SafetyWing Nomad Health Overview – Worth The Extra Cost?


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SafetyWing are known for their budget-friendly and flexible travel health insurance offerings. Their new Nomad Health offering ups the price, but in turn provides a far more comprehensive offering for digital nomads and travelers alike.

In this article, I’ll break down the new Nomad Health plan – covering both the Standard and Premium options. Whether you currently living and working in Bali, Buenos Aires, or Berlin, you can rest assured that you’ll have access to healthcare!

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SafetyWing’s Nomad Health vs. Nomad Insurance – What’s the Difference?

You might know SafetyWing as a travel medical insurance provider for digital nomads and remote workers – Nomad Insurance. However, SafetyWing just launched a new and innovative product – Nomad Health. It’s global health insurance specially crafted for remote workers and digital nomads.

Nomad Insurance vs Nomad Health comparisons.
A quick comparison between SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance and Nomad Health services.

SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance and Nomad Health services cater to the needs of global travelers but with distinct offerings. While Nomad Insurance provides travel and incident medical coverage for digital nomads, ensuring they’re protected during short-term trips or while hopping between countries, Nomad Health is a more comprehensive global health insurance tailored for those seeking longer-term health coverage, no matter where they reside. In essence, Nomad Insurance is ideal for those on the move, whereas Nomad Health is designed for sustained overseas living.

Are you planning a short-term stay? Check out SafetyWing’s Nomad Insurance for a lower-cost travel medical insurance option for digital nomads and remote workers.

So can’t you just buy travel insurance? Travel insurance works well for short trips, covering things like missed flights or lost luggage, and can also include some medical emergencies. If you’re only “nomading” for a short time, travel insurance might be enough. Before hitting the road, check out our comparison of top travel insurance providers for digital nomads & freelancers.

But what about those dreamy, prolonged travels or work stints overseas? This is where standard travel insurance may fall short. If you’re living abroad for an extended period, health insurance, which covers extensive and regular medical needs, is more fitting.

Wondering what international health insurance is? International health insurance for digital nomads and remote workers is a specialized type of coverage tailored to meet the needs of individuals who work and live outside of their home country for extended periods. Unlike traditional health insurance which might be country-specific, or typical travel insurance which is meant for short-term trips, global health insurance is designed with the transient and mobile nature of the digital nomad lifestyle in mind.

What Is SafetyWing’s Nomad Health?

Key features of SafetyWing’s Nomad Health include:

You’re covered in 175+ countries, including full coverage in your home country.

You can buy this health insurance while being abroad and keep moving to new countries as long as you’d like.

Any licensed professional can treat you at any clinic or hospital, private or public.

Hospitals receive direct payments for scheduled or expensive treatment. In other cases, if your claim is approved, you’ll get your money back in 7 to 15 business days.

The customer support team is available 24/7, no matter where you are.

You can get access to additional benefits such as dental, vision, maternity, and wellness.

SafetyWing’s Nomad Health is health insurance with worldwide coverage including your home country plus coverage for pandemics. It’s tailored for remote workers and digital nomads who spend a lot of time abroad or live abroad long-term.

SafetyWing’s Nomad Health is not travel insurance – it’s a comprehensive global health insurance crafted especially for modern professionals. Understanding the unique challenges and unpredictability they face, this product offers a blend of wide-ranging medical coverage with the flexibility of global travel, i.e. wherever life (& work) takes you.

Moving beyond the limitations of traditional travel or medical insurance, Nomad Health global health insurance offers extensive medical benefits, encompassing everything from unexpected hospital stays to outpatient care, diagnostic test services, and some routine medical procedures (especially the Premium Plan).

What sets it apart is its innate understanding of the unpredictable nature of a nomad’s life. Recognizing the fluidity with which this modern workforce operates, the insurance offers flexibility both in terms of duration and payments, allowing policies to be easily extended if an adventure calls for it. Furthermore, it acknowledges the importance of choice, granting you the freedom to seek treatment wherever you feel most comfortable, be it a bustling city hospital or a quiet private clinic.

Who is SafetyWing’s Nomad Health for?

Long-term travelers, digital nomads, freelancers, and online business owners living abroad – those planning to immerse themselves in a new locale for a year or more, seeking both broader emergency and more regular care coverage.

Nomad Health Standard & Premium Plan

SafetyWing’s Nomad Health offers two plans: Standard and Premium. Both plans cover your medical needs worldwide, including in your home country, and allow you to choose any licensed professional at any clinic or hospital. However, there are some substantial differences between both options you should keep in mind before making your choice.

The Premium Plan offers more robust coverage including dental, vision, and maternity benefits.

The main differences between the Standard and Premium plans are:

The Premium plan offers the additional benefit of dental coverage for routine care such as check-ups, fillings, etc., or more complex care like repairing or receiving new crowns, dentures, or inlays. The Standard plan doesn’t offer any dental coverage.

The Premium plan offers coverage for eye exams, standard lens enhancement, and contact lenses (instead of eyeglasses) once every 12 months or frames once every 24 months, while the Standard plan doesn’t.

Only the Premium plan covers routine health checks including cancer screening, cardiovascular and basic vital signs exams, as well as all basic immunization and booster injections (COVID-19 vaccines aren’t included).

The Premium plan covers medically necessary costs incurred during pregnancy and childbirth up to $7,500 (with a 20% co-insurance) including pre- and post-natal check-ups for up to 30 days following discharge.

The Premium plan has a higher monthly fee than the Standard plan. The fee depends on your age group, coverage area, and payment frequency (discounts for annual payments compared to monthly payments).

Always choose health insurance tailored to your needs, travel and life destinations, and budget. Read the policy’s fine print, so you know exactly what’s covered (and what’s not). Travel smart and safe!

