Health Insurance for Retirees Living Abroad
Health Insurance Coverage, Wherever You Retire
Long-term, reliable protection for retirees living internationally.
Whether you’re retiring full-time overseas or spending part of each year abroad, protecting your health is essential.
DiscoverWell is a licensed international broker specializing in global and expat medical coverage, with expertise supporting Medicare-eligible retirees across 40+ countries.
We help you evaluate top international medical plans, compare your options, and enroll in coverage that fits your needs and long-term lifestyle abroad.
Who It’s For
- U.S. retirees establishing residence abroad
- Dual-home retirees who split time between countries
- Long-stay travelers who need more than trip insurance
- Retirees seeking access to private international hospitals and clinics
If you plan to spend six months or more abroad each year, a global medical plan is usually the right fit.
If your time abroad is under six months, a Travel Medical Plan may be more appropriate.
What’s Included
With a global medical plan, you can access care that fits your life abroad:
- Comprehensive Medical & Hospitalization Coverage – inpatient, outpatient, and emergency care worldwide
- Routine & Chronic Condition Management – ongoing treatment for diabetes, heart disease, and other long-term conditions
- Emergency Evacuation & Repatriation – protection when specialized care or transport home is needed
- Optional Add-Ons – dental, vision, and prescription drug benefits
This type of coverage is designed for full-time international living—not short-term travel.
If you only need temporary coverage, visit the Travel Medical Plan page.
Need help deciding which coverage makes sense for your retirement plans?
Common Retirement Scenarios We Support
- Spending winters abroad and summers in the U.S.
- Retiring in countries with residency-based insurance requirements (Dubai,
Portugal, Spain, and more) - Living full-time abroad with periodic U.S. visits
- Moving abroad to be near adult children
- Transitioning from employer-sponsored coverage to Medicare + international insurance.
What Makes Retiree Coverage Different?
Retiring abroad comes with healthcare needs that differ from traditional expat plans. A retiree-focused international policy helps you navigate:
- Chronic condition management for long-term issues such as diabetes or hypertension
- Medicare coordination, to help you avoid penalties
- Portability if you split residency between two or more countries
- Age-based underwriting, which affects eligibility and plan options
- Higher likelihood of specialist care, imaging, or emergency evacuation.
Understanding these differences helps you choose a plan that matches your health, lifestyle, and long-term plans abroad.
Why Choose DiscoverWell
- Real experience, real insight – Founded by an expat who understands the realities of relocating, navigating new healthcare systems, and maintaining quality care abroad.
- 15+ years of international health insurance expertise.
- Regional guidance – Coverage rules and eligibility vary by destination. We help ensure your plan meets local requirements and visa standards.
- Access to top global insurers – including Cigna Global, Allianz, Blue Cross Blue Shield Global, IMG and more.
- Personalized guidance – Your plan matched to your destination, lifestyle, and budget.
- Ongoing support – We stay with you after enrollment, assisting with questions, renewals, or claims while you’re abroad.
- Licensed Broker / Independent / Global Expertise
Want to explore insurers most receptive to your age, health history, and destination?
How It Works
- Share your plans. Tell us where you’re headed and who needs coverage.
- Compare options. Review vetted plans from leading global insurers.
- Enroll confidently. Get protection that travels with you.
FAQs
In almost all cases, Medicare does not cover medical care outside the United States. A few Medigap plans include limited emergency coverage abroad, but this benefit is reimbursement-based, which means you must pay upfront and then file a claim for partial reimbursement later. Cost-sharing and strict limits apply (typically up to a $50,000 lifetime maximum and 80% reimbursement after a deductible).
An international health plan provides direct coverage abroad, avoiding large out-of-pocket payments or reimbursement limits.
Speak with a licensed expert for clear, practical guidance.
Many global insurers have maximum enrollment ages or stricter underwriting for older applicants. Planning ahead can help you secure better options.
Still unsure how Medicare works abroad or what’s best for your situation?