Your expat insurance questions, answered

You're covered Worldwide Excluding the USA — meaning treatment is covered in every country across Asia, the Gulf, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Oceania, and your home country (provided it isn't the United States).

Within your area of cover you have open choice of hospital, so you're not tied to a restricted network — you can choose the facility that suits you best.

Yes. These plans are written for people on the move: expats, retirees, remote workers, digital nomads and international families. A permanent residential address is not required.

At application we'll ask for a country of residence (where you currently spend most of your time) and a correspondence address for documents — this can be a postal address, a virtual mailbox, or a long-term accommodation address. If your situation is unusual, speak to a specialist before applying and we'll work it out.

You can be treated in any country except the United States. Coverage is Worldwide Excluding the USA, which spans Asia, the Gulf, Europe, Africa, Latin America, Oceania, and your home country (provided it isn't the US).

Inside your area of cover you have open choice of hospital, so you can pick the facility that suits you best — whether that's Bumrungrad in Bangkok, Mount Elizabeth in Singapore, Gleneagles in Penang, or Cleveland Clinic in Dubai.

Yes, as long as your home country sits inside the area of cover you selected. Most expats choose Worldwide Excluding USA, which covers trips home everywhere apart from the United States.

On a trip home, treatment during your stay is covered just as it would be anywhere else in your area. If you plan to move back for good, tell us, as the policy may need adjusting.

Yes. Cancer treatment is covered on all plan tiers, but the limit varies:

• Major Medical, Standard, Comprehensive — up to US$20,000 oncology benefit
• Fully Comprehensive — full cover for chemotherapy, radiotherapy, surgery, and specialist treatment

Cancer is among the most expensive and most frequent reasons expats make large claims. Where cancer cover is a priority, the Fully Comprehensive plan gives the strongest protection. See the plan comparison for full details.

Dental cover is included on the higher plan tiers:

• Comprehensive — Emergency & Major Dental
• Fully Comprehensive — Emergency, Major and Routine Dental

Dental treatment is not included on the Major Medical and Standard plans. Check the plan comparison to see exactly what each tier includes.

Yes, depending on your plan:

• Major Medical — inpatient only, no outpatient cover
• Standard — up to US$32,000 outpatient
• Comprehensive — up to US$54,000 outpatient
• Fully Comprehensive — full outpatient cover

Outpatient cover takes in GP visits, specialist consultations, diagnostics, scans, blood tests and prescribed medication. For anyone who sees a doctor regularly, it earns its cost.

No — pre-existing conditions are excluded. Any medical condition you have, or have had, before your policy starts is not covered.

Always declare pre-existing conditions when you apply. Leaving one out can mean a claim is refused later. If you are unsure whether something counts as pre-existing, ask a specialist before the policy is taken out.

Global Security Benefits are included free on every plan and provide support for situations that are typically excluded by standard health insurance, including:

• Acts of terrorism
• Hijacking and hostage situations
• Civil unrest and political violence
• Crisis response and emergency evacuation in high-risk events

It is an unusual benefit, aimed at expats and professionals working in regions where these risks are real. It is activated through the same 24-hour assistance helpline used for medical emergencies.

It depends on the type of treatment:

• Inpatient (hospital admissions, surgery, ICU): we use direct billing wherever possible. Once a Guarantee of Payment (GOP) is issued, the insurer settles the approved bill directly with the hospital — you don't need to find the funds upfront.
• Outpatient (GP visits, specialists, diagnostics): these are typically paid by you at the time of treatment, then claimed back via reimbursement. Keep all invoices and medical reports.

For a step-by-step walkthrough of both processes, see How to Claim.

Get treatment first. Don't delay care to make insurance arrangements — go to the nearest appropriate hospital or call local emergency services.

As soon as you, a family member, or a friend can do so, contact the 24/7 multilingual helpline. The assistance team will:

• Liaise with the treating hospital
• Issue a Guarantee of Payment where they can, so direct billing applies
• Arrange medical evacuation where local treatment is not suitable
• Keep you and your family updated throughout

The process runs in four simple steps:

• 1. Get your treatment — inform Regency's team of your situation (or proceed straight to your medical facility for outpatient care).
• 2. Gather your documents — medical reports, admission notes, receipts, and invoices.
• 3. Complete the claims form — print, fill in, and have your doctor complete their section.
• 4. Email Regency's team — send the form along with all supporting documents.

Full step-by-step instructions and the official claims form are on the How to Claim page.

Yes. As with every insurance policy, some conditions and treatments are excluded. The usual ones are:

• Pre-existing conditions that were not declared and accepted at underwriting
• Cosmetic and aesthetic procedures
• Self-inflicted injuries
• Treatment resulting from drug or alcohol misuse
• Experimental or unproven treatments
• Anything above your plan's annual limit or its sub-limits
• Deductibles and co-payments, where they apply

The full list of exclusions is in the policy wording sent with your quote. Always read it carefully before purchase, and ask a specialist if anything is unclear.