Employer guide · Group medical costs
International Group Medical Insurance Pricing
International group medical insurance pricing starts with the people you want to cover and the benefits you request. Give each insurer the same employee census, which is the list of people to be insured. Set out the countries where staff live and need treatment. Include eligible dependants, then request the underwriting terms with the premium. Group size can affect the offer. Each insurer sets its own rules. To compare cost per employee, divide the annual group premium by the number of employees. To compare cost per insured person, include dependants in that count. Keep the annual benefit limits and the amount members pay towards claims beside each price. An independent broker can help employers collect these details and request comparable quotes. The checklist below gives you a way to prepare that request and review the replies.
What should an employer include in a pricing request?
Set one common brief before you seek quotes. Use the insurer’s census template when requested and confirm the secure route for sending personal information.
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| Quote input | What to specify | What to check in the reply |
|---|---|---|
| People covered | Employee count and eligible dependants; ages or birth dates as requested. | The same people appear in every offer. |
| Location | Employer location, staff residence and required treatment countries. | Eligibility and the quoted area of cover. |
| Benefits | Required hospital cover and the optional benefits you want priced. | Annual limits, sublimits and exclusions. |
| Member costs | The deductible and cost share you want to compare. | Whether these apply to a person, a claim or a policy year. |
| Medical history | Request the underwriting basis for the group and new joiners. | Questionnaires, pre-existing condition terms and waiting periods. |
| Existing scheme | Current schedule and renewal date; claims information if requested and available. | Any condition attached to continuity of cover. |
| Payment | Currency, payment frequency and the proposed start date. | Total annual premium and itemised taxes or fees. |
The expat group benefits management guide helps you choose the benefits to put in this brief.
How group size affects underwriting: named examples
Check the rules for the product and employer location in your quote. These published examples show why the headcount alone cannot establish the terms for every insurer.
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| Product or scheme | Published rule | Question for your quote |
|---|---|---|
| Cigna Inspire | The page targets companies in Europe, Switzerland or the UK. Its FAQ gives a minimum of two employees and MHD quotes from five employees. Smaller groups receive a short moratorium. | Does this product accept our employer location, and which terms will apply to our group? |
| Allianz Care underwritten group scheme | Conditional MHD is described for five to nine employees. Each person completes a medical questionnaire, which the underwriting team reviews before it decides whether to offer MHD. | Has the insurer accepted the requested underwriting basis in writing? |
These examples describe underwriting rules. Request a quote to establish the price and product availability for your business.
What does medical history disregarded mean for the quote?
Medical history disregarded, or MHD, is an underwriting basis. Ask the insurer to state how it treats pre-existing conditions under the proposed contract. Read the benefit limits and general exclusions with that answer.
For a quote that requires medical details, confirm who must complete the forms and when the insurer will issue its decision. A moratorium needs a separate check of the qualifying period and its conditions. Allianz’s group guidance, for example, describes a continuous 24-month period with conditions about symptoms and care before a pre-existing condition can become eligible. Read the insurer’s full wording.
Calculate cost per employee on the same basis
Use total annual premium divided by employee count to calculate the employer’s average cost per employee. A separate calculation using all insured people gives cost per member. Label both figures clearly when dependants are covered.
Illustrative calculation: a group has 10 employees and 8 dependants. If its annual premium were 54,000 in one currency, the average would be 5,400 per employee or 3,000 per insured person. These are invented figures to explain the calculation. An insurer quote is required for an actual price.
Check that the total includes the same payment period and currency across offers. Ask for a breakdown of any additional charges. If employees contribute, confirm the permitted arrangement with the relevant local adviser before changing payroll deductions.
Review the cost of each benefit change
Ask for a quote using the current benefits, then request a separately priced change. Record what the member would pay if the deductible rose. If you change the area of cover, check each employee’s expected treatment locations.
For families, compare maternity and newborn terms separately. Review provider access for members who are receiving care. Give the insurer a chance to confirm each requested change before the employer chooses an option.
How to compare the renewal price
Request the renewal terms early enough to meet the insurer’s response deadline. Ask for an explanation of the price change, then identify changes in headcount or benefits. Compare the existing group on the same basis before you add planned hires.
If you consider a new insurer, use the group implementation and switching checklist to review continuity. For a household policy, use the international health insurance renewal checklist.
Broker support and direct insurer quotes
An insurer can explain and price its own offer. An independent broker can request options from several insurers and help you compare the replies. Ask which providers the broker can approach, how it is paid and who will support the scheme after it starts.
Elev8 Insurance helps employers review international group medical insurance. You can book an employer discussion to prepare a quote brief or request an existing-policy review before renewal.
Documents used in this guide
Source pages checked on September 6, 2026. Provider examples apply to the stated products. Your insurer’s written offer and policy documents determine your cover.
Published by Elev8 Insurance, an independent international insurance brokerage. Book a discussion to request advice for your circumstances.