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Health insurance in Ghana for expats is not a “nice to have.” If you are a digital nomad, expat, or long-term traveler, medical insurance abroad becomes real the moment you need a doctor, a prescription, a specialist visit, or an emergency evacuation. This guide explains how international coverage works, compares 7 providers, and includes a Ghana-specific deep dive so you can choose coverage that matches your real lifestyle.
Table of Contents
Why Your Normal Insurance Probably Won’t Cut It
This is the most common misconception among first-time expats and nomads. Most domestic health insurance policies – whether from an employer or a government marketplace – are geographically restricted. They may cover emergency care abroad, but only for brief periods, and the reimbursement processes are often painful. They won’t cover routine checkups, ongoing medications, dental cleanings, or specialist visits in your host country.
For Americans specifically, domestic plans typically don’t fulfill the Affordable Care Act requirement if you’re living outside the U.S., and Medicare doesn’t cover care abroad at all. Once you’ve been living abroad for several months, you’re effectively uninsured for all practical purposes – even if you’re still paying premiums.
The Three Main Coverage Categories
Not all international health coverage is the same. Understanding these three tiers will save you from buying the wrong product for your situation.
I. Travel Insurance
Designed for short-term trips. Covers emergencies: trip cancellations, delays, lost luggage, and acute medical situations. Most policies cap out at 90-180 days and require you to maintain residency in your home country. Not intended for routine care or long-term living abroad.
II. Nomad / Travel Medical Insurance
A step up – designed for location-independent workers and long-term travelers. Rolling monthly subscriptions, no fixed end date, available even after you’ve left home. Affordable but typically excludes routine care, pre-existing conditions, and meaningful mental health coverage.
III. International Health Insurance
The gold standard for anyone living abroad long-term. True primary healthcare coverage – routine checkups, specialist visits, prescriptions, mental health, maternity, dental (often as an add-on), and emergencies. More expensive, but for people settled in another country for a year or more, it’s the right tool for the job.
Key Factors When Choosing a Plan
Many plans exclude the United States due to dramatically higher healthcare costs. If you’re American and plan to return home occasionally, ensure your plan includes U.S. coverage or budget for a separate supplemental plan during visits.
Most standard policies exclude pre-existing conditions or impose waiting periods. A handful of providers – including IMG Global and certain PassportCard/DavidShield plans – cover them at higher premiums.
Non-negotiable in countries with limited hospital infrastructure. Evacuation coverage ensures that in a serious emergency, you can be airlifted to the nearest adequate facility or repatriated home. In West Africa, this is a life-saving provision.
Budget plans often cover emergencies only. If you want to see a doctor for a minor illness, fill prescriptions regularly, or access mental health support, you need a plan covering outpatient care.
Higher deductibles mean lower monthly premiums. If you’re young and healthy, a higher deductible plan saves significant money. Just ensure the deductible is manageable if the worst happens.
Check whether your plan covers you during home visits and for how long. SafetyWing’s Essential plan, for example, covers your home country for up to 30 days per 90-day period (15 days for U.S. residents).
In an emergency abroad, bureaucracy is the last thing you need. Look for direct billing networks (insurer pays the hospital directly), 24-hour multilingual support, and digital claims submission.
Top Insurance Providers Compared
SafetyWing
Founded by digital nomads, for digital nomads. Their flagship Nomad Insurance operates on a subscription model – you pay every 28 days and can cancel anytime. Uniquely, it can be purchased after you’ve already left home, making it a safety net for travelers who forgot to plan ahead.
Cigna Global
Widely regarded as one of the premier international health insurance providers for expats. Their network includes over 2 million healthcare providers across 200 countries. Plans are highly modular – build your policy from a Silver, Gold, or Platinum base and add outpatient care, mental health, dental, vision, and maternity. Annual limits start at $1,000,000.
Genki
Founded in 2018 and launched insurance products commercially around 2021, Genki quickly built a strong reputation – particularly among Europeans. Their Traveler plan (travel insurance) and Native plan (full international health insurance) cover a wide range of scenarios. The Native plan includes prescriptions, mental health, and maternity, with freedom to visit any licensed doctor worldwide. Pricing starts around €52-€63/month for those in their 20s-30s. Backed by established European insurers including Allianz Partners and Barmenia/Squarelife.
