Insurances from international companies

I won't delve into colorful descriptions of how expensive healthcare is in Bali. It's a fact. Everyone has long concluded that, in the event of a serious incident, any insurance, even the most expensive, will be much cheaper than paying for treatment out of pocket.

For those with a KITAS who want to save, we recommend getting a local BPJS insurance. It costs next to nothing, and you'll sleep more peacefully. For those without a KITAS or those seeking more comfort and less waiting time, here's our review of international insurance policies.

I must clarify that local insurance companies are not included in this review. Below are the reasons why we don't recommend obtaining policies from local insurance companies. However, everyone decides for themselves.

1. Insurance plans are more suitable for local residents than expatriates. Often, you can find their information only in Indonesian. If you don't speak Indonesian, you'll face a challenge, and not everyone has the time and desire for that.

2. Local medical insurance plans are generally bundled. The insurance industry in Indonesia mainly focuses on life insurance, with medical insurance being more of a supplement. It's challenging to get a separate local medical insurance plan without life insurance or additional packages.

3. Thirdly, with local insurance, you can only visit hospitals in Indonesia. If health issues arise while you're vacationing in places like Thailand or "visa-running" in Malaysia, Singapore, the local insurance won't help you there.

4. Coverage limits for claims in local insurance companies are usually much lower than international ones. For instance, they might have an annual limit of 6 billion Indonesian rupiahs ($440,000), but the cap for a minor surgery is 18 million Indonesian rupiahs ($1,320).

5. The biggest drawback is that local insurance companies don't cover your medical evacuation and repatriation to other countries. In an emergency, you'll either have to sell houses and yachts or rely on the help of third parties.

The cost varies depending on factors such as coverage type, the insured's age, insurance plans, and the insurance brand/provider. For instance, if you're over 60, the policy cost can significantly increase. On average, it's around $100 per month for international insurance. Note that some private medical insurance plans are more expensive than others, mainly because they provide higher coverage. If you want insurance for your family living with you in Bali, discuss it with the insurance company and ask for a family discount when purchasing the same plan for your family members. They may offer a discount of 10 to 20 percent.

Even locals will tell you it's better to fly to Malaysia, Thailand, or Singapore for treatment. Those with the opportunity do just that or at least try to get to Jakarta in serious cases. Why is this? It's all about medical standards and the quality of services provided. Yes, in terms of comfort criteria, large international clinics in Bali are ahead, and the language barrier is mostly overcome. However, hospitals in Indonesia are still good for treating common illnesses. When you have something serious, it's better to seek treatment in other countries. At least, your insurance plan should also cover Malaysia and Thailand.

The coverage limit is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay you. For medical insurance in Indonesia, coverage limits are mainly of two types:

   - Annual limit: The maximum amount the insurance company will pay you in a year for all claims. With an annual limit, the insurance company must provide you with full coverage for inpatient care. Some insurance companies may call this "hospitalization."

   - However, even with an annual limit, it doesn't always mean the insurance company will pay for all treatment in full. There are some additional limitations on certain expenses, such as psychiatric treatment, home care, medical check-ups, dental services, etc. This method is usually used by offshore insurance companies.

You can check the coverage limit you need by looking at the cost of treating serious illnesses such as cancer, brain tumors, and heart diseases at the hospital where you feel most comfortable. Then, see how much you need to pay per night for private hospital rooms and above. This should give you an idea of the coverage you need. For example, on the BIMC Kuta Hospital website, there's even a list of insurance companies the hospital works with. In many cases, a coverage limit of $1,000,000 is sufficient even for heart surgery in a premium-class hospital in Thailand.

Insurance reimbursement limit (IRL) is the maximum amount the insurance company will pay for each treatment procedure, breaking down all expenses, including surgery, hospital expenses, doctor's fees, accommodation, and so on. Some insurance plans may even set different limits for minor, moderate, and major surgeries. Although the insurance plan sets the maximum amount they will pay you for an illness using this method, you should focus more on how much the insurance company will actually pay for expensive treatment. For example, if the hospital charges you $3,000 for surgery and your plan covers only $1,500, you'll have to pay the remaining $1,500 out of pocket, even if your plan has a limit of $10,000. This method is usually used by local insurance companies.

Many make a mistake when buying health insurance by focusing only on insurance premiums and choosing the cheapest available plan, trying to pay as little as possible. However, when buying health insurance, it's best to focus on the list of services it covers first. When choosing coverage, two main points should be considered:

   a. Inpatient treatment or hospitalization: Inpatient treatment is mandatory for all health insurance plans. This means the insurance company will pay you when you are admitted to the hospital. Some insurance companies may call this "hospitalization."

   b. Additional coverage: There are three main types of additional coverage:

      1. Outpatient treatment: This covers hospital visits lasting less than one day. This type of insurance is important for people with chronic illnesses as they require regular hospital visits. Depending on the plan, outpatient treatment may or may not include other expenses such as scans, vaccinations, and medical check-ups.

      2. Medical evacuation: We have mentioned this crucial option several times. It does not significantly increase insurance premiums but can save lives, especially if you are outside Jakarta or Bali.

      3. Dentistry, optics, and obstetrics: These three types of coverage are usually only available in the highest insurance plans.

You cannot expect medical insurance to cover all your medical expenses depending on coverage limits. All insurance plans have a list of exclusions—things the insurance company will not pay for if you fall under one of these lists. For example, if you had diabetes before applying for insurance, it's likely the insurance company won't cover any treatment related to diabetes. Some insurance companies may not cover accidents or deaths caused by natural disasters. You need to know about exclusions—what the insurance company will not pay for. The best way to find out is to read the fine print carefully. Below is a list of the most common exclusions:

1. Pre-existing conditions. This can be the most significant exclusion for any health insurance plan. Insurance companies often won't pay for any pre-existing health issues you had before getting insured with them. For example, if you already have diabetes, the insurance company won't cover the cost of diabetes-related treatment. Or, if you are already pregnant, insurance won't cover the expenses for pregnancy and childbirth. Pre-existing conditions mainly refer to chronic illnesses. If it's the flu or something similar, the insurance company will pay for it. Note that different companies have different policies regarding pre-existing conditions. Some companies may cover your pre-existing conditions, but in return, they will increase your premium. Some companies may cover surgery but not pay for your regular medications, such as blood pressure tablets. The insurance company knows about your health condition when you apply. Sometimes they even require you to undergo a medical examination. If you lie about it, the insurance company may reject your claim altogether.

2. Natural disasters. You should be very careful about this exclusion for Indonesia. Regularly experiencing tsunamis, earthquakes, volcanic eruptions, and floods here. Just yesterday, our house shook once again. For example, BPJS will not insure you if you suffer from these natural disasters. However, many private insurance companies include coverage for natural disasters. The exception is if you know that a natural disaster will occur in this area but still insist on going there. In this case, the insurance company may exclude you from medical insurance if you get injured. Also, you cannot be insured against man-made disasters such as war and terrorism.

3. Motorcycle accidents. Note that insurance companies will not cover you for motorcycle accidents under any of the following conditions:

   - You were without a helmet;

   - You violated traffic rules;

   - You did not have a motorcycle/scooter driving license. Some insurance companies only require driving licenses from Indonesia. Others may require licenses from both Indonesia or international licenses.

   There are reports that some insurance companies may also require you to have insurance for your vehicle. So, if you plan to ride a bike in Indonesia, be sure to check exclusions for motorcycle accidents.

It becomes more challenging to buy medical insurance when you are over 65 years old. Either the insurance premium will be very high, or the insurance company will not accept new applicants at all. If you want to have medical insurance after retiring, you need to get it in advance. You can continue renewing your plan until you turn 80. Some companies offer lifetime insurance, ensuring that you can be insured with them until death.

Non-cash payment using debit and credit cards, as well as an electronic wallet or QR code, is quite popular in Bali. In the field of medical insurance, many insurance companies offer a non-cash payment system. The whole idea is similar to "direct billing." With non-cash payment, you can allow the insurance company to process your payment directly. All you need to do is show your insurance card and sign a claim form. However, if necessary, you will still have to pay the remaining amount. Most local insurance companies offer non-cash payment. If your insurance company does not have this system, you may need to pay first, file a claim, and then get a reimbursement by sending them receipts and medical certificates. If you need to file a claim for hospitalization, it is recommended to talk to your insurance company first. This is done to prevent any unforeseen expenses due to exclusions you may not have known about. Contacting the insurance company before hospitalization means they can pay your bill immediately.

