TL;DR
At WeCovr, with our experience helping clients secure private medical insurance across the UK and beyond, we understand that a temporary overseas work assignment brings unique challenges. One of the most critical, yet often overlooked, is securing the right health cover. A standard UK policy or travel insurance simply won't suffice.
Key takeaways
- Corporate Secondees: Employees posted to an international office for a specific project.
- Contractors: Consultants, engineers, or IT specialists working on fixed-term contracts abroad.
- Researchers and Academics: University staff on sabbaticals or research projects overseas.
- Digital Nomads: Individuals working remotely from different countries for extended periods.
- Non-Profit and NGO Workers: Staff on temporary humanitarian or development missions.
At WeCovr, with our experience helping clients secure private medical insurance across the UK and beyond, we understand that a temporary overseas work assignment brings unique challenges. One of the most critical, yet often overlooked, is securing the right health cover. A standard UK policy or travel insurance simply won't suffice.
This guide provides an authoritative look at Short-Term International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI), designed specifically for UK residents on temporary postings abroad.
What you need to know about buying short-term IPMI when you're working or temporarily posted abroad
An overseas work placement is an exciting opportunity, but falling ill in a foreign country without adequate medical cover can be a personal and financial disaster. Short-term IPMI is a specialist type of health insurance designed to bridge this gap. It provides comprehensive medical protection for individuals and families living outside their home country for a period of between 3 and 11 months.
Unlike travel insurance, which is for holiday emergencies, or UK PMI, which is for treatment in the UK, short-term IPMI acts as your primary health plan while you're abroad. It gives you access to private healthcare, from routine GP visits to emergency surgery, ensuring you receive high-quality care without facing crippling medical bills.
Who Needs Short-Term IPMI?
This type of cover is essential for a range of professionals and their families on temporary assignments, including:
- Corporate Secondees: Employees posted to an international office for a specific project.
- Contractors: Consultants, engineers, or IT specialists working on fixed-term contracts abroad.
- Researchers and Academics: University staff on sabbaticals or research projects overseas.
- Digital Nomads: Individuals working remotely from different countries for extended periods.
- Non-Profit and NGO Workers: Staff on temporary humanitarian or development missions.
Real-Life Scenario: Imagine Sarah, a 35-year-old marketing consultant from Manchester, who secures a 6-month contract in Dubai. Her UK private health cover won't work there, and travel insurance would only cover a true emergency, not a persistent back problem or a necessary diagnostic scan. Sarah needs a short-term IPMI policy that covers her for both routine and emergency medical care within the UAE's private hospital network.
Short-Term IPMI vs. Travel Insurance vs. UK PMI
Understanding the distinction between these three types of insurance is the most important step in making the right choice. Relying on the wrong policy is a common and costly mistake.
| Feature | Short-Term IPMI | Annual Travel Insurance | UK Private Medical Insurance (PMI) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary Purpose | Comprehensive medical care while living abroad temporarily (3-11 months). | Emergency medical events and travel disruption during short trips. | Elective and acute medical treatment within the United Kingdom. |
| Duration of Trip | Designed for a single, long-term stay abroad. | Multiple short trips, usually with a 30-90 day maximum per trip. | Annual policy for UK residents. |
| Medical Cover | In-patient, out-patient, diagnostics, cancer care, mental health, evacuation. | Primarily emergency medical treatment and repatriation. No routine care. | In-patient, out-patient, diagnostics, cancer care within a UK hospital list. |
| Pre-existing Conditions | May be covered under Full Medical Underwriting, but often excluded. | Almost always excluded. | Always excluded on new policies (unless continued from a group scheme). |
| Routine Care (GP/Check-ups) | Often included in out-patient benefits. | Not covered. | Not typically covered, though some plans offer a virtual GP service. |
| Repatriation | Included as standard, to get you back to the UK if medically necessary. | Included as standard for medical emergencies. | Not applicable (policy is for UK use). |
| Best For | A UK resident working in Singapore for 9 months. | A UK resident taking multiple two-week holidays across Europe. | A UK resident wanting faster access to treatment for acute conditions in the UK. |
Key Takeaway: Short-term IPMI is not a travel policy. It is your primary health insurance plan for the duration of your stay in another country.
Key Coverage Features to Look for in a Short-Term IPMI Policy
A robust short-term IPMI plan should provide peace of mind. While policies vary, a good one will include these core components. At WeCovr, we help you compare plans to ensure these crucial elements are in place.
- In-Patient and Day-Patient Care: This is the absolute essential. It covers costs associated with being admitted to a hospital, including surgery, accommodation, nursing care, and specialists' fees.
- Out-Patient Care: This covers treatment where you don't need to be admitted to a hospital. Look for plans that include:
- Consultations with specialists (e.g., cardiologists, dermatologists).
- Diagnostic tests (MRI, CT scans, X-rays).
- Physiotherapy and complementary therapies.
- Emergency Medical Evacuation: If local medical facilities are inadequate for your condition, this covers the cost of transporting you to the nearest centre of medical excellence.
- Repatriation: This covers the cost of returning you to the UK for treatment or recovery if it's medically necessary and you are fit to travel. This can be exceptionally expensive, often running into tens of thousands of pounds.
- 24/7 Multilingual Assistance: A dedicated helpline is vital. When you're unwell in a foreign country, you need immediate access to experts who can guide you to the right hospital, arrange payment guarantees, and offer advice.
- Cancer Care: Comprehensive cover for cancer diagnosis and treatment, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and surgery.
- Direct Billing (Cashless Service): The insurer should have a network of hospitals where they can settle bills directly. This prevents you from having to pay huge sums upfront and claim them back later.
Optional Add-ons to Consider
Depending on your needs and budget, you might consider adding:
- Dental and Vision Care: For routine check-ups, fillings, and prescription eyewear.
- Maternity Cover: Essential if you are planning to start a family while abroad (note: this usually comes with a 10-12 month waiting period).
- Wellness and Preventative Health Checks: Some premium plans include benefits for health screenings.
Common Pitfalls to Avoid When Buying Short-Term IPMI
Navigating the international insurance market can be complex. As specialist brokers, we see clients make the same preventable mistakes. Here are the most common pitfalls and how to avoid them.
1. Assuming Your Travel Insurance is Sufficient
This is the most dangerous assumption. Travel insurance is for tourists on holiday, not for people residing and working abroad. It will not cover you for routine check-ups, ongoing management of a condition, or elective treatment. A claim for anything other than a clear, sudden emergency is likely to be rejected.
2. Under-insuring for Your Destination Country
Healthcare costs vary dramatically around the world. A policy that's adequate for Spain will leave you dangerously exposed in the USA or Switzerland, where medical costs are the highest globally.
| Country | Average Cost of an MRI Scan (Approx.) | Average Cost of a Hip Replacement (Approx.) |
|---|---|---|
| Spain | £300 - £600 | £10,000 - £15,000 |
| UAE (Dubai) | £600 - £1,000 | £15,000 - £25,000 |
| Hong Kong | £800 - £1,500 | £20,000 - £30,000 |
| USA | £1,500 - £4,000 | £35,000 - £70,000+ |
Expert Tip: Always choose a policy with a high overall annual limit (£1,000,000 or more) and check the specific sub-limits for different types of care. Be honest about where you are going. Cover for "Worldwide excluding USA" is significantly cheaper than "Worldwide" cover.
3. Misunderstanding the Underwriting Process
This is where many people run into trouble.
- Moratorium Underwriting: This seems simpler because you don't fill out a long medical questionnaire. However, it automatically excludes any condition you've had symptoms of, or sought advice for, in the last 5 years. The insurer investigates your medical history at the point of claim, which can lead to unexpected rejections.
- Full Medical Underwriting (FMU): You declare your entire medical history upfront. The insurer then decides to either (a) cover you in full, (b) cover you but exclude a specific condition, or (c) cover a condition for an additional premium. FMU provides certainty. You know exactly what is and isn't covered from day one.
CRITICAL CONSTRAINT: Like UK private medical insurance, IPMI is designed for acute conditions that arise after your policy starts. Chronic and pre-existing conditions are a major hurdle. With FMU, it is sometimes possible to get cover for a pre-existing condition, but this is never guaranteed and often comes with a higher premium.
4. Forgetting About Geographical and Area Limits
Your policy will specify a geographical area of cover (e.g., "Europe" or "Worldwide excluding USA"). If you have a European plan and take a work trip to Singapore, you will not be covered. Ensure your policy covers every country you plan to live in or travel to frequently.
5. Not Using a Specialist IPMI Broker
The IPMI market is vast and complex, with dozens of providers offering hundreds of policy variations. Trying to navigate this alone is time-consuming and risky. A specialist broker like WeCovr:
- Understands the nuances of different policies and providers.
- Can quickly identify the best-value options for your specific destination and needs.
- Helps you with the application and underwriting process to avoid errors.
- Provides support at the point of claim.
- Crucially, our service is free for you. We are paid a commission by the insurer you choose, and the premium is the same as if you went direct.
Navigating the Application Process and Requirements
Applying for short-term IPMI is more involved than buying travel insurance but is straightforward with the right guidance.
