Private Health Insurance for UK Expats in the USA
As an FCA-authorised expert with over 800,000 policies arranged, WeCovr helps you navigate the complex world of private medical insurance. For UK citizens moving to the USA, securing the right health cover isn't just a good idea—it's an absolute necessity for your financial and personal wellbeing.
Comprehensive PMI options for UK citizens in America
Moving from the UK to the United States is an exciting adventure, but it comes with a complete shift in how you access healthcare. The familiar safety net of the National Health Service (NHS) disappears the moment you become a resident in the US. You are suddenly faced with the most expensive healthcare system in the world, where a simple accident or unexpected illness can lead to staggering medical bills.
This is where International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) becomes essential. It’s a specific type of health cover designed for people living and working abroad, providing peace of mind and financial protection against the high costs of American medical care. This guide will walk you through everything you need to know to find the best private health cover for your new life in the USA.
Why the NHS Isn't an Option in the USA
One of the first realisations for any UK expat is that their access to the NHS is based on residency, not citizenship. Once you move to the USA and are no longer 'ordinarily resident' in the UK, you are generally not entitled to free NHS hospital treatment.
- Residency-Based System: The NHS is funded by UK taxpayers to provide care for UK residents. When you move abroad, you cease to be a resident for healthcare purposes.
- No Reciprocal Agreement: Unlike some European countries (before Brexit's full impact and with GHIC cards), the UK and the USA do not have a reciprocal healthcare agreement. This means a UK passport offers no benefits for accessing healthcare in America.
- Temporary Visits Home: While you might be able to access some NHS services on a temporary visit back to the UK (like A&E for emergencies), you will not be eligible for routine or planned treatments. Relying on trips home for medical care is not a viable or safe strategy.
Without the NHS, you are personally responsible for the full cost of any medical treatment you receive in the US. This makes robust private medical insurance non-negotiable.
Understanding the US Healthcare System: A Shock to the System
For those accustomed to the NHS, the US healthcare system can be bewildering and incredibly costly. It's a complex, market-driven environment of private providers, insurance networks, and confusing terminology. Understanding the basics is the first step to protecting yourself.
Key Terms You Must Know:
- Premium: The fixed monthly or annual amount you pay to keep your insurance policy active.
- Deductible (or Excess): The amount you must pay out-of-pocket for medical services before your insurance provider starts to pay. For example, if you have a £2,000 deductible, you pay the first £2,000 of your medical bills in a policy year.
- Co-payment (Co-pay): A fixed fee you pay for a specific service, like a visit to a doctor (e.g., $50 per visit), while the insurer pays the rest.
- Co-insurance: A percentage of the medical bill you pay after your deductible has been met. For instance, with 20% co-insurance, if you have a 2,000 and the insurer would pay $8,000.
- In-Network vs. Out-of-Network: Insurers have contracts with a specific "network" of doctors, hospitals, and clinics. Staying 'in-network' means your costs will be lower. Going 'out-of-network' can result in you paying a much higher percentage of the bill, or even the entire cost.
The sheer cost of care is the biggest shock. A minor issue can quickly escalate into a major financial burden.
Table: Estimated UK Private vs. USA Average Medical Costs (2025)
| Medical Procedure/Event | Average UK Private Cost (Self-Funded) | Average USA Cost (Uninsured) |
|---|---|---|
| MRI Scan | £400 - £800 | 4,000 (£1,200 - £3,200) |
| Childbirth (Standard Delivery) | £5,000 - £8,000 | 30,000 (£14,400 - £24,000) |
| Appendix Removal (Appendectomy) | £3,500 - £5,000 | 40,000 (£12,000 - £32,000) |
| 3-Day Hospital Stay (Basic) | £1,500 - £3,000 | $30,000+ (£24,000+) |
| Knee Replacement Surgery | £12,000 - £15,000 | 70,000 (£32,000 - £56,000) |
Note: Costs are estimates for illustrative purposes. US costs can vary dramatically by state and hospital.
These figures highlight why a comprehensive international private medical insurance plan is not a luxury, but a fundamental requirement for financial survival in the USA.
What is International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI)?
International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) is the specific solution for expats. It’s different from both standard UK PMI and travel insurance.
- UK PMI: Designed for UK residents to get private treatment in the UK, usually as a supplement to the NHS. It does not provide cover for living abroad.
- Travel Insurance: Intended for short-term trips (e.g., holidays up to 90 days). It covers emergencies and repatriation but is not designed for long-term residency or routine healthcare.
