
TL;DR
Navigating the world of international health cover can feel complex, but understanding the costs is the first step towards peace of mind. As experienced brokers who have arranged over 900,000 policies, WeCovr specialises in demystifying UK private medical insurance and its global counterpart, IPMI. This guide will give you a clear, comprehensive breakdown of short-term IPMI pricing.
Key takeaways
- It's NOT Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is designed for holidays. It covers trip cancellations, lost luggage, and medical emergencies. It is not designed for routine doctor's visits, ongoing specialist consultations, or comprehensive in-patient hospital stays for conditions that arise while you're away.
- It's NOT Annual PMI: Your UK-based private medical insurance is typically not designed for long-term residence abroad and may offer very limited or no cover outside the UK.
- Expatriates on short-term assignments (under a year).
- Digital Nomads and remote workers basing themselves abroad for several months.
- Students undertaking a semester or year of study overseas.
Navigating the world of international health cover can feel complex, but understanding the costs is the first step towards peace of mind. As experienced brokers who have arranged over 900,000 policies, WeCovr specialises in demystifying UK private medical insurance and its global counterpart, IPMI. This guide will give you a clear, comprehensive breakdown of short-term IPMI pricing.
A breakdown of how pricing works for short-term IPMI and what affects the cost of your international medical cover
Short-Term International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) is a specialised policy designed to cover your health needs when you're living or working abroad for a period of between 3 and 12 months. Unlike standard travel insurance, it provides comprehensive medical cover, more akin to the private medical insurance you might have in the UK.
The price you pay, known as the premium, is not arbitrary. It's calculated by insurers based on a detailed risk assessment. Four key factors form the foundation of your quote: the duration of your policy, your age, the region you need cover for, and the level of benefits you choose. Let's explore each of these in detail.
What is Short-Term IPMI and Why Is It Essential?
Before we dive into pricing, it's crucial to understand what this product is and who it’s for. Think of it as your personal healthcare safety net when you're away from the NHS and the UK.
- It's NOT Travel Insurance: Travel insurance is designed for holidays. It covers trip cancellations, lost luggage, and medical emergencies. It is not designed for routine doctor's visits, ongoing specialist consultations, or comprehensive in-patient hospital stays for conditions that arise while you're away.
- It's NOT Annual PMI: Your UK-based private medical insurance is typically not designed for long-term residence abroad and may offer very limited or no cover outside the UK.
Short-term IPMI is specifically for:
- Expatriates on short-term assignments (under a year).
- Digital Nomads and remote workers basing themselves abroad for several months.
- Students undertaking a semester or year of study overseas.
- Individuals taking an extended sabbatical or long-term trip.
Essentially, if you are temporarily residing in another country, IPMI is the only way to ensure you have access to high-quality medical care without facing potentially astronomical bills.
The Core Four: Key Factors Driving Your Short-Term IPMI Premium
Insurers use four primary pillars to construct the price of your short-term international health plan. Understanding these will empower you to make informed decisions and find a policy that balances cost with a suitable level of protection.
1. Duration of Cover: How Long You Need It
This is the most straightforward factor. The longer you need cover, the higher the overall premium will be. Insurers price these policies for specific durations, typically from three months up to one day short of a year.
However, the cost-per-day often decreases slightly for longer policies. It is almost always more cost-effective to purchase a single policy for your entire intended stay rather than buying a shorter policy and attempting to extend it. Extensions can be complicated and may even be treated as a new policy, subject to fresh underwriting and potential exclusions.
Insider Adviser Tip: Always buy cover for the full duration of your planned trip, adding a small buffer if your return date is flexible. It provides certainty and is usually cheaper in the long run.
2. Your Age: A Primary Cost Determinant
Age is one of the most significant factors in all health insurance pricing. From an insurer's perspective, the statistical likelihood of needing medical treatment increases with age. Therefore, premiums are structured in age bands, and the cost rises as you move into a higher band.
- Younger individuals (under 40) typically enjoy the lowest premiums due to a lower statistical risk of developing serious health conditions.
- Middle-aged applicants (40-60) will see a noticeable increase in cost as the risk of age-related health issues begins to rise.
- Older applicants (60+) will face the highest premiums, as this demographic has the highest statistical usage of healthcare services.
