Bupa Global
Bupa Global offers extensive international health insurance plans designed for globally mobile individuals and families through a collaboration between Bupa and Blue Cross Blue Shield Global. Their plans provide access to quality healthcare across a wide network of medical providers worldwide, with a focus on comprehensive coverage for expats, digital nomads, and international citizens.
Coverage Tiers & Benefits
Core Components
| Benefits | Select Health Plan | Major Medical Health Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Maximum Annual Medical Coverage | EUR 1,250,000, GBP 1,000,000, USD 1,700,000 | EUR 2.5 million, GBP 2 million, USD 3.4 million |
| Inpatient Coverage | Paid in full – Standard private room Hospital accommodation Operating room, medicines, surgical dressings Intensive care Surgery including surgeons and anesthetists fees Specialist consultation fees Pathology, radiology, diagnostic tests Mental health treatment | Paid in full – Standard private room Hospital accommodation Operating room, medicines, surgical dressings Intensive care Surgery including surgeons and anesthetists fees Specialist consultation fees Pathology, radiology, diagnostic tests Mental health treatment |
| Emergency Room Coverage | Paid in full for local air ambulance and road ambulance | Paid in full for local air ambulance and road ambulance |
| Maternity Coverage | Not covered (except for complications or abnormal conditions arising from pregnancy) | Not covered (except for complications or abnormal conditions arising from pregnancy) |
| Cancer Treatment | Paid in full including surgery, specialists fees, consultations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and bone marrow transplants | Paid in full including surgery, specialists fees, consultations, chemotherapy, radiotherapy, and bone marrow transplants |
| Transplant Services | Up to EUR 250,000, GBP 200,000 or USD 340,000 per condition | Covered for specified transplants (cornea, small bowel, kidney, heart, lung) |
| Advanced Imaging | Paid in full for MRI, CT, and PET scans | Paid in full for MRI, CT, and PET scans |
| Kidney Dialysis | Paid in full | Paid in full |
Optional Components
| Optional Benefits | Select Health Plan | Major Medical Health Plan |
|---|---|---|
| Outpatient Coverage | Up to EUR 9,400, GBP 7,500 or USD 12,800 annually Covers specialist consultations, pathology, radiology, diagnostic tests, qualified nurses, physiotherapists, prescribed medicines | Limited to pre and posthospitalization care Up to 30 days prior to hospitalization Up to 60 days after hospitalization |
| Emergency & Crisis Evacuations | Paid in full for medical evacuation and repatriation to home country | Paid in full for medical evacuation and repatriation to home country |
| Routine Physical Examinations | Up to EUR 940, GBP 750 or USD 1,275 each policy year (after 10-month waiting period) | Not specifically covered |
| Preventive Screening Examinations | Included in health screening benefit | Not specifically covered |
| Telehealth Consultations | Global Virtual Care with access to international doctors | Global Virtual Care with access to international doctors |
| Extreme Sports | Not covered (professional sports and activities with “blatant disregard for personal safety” excluded) | Not covered (professional sports and activities with “blatant disregard for personal safety” excluded) |
| Dental Coverage | Accident-related dental treatment only | Accident-related dental treatment only |
| Vision Coverage | Not specifically mentioned | Not specifically mentioned |
| Mental Support Coverage | Included in outpatient coverage – up to 15 consultations with psychiatrists, psychologists and psychotherapists each policy year | Covered for inpatient and daypatient treatment when medically necessary |
| Vaccinations | Up to EUR 250, GBP 200 or USD 340 each policy year | Not specifically mentioned |
Unique and Special Plan Features
24/7 Customer Service
Both plans provide 24/7 healthcare advice, support, and assistance by medically trained professionals who understand your situation. They can help with general medical information, finding local facilities, arranging second opinions, and emergency assistance.
Prepaid payment card provided by the insurer
Information not available in the provided documentation.
Mobile App
Access to MembersWorld online portal and mobile app, allowing you to submit claims, view policy documents, access digital membership cards, and track claim progress. The app also provides access to the Global Virtual Care telehealth service.
Medical Case Management Service
Second medical opinion service available from a team of international specialists who review your case and provide recommendations. This virtual service offers reassurance and confidence in your diagnosis or treatment plan.
Other unique features
- Partnership with Blue Cross Blue Shield Global providing access to their extensive provider network, especially valuable for those with U.S. coverage
- Wellbeing services including health resources and content
- Option to add family members to your plan, including newborns
- Obesity surgery coverage after 24-month waiting period (subject to medical criteria)
Plan Rules
Minimum and Maximum Acceptance Age
Information not available in the provided documentation.
Plan is for individuals who live away from their home country for how long
The plans are designed for globally mobile individuals who need international coverage. No specific minimum time away from home country is mentioned.
Geographic Zones of Coverage
Select Health Plan: Three options – Worldwide, Worldwide excluding the U.S., and Europe.
Major Medical Health Plan: Two options – Worldwide and Worldwide excluding the U.S.
Coverage in my home country
Coverage is available in your home country within your selected geographic zone. However, the policy may terminate if you become a permanent resident of the U.S. or if local laws prohibit coverage.
Minimum duration of policy
The policy lasts for one year and can be renewed annually.
Plan cancellation policy
The policyholder can cancel the entire policy at any time, which will end coverage for everyone, or cancel coverage for a specific dependent. The change takes effect 14 days after notification, and claims for treatment after the policy ends will not be paid.
Can they exclude my new health conditions at renewal time?
Bupa Global states they will not add any new personal restrictions or exclusions to your renewed policy. However, if you move to a different health plan, they may add new personal restrictions or exclusions.
The Claim Process
When do I need to pre-approve medical expenses, and when I don’t
Pre-authorization required for:
- Staying overnight in hospital
- Visiting hospital as a day-patient
- Cancer treatment
- Advanced imaging (MRI, CT, PET)
- Rehabilitation
- Transportation/travel
- Any treatment listed in the Table of Benefits as requiring pre-authorization
Pre-authorization not required for:
- Emergency treatment (though the hospital should contact Bupa within 48 hours of admission)
- Most outpatient consultations and treatments
Deductible and Cost-Share Options
Select Health Plan:
- Out-patient day-to-day care deductible options: No deductible OR EUR 330, GBP 250, USD 425 OR EUR 625, GBP 500, USD 850 OR EUR 1,250, GBP 1,000, USD 1,700
- All other benefits deductible options: No deductible OR EUR 625, GBP 500, USD 850 OR EUR 1,250, GBP 1,000, USD 1,700 OR EUR 2,500, GBP 2,000, USD 3,400 OR EUR 6,250, GBP 5,000, USD 8,500
Major Medical Health Plan:
Standard deductible of EUR 6,250, GBP 5,000, USD 8,500 with options for: No deductible OR
EUR 625, GBP 500, USD 850 OR EUR 1,250, GBP 1,000, USD 1,700 OR EUR 2,500, GBP 2,000,
USD 3,400
Pros & Cons
Insurer Details
Plan Name: Select Global Health Plan and Major Medical Global Health Plan
Who is the insurer? Bupa Global Designated Activity Company (Bupa Global DAC)
Insurer’s Country: Ireland (registered office in Dublin)
Insurance Plan main website: https://bupaglobal.com/