- International PMI (IPMI): This is the correct product. It's an annual, renewable policy designed to give you comprehensive health cover in your new country of residence. These plans are built to handle the high costs and complexities of systems like the one in the USA.
An IPMI policy functions as your primary health cover, replacing the role the NHS played back home.
Key Features to Look for in an Expat Health Insurance Plan for the USA
When choosing a plan, the details matter immensely. The USA is the most expensive region for any insurer to cover, so you need a policy that is robust and tailored for the American market.
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High Annual Limit: For the US, a plan with a low limit is almost as risky as having no plan at all. A single serious accident or complex illness could easily exceed a limit of £250,000. Look for plans with an annual limit of at least £1,000,000, or preferably, a fully comprehensive plan with an unlimited or multi-million-pound cap.
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Inpatient and Outpatient Cover:
- Inpatient Cover (Essential): This covers costs when you are admitted to hospital. It includes surgery, accommodation, tests, and specialist fees. This is the non-negotiable core of any policy.
- Outpatient Cover (Highly Recommended): This covers medical care that doesn't require a hospital stay. This includes GP/doctor visits, specialist consultations, diagnostic scans (MRIs, X-rays), and prescription medications. Without this, your day-to-day medical expenses could quickly add up.
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Medical Evacuation and Repatriation: This is a crucial feature. If you are in a remote area or a location without adequate medical facilities for your condition, this covers the cost of transporting you to the nearest suitable hospital. Repatriation covers the cost of returning you to the UK for treatment if it's medically necessary.
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Choice of Deductible/Excess: A higher deductible will lower your monthly premium. If you are in good health and can afford to cover a few thousand pounds in out-of-pocket expenses, choosing a higher deductible can make your policy more affordable.
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Direct Billing and a Strong Provider Network: Look for an insurer with a large network of hospitals and clinics in the USA that offers "direct billing." This means the hospital bills the insurer directly, so you don't have to pay thousands of pounds upfront and then claim it back.
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Optional Extras:
- Dental and Vision: Routine dental and eye care in the US is expensive and is almost never included in standard plans. You will usually need to add this as an optional benefit.
- Maternity Cover: If you plan on starting or expanding your family, you must add maternity cover. Be aware that nearly all insurers have a waiting period of 10-24 months before you can claim for maternity costs. This means you need to add it to your policy well in advance.
- Wellness and Mental Health: Many modern plans now include benefits for routine check-ups, preventative screenings, and mental health support, which is invaluable during the stress of an international move.
Critical Information: Pre-existing and Chronic Conditions
This is one of the most important and often misunderstood aspects of private medical insurance.
Standard private medical insurance, including most international plans, is designed to cover acute conditions that arise after your policy has started.
- Acute Condition: A disease, illness, or injury that is likely to respond quickly to treatment and lead to a full recovery (e.g., a broken bone, appendicitis, a respiratory infection).
- Chronic Condition: A disease, illness, or injury that has one or more of the following characteristics: it needs ongoing or long-term monitoring, requires palliative care, has no known cure, or is likely to recur (e.g., diabetes, asthma, arthritis, hypertension, heart disease).
- Pre-existing Condition: Any medical condition for which you have experienced symptoms, received advice, or had treatment before the start date of your new policy.
Insurers will not typically cover the treatment of chronic conditions or pre-existing conditions. The purpose of PMI is to cover unforeseen illnesses and injuries, not to manage long-term, predictable health issues.
There are two main ways insurers handle pre-existing conditions:
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): You must declare your full medical history on your application. The insurer will then review it and will likely place exclusions on your policy for any pre-existing conditions. For example, if you have a history of back pain, any future treatment related to your back will be excluded from cover.
- Moratorium Underwriting: You do not declare your medical history upfront. Instead, the policy automatically excludes any condition you've had in the past few years (typically 5 years). However, if you go for a set period (usually 2 years) without any symptoms, treatment, or advice for that condition after your policy starts, the insurer may agree to cover it in the future. This is often less suitable for the US market where upfront clarity is vital.
If you have a serious pre-existing condition, it can be very difficult to get comprehensive cover. Speaking with an expert PMI broker like WeCovr is vital in this situation, as they can help you explore specialist options or find the provider with the most favourable underwriting terms.
Comparing Top International Health Insurance Providers for the USA
Several major global insurers offer high-quality IPMI plans suitable for UK expats in the USA. While costs vary based on your personal circumstances, a good broker can help you compare their offerings on a like-for-like basis.