Here is an illustrative example of how age can impact the monthly cost for a mid-tier policy covering Europe:
| Age Band | Illustrative Monthly Premium |
|---|---|
| 25-34 | £95 |
| 45-54 | £170 |
| 65-74 | £380 |
These are example figures for illustrative purposes only. Your actual quote will vary.
3. Region of Cover: Where You Go Matters Most
The cost of healthcare varies dramatically around the world. A knee surgery in Thailand will cost a fraction of the same procedure in the United States. Insurers reflect this reality in their pricing by creating geographical zones of cover.
This is arguably the most critical choice you will make when customising your policy.
Typical Geographical Tiers:
| Region of Cover | Relative Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| Worldwide including USA | ★★★★★ | The most expensive. The USA has the highest healthcare costs globally. |
| Worldwide excluding USA | ★★★★☆ | A very popular option, covering you almost anywhere except the USA. |
| Europe | ★★★☆☆ | Covers you across European countries, often with different tiers for Western/Eastern Europe. |
| Africa & Middle East | ★★★☆☆ | A specific zone that can be cost-effective if you're only staying in this region. |
| Southeast Asia | ★★☆☆☆ | Often one of the most affordable options due to lower local healthcare costs. |
Common Client Mistake: A client working in Dubai for six months selects a "Worldwide excluding USA" plan to save money. They then decide to take a one-week holiday to New York. Any medical issue arising in the US would not be covered. It is vital to choose a region that covers every single country you plan to set foot in, even for a short layover.
When seeking advice from a broker like WeCovr, we'll ensure your chosen region of cover aligns perfectly with your travel and work plans, preventing dangerous gaps in your protection.
4. Level of Benefits: Tailoring Your Plan to Your Needs
The final core factor is the richness of the benefits you select. Most short-term IPMI plans are modular, allowing you to build a policy that fits your budget and health priorities.
A) Core Cover (Essential): In-patient & Day-patient This is the foundation of every IPMI policy and is non-negotiable. It covers costs associated with being admitted to hospital.
- In-patient treatment: When you are admitted to a hospital bed overnight or longer (e.g., for surgery, serious illness).
- Day-patient treatment: When you are admitted to a hospital for a procedure but do not stay overnight (e.g., minor surgeries, endoscopies).
This core cover protects you against the largest and most financially catastrophic medical bills.
B) Optional Add-ons (Customisable) This is where you can tailor the plan to your personal needs and budget.
- Out-patient Cover: This is the most popular add-on. It covers medical treatment that does not require a hospital admission. This includes GP appointments, specialist consultations, diagnostic tests (like X-rays and MRI scans), and prescribed medications.
- Medical Evacuation & Repatriation: A crucial benefit. If you fall ill or are injured in a location without adequate medical facilities, this covers the cost of transporting you to the nearest centre of medical excellence. Repatriation covers the cost of returning you to your home country for treatment if medically necessary.
- Dental and Optical: This covers routine dental check-ups, emergency dental work, and sometimes costs towards glasses or contact lenses.
- Wellness & Vaccinations: Some higher-tier plans offer benefits for health screenings and vaccinations.
| Plan Level | Core Benefits | Key Add-ons Included | Illustrative Monthly Cost (40-year-old, Europe) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Essential | In-patient, Day-patient | Medical Evacuation | £110 |
| Standard | In-patient, Day-patient | Medical Evacuation, Full Out-patient | £190 |
| Comprehensive | In-patient, Day-patient | Medical Evacuation, Full Out-patient, Dental & Optical | £245 |
These are example figures for illustrative purposes only. Your actual quote will vary.
Beyond the Core Four: Other Factors That Influence Your IPMI Price
While duration, age, region, and benefits are the main drivers, a couple of other choices can significantly affect your final premium.
Excess (Deductible): Sharing the Cost to Lower Your Premium
An excess (also known as a deductible) is a fixed amount you agree to pay towards a claim or claims in a policy year. By agreeing to a higher excess, you are taking on a greater share of the initial financial risk, and in return, the insurer will offer you a lower premium.
How Excess Impacts Your Premium:
| Annual Excess Option | Premium Reduction (Illustrative) |
|---|---|
| £0 | 0% |
| £250 | -10% |
| £500 | -18% |
| £1,000 | -25% |
Adviser Tip: Choose an excess that you could comfortably afford to pay without financial hardship. Don't be tempted by the lowest premium attached to a £5,000 excess if you don't have that amount readily available. The purpose of insurance is to avoid financial distress, not create it.