Allianz Care
Ideal for expats who want a globally recognized, financially strong insurer with a simplified all-in-one approach. A vast direct billing network and strong digital tools make managing claims and accessing health resources straightforward. Plans are less modular than Cigna’s but easier to understand and navigate – a trade-off many families prefer.
IMG Global
IMG Global offers four tiers of private international health insurance, covers pre-existing conditions (a rare feature), and allows you to visit any doctor or hospital with no network restrictions. It’s focused purely on medical coverage – you’d pair it with a separate travel insurance product for trip cancellation and baggage protection.
World Nomads
World Nomads has been around since 2002 and is a popular choice for people who want solid travel medical coverage alongside adventure sports protection. Policies are single-trip based with fixed end dates, which makes them less suitable for true long-term nomads, but for the dedicated traveler spending a year hiking, diving, and exploring, the adventure coverage is hard to beat. Note that EU residents may face some restrictions.
Insured Nomads
Insured Nomads offers a thoughtful combination of travel and health insurance. Plans include global employee assistance programs (mental health, legal, crisis support), airport lounge access during delays, and a security app for local risk tracking. Plans are available to all nationalities, and their Trustpilot score is consistently strong – users report fast claims and transparent communication.
A Special Note for Those Moving to Ghana
An increasingly popular destination for digital nomads, diaspora returnees, NGO professionals, and remote workers – Accra in particular has developed a growing private healthcare sector alongside a functioning public health system. But healthcare delivery, payment expectations, and insurance acceptance differ meaningfully from North America and Western Europe. Planning your coverage properly is not optional. It is foundational.
Understanding Ghana’s Healthcare System
Ghana’s healthcare system operates under a mixed public-private model regulated by the Ministry of Health. In 2003, Ghana introduced the National Health Insurance Scheme (NHIS) under Act 650, later consolidated under Act 852. The NHIS provides access to a defined package of services including outpatient consultations, basic laboratory diagnostics, malaria treatment, maternity care, and selected inpatient services. Legal residents – including foreign nationals with valid residency permits – may register through district offices upon payment of annual premiums and submission of required documentation.
NHIS – Defined Limitations for Expats
The NHIS does not cover all specialized procedures. High-cost medications and advanced diagnostics may be excluded. Many private hospitals accept NHIS only for limited services or not at all, and reimbursement rates are standardized and may not align with private market pricing. For expats, NHIS may function as a supplementary layer – it is not structured to replace comprehensive private or international health insurance.
Public Hospitals and Teaching Facilities
Ghana’s public system spans multiple tiers, from community health posts to regional hospitals and national teaching institutions. The two largest referral centers are Korle-Bu Teaching Hospital and Komfo Anokye Teaching Hospital – both provide advanced services including surgery, trauma care, cardiology, and specialist referrals, and serve as national training and referral centers.
Public hospitals are capable of managing a wide range of medical conditions. However, patients may encounter high volumes, extended wait times, and resource variability depending on department and region. Accra and Kumasi offer the most comprehensive capabilities.
See what our community thinks are the best hospitals.
Private Healthcare in Ghana
Private facilities are concentrated primarily in Accra – particularly in Airport Residential Area, Cantonments, and East Legon. Recognized private institutions include Nyaho Medical Centre, Lister Hospital, and The Bank Hospital. These facilities typically provide shorter wait times, modern diagnostic equipment, English-speaking staff, and direct billing arrangements with selected international insurers.
For routine care, minor surgeries, maternity services, and many specialist consultations, private hospitals in Accra provide standards comparable to mid-tier private facilities internationally.
When Is Medical Evacuation Necessary?
Ghana can manage most routine and moderately complex medical conditions locally, especially within Accra. Evacuation becomes relevant in high-complexity cases – specifically those involving highly specialized oncology treatment, organ transplantation, certain complex neurosurgical procedures, or advanced sub-specialty pediatric care. Common evacuation destinations include South Africa, parts of Europe, and occasionally the United Arab Emirates.
Medical evacuation is not required for the majority of medical issues. But because air ambulance services can cost tens of thousands of dollars depending on urgency and distance, policies with clearly defined evacuation coverage are strongly recommended for long-term foreign residents.
