The Wayfinder
Navigate Travel Like an Expert
Approximately 40 million people worldwide — 18 million of which are from the U.S. — are considered digital nomads. And according to a 2020 report by the United Nations, there are around 281 million expatriates living worldwide, making up 3.6% of the global population.
Somewhere in that bunch, someone’s going to get the flu. Or twist an ankle. Or need to have a cavity filled. So what do expats and digital nomads do when they’re outside their home country and need medical care?
If you're asking yourself this question as you prepare for your next international adventure — maybe you're still weighing the best places to work remotely — congratulations on thinking like a savvy global citizen.
This guide explains why having a policy designed for this unique situation is so important, and what options are available to you with Seven Corners.
If you expect the health insurance you use at home to cover you overseas, we recommend double- and triple-checking that policy for its coverage area and exclusions. Most domestic health insurance plans do not provide coverage for care received abroad.
This means that, without other insurance, any treatment you receive would have to be paid out of your own pocket. Depending on the situation, it could be incredibly expensive or even so costly that you wouldn’t be able to afford the care you need at all.
Rather than leaving it to luck or the kindness of strangers on GoFundMe, it’s best to have a plan that you know includes international medical coverage.
Even if your host country has universal healthcare, you might not be eligible for that unless you are a full-time, legal resident of that country. Some, like Costa Rica, allow you to pay into their national healthcare system, but that's the exception rather than the rule.
Before traveling, thoroughly research the rules for healthcare for foreign visitors, even if you plan to own property and live there. You don't want to find out in the middle of an emergency that you don't have the coverage you need.
One of the few exciting things to come out of the COVID pandemic was an increased number of countries offering digital nomad visas. While these provide greater working flexibility and opportunity, they don't come without a bit of bureaucratic red tape.
Countries that offer a digital nomad visa also require proof of health insurance in order to get that visa. When applying, be sure to check the required coverage amounts. Our licensed agents deal with these details all the time and can help you find the right insurance plan to fit those requirements.
Seven Corners offers three travel medical plans, and the right one depends on your residency and where you’re planning to travel. Each plan also covers the family members traveling with you — partners, kids, or both. Dependent children can be covered as long as they're at least 14 days old, under 19 years old, and not legally married.
If you're a U.S. resident heading abroad, this plan covers you anywhere in the world outside the United States. Travel Medical Excluding the USA is a good fit for the expat or digital nomad who's spending weeks or months overseas, with up to $1 million in medical coverage, emergency evacuation benefits, and coverage for acute onset of pre-existing conditions.
This plan is built for non-U.S. residents traveling outside their home country when the trip involves time in the United States. Travel Medical Including the USA includes access to a large domestic provider network through UnitedHealthcare, along with the same core medical and evacuation benefits. This plan also offers exclusive access to unlimited Teladoc visits while you are in the U.S.
This plan is also built for non-U.S. residents, but for trips that skip the USA entirely. If your travels take you anywhere else in the world outside your home country, Travel Medical Global has you covered with the same $1 million medical maximum and emergency evacuation protection as the other plans.
Seven Corners also offers an annual travel medical multi-trip plan available to U.S. residents. This will be most helpful if your digital nomad plans include some bouncing around. Annual travel medical insurance covers you for multiple international trips during the course of a year, no matter how many trips you take, as long as each one does not exceed the maximum trip length you chose at purchase. For Seven Corners’ Travel Medical Annual Multi-Trip plan, that’s 30, 45, or 60 days
This coverage is a great option for frequent travelers who want more convenience while still knowing that they’re prepared for a medical emergency, no matter where their travels take them
Insurance for expats and nomads can be complicated. The best way to ensure you’re getting the right coverage for your unique situation is to call one of our licensed agents. When you call, you’ll speak with a real human who can help you build the right plan and get the most accurate quote — complete with everything you need and nothing you don’t.
Seven Corners is proud to protect expats and nomads in every corner of the world and we’re excited to help you take this exciting step toward your life abroad.
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