Underwriting: How Your Medical History is Assessed
Underwriting is the process an insurer uses to evaluate your health and medical history to decide whether to offer you cover and on what terms. For short-term IPMI, this is typically done via Full Medical Underwriting (FMU).
- Full Medical Underwriting: You will be required to complete a detailed health questionnaire, declaring all previous and current medical conditions. The insurer may then accept you on standard terms, add an exclusion for a specific condition, or in rare cases, decline cover.
Crucial Point on Pre-existing Conditions: It is a fundamental principle of most short-term IPMI policies that they do not cover pre-existing conditions. This type of insurance is designed to cover new, unforeseen, and acute medical issues that arise after your policy has started. Chronic conditions (like diabetes, asthma, or hypertension) that require ongoing management are also not covered. Honesty during the application is paramount.
Real-Life Scenarios: Short-Term IPMI Pricing in Action
Let's see how these factors combine for different individuals.
Scenario 1: The Student in Europe
- Profile: A 21-year-old university student studying in Spain for 10 months.
- Needs: Protection against major medical events but needs to keep costs low.
| Factor | Choice | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 21 | Low-risk profile. |
| Duration | 10 months | Covers the full academic year. |
| Region | Europe | Only needs cover for Spain and potential weekend trips. |
| Benefits | Essential (In-patient) + Evacuation | Covers hospitalisation and emergencies, forgoes out-patient to save money. |
| Excess | £500 | A manageable amount that significantly lowers the premium. |
| Estimated Monthly Cost: | £55 - £75 |
Scenario 2: The Contractor in the USA
- Profile: A 48-year-old IT contractor on a 7-month project in California.
- Needs: Comprehensive cover due to the high cost and complexity of the US healthcare system.
| Factor | Choice | Rationale |
|---|---|---|
| Age | 48 | Mid-risk profile. |
| Duration | 7 months | Matches the project contract. |
| Region | Worldwide including USA | Absolutely essential for cover in the United States. |
| Benefits | Comprehensive (In-patient + Out-patient + Dental) | Wants seamless access to GPs, specialists, and dental care. |
| Excess | £250 | Prefers a lower out-of-pocket cost in case of a claim. |
| Estimated Monthly Cost: | £500 - £700 |
How to Get the Best Value on Your Short-Term IPMI Policy
Finding the right international private medical insurance is about achieving the best value, not just the lowest price. Value means getting the right protection for your specific circumstances at a competitive cost.
- Work With an Expert Broker: This is the single most effective step. An independent broker like WeCovr has access to the whole market. We do the shopping around for you, explain the differences between policies, and help you tailor a plan. Our service is free to you, as we are paid by the insurer.
- Select Your Region Carefully: Don't pay for "Worldwide" cover if you're only going to be in Europe. Equally, don't skimp on this if there's any chance you might travel to a more expensive region.
- Be Honest About Benefits: If you are young, healthy, and on a tight budget, an in-patient-only plan might be sufficient. If you have a family or prefer the convenience of private GP access, adding out-patient cover is a wise investment.
- Adjust Your Excess: Look at how different excess levels impact the premium. A modest increase in your excess can often lead to substantial savings.
- Take Advantage of Broker Benefits: When you arrange your PMI with WeCovr, you also get complimentary access to our AI-powered calorie and nutrition tracking app, CalorieHero, to help you stay healthy on your travels. We can also offer discounts on other insurance products, like life or income protection cover.
What is the difference between short-term IPMI and travel insurance?
Are my pre-existing conditions covered on a short-term IPMI policy?
Can I buy short-term IPMI if I'm already abroad?
How much does short-term IPMI cost per month?
Ready to Secure Your Health Abroad?
Understanding IPMI pricing is the first step, but finding the perfect policy requires expert guidance. At WeCovr, our FCA-regulated advisers are on hand to navigate the market for you. We provide impartial, expert advice to ensure you get the right cover for your journey, your health, and your budget.
Contact WeCovr today for a free, no-obligation quote and let us find the best international health cover for you.












