1. Increased demand for international quality private care

Many of the locations which ranked highest for international health insurance costs, are also the most popular expat destinations. These locations have seen an increase in demand for healthcare which is on a par to that of an expat’s home country.
Local populations, whose wealth is increasing, are also driving the demand for better quality healthcare and insurance to cover it.


2. Increased cost of health care

Possibly the largest influencer of the cost of international health insurance is the increasing cost of health care. This is corroborated by Pacific Primes Individual Private Medical Insurance Inflation Report which found that the major driver behind premium inflation is in fact the cost of health care.

3. Increased regulation
Increased implementation of health insurance regulations in many countries is impacting the cost of health insurance and the products offered.
Regulations in some countries, such as the UAE, are significantly impacting premiums as minimum health insurance coverage is being mandated for the likes of pre-existing conditions and maternity both of which are incredibly costly.

4. Continuing challenges related to fraud
Healthcare fraud is extremely common, and the evidence would suggest that it is increasing globally. In a 2014 report, BDO found that, “Since 2008, global average fraud and error losses in healthcare have risen 25% from 5.59% of expenditure to 6.99% [in 2014].”
While insurance providers take measures to reduce fraud, the rising incidence of fraud globally is inevitably having an impact on the cost of international health insurance.