Local vs. International Health Insurance: Which Best Fits Your Global Workforce

Managing employee benefits across borders can sometimes be complex, especially when it comes to health insurance. One critical decision HR and business owners face is choosing between local and international health insurance for their workforce. 

Local policies might work in one country but fall short when your employees relocate or travel frequently. Each option has its advantages, and selecting the right one depends on your workforce’s mobility, needs, and location. 

When to choose local health insurance

Local health insurance provides medical coverage within a specific country. These plans follow local regulations and pricing, with benefits and provider networks designed around the country’s healthcare system.  

Because the costs are aligned with local treatment prices, premiums tend to be more affordable. In many countries, enrolling in a local plan may also be necessary to meet visa or work permit requirements. 

This type of coverage works best if you have a small budget to dedicate to health insurance. However, it may offer limited flexibility if employees travel frequently or relocate to another country, as coverage often does not extend beyond national borders. 

When to choose international health insurance 

International health insurance is designed to provide healthcare coverage across multiple countries, making it ideal for globally mobile employees, expatriates, and internationally based teams. Unlike local plans, international policies are built with cross-border care in mind, offering global access to private hospitals and clinics, typically with direct billing and 24/7 multilingual support. 

These plans typically include benefits such as hospitalisation, outpatient care, mental health services, and emergency medical evacuation or repatriation. Coverage often extends to an employee’s home country, allowing for treatment during temporary returns.  

International insurance is especially valuable when employees travel frequently, relocate for projects, or move between assignments in different countries. It ensures continuity of care and eliminates the need to switch providers or plans with each move. 

Cost comparison: looking beyond premiums 

At first glance, local insurance appears more affordable, especially in countries with low treatment costs. However, lower premiums don’t always mean better value. 

International health insurance plans usually have higher premiums, but they offer broader coverage that can reduce hidden or long-term expenses. This includes access to high-quality private care, faster treatment, global emergency services, and fewer disruptions when employees relocate. 

Coverage is often more comprehensive with higher benefit limits, which helps limit out-of-pocket costs for employees and reduces the administrative burden of handling claims across multiple local providers. 

For globally operating companies, international plans can be more cost-effective in the long run by minimising the impact of medical emergencies abroad, improving employee satisfaction, and simplifying global HR processes. 

In short, looking beyond the premium and evaluating the total value of coverage is essential when choosing the right plan for your workforce. 

How APRIL International can help your organisation 

Choosing the right type of insurance is only the beginning. You also need a partner who understands the challenges of managing international health benefits. 

APRIL International’s corporate health insurance solutions are designed to meet the complex needs of globally distributed teams through onshore products insured by local underwriters. This ensures coverage is fully compliant with each country’s regulations. It meets the formalities your business and employees must navigate, whether it’s for visa applications, work permits, or local healthcare compliance. 

• Proximity and local understanding: With strong knowledge of local healthcare systems, regulations, and medical networks, our team is well-equipped to design insurance solutions truly tailored to the needs of your workforce, wherever they are based. 

This balance between local expertise and international reach allows us to provide coverage that is both practical and dependable, making it easier for businesses to protect their teams and meet compliance obligations without compromise. 

• Simplified administration: One of the most significant pain points for HR teams managing global health insurance is administrative complexity. APRIL addresses this through simple and quick underwriting and setup processes, followed by streamlined administration. 

We offer flexibility to set up regional or even global contracts, allowing all employees to be covered under the same plan. For HR teams, this means having just one insurance partner, one contract, and one dedicated point of contact. This simplifies benefits management and ensures consistent service and coverage across your entire workforce. 

• Employee support: APRIL provides comprehensive user guides and regular communications to help employees maximise their policy benefits, which is particularly valuable for globally distributed teams who may not have easy access to in-person support. 

• Sustainable cost management: By conducting all services in-house, from claims and assistance to case management and medical evacuation, APRIL maintains close control over healthcare expenditure. This smart approach, combined with collaborative relationships with clients and medical providers, helps guarantee sustainable prices and control the impact of medical inflation on premiums. 

• Digital-first approach: Our Easy Claim app, rated as the best insurance app in Asia, along with the Member Portal, allows employees to submit claims, access doctor consultations, and manage their policies in just a few clicks.  

• Wide provider network: APRIL provides access to over 83,000 medical facilities across Asia through our network. For hospitalisations, our support team helps employees navigate the process and can arrange direct settlement of treatment costs. 

The right solution for all company sizes 

Whether you are a self-employed individual, an SME, or a large multinational corporation, we offer a wide range of international health insurance solutions to meet the needs of your employees.