Insurance Acceptance and Payment Structure
In Ghana’s private sector, upfront payment is common. International insurers are recognized at larger private hospitals, subject to verification. Before relocating, confirm three things with your insurer:
- Direct Billing: Does your insurer offer direct billing arrangements with hospitals in Ghana, or will you be required to pay upfront and claim reimbursement?
- Evacuation Coverage: Is medical evacuation included, and to which destinations? South Africa and Europe are the most common for complex cases.
- Outpatient & Prescriptions: Are outpatient care, specialist visits, and prescription medications covered – or only inpatient and emergency events?
Recommended International Providers for Ghana
Cigna Global, Allianz Care, AXA, Bupa Global, PassportCard
All are commonly recognized at larger private hospitals in Accra, subject to verification. Local Ghanaian insurers typically provide domestic-only coverage without international portability or evacuation benefits – if you plan to travel frequently from Ghana, an international plan is the clear choice.
What Coverage Structure Makes Sense?
Many long-term expats in Ghana use a layered approach: international insurance for major events and evacuation, out-of-pocket payment for minor routine care, and optional NHIS enrollment for supplementary access. The right structure depends on your health profile, risk tolerance, and duration of stay. But if you’re relocating for a year or more, comprehensive international health insurance with outpatient care and evacuation is the baseline, not an upgrade.
Malaria and Tropical Health Considerations
Ghana is malaria-endemic. Consult a travel medicine physician before relocating and confirm your insurance covers malaria diagnosis and treatment. Keep digital and physical copies of your insurance details accessible at all times.
Vaccines
Required for Entry
Strongly Recommended
Typhoid
Hepatitis A
Hepatitis B
Meningococcal
Routine vaccines
How to Choose the Right Plan for You
Short-Term Travelers – Under 3 Months
A travel insurance or travel medical plan is sufficient. Prioritize emergency medical and evacuation coverage, and confirm your destination is covered.
Digital Nomads – 3-12 Months, No Fixed Base
A nomad-specific subscription plan like SafetyWing Essential or Genki Traveler offers the best flexibility. If you have ongoing medical needs, step up to their comprehensive annual plans.
Expats – Settling Long-Term in One Country (1+ Years)
International health insurance from Cigna Global, Allianz Care, or IMG Global is the right choice. Budget for outpatient coverage – emergencies alone won’t be enough.
Expats Moving to Ghana Specifically
International health insurance with outpatient care and medical evacuation is strongly recommended. Don’t rely on NHIS. Choose a provider with a large Africa network, and ensure evacuation to South Africa or Europe is included.
Families
Look for strong maternity coverage, pediatric care, and family discount structures. Allianz Care and PassportCard/DavidShield offer well-regarded family options.
Approximate Monthly Costs at a Glance
Pricing varies significantly based on age, nationality, coverage level, and whether U.S. coverage is included. As a rough benchmark for adults aged 18-39:
| Provider & Plan | Approx. Monthly Cost | Notes |
|---|---|---|
| SafetyWing Essential | ~$56 | Emergency-focused; 28-day subscription |
| SafetyWing Complete | ~$150.50 / ~$135 annually | Full coverage; annual commitment required |
| Genki Traveler | ~€52-€64 | Age-sensitive pricing; EU-regulated |
| Cigna Global Silver | $150-$350+ | Excludes U.S.; varies by age and options |
| Allianz Care | Quote-based | Comparable to Cigna at similar tiers |
| IMG Global | Quote-based | Competitive with Cigna; covers pre-existing |
| Bupa Global | $200-$500+ | Higher end; varies significantly by age |
Final Takeaways
Medical insurance for international living is one of those topics that feels abstract until it isn’t. A surgery, an accident, a serious illness in a country without your healthcare network – these aren’t hypothetical scenarios. They happen to nomads and expats every year.
The right insurance is the one that matches your lifestyle honestly: how long you’ll be abroad, whether you need routine care, how often you’ll be moving, and what your financial exposure would be in a worst-case medical scenario. For those heading to Ghana, the calculus is particularly clear – private coverage with evacuation is not optional, it’s essential.
Do your research, read the fine print, and don’t let the complexity of the process push you toward no coverage at all. The math is not hard.
Disclaimer
Always verify coverage terms directly with providers and consult a licensed insurance broker for personalized guidance.
Pricing and plan details are accurate as of early 2025 and subject to change.
