As an expat in China, there are several health insurance options when traveling overseas. Two typical choices are international health insurance and international travel insurance.
Are you an expat working in China looking to stay secure outside of China? In this article, we will cover the various health insurance options available to you, how they differ, and how to decide which plan makes the most sense for your situation.

Living abroad in China often involves travel, whether returning home to see family or visiting nearby countries. In these cases, international coverage helps maintain security while away from China.
An insurance plan in China usually does not apply once you leave the country. Global coverage provides protection during trips for work or leisure, reducing the risk of unexpected medical expenses overseas.
An international health insurance plan is the most direct way to ensure coverage while you travel overseas. International health insurance in China typically covers both routine and emergency medical needs, ensuring expats are protected not only within China but also abroad.
In China, there are cases where employers will offer international policies to expatriate employees to keep them covered during their travels. If your employer doesn’t offer international coverage for your benefits, an alternative option is to secure your own private international health insurance.
Securing your own international policy can not only ensure coverage overseas but also act as a supplement to the policy provided by your employer. International health insurance coverage often includes hospitalization, outpatient care, preventive services, and medical evacuation.
For expats in China looking to secure their own international health insurance, MSH International, AXA Tianping, and Cigna are some of the major international health insurance providers in the country. They offer expats comprehensive coverage, customizable benefits, and flexible payment options.
International travel insurance is designed to protect expats during short-term trips outside of China. Unlike international health insurance, which offers ongoing medical coverage, travel insurance focuses on specific journeys and provides financial protection against unexpected events.
Travel insurance policies often include coverage for emergency medical treatment abroad, trip cancellations, lost luggage, and delays. For expats in China, this type of insurance is especially useful when visiting nearby countries or returning home for holidays.
Expats in China often travel abroad, whether to visit family, attend business meetings, or explore nearby Asian destinations. With frequent trips, reliable travel insurance becomes essential for peace of mind and protection.
If you’re looking for a health insurance plan to stay insured in China, Pacific Prime can help you. With over 25 years of experience, we help expats compare plans, secure pre-authorization, arrange cashless access where possible, and ensure coverage aligns with your needs and budget.
Contact us today to learn more about insurance and discover your options!
Disclaimer: Pacific Prime solely represents, operates and manages locally regulated insurance products and services in the territory of PR China. Any references to Pacific Prime Global Company or Group, the international services, insurance products or otherwise stated written or verbally, is for introduction purposes about our overseas network only as each entity is fully independent.