In this iPMI Global Insights article, we take a look at the 2026 HUB Private Client Outlook. The outlook examines a significant shift in how wealthy individuals manage their personal and financial vulnerabilities. Faced with a volatile insurance market and rising digital threats, high-net-worth families are moving away from passive coverage in favour of proactive risk mitigation and physical resilience measures.

The Big Picture: A Major Health Insurer's Misconduct

Bupa, Australia's second-largest private health insurer, has been ordered by the Federal Court to pay a A$35 million fine. This significant penalty was imposed because the company misled thousands of its customers about their insurance benefits over a five-year period. Bupa incorrectly denied claims and caused considerable harm to members who believed they were not covered for necessary medical treatments.

Introduction: Defining the Expatriate Healthcare Imperative

For expatriates undertaking international assignments, access to reliable, high-quality healthcare is not a peripheral benefit but a foundational requirement for success. It is a critical factor that directly influences personal well-being, family security, and the overall viability of a professional relocation. Without confidence in the available medical infrastructure, both the employee and their employer face significant operational and personal risks.

The iPMI Global Provider Network Directory is the essential online guide for international private medical insurance (iPMI), health, and travel insurance markets. Published by iPMI Global, the network serves as a vital resource for industry payers and providers seeking to expand their reach. It is designed to help executives and companies identify, select, and source appropriate global partners. The iPMI Global Network facilitates crucial partnerships, providing the business intelligence necessary to connect with relevant global players and enhance worldwide coverage and capabilities.

In this iPMI Global Insights article we read and analyse the Global Medical Trends Survey by WTW, offering a perspective on projected healthcare cost increases through 2026. The survey forecasts that double-digit global medical increases will persist, with a projected global average increase of 10.3% in 2026, driven significantly by regions like Asia Pacific and Latin America.

In this iPMI Global Insights article we read and analyse the Aon 2026 Global Medical Trend Rates Report, which surveys over a hundred Aon locations to predict the annual percentage increase in the cost of healthcare services. The report highlights that the global average medical trend rate is expected to be 9.8% in 2026, marking a slight decline from the previous year, yet persistent high costs are attributed to factors like utilization rates, new technology adoption, and aging populations.

In this iPMI Global insights article we provide an overview of the critical need for specialized high-risk insurance for professionals like journalists, NGO staff, and aid workers operating in volatile global environments. It explains that standard insurance policies are insufficient because they typically exclude coverage for major threats such as acts of war, terrorism, and political unrest. The text details several essential coverages provided by high-risk policies, including Kidnap and Ransom (K&R), political and security evacuation, and trauma counseling for conditions like Post-Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD). Furthermore, the source lists several specialty providers that offer these crucial plans and emphasizes that securing this insurance is a fundamental aspect of an organization's duty of care to its personnel.

In this iPMI Global Insights article we answer the most frequently asked questions about this important topic.The anticipated impact of Artificial Intelligence (AI) on the role of International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) brokers, predicting a shift towards a hybrid future driven by augmentation. AI is expected to automate highly routine tasks such as quoting, administrative paperwork, and basic client management using technologies like Natural Language Processing.

The adoption of Artificial Intelligence (AI) within the International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) sector is not a mere technological upgrade; it is a fundamental strategic imperative for competing in a uniquely complex global market. Insurers who view AI as a simple efficiency tool risk being outmaneuvered by competitors who leverage it to reshape core functions, from risk selection to member engagement. This briefing provides a clear-eyed analysis of the tangible value of AI across the IPMI value chain, outlines the critical implications for workforce structure, and presents a pragmatic roadmap for implementation and risk management.

International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) is a critical solution for expatriates, long-term travellers, and globally mobile professionals seeking comprehensive health coverage abroad. Unlike travel insurance, which mainly covers travel needs for short trips, IPMI delivers extensive protection tailored for long-term international living, covering routine, specialist, and emergency healthcare worldwide.

In this article, we dive deep into the cost of international private medical insurance worldwide, exploring regional price differences, key factors influencing premiums, and why IPMI is an essential investment despite its complexity and cost.