An insurance premium is the amount you need to pay for insurance regularly. Your age plays a significant role in this. The older you get, the higher your insurance premiums will be. They also depend on your health condition, requirements, nationality, and gender. There are options to pay insurance premiums every month, quarter, or year. But usually, annual payment is the cheapest option since insurance companies may charge you additional fees if you choose to pay monthly or quarterly.

When you buy medical insurance, you need to make sure that the insurance company will indeed cover your medical expenses. Therefore, it's better to buy insurance from a reputable company. If you decide to buy insurance from a company you've never heard of before, do your homework, visit their website, read reviews, find acquaintances who have already used the services of this company.

Once you have decided on the insurance company, you still need to choose the insurance plan. Most, if not all, insurance companies offer at least three to five insurance plans, starting from the basic plan that covers only essential medical services/hospitalization services to the high-level plan with comprehensive coverage, including planned medical services, check-ups, childbirth, and usually better outpatient care. Some service providers may even offer a "carefree plan," which includes unlimited coverage for hospitalization and outpatient services.

Genki offers two insurance plans: Genki Explorer and Genki Premium. Citizens of any country up to the age of 69 can apply for insurance. You can choose an insurance plan for a period from one month to two years with monthly payments. The insurance is processed online on the company's website, which is very convenient and user-friendly.

- Treatment by any locally recognized healthcare provider worldwide, including inpatient and outpatient care.

- Sports injuries. For example, the insurance covers injuries sustained in activities such as surfing, kitesurfing, skiing, snowboarding, kayaking, cycling, mountain biking, and hiking. All types of sports are covered unless specified in the "Hazardous Activities" section.

- Assistance and direct billing. The company has a 24-hour hotline for emergencies and hospital stays. They accompany your treatment, guarantee and organize payments directly to your hospital.

- Hospital visits. If you have to stay in the hospital for more than five days, a close friend or family member can visit you. The company covers their transportation expenses.

- Medical transport. Genki covers transportation costs to the nearest hospital that meets your medical needs. If recovery takes a long time, the company can also cover the expenses for a ticket home if desired.

- Repatriation. The insurance delivers remains to the home country or covers the cost of burial abroad up to the repatriation expenses.

- Pregnancy. Examinations up to the 12th week of pregnancy, two ultrasound examinations, treatment of complications, childbirth attended by midwives, and postnatal care up to €50,000.

- Emergency dental care. Treatment of toothache up to €500 per case. Necessary treatment due to an accident up to €1,000 per case.

- Initial treatment of mental health issues. Initial outpatient treatment of mental illnesses up to €1,500 per year. Emergency inpatient treatment of first-onset mental and emotional disorders up to €20,000 per year.

- COVID-19. Insurance for the treatment of COVID-19 without cost limitations.

- Medicines and materials. Medically necessary medicines, protective equipment, and dressing materials.

- No overall cost limit. The company's policy states: "We expect all parties to help keep costs reasonable. There are only a few specific limitations mentioned where necessary."

What the insurance does not cover:

- Pre-existing conditions. Medical conditions within six months before purchasing the insurance policy will not be covered. Also, if you had an accident or got sick immediately before signing the insurance, it will not be covered.

- Hazardous activities. Diving, motorcycle and car racing (regular driving is allowed), parachute jumping, paragliding, bungee jumping, free rock climbing, and mountaineering (if special equipment is required) are not covered.

- Professional sports. Consequences of participating in professional sports are not covered. This includes any sport where you receive compensation for participation.

- Drugs and excessive alcohol consumption. Consequences of drug use or excessive alcohol consumption are not covered. As we remember, this also includes injuries from driving under the influence.

- Travel and movement expenses not related to medical indicators. The insurance does not cover expenses arising from trip cancellation, trip interruption, flight delays, baggage loss, losses due to theft or burglary, as well as personal liabilities.

- Insurance in the home country is limited to 6 weeks out of 180 days and includes only accidents and life-threatening emergencies.

- In the case of pregnancy that occurred before the start of insurance, coverage is limited to sudden and unforeseen deterioration of the health of the mother or child. For example, a medically indicated cesarean section will be covered by the insurance policy.

