What is IPMI in insurance?

IPMI stands for International Private Medical Insurance. It is a type of health insurance designed specifically for people living or working outside their home country, providing access to private medical treatment across borders on a long-term, renewable basis. IPMI is distinct from standard domestic health insurance and from travel insurance as it is built for the realities of life abroad, where access to public healthcare may be limited, variable, or unavailable to foreign nationals.

IPMI policies typically cover private hospital treatment, specialist consultations, surgical procedures, and emergency medical assistance within a chosen area of cover. Depending on the plan, cover may also extend to outpatient treatment, dental care, optical care, maternity, mental health support, and preventive screenings.

With an IPMI policy, treatment is accessed either through direct billing where the insurer settles the cost directly with the hospital or through reimbursement, where you pay upfront and claim the costs back. Expatriate Group’s plans use direct billing, meaning there are no out-of-pocket costs at the point of care.

IPMI policies are designed for long-term international living rather than short-term travel, are not tied to a single country or hospital network so you choose your area of cover, which determines where you can receive treatment and access care at any hospital within that area.

IPMI is used by a wide range of internationally mobile people, including: