Digital solutions are changing the face of international private medical insurance (IPMI).
Advances in technology and artificial intelligence (AI) have the power to drive down costs and provide more preventative healthcare solutions.
Notably, many insurers are focusing on digital-based offerings, including healthcare services, telemedicine and wellbeing apps which are increasingly common across the market.
But even amid this rise of the machines, it is clear product innovations must put human need at their centre to meet expats where they are today and into the future.
More fluid lifestyles
“We see much of this innovation as driven by shifting customer expectations and lifestyle patterns; the addressable market is now centred on global mobility and digital lifestyles,” Claire Hargreaves, managing director at Trawick International EMEAA, tells Health & Protection.
According to Hargreaves, Trawick’s customers are spending more time abroad, moving between countries more frequently, and relying on technology to support them wherever they are.
“People are moving between countries more fluidly and expect insurance that mirrors this flexibility. They want simple, borderless solutions that work anywhere,” she continues.
She identified long-standing pain points such as gaps in international care pathways, limited access to mental health and wellbeing support as being key areas to address.
This is all reflective of two key noteworthy trends – a clear upward movement towards products that are digitally focused and compliment how globally mobile people now live and a desire for more flexible work, Hargreaves adds.
She notes that products are no longer focused on just medical cover while modular, customisable plans are becoming more important.
Digital platforms and ecosystems
For Raymond Linnartz, UK and European sales director at UnitedHealthcare Global, clients want assurance.
“That means solutions that are proactive, data-driven and capable of delivering care and support in real time, no matter the location or complexity of the situation,” Linnartz explains.
“These products and innovations are solving critical challenges such as ensuring continuity of care across borders, managing medical evacuations from remote or high-risk areas and providing culturally competent mental health support.
“They also address the need for compliance with diverse regulatory environments and the protection of sensitive health data in an increasingly digital world.”
The insurer also adds it is investing in digital platforms that connect members to care and help them make informed health decisions.
Likewise for Joe Thomas, managing director of April International UK, the integration of digital health ecosystems is vital.
“Insurance offerings increasingly come bundled with telemedicine access, wellbeing apps and wearable connectivity, providing a preventative approach to care rather than simply covering treatment costs,” Thomas tells Health & Protection.
“We’re also seeing more solutions that remove friction from the claims process. These kinds of tools are rapidly elevating the customer experience.”
Amid rising medical inflation, Thomas has also observed a rise in more dynamic pricing models.
“This is where premiums are adjusted based on real time health data or engagement in preventive activities. This approach not only rewards healthy behaviour but also encourages greater personal accountability,” Thomas continues.
Demand vs cost management
But Linda Beavis, global leader – mobility, global benefits at Aon, maintains family-centred services are also in demand.
“I can say that we are seeing the market looking to expand their offerings to include family-building services and they are all looking at ways to add in additional services,” Beavis says.
“Ultimately they are all looking to problem solve employee demand and engagement versus cost management and that’s no easy task.”
But this is not the only area of support for clients exposed to cost pressures.
Lorna Friedman, senior partner of global lead health transformation at Mercer, points to a change in financing.
“The use of captives has increased significantly in recent years, with more than 100 multinational companies now using a captive to fund international benefits,” Friedman explains.
“This structure gives the firm more flexibility in design that aligns with business need and to respond to both gaps and strengths in public systems. It is another option in the portfolio to find savings without sacrificing the business need of a thriving workforce.
“Another example is subscription models such as Praava in Bangladesh. In 2019 only 2% of revenues came from employers; it is now almost 30%. There is also our partnership in Hong Kong offering prepaid pharmacy consultations accessible to employees and dependents which can be accessed outside traditional benefit eligibility.”
AI in prevention and management
But the most exciting developments for innovation in the sector seem to be coming from the world of AI, particularly in preventative care and health management.
Peter Lurie, director at Proactive Insurance, says: “Looking ahead to 2026 and beyond, the most exciting evolution will likely come from AI-powered predictive health tools and personalised digital triage, enabling insurers to anticipate needs, reduce claims costs, and deliver a truly proactive member experience – blending care, prevention, and protection seamlessly.”
Similarly, Sebastian Judez, global head of proposition and medical at Axa Global Healthcare, maintains that the future of international health insurance is moving towards personalisation, proactivity and intelligent automation – underpinned by more sophisticated forms of AI.
“We’re particularly excited about how emerging technologies will help people understand and manage their health in smarter, more intuitive ways,“ he says.
“Wearables, digital health trackers and AI-powered insights will play an increasingly important role in helping members identify issues earlier, make informed choices and take preventative action before problems arise.
“This means continuing to build on our wellbeing ecosystem and exploring how new technologies could deliver real-time guidance, personalised health insights and more seamless support.
“As these tools mature, they’ll help members make sense of their health data, understand risks more quickly and receive proactive nudges that genuinely make a difference to their wellbeing.”