If you have opened an insurance policy in Bali, the first 14 days from the policy opening date are limited to accidents and life-threatening emergencies. You can also choose a deductible (franchise) of 50 euros per case to reduce the cost of your insurance. In this case, the insurance will only cover expenses exceeding this deductible. For example, with a 50-euro deductible and a doctor's bill of 1000 euros, you will pay 50 euros, and the insurance will cover the remaining 950 euros. The insurance payment is automatically debited each month from the credit card you linked during registration on the website. You can cancel the insurance at any time. Genki Premium offers a more extensive package of services. For instance, this insurance option even covers services such as homeopathy, osteopathy, and acupuncture. You can find more details about the conditions on their website.

- The insurance includes motorcycle riding (provided you have a license and a helmet) and injuries sustained during various sports activities, excluding professional competitions.

- Maximum geographical coverage.

- Full coverage of all provided services with payment to your card.

- You can go to any hospital on a post-payment basis.

- The insurance price is significantly lower than other offers, starting from $40 per month without a deductible.

- Easy online registration.

- Prompt communication via email and chat.

- Minimum coverage up to 50,000 euros.

- Free refund within the first 2 weeks of insurance coverage.

Disadvantages:

- Refunds may take several weeks longer than promised, citing a high workload, especially if you initially paid for treatment yourself.

This type of insurance is specifically designed by SafetyWing for digital nomads. The cost of the insurance policy is $45.08 without a deductible for individuals aged 18 to 39 for a 4-week coverage period. Afterward, you can subscribe to automatic coverage renewal every 4 weeks until you cancel the subscription or a maximum of 364 days, similar to a subscription. After the expiration of the 364-day coverage period, your policy and deductible will expire, and you will need to obtain a new policy.

- Medical insurance if you have an accident or fall ill and need medical assistance outside your home country. The maximum coverage limit is $250,000 for individuals under 65 and $100,000 for policyholders over 65 with a deductible cost of $250, paid once annually.

- Necessary medical treatment for unexpected illness or injury (inpatient or outpatient) up to the policy's maximum limit.

- Emergency assistance and evacuation. Up to the policy's maximum limit if the covered illness or injury leads to hospitalization.

- Emergency transportation to a better-equipped hospital (medical evacuation). Maximum up to $100,000 for a lifetime or up to $25,000 in connection with a pre-existing condition or injury.

- Emergency dental care up to $1,000 in case of acute pain, provided you seek assistance within 24 hours of the onset of pain.

- Accidents while riding a bike (with a valid driver's license).

- Non-professional sports activities covered (scuba diving, surfing, gym workouts, canyoning, soccer, horseback riding, mountain biking, skateboarding, rollerblading, and other activities).

- Coverage for trip delay, loss of registered baggage, emergency response, natural disasters, and personal liability.

- Unforeseen events in your home country requiring your return home (trip interruption). Up to $5,000.

- Unplanned overnight stay. Up to $100 per day for up to 2 days.

- Loss of registered baggage. Up to $3,000 for the active insurance period, $500 per item. Maximum of $6,000 for a lifetime.

- Accommodation elsewhere if a natural disaster results in evacuation. Up to $100 per day for up to 5 days.

- Personal liability. Maximum of $25,000 for injury or third-party property damage over a lifetime, and up to $2,500 for corresponding third-party property.

- In case of death, care for your body (burial or repatriation of remains). Up to $20,000 for transportation or up to $10,000 for local burial.

- Cash payment to the beneficiary (death due to an accident). Up to $25,000. Your death must be the sole and direct result of bodily injuries caused by external, violent, and visible means.

- Engaging in dangerous, extreme sports.

- Pre-existing illnesses and injuries.

- Cancer treatment.

- Regular medical check-ups.

- Ophthalmology and all dentistry, except for emergencies.

- You can obtain the insurance policy while already abroad, meaning you can apply online while in Bali.

- You can subscribe to continuous coverage and travel to multiple countries with one policy.

- Two children up to 10 years old can be included for free on one policy (1 per adult).

- Super responsive chat support.

- Comprehensive services at super budget-friendly prices.

- There is a deductible. You pay the first $250 for your treatment each year.

