On September 29, 2026, UnitedHealthcare Global (UHC Global) announced its withdrawal from the international private health insurance (IPMI) market in the Americas, Europe, Africa, and the Middle East. For HR professionals, the questions are practical: Which insurer will replace the policy, based on what criteria, and by what date?
The current policy remains in effect until its expiration date, and the company retains the freedom to choose its insurer. Mondassur, a specialist in international health insurance for over 20 years, offers policies designed for companies and expatriates, with coverage effective as of the expiration date.
The essentials in 5 points
- UHC Global is discontinuing IPMI in four major regions of the world, excluding the Asia-Pacific region.
- The current contract will remain in effect until its expiration date, and the company is free to choose its new insurer.
- The timeline is calculated in reverse from the expiration date, with January 1 as the primary renewal date.
- The key deciding factor is the transfer of medical history and waiting periods.
- Mondassur offers international health insurance that takes over upon expiration, with no gap in coverage.
Does my UHC Global policy end immediately?
No. The contract remains in effect under the terms agreed upon until its expiration. During this period, UHC Global will continue to manage coverage, reimbursements, and ongoing claims.
The real question concerns the expiration date. According to the official press release announcing the agreement, UHC Global recommends an insurer but does not transfer its products, provider networks, or management platforms to that insurer. Regardless of which insurer is selected, the company will therefore enter into a new contract. UnitedHealthcare reiterates that its customers remain free to consider any insurer.
The withdrawal affects fewer than 100,000 policyholders, according to UnitedHealthcare, as cited by Becker’s. The Asia-Pacific region is not mentioned in the announcement; therefore, a company with operations on multiple continents is reviewing each contract on a country-by-country basis.
Which insurer should I choose to replace my UHC Global policy?
The one whose policy meets the insureds’ needs and fits the company’s budget. At Mondassur, the solution depends on the size of the team. The Gold Corporate plan protects employees worldwide, with three levels of annual coverage limits. The Gold Expat plan is designed for organizations with fewer than 3 employees. For larger workforces, the team creates a customized policy.
Standard plans are designed for policyholders up to age 65 (source: Mondassur plan descriptions). For those older than that, the team will explore a tailored solution. The page for protecting your employees abroad with international health insurance provides details on each plan, and organizations can find a dedicated offering with the NGO and Association Insurance.
What criteria should I use to choose my new plan?
Three criteria are taken into account in the decision, regardless of the insurer.
1) The application of prior history and waiting periods
The medical questionnaire is the most sensitive aspect of switching insurers. Depending on the insurer, pre-existing conditions may or may not be carried over, new waiting periods may or may not apply, and existing medical conditions may or may not be excluded. For a policyholder with diabetes, a pregnant employee, or an employee undergoing treatment, these conditions matter more than the premium.
At Mondassur, the Gold Corporate and Gold Expat plans include coverage for pre-existing conditions, subject to the terms of the contract. For groups, Mondassur negotiates—for groups of a certain size—streamlined or even waived medical requirements, following a review of the application.
2) The healthcare network and third-party payment
With a new insurer, the healthcare network, the app, and the points of contact change. Direct billing (payment made directly to the hospital) also depends on this network. Before signing the contract, HR verifies that the hospitals used by the insured are included in the network; this allows the company to avoid having to pay upfront.
3) The official language and the basic system
Customer service provided in the policyholders’ language simplifies every claim. The basic plan also includes: policyholders who keep this plan can choose between coverage starting from the first euro and supplemental coverage, which affects both the benefits and the budget. At Mondassur, a multilingual team supports policyholders before and after they purchase a policy.
Are you insured with UHC Global? A Mondassur advisor will review your current coverage and your needs, then provide you with a tailored international health insurance quote—with no obligation.
How much time should be allowed for a request for proposals and a contract change?
No public schedule has been published, and contracts expire on different dates. Many are renewed on January 1. The safest approach, therefore, is to start with the expiration date and work backward in time, in five steps:
- Identify the insured individuals, their countries of residence, and their scheduled medical treatments.
- Draft the request for proposals based on the criteria above.
- Collect and analyze the proposals.
- Approve the decision internally.
- Sign the contract and schedule its effective date to coincide with the expiration date.
Each step takes longer when multiple departments need to approve it. For a contract that expires at the end of the year, the coming weeks are barely enough.
The employer also has a duty to protect its employees abroad, and ensuring the continuity of their coverage is part of that. The status of an employee abroad determines their basic coverage plan. For more information, see the guide on how to choose expat insurance for an employee complements this approach, as does the page International Health Insurance for Your Expatriate and Seconded Employees presents suitable solutions.
At Mondassur, the new policy takes effect as soon as the UHC Global policy expires. The team takes over the case, incorporates ongoing treatments and prior authorization requests, and policyholders remain covered without interruption.
What if I'm an individual, a broker, or a relocation firm?
An expatriate individual or family first aligns the effective date of the new policy with the UHC Global expiration date. With CFE, Gold Expat CFE, the supplemental expat insurance plan for CFE supplements its reimbursements. Without a basic plan, coverage from the first euro is essential, such as that provided byexpat health insurance.
Are you a broker, mobility advisor, or relocation firm, and are your clients insured with UHC Global looking for a solution? Mondassur offers a program to become a partner in international health insurance; our team will assist you and work with you to find the right plan for each client.
Request your free contract review. Please have the number of insured individuals, the expiration date of your UHC Global policy, and your countries of residence ready: a Mondassur advisor will get back to you with a customized proposal. Request my free review
Need advice on finding health insurance?
No. The contract remains in effect until its expiration date, under the terms agreed upon. The change takes effect upon renewal.
Yes. UnitedHealthcare has confirmed that its customers remain free to choose any insurer. There is no automatic transfer; the company enters into a new contract tailored to its needs.
It depends on the policy. Mondassur’s Gold Corporate and Gold Expat plans cover pre-existing conditions, subject to the terms of the policy. For groups, Mondassur considers on a case-by-case basis whether to simplify the medical requirements.
Effective immediately, if the policy is renewed on January 1, because the steps outlined in the terms and conditions at the time of enrollment are cumulative. Mondassur ensures that the new policy takes effect as soon as the UHC Global policy expires.