Table: Comparison of Major International PMI Providers
| Feature | Provider A (e.g., Bupa Global) | Provider B (e.g., Cigna Global) | Provider C (e.g., Aetna International) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Annual Limit | Typically high (£2m to unlimited) | Flexible, with options up to unlimited | Typically very high, often unlimited |
| US Network | Extensive proprietary and partner networks | Large, well-established US network | Utilises Aetna's own massive US network |
| Direct Billing | Widely available within their US network | Strong direct billing capabilities | Excellent direct billing within the Aetna network |
| Outpatient Cover | Usually optional, with different levels | Modular; can be added as required | Offered in tiered plans |
| Customer Service | 24/7 global support, often with clinical teams | Strong multilingual 24/7 support services | 24/7 member support and clinical case management |
| Pre-existing Conditions | Full Medical Underwriting is standard for US plans | Full Medical Underwriting; some moratorium options for other regions | Full Medical Underwriting for US plans |
| Best For | Expats seeking premium service and a strong global brand | Expats wanting flexible, modular plans to customise cover | Expats who value access to a huge, integrated US provider network |
This table is for illustrative purposes. The "best" provider depends entirely on your individual needs, budget, and health status.
How Much Does Expat Health Insurance for the USA Cost?
There's no hiding it: health insurance for the USA is expensive. It is the single most expensive country in the world for healthcare, and premiums reflect this risk. Several factors determine your premium:
- Age: Premiums rise significantly with age.
- Location in the USA: Costs can vary by state. Major cities like New York or San Francisco can be more expensive to be covered in than more rural areas.
- Level of Cover: A comprehensive plan with unlimited outpatient care, dental, and low deductibles will cost far more than a basic inpatient-only plan with a high deductible.
- Deductible/Excess: The higher your deductible, the lower your premium.
- Medical History: If an insurer agrees to cover a minor pre-existing condition (which is rare), they may charge a higher premium.
As a rough guide for 2025, a healthy 40-year-old UK expat could expect to pay anywhere from £400 to over £1,000 per month for a comprehensive IPMI plan that includes outpatient cover for the USA. A family of four could see premiums of £1,500 per month or more.
While these costs seem high, they are dwarfed by the potential cost of a single hospital stay, which could run into hundreds of thousands of dollars.
Wellness and Staying Healthy in America: Tips for UK Expats
Adjusting to a new country can be stressful, and the American lifestyle can present new challenges to your health. Taking proactive steps to stay well is your first line of defence.
- Navigate the Food Environment: US portion sizes are often much larger than in the UK. Be mindful of processed foods, high-fructose corn syrup, and hidden sugars, which are common in American supermarkets. Focus on cooking with fresh ingredients.
- Stay Active: While many US cities are car-dependent, there are fantastic opportunities for outdoor activities. Explore national parks, join local sports clubs, or find a gym. Building exercise into your routine is key for both physical and mental health.
- Manage Stress: Moving abroad is a major life event. Be kind to yourself. Practice mindfulness, ensure you're getting enough sleep, and don't hesitate to use the mental health support services included in many modern IPMI plans.
- Leverage Technology: To help manage your health and diet, WeCovr provides complimentary access to its AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, for all its PMI and life insurance clients. This can be a brilliant tool for adapting to new food habits in the US.
Why Use an Expert Broker like WeCovr?
Choosing the right IPMI plan for the USA is a complex and high-stakes decision. Using a specialist broker like WeCovr, which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority (FCA), provides numerous advantages at no cost to you.
- Expert and Impartial Advice: We understand the nuances of the US healthcare market and the policies designed for it. We can explain the jargon and help you compare complex plans from different insurers.
- Market Access: We have access to plans from a wide range of leading international insurers, giving you a comprehensive view of your options, not just what one provider can offer.
- No Cost to You: Our service is free. We receive a commission from the insurer you choose, but this does not affect the premium you pay. You get expert advice without any extra fees.
- Application Support: We help you complete your application correctly, which is especially important with Full Medical Underwriting, ensuring all details are declared properly to avoid issues with claims later on.
- Ongoing Support and Additional Benefits: Our relationship doesn't end once you buy the policy. We're here to help if you have issues with a claim or need to review your cover at renewal. Furthermore, clients who purchase PMI or life insurance through us can benefit from discounts on other types of cover, like home or travel insurance. WeCovr is proud to have high customer satisfaction ratings, reflecting our commitment to our clients.
Navigating private medical insurance for UK expats in the USA is a journey best taken with an expert guide.
Can I use my existing UK private medical insurance in the USA?