- You need to initially cover all expenses out of pocket and only then request reimbursement from the insurance, thereby compensating for all expenses. If it's an emergency and the operation could cost you tens of thousands of dollars, consider whether these conditions suit you and whether you have enough funds to cover the initial expenses yourself.

- The processing of an insurance case can take up to 45 days. This is stipulated in the contract, and many reviews complain about the prolonged process of fund disbursement.

- Lack of direct interaction between the insurance and hospitals.

Cigna Global, a UK-based insurance company, offers four insurance plans to choose from - Close Care, Silver, Gold, and Platinum (differing in coverage amounts and the set of provided medical services). The simplest Silver plan will cost an average of $172 per month, depending on age, or $134 with a one-time deductible of $375. The Gold plan will cost you $233 without a deductible, and the Platinum plan will be $306 per month.

The Silver plan includes an annual coverage amount of $1 million, fully covering expenses for inpatient and outpatient treatment, accommodation in a private room, cancer treatment, and mental health treatment up to $5,000 per month. Expenses for childbirth, pregnancy management, and postnatal care are not covered.

The Gold plan offers a coverage amount of $2 million, mental health treatment up to $10,000 per month, and covers regular maternity and childbirth insurance in a hospital up to $7,000.

The Platinum plan includes unlimited annual coverage and maternity care up to $14,000 per year.

When signing up for any plan, you can also choose the option to split the payment for treatment with the insurance company. In this case, you will have to pay 10 to 30% of the service cost yourself, and the insurance company will cover the remaining part.

In the event of an insurance claim, the company directly pays the bills to the clinic. Before visiting a doctor, you need to contact the insurance company and report the issue, and they will recommend the best and nearest clinic they collaborate with. In case of an emergency, if for any reason you cannot call the insurance company before treatment, you may need to pay for the treatment in advance and claim reimbursement for the covered expenses. It is necessary to report an emergency within 48 hours of its occurrence. Reimbursement payments are processed within five days after providing all the required documents.

The most significant advantage of this insurance is undoubtedly its reliability and the global reputation of Cigna. As for drawbacks, the high cost is unquestionably one, and the insurance does not cover additional dental services (except for emergency treatment), ophthalmology, and does not provide coverage for medical evacuation, emergency transportation, and repatriation in case of an emergency. For coverage of these expenses, if desired, you will need to pay an additional $26 for evacuation and $47 on top for ophthalmology and dentistry.

AllianzCare insurance is practically like receiving home treatment through the best comprehensive health insurance policy. In addition, your insurance includes the option of round-the-clock telemedicine service, where you can consult with a qualified specialist online 24/7. They also offer the "second opinion" option. If you are unsure about your diagnosis or upcoming medical procedures, you can contact the hotline specialists and seek an alternative opinion. Allianz also provides several high-quality health and fitness care apps for free.

International insurance is specifically designed for expatriates and tailored to our needs. You can choose from the following insurance plans: Indonesia Care Pro, Indonesia Care Plus, and the basic Indonesia Care. They differ mainly in coverage amounts and some types of provided services. The annual coverage amount for the Indonesia Care plan is $2.5 million, Care Plus is $4 million, and for Care Pro, it is $5 million. All plans include comprehensive outpatient and inpatient treatment with accommodation in a private room and even organ transport. Emergency services, emergency transportation, and repatriation, emergency treatment outside the insurance coverage area for 42 days a year, and cancer treatment are also included in all plans. The CarePro package also includes preventive surgery, laser eye treatment, complications during pregnancy, and, in the case of accidental death, the company pays $13,500. The basic Indonesia Care plan does not provide the pregnancy coverage option.

In general, the main difference of Allianz insurance from others is that you can assemble it yourself, like a Lego constructor, depending on the set of services and options you need. For instance, you can choose the desired coverage area, include family members, add dental and ophthalmological coverage, and even include insurance for pre-existing conditions. Of course, the price of the insurance policy will also vary.

Most insurance contracts are designed for one year with the option to freeze for up to 30 days from the start date. After this period, the policy cannot be canceled until renewal, regardless of whether monthly or annual payment frequency is chosen. The insurance contract undertakes to make all payments for insurance claims within 48 hours from the date of filing the claim.

Take care of yourselves and stay healthy!