant colonial city with great wifi, lots of cafes and co-working spaces you can work from. Also, if you don’t need to pay for a car or public transport as the city is small and very accessible on foot.
  2. Mexico City – if you love big cities, the metropolis offers a low cost of living compared to others around the world. The city is fun, modern and has lots of places to explore, so you’ll never get bored.
  3. Mérida – One of the top destinations for digital nomads in the country, Mérida has a relaxed and laid-back lifestyle. The colonial architecture and the squares also give the city a charm.
  4. Guanajuato – the city is a Unesco World Heritage Site and often called the most beautiful city in the country. The city is small, easy to get around and full of culture.
  5. Sayulita – if you love the beach and surfing, this is the place for you. The city sits on the country’s Pacific coast and is becoming a very popular destination for digital nomads.

That said, the options of insurance I’ve separated below will help you find the best health insurance policy that fits your needs and your budget!

 

But first…what is a digital nomad? 

Although digital nomadism has existed for some time, the volume of people working in this way has seen a significant increase during the COVID-19 pandemic. Several people stopped working in the office and were relocated to remote work and, as a result, many of these people began to seek a freer routine closer to nature.

So, a part of these remote work people chose to work in other countries and at the same time live as a tourist, these are called digital nomads. These people only use a notebook to carry out their tasks and they are paid for it, so why not be able to travel around the world working?

For those who work in the areas of creativity, such as copywriters, publicists, designers or simply those who have a stressful work routine and want to relax. Is there anything better than working facing the sea, on a paradisiacal beach?

(To be honest, I’ll confess… I can assure you, from personal experience, that working on the beach is not as pleasant or practical as it seems. But although working on the beach may not be as good, what’s great is being able to see the sea from where you are working or being able to go to the beach easily after work )

Several countries began to think about possibilities that could stimulate local tourism to favor the economy and make life easier for travelers! In this way, countries like Costa Rica, Bermuda, Barbados, Portugal, Georgia (the country, not the state in the US!), Estonia, among many others, began to offer visas to digital nomads or people who were working remotely during the pandemic!

Now that you know what a digital nomad is, a lifestyle that is growing more and more with the rise of remote work, let’s understand the importance of having health insurance before travelling the world! In this case, in Mexico!

 

 

Why do I need international health insurance as a digital nomad? 

Many people who are organizing their trips do not give much importance to health insurance for digital nomads or don’t even think about that. But, to live in Mexico, it is very important that you have yours up to date!

First, it is important to know that the private health service abroad is very expensive and that not all countries have a public health system that serves all citizens.

You also need to remember the risks of living in a new country, of being in a city you don’t know, living different experiences and the famous “to be in a pickle” (food poisoning, who never?). Better not count on luck, right?

So, pay attention here at this quick list of reasons to take out an health insurance  BEFORE leaving home:

 

   1. You’ll probably need an insurance policy to get a resident or digital nomad visa 

Yes, I know that not all countries require health insurance for expatriates and digital nomads entering the country. However, like I said, you will be moving to a new and probably unknown country, which makes you more vulnerable to health or safety issues.

Even if it’s not about the law, it’s important to take care of your own health and make sure you have medical coverage when you need it. No one like to be in a pickle, right?

 

   2. An international health insurance policy protects your health & well-being  

Many people have already proven that we only really know a service when we need to use it in practice, right? Even if the country you are moving to offers a public healthcare system, you cannot be sure what your experience will be like when you request care. Even more so if you need some specific service or exclusivity.

An international health insurance guarantees you the peace of mind that no matter what happens, you will receive high quality medical care. So you won’t have to worry about emergencies abroad (yours or your family’s).

Also, in most countries in the world, the private healthcare system is better than the public one. And with an insurance policy, you can easily access the private system in Mexico (which can be very expensive without insurance!).

 

   3. A health insurance policy gives you access to better quality medical care

It’ snot by chance that international health insurance is a requirement in most countries. As I said at the beginning of this article, the expenses for private medical services can be VERY high, even for the simplest services… even more so if you are doing telecommuting in the United States where the health system is almost entirely private and costs a fortune! !

It is important to be aware of the fact that, in countries that do not have this requirement, prices are likely to be abusive as well.

In this way, international health insurance is not only a guarantee of access to quality health care, but it can also help you avoid incredibly absurd health costs – which could even lead to personal bankruptcy!

 

Why is it important for digital nomads to take out international health insurance and not just travel insurance?

When you have a digital nomad visa, you are legalized in the country as a “resident”. But if you want to spend a long period in the place or even get the residency through a work visa, you must have an international health insurance itself.

