If you are on vacation to another country and need emergency medical attention the vast majority of FEHB (federal health insurance) plans will cover it.
However, if you are overseas for an extended period of time very few FEHB plans cover normal (non-emergency) medical care in other countries.
If you are retiring abroad or simply just spending a lot of time in another country then these are the best health insurance options for you as a federal employee.
Country Specific
The first place to look for cost-effective health insurance is to the specific country you’ll be in.
Some countries have very good and cheap national health care programs. And in other countries paying cash is a great way to go.
These country-specific options can often be much cheaper than your FEHB options but vary widely from country to country.
FEHB Options
FEHB has 3 plans that have overseas coverage. However, since plans change every year that number could certainly change overtime.
Currently, these are the companies that offer coverage overseas:
Blue Cross Blue Shield (Available to everyone)
Compass Rose (Only for certain agencies)
Foreign Service Plan (Only for certain agencies)
Blue Cross Blue Shield
As the list above mentions, Blue Cross is one of the only FEHB companies that has overseas coverage and allows all federal employees to enroll.
Compass Rose
Compass Rose is only available to:
Intelligence Community
Department of State
Department of Defense
Department of Homeland Security
Department of Veterans Affairs
Foreign Service Plan
According to the Foreign Service Plan website “FSBP is open to the Foreign Service and all Federal Executive Branch employees who advance the nation’s foreign and intelligence affairs who serve at home or abroad.”
Step One
One of the best things to do to give you confidence in your health insurance choice is to talk to retirees that are already living in your country of choice.
They will know the ins and outs of what options are available and how things work in real life.
By doing your research beforehand you will enter retirement with more confidence about your options.