What happens if I have a pre-existing medical condition?
Is dental and vision cover included in my expat health insurance?
Do I have to pay for my medical treatment upfront in the USA?
Ready to find the right health cover for your move to the USA?
The stakes are too high to get it wrong. Let our expert team at WeCovr guide you through your options and provide you with tailored, no-obligation quotes from the UK's leading international insurers.
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Why private medical insurance and how does it work?
What is Private Medical Insurance?
Private medical insurance (PMI) is a type of health insurance that provides access to private healthcare services in the UK. It covers the cost of private medical treatment, allowing you to bypass NHS waiting lists and receive faster, more convenient care.How does it work?
Private medical insurance works by paying for your private healthcare costs. When you need treatment, you can choose to go private and your insurance will cover the costs, subject to your policy terms and conditions. This can include:• Private consultations with specialists
• Private hospital treatment and surgery
• Diagnostic tests and scans
• Physiotherapy and rehabilitation
• Mental health treatment
Your premium depends on factors like your age, health, occupation, and the level of cover you choose. Most policies offer different levels of cover, from basic to comprehensive, allowing you to tailor the policy to your needs and budget.
Questions to ask yourself regarding private medical insurance
Just ask yourself:👉 Are you concerned about NHS waiting times for treatment?
👉 Would you prefer to choose your own consultant and hospital?
👉 Do you want faster access to diagnostic tests and scans?
👉 Would you like private hospital accommodation and better food?
👉 Do you want to avoid the stress of NHS waiting lists?
Many people don't realise that private medical insurance is more affordable than they think, especially when you consider the value of faster treatment and better facilities. A great insurance policy can provide peace of mind and ensure you receive the care you need when you need it.
Benefits offered by private medical insurance
Private medical insurance provides numerous benefits that can significantly improve your healthcare experience and outcomes:Faster Access to Treatment
One of the biggest advantages is avoiding NHS waiting lists. While the NHS provides excellent care, waiting times can be lengthy. With private medical insurance, you can often receive treatment within days or weeks rather than months.
Choice of Consultant and Hospital
You can choose your preferred consultant and hospital, giving you more control over your healthcare journey. This is particularly important for complex treatments where you want a specific specialist.
Better Facilities and Accommodation
Private hospitals typically offer superior facilities, including private rooms, better food, and more comfortable surroundings. This can make your recovery more pleasant and potentially faster.
Advanced Treatments
Private medical insurance often covers treatments and medications not available on the NHS, giving you access to the latest medical advances and technologies.
Mental Health Support
Many policies include comprehensive mental health coverage, providing faster access to therapy and psychiatric care when needed.
Tax Benefits for Business Owners
If you're self-employed or a business owner, private medical insurance premiums can be tax-deductible, making it a cost-effective way to protect your health and your business.
Peace of Mind
Knowing you have access to private healthcare when you need it provides invaluable peace of mind, especially for those with ongoing health conditions or concerns about NHS capacity.
Private medical insurance is particularly valuable for those who want to take control of their healthcare journey and ensure they receive the best possible treatment when they need it most.
Important Fact!
We can look at a more suitable option mid-term!
Why is it important to get private medical insurance early?
👉 Many people are very thankful that they had their private medical insurance cover in place before running into some serious health issues. Private medical insurance is as important as life insurance for protecting your family's finances.👉 We insure our cars, houses, and even our phones! Yet our health is the most precious thing we have.
Easily one of the most important insurance purchases an individual or family can make in their lifetime, the decision to buy private medical insurance can be made much simpler with the help of FCA-authorised advisers. They are the specialists who do the searching and analysis helping people choose between various types of private medical insurance policies available in the market, including different levels of cover and policy types most suitable to the client's individual circumstances.
It certainly won't do any harm if you speak with one of our experienced insurance experts who are passionate about advising people on financial matters related to private medical insurance and are keen to provide you with a free consultation.
You can discuss with them in detail what affordable private medical insurance plan for the necessary peace of mind they would recommend! WeCovr works with some of the best advisers in the market.
By tapping the button below, you can book a free call with them in less than 30 seconds right now:
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Who Are WeCovr?
WeCovr is an insurance specialist for people valuing their peace of mind and a great service.👍 WeCovr will help you get your private medical insurance, life insurance, critical illness insurance and others in no time thanks to our wonderful super-friendly experts ready to assist you every step of the way.
Just a quick and simple form and an easy conversation with one of our experts and your valuable insurance policy is in place for that needed peace of mind!