You can compare the plans in more detail below.

Quick Comparison of Nomad Health Plan Options

SafetyWing’s
Nomad Health
Standard Plan
For Age Group
18-39
Premium Plan
For Age Group
18-39
Price per month$123$238
Age limitUp to 74 yoUp to 74 yo
Geographical coverWorldwide;
or Worldwide
excluding
US/SG/HK*
Worldwide;
or Worldwide
excluding
US/SG/HK*
Worldwide coverage
(per policy year)
$1,500,000$1,500,000
Outpatient$5000$5000
Outpatient
co-insurance
10%0%
Dental No$1500
Vision No$500
Screenings & vaccinesNo$500
MaternityNo$7500 / 20%
co-insurance
(10-month
waiting period)

*Worldwide excluding US/SG/HK means that coverage in the United States, Singapore, and Hong Kong is only available when traveling there, for up to 30 days per trip. No restrictions for traveling anywhere else. You choose the geographical area of coverage when signing the insurance policy.

Quick Overview of Nomad Health Coverage Details

Nomad Health
Coverage Details
LimitsNomad Health
Coverage Details
Limits
Standard private
hospital room
Full refundEmergency ground ambulanceFull refund
Adult companion accommodation
(related to the hospitalization
of a child under age 18)
Full refundNurse care at
home up to 60 days
Full refund
Intensive care unitFull refundRehabilitation and
specialized treatments
Up to $500,000
Cancer tests and treatmentFull refundExternal prosthesisUp to $1,000
Inpatient prescription medicationFull refundIntensive care unitFull refund
Passive war and terrorismFull refundRenal failure
and dialysis
Full refund
Evacuation and repatriationUp to $100,000Organ transplantsFull refund
Durable medical equipmentUp to $1,500Surgery for
day patient
or outpatient
Up to $500,000
Inpatient surgeryFull refund10 outpatient
psychiatric visits
Up to $5,000
(Standard Plan)
Full refund (Premium)
Reconstructive surgeryFull refundPalliative careUp to $50,000

Exclusions of Nomad Health

SafetyWing’s Nomad Health Policy excludes coverage for services, expenses, treatments, causes, and complications related to (including but not limited to):

  • Active duty, war, and disturbances,
  • The participation of more than 1 medical or surgical assistant or instrumentalist in a surgery,
  • Administrative and non-medical fees,
  • Aesthetic treatments,
  • Professional sports.

Please carefully read the relevant policy documents and the insurer’s terms and conditions before purchasing any insurance products. This article is for informational purposes only and doesn’t constitute financial or legal advice. Here you’ll find Nomad Health’s Standard Plan full policy and the Premium Plan full policy.

Main Benefits of Nomad Health

Global coverage.

Affordability (For Age Group 18-39: $123 – Standard Plan and $238 – Premium Plan).

Customizable plans (Standard Plan and Premium Plan), flexible geographical coverage, and purchase options (before or during your trip).

24/7 support in all time zones.

Flexible payments: annually or monthly (with a 10% increase).

Easy signup process.

Renewability: the coverage has a duration period of 12 months and could be renewed for the same period of time.

Straightforward claims process.

Option to see any licensed practitioner at any clinic or hospital, whether private or public.

Sign up to SafetyWing’s Nomad Health for access to affordable and reliable global health insurance for long-term travelers, digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, and online business owners living abroad.

FAQs – Insurance for Digital Nomads and Remote Workers

What is nomad insurance?

Nomad insurance is a type of insurance specifically designed for individuals who live and work outside of their home country, particularly digital nomads, remote workers, freelancers, and online business owners.

There are several types of categories of nomad insurance on the market such as travel insurance, travel medical insurance, health insurance, and more. The main difference between them is the scope of coverage they provide. Always choose insurance based on your individual needs and preferences.

Traditional health insurance isn’t always suited to digital nomads as it usually ties you to one specific country. Additionally, unlike traditional travel insurance, which might only cover short-term trips, nomad insurance is geared towards those who are on the move for extended periods or who may not even have a fixed ‘home’ address.

If you’re going to a country that doesn’t ask for travel insurance, getting it can still be a very clever move! It can cover things like late flights, canceled trips, lost bags, and medical costs, depending on the policy. Learn why you need travel insurance and how to choose the best travel insurance for digital nomads & freelancers.

Do digital nomads need health insurance?

Digital nomads and other individuals can be legally required to have valid health insurance depending on the regulations in the country of their current residence.

However, even if in your case it isn’t a legal requirement to have health insurance, it is highly recommended. As a digital nomad, remote worker, freelancer, or online business owner living abroad or being often on the move, you might be exposed to different environments, diseases, and risks. Having international health insurance ensures you have access to medical care no matter where you are in the world.

Medical expenses, especially in emergencies or countries with high healthcare costs, can be exorbitant without global health insurance. Accordingly, having an international health insurance plan tailored to your nomadic lifestyle ensures you are covered during your travels and living abroad, and can provide peace of mind.

Does travel insurance cover you for health?

Travel insurance primarily covers trip-related incidents, such as trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost baggage, missed connections, etc. However, travel medical insurance can include coverage for health-related incidents that occur while you are traveling. This can encompass a range of situations, such as accidents, illnesses, hospital stays, and emergency evacuations. The extent of the coverage varies depending on the policy.

It’s crucial to note that travel medical insurance is often designed for short-term trips, so the health coverage is geared towards emergencies rather than ongoing medical care or check-ups. Some policies might also exclude pre-existing conditions or have limitations on coverage amounts. You should always read the fine print and understand what is and isn’t covered before purchasing a policy. If you’re living abroad or planning longer stays and moving from country to country, specialized global health insurance for digital nomads might be more suitable than standard travel insurance.


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