International Health Insurance For Local Nationals & Local Staff

Is there a good international medical insurance carrier that offers an affordable health plan for locals working and living in their own country or a nearby host nation?

The answer is “Yes.” Although the definition of “affordable” means different things to different people and the definition of a “local national” may need to be explained.

A lot of times, you may be in a country that has good local healthcare. It may be relatively cheap to see a doctor, or go to the hospital. However, in an emergency you may want (or need) emergency evacuation and/or medical coverage in another nearby nation with better emergency care. They may have medical technology that could save your life or specialists that are not available locally.

Organizations also choose to insure their Key Local National staff, sometimes by including them on the group health insurance policy, and sometimes by selecting an individual local national policy that is similar to their other staff plans. This done in case the group health plan will not accept a local national working in their own country. In either case, we can help advise you and make some recommendations. If you have a group of local national staff and are looking for a group health plan for them, we can also help with that.

What do we mean by “Local National” or “Key Local National”?

A “Local National” simply means a person who is seeking insurance while employed in their current country of citizenship or residence. Meaning they are still “at home” although maybe in another part of the country. They may be looking for international medical insurance coverage that is not accessible locally or includes benefits that extend beyond that country’s borders. Or they may be looking for medical treatment in a surrounding nation that includes emergency evacuation benefits.

“Key Local Nationals” are usually local workers who serve in key roles within an organization or staff. They may find themselves traveling outside the nation or local region. They may be recognized for their leadership and/or role within those (foreign, worldwide or charitable) organizations. 

If they work in another country they are then considered Third-Country Nationals (TCNs). These employees are not from the home country or the host country they are working in, regardless of nationality. TCNs may be technical or professional employees hired for short-term employment or may be considered as contract employees. For any number of reasons, their work status may render them ineligible for the group’s international health insurance plan. They may need to get their own international policy (Either paid through the organization as a benefit or by the employee directly).