 

 

What is important to consider before taking out health insurance for digital nomads?

And now, we can talk about the best (and cheapest!) international health insurance options.

But, of course, you must be thinking: how will I know which health insurance plan is best for me?

Don’t be worried, here is a list of topics to consider before making your decision:

 

Let’s understand better:

 

   1. The coverage that each international health plan offers

One of the most important topics when choosing your international health insurance is to consider coverage. To consider whether it will suit you, there are a few questions to keep in mind:

 

   2. The number of hospitals and practices covered by the international health plan

Another important factor to consider before hiring a plan that goes beyond quality is to pay attention to the number of hospitals and offices that you will have available for use, especially if you are moving to a small town.

The more options of hospitals, the easier it will be for you to make appointments, tests or emergencies, and you can even choose the hospital closest to your home or that the service is faster.

The last tip, but not least: There are several international health plans that you can use the network’s medical services without paying anything, but there are also others where you pay and only then can you request a refund (we don’t recommend the latter if you can avoid it, as it can be difficult to get insurers to pay what they owe).

Thus, the greater the coverage of the plan, the better.

 

   3. What are your specific health needs or pre-existing conditions for you and your family?

In case you need it, it’s important to know that most health insurance offers specific coverage for pre-existing conditions, and it’s very important to do some research to find out what type of coverage you’re interested in from the company you’re interested in.

Remembering that not all insurances offer unlimited and free coverage for pre-existing illnesses, specific treatments or even pregnancy.

So if there’s a specific type of treatment or medical care you think you might need, make sure the plan you’re considering includes it.

 

   4. How good is the insurance company’s customer support?

Another factor to consider is the quality of service provided by the contracted company, as if you need to claim your insurance, this will be a differentiating factor in the insurance company’s service.

There are some critical and decisive points when hiring the health insurance service offered by the company: I recommend checking their response times, successful filed claims and customer reviews (but one thing to think about here: insurers basically always have low ratings, so take them with caution).

If you do not speak English or the language of the country where you will be moving, it is interesting to find out if the company has services in other languages, even in your mother tongue. We know what unforeseen events are like and, when you are desperate, it’s good to be sure that you can count on a quality and efficient support service – and in a language that you understand well.

An essential factor is to know if the company offers 24/7 service (all plans listed below do), so as not to be caught by surprise and stay on hand when you need it most.

Who does these international health insurances cover?

The international health insurances on this list provide coverage for these citizens who live abroad as digital nomads:

And for citizens of almost every other country living abroad

 

For digital nomads residing in:

And for expats living in almost any other country in the world

 

In short, no matter where you live or where you want to go, most of these health insurances will be able to offer you a good service, since they are companies that serve all over the world.

 

Tip for Cheap International Transfers: if you are a Digital Nomad and need to send or receive money from abroad, take a look at our article with the 7 Best and Cheapest Apps and Websites for International Transfers

 

The 7 Best & Cheapest International Health Insurance Plans for Digital Nomads 

The moment you’ve been waiting for has finally arrived: check out the list we’ve prepared below for you to find out about the best international health insurance and choose the one that best suits you!

Tip: I always recommend that you get a quick quote with all the companies listed below. Even though it’s hard work, at the end of your research, you can save a lot of money.

 

    1. Cigna 

As an American insurance company, Cigna follows the American standard when it comes to customer service and efficiency. They seek to provide you with access to quality health care without too many bureaucracies, from anywhere in the world. It already has more than 180 million employees and has offices in several countries around the world.

When we were living in Sweden, Nikki got an insurance policy from Cigna to have sufficient coverage and medical help, as well as meet the requirements to get her residency permit.  

Because of this, Cigna is a great option if you’re also in search of a health insurance plan to meet your visa or residency requirements

Of course, this doesn’t mean you should ignore the questions above…and I’d still recommend checking out all the companies on this list to make sure you’re getting the best plan! 

That said, we had a good experience with Cigna. It was easy to find the right plan, and it was easy to cancel the policy once Nikki received her residency and got access to the public healthcare system. However, since we never filed a claim with them, we can’t speak on the ease of this process. 

 

 

Here are some of the positive and negative points about Cigna. 

 

Pros of digital nomad insurance with Cigna:

 

 

Cons of digital nomad insurance with Cigna: 

 

 

   2. Now Health

Now Health is a bonus option worth mentioning, this company is one of the leaders in the international health insurance market and has been serving clients around the world for years.

Now Health’s main mission is to provide a quality service with clear and efficient communication. Therefore, their customer service is exceptional and one of their main qualities.