Step 1: Gather Your Information
You will typically need:
- Full names and dates of birth for all applicants.
- Your UK address and contact details.
- The country you are moving to and your address there, if known.
- The start and end dates of your assignment.
- Passport details.
Step 2: Choose Your Underwriting Method
As discussed, you'll choose between Moratorium and Full Medical Underwriting. For the certainty it provides on a high-stakes overseas assignment, we almost always recommend Full Medical Underwriting. It takes a little more time upfront but prevents disastrous surprises later.
Step 3: Compare Quotes and Policies
This is where a broker adds immense value. We present you with a clear comparison of policies from leading global insurers like Bupa Global, Cigna Global, and AXA, explaining the pros and cons of each. We will help you balance cost against the level of cover to find the optimal solution.
Step 4: Complete the Application
We will guide you through the chosen insurer's application form, ensuring all medical declarations are accurate and complete to secure your cover correctly.
Step 5: Receive Your Policy Documents
Once accepted, you will receive your insurance certificate, policy wording, and your 24/7 assistance contact card. Keep these safe and accessible at all times.
As a WeCovr client, you also get complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie tracking app, CalorieHero, to help you stay healthy on your assignment. Furthermore, customers who take out PMI or Life Insurance often receive discounts on other insurance products they may need.
How much does short-term international health insurance cost?
The cost of a short-term IPMI policy is influenced by several key factors:
- Age: Premiums increase significantly with age.
- Destination: Cover for the USA can be 2-3 times more expensive than for Europe.
- Level of Cover: A comprehensive plan with out-patient and dental cover will cost more than a basic in-patient-only plan.
- Excess (Deductible): Choosing a higher excess (the amount you pay towards a claim) will lower your premium.
Here is an example of potential monthly premiums for a 6-month policy with comprehensive in-patient and out-patient cover and a £250 excess.
| Applicant Profile | Destination: Spain | Destination: Dubai (UAE) | Destination: USA |
|---|---|---|---|
| 30-year-old Individual | £120 - £180 | £190 - £280 | £450 - £700 |
| 45-year-old Individual | £200 - £300 | £350 - £500 | £800 - £1,200 |
| Family of 4 (Parents 40, Children 8 & 10) | £450 - £650 | £700 - £1,100 | £1,800 - £2,800 |
These are illustrative estimates as of late 2025. Premiums are subject to individual circumstances and underwriting. Contact WeCovr for a precise quote.
Your Next Steps
An overseas assignment should be a career-enhancing experience, not a source of anxiety about healthcare. Securing the right short-term IPMI policy is the foundation of your well-being while abroad.
The market is complex, but the choice for you doesn't have to be. Let our team of independent, FCA-regulated experts do the hard work for you. We'll compare the market, explain your options in plain English, and ensure you get the right cover at the best possible price, with no fee for our service.
Do I need short-term IPMI if my employer provides some cover?
It depends entirely on the quality of the employer's plan. Some company schemes are excellent, while others are very basic, offering only in-patient or emergency cover. You should always request the policy documents and have an expert review them. A specialist broker like WeCovr can analyse the group policy and identify any gaps (e.g., low out-patient limits, no dental cover) that you might want to top up with a supplementary personal plan.
Can I extend my short-term IPMI policy if my assignment is prolonged?
Yes, in most cases. If your temporary contract is extended, you can usually contact your insurer or broker to extend the policy. It is crucial to do this before your current policy expires to ensure continuous cover. Some insurers may allow you to convert the short-term plan into an annual policy if your stay becomes permanent. Any conditions that developed during the initial term will then be covered in the new policy period, which is a major advantage.
What happens if I need treatment for a pre-existing condition abroad?
This depends on your underwriting. If you chose a Moratorium policy, any pre-existing condition from the last 5 years will be automatically excluded. If you opted for Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) and declared the condition, the insurer's decision is final: if they agreed to cover it (perhaps for a higher premium), the treatment will be paid for. If they placed an exclusion on it, you will have to pay for the treatment yourself. This is why upfront declaration with FMU is so important for clarity.
Is short-term international health insurance tax deductible in the UK?
For an individual paying for their own policy, private medical insurance premiums are not typically tax-deductible in the UK. If your employer pays for your IPMI policy as part of your compensation package, it is usually considered a 'benefit in kind' and you may be liable for income tax on the value of the premium. Tax rules can be complex and vary based on your residency status, so it's always wise to consult with a tax professional who understands expatriate tax law.
Ready to secure your peace of mind? Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote and expert advice tailored to your overseas assignment.