Another advantage of this company is its varied plans with customizable options available to its customers with the most varied profiles and needs.

 

 

Pros of digital nomad insurance with Now Health: 

 

Cons of digital nomad insurance with Now Health: 

 

 

  3. IMG 

Considered to be one of the best health insurance companies for digital nomads, IMG has been working with insurance for more than 30 years. 

One major advantage of IMG is that they have global customer service and it’s very easy to get in contact with them. With their live chat feature, you can ask questions about the plans and get answers quickly when you need them. 

Nikki and I have personally used the “Patriot America Plus” and “Global Medical Insurance”  plans and had a good experience. But like Cigna, we also didn’t need to file a claim with IMG so we can’t speak to this part. 

 

Pros of digital nomad insurance with IMG: 

 

 

 

Cons of digital nomad insurance with IMG: 

    4. Allianz Care Global Assistance

Our final health insurance company on the list today is German insurance company Allianz. 

One of the best features about Allianz is that they have a specific program made just for expats. 

 

 

Pros of digital nomad insurance with Allianz: 

 

 

Cons of digital nomad insurance with Allianz: 

 

   5. Global Underwriters

Global Underwriters is another great insurance option for digital nomads, that’s because this company has been in the market for years, always offering plans with different alternatives for travelers around the world.

The most recommended plans for digital nomads are Diplomat Long Term and Diplomat International, in both cases the coverage is very complete and meets the needs of foreigners residing in other countries relatively well.

 

 

Pros of digital nomad insurance with Global Underwriters:

 

 

Cons of digital nomad insurance with Global Underwriters:

    6. SafetyWing

SafetyWing is a modern insurance company that has quickly adapted to the innovations in the industry  – and has today earned a spot as one of the best insurance providers for digital nomads. 

All you have to do is look at the website to see how different they are from other insurance companies – featuring a modern, colorful, and intuitive design…plus policy options that cover medical and travel expenses. 

They also have a few exclusive and innovative options, such as offering 30 days of health coverage in your home country for every 90 days that you spend overseas. 

The website is very “smart” and focuses on self-service. That said, it makes it easy for you to solve any issues you might have quickly and without much hassle. 

 

 

Pros of digital nomad insurance with SafetyWing: 

 

 

Cons of digital nomad insurance with SafetyWing:  

    7. GeoBlue

In search of high-quality insurance with extended coverage and class A service? Then GeoBlue is a great option for you! 

In an effort to make life easier for those it insures, GeoBlue tries to offer customized service, including a variety of coverage for you to choose from and short- and long-term plans. 

Beyond this, GeoBlue also has insurance plans for a wide range of customers such as missionaries, teachers, students, yacht crews, immigrants, or digital nomads.

 

 

Pros of digital nomad insurance with GeoBlue:  

 

 

Cons of digital nomad insurance with GeoBlue: 

 

 

Bonus #1 – Foyer Global Health

Foyer is a large player in the health insurance world and is one of the largest insurance companies in Europe. 

They offer many different types of plans and is an ideal company for digital nomads in search of international travel insurance.

 

 

Pros of digital nomad insurance with Foyer Health: 

 

 

Cons of digital nomad insurance with Foyer Health: 

 

 

Bonus #2 – Aetna (acquired by Allianz)

Beyond the quality of the service and its accessible health solutions, Aetna has been in the world of insurance for more than 50 years. 

It’s one of the biggest health insurance providers in the United States and has one of the cheapest international health insurances that can be used by digital nomads.

They have a pretty decent customer service team that’s available to help 24 hours a day, 7 days a week. 

 

 

Pros of digital nomad insurance with Aetna: 


Cons of digital nomad insurance with Aetna: 

 

 

 

Table comparison of the 7 best international medical insurance companies for digital nomads

If you are still in doubt, take a look at this table with a comparison of international health insurance for Digital Nomads. That way, you can better visualize and know which one is ideal for you to move overseas 

 

Cigna Global

IMG

Aetna

GeoBlue

SafetyWing

Foyer Global Health

Global Underwriters

BENEFIT LIMIT LIMIT LIMIT LIMIT LIMIT LIMIT LIMIT
Medical Maximum Unlimited (for the Platinum plan) $8,000,000 The site doesn’t specify  Unlimited US$1,000,000 per year The site doesn’t specify  Depending on the plan, can be up to $1 million
U.S. In-Network Coinsurance You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100% 100% No 60% for maximum coinsurance and then 100% Yes, for higher fees Only in emergencies Yes
U.S. Out-of-Network Coinsurance You choose. From 70%(100% thereafter) to 100% 90% to $5,000 (100% thereafter) Yes, for higher fees 100% 100% 100% 100%
Mental Health Availability No waiting period 12-month waiting period Co-payment of $25 per visit, waived deductible 75% up to 40 visits / 60% after that No Waiting period of 10 months Yes
Mental Health Benefit Inpatient and Outpatient: $5,000 lifetime maximum to paid in full depending on the plan Inpatient and Outpatient: $50,000 lifetime maximum Co-payment of $250 after deductible 100% up to 60 days International and ambulance: limit not specified Inpatient, outpatient, and therapy: limit not specific
Inpatient Prescription Drugs $500 to paid in full depending on the plan Up to $8,000,000 Yes Complete reimbursement Yes Yes
Outpatient Prescription Drugs None, unless you buy the International Outpatient Option Up to $8,000,000 Complete reimbursement Yes Yes
Evacuation and Repatriation of Remains Paid in full Up to $8,000,000 Yes Up to $25,000 No Up to 10,000 euros  Yes
Accidental Death & Dismemberment Depends on the plan Rider available, limit depends on age. $50,000 It has limitations depending on the plan
Emergency Dental Paid in full Up to $8,000,000 Optional 1,000 per year, $ 200 per tooth Yes, however you need to pay an extra fee on top of your plan Depending on the plan, it’s unlimited It has limitations depending on the plan
Treatment Necessary as Result of Terrorism Up to the amount of the coverage Rider available up to $50,000-lifetime maximum Clause available up to maximum of $50,000 in lifetime payments N/A
Amateur Sports Unlimited Rider available up to $10,000 No Yes No No N/A
Routine Nursery Care of a Newborn Child of a Covered Pregnancy $25,000 to $156,000 depending on the plan $1,000 additional deductible, $50,000 lifetime maximum, $200 wellness benefit for first 12 months Yes Depends on the plan Can be unlimited depending on the plan Depends on the plan
Children born as a result of fertility treatment (such as IVF or surrogacy) Only after the baby is 90 days old Excluded Depends on the plan Excluded No No
Neonatal Intensive Care Unit Check website for updated information $250,000 maximum for first 31 days No Up to $250,000 for the first 31 days  No Depends on the plan (Bloom or Bloom Plus)
Pre-existing condition exclusion period Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness Conditions that are fully disclosed on the application and have not been excluded or restricted by a rider will be covered as any illness
Pre-existing condition look back period Any time prior to effective date Any time prior to plan effective date Any time prior to plan effective date Any time prior to plan effective date Any time prior to plan effective date Any time prior to plan effective date Any time prior to plan effective date
Pre-existing annual maximum once covered Unlimited depending on the plan Up to $8,000,000 Unlimited depending on the plan Unlimited depending on the plan Full reimbursement Unlimited depending on the plan Unlimited depending on the plan
Pre-existing lifetime maximum once covered Unlimited depending on the plan Up to $8,000,000 Unlimited depending on the plan Unlimited depending on the plan Full reimbursement Unlimited depending on the plan Unlimited depending on the plan

Worldwide Medical Insurance / Comparison Chart*

Part of the table courtesy of Tokio Marine HCC

*Note: this table is just for informational purposes and subject to change. It was accurate as of the time we wrote it here, but please check each company’s individual website for updated info.

 

Visas for Digital Nomads in the Mexico

Technically, the Mexico digital nomad visa is called a temporary residency visa, and many remote workers are eligible. However, I will call it a digital nomad visa for ease of understanding.

Criteria for the Mexico Digital Nomad Visa

Mexico Digital Nomad Visa is open to citizens from all over the world. However, you must meet one of the income requirements, such as:

Mexico Digital Nomad Visa Requirements

The documents required to apply for a digital nomad visa in Mexico are:

 

How to apply for a Mexico digital nomad visa?

These are the steps you need to follow to apply for a digital nomad visa for Mexico:

The validity of the Mexico digital nomad visa is from six months to 4 years. After expiration, you can apply for a permanent residence visa if you want to stay longer.

 

In sum… 

Here are the 7 best (and cheapest!) international health insurance companies for digital nomads: 

  1. Cigna
  2. Now Health
  3. IMG
  4. Allianz
  5. Global Underwriters
  6. SafetyWing
  7. Geoblue

 

In conclusion… 

So, what did you think of the article? I hope that after reading you can find the perfect health insurance for you and take advantage of all the fun parts of being a digital nomad

Remember the importance of analyzing the options well and always hiring a plan BEFORE you begin your adventure

If you have any questions about international health insurance or being a digital nomad and living abroad in general, leave a comment below. I will do everything to help you in your quest! See you later!

 

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