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Cigna Global vs Allianz Care for expats in Asia
Cigna Global and Allianz Care are two strong names in international private medical insurance (IPMI), and they win on different things. IPMIAsia sets them side by side on plans, underwriting, cost control and claims, and shows how each reads for an expat in Asia.
- Both publish worldwide or worldwide excluding the USA; Cigna adds Close Care, covering only your country of residence and nationality.
- Allianz's Moratorium carries a 24-month waiting period on pre-existing conditions; Cigna underwrites on disclosed history and requires disclosure of health changes before the start date.
- Cigna's chronic programme supports members with diabetes or high blood pressure, but whether an existing condition is covered still depends on underwriting.
- Allianz's CPME and switch terms let people leaving an employer or local plan in Asia carry existing terms across.
At a glance
| Cigna Global | Allianz Care | |
|---|---|---|
| Plan structure | Silver / Gold / Platinum, plus Close Care | Care Base / Enhanced / Signature, plus modules |
| Cover levels | US$1m to paid in full, by plan | Care Base US$1.35m; Enhanced US$2.7m; Signature US$5m (Table of Benefits, Care, Nov 2025, p.6) |
| Area of cover | Worldwide or worldwide excluding USA; Close Care is residence and nationality only | Worldwide, worldwide excluding USA, Africa only or Europe (Table of Benefits, Care, Nov 2025, p.20) |
| Underwriting | Medical underwriting, disclosure-based | Choice of FMU, Moratorium, CPME or switch terms |
| Cost control | Deductible, cost share of 0 to 30% and an out-of-pocket cap | Deductible; modular out-patient and dental |
| Chronic support | Nurse-led Chronic Condition Management | Covered per plan; handled through underwriting |
| Claims | In-network direct billing with the Cigna ID card | Pre-authorised inpatient; MyHealth reimbursement |
Where each one wins
Cigna's edge is control and ongoing care. Three levers set the premium: a deductible, a cost share of 0%, 10%, 20% or 30% after it, and an out-of-pocket maximum that caps what the cost share can add up to in a year. That combination lets you tune the price more finely than most plans allow. On top of that sits the nurse-led Chronic Condition Management programme, which supports members managing conditions such as diabetes, high blood pressure, musculoskeletal pain and arthritis rather than just paying the claims. Cigna's in-network direct billing, using the Cigna Healthcare ID card, is the practical reason many expats stick with it.
Allianz's edge is underwriting flexibility. It is one of the few insurers that lets you choose how your medical history is assessed: Full Medical Underwriting for certainty from day one, Moratorium with a 24-month waiting period on pre-existing conditions for simplicity, or CPME and switch terms when you move from another insurer. If you have any medical history, that choice can change what is covered from the first day of the policy. Allianz's structure is also simpler to read: a core plan at one of three levels, with out-patient and dental modules at the matching level.
Neither wins on claims outright. Cigna's in-network outpatient visits can often be billed directly. Allianz requires pre-authorisation for inpatient and high-cost treatment and pays 80% of inpatient and 50% of other eligible benefits if you skip it, with out-patient and dental claims reimbursed through the MyHealth app.
Reading the comparison from Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong or Malaysia
Both insurers publish the same core area choice for an expat in Asia: worldwide, or worldwide excluding the USA. For most people living in the region the second is the natural pick, since it covers treatment across Asia, including in a hub such as Singapore or Hong Kong, while leaving the most expensive market out of the price. Cigna adds a narrower option, Close Care, which covers only your country of residence and country of nationality; it suits someone settled in one country who rarely travels, but it would not cover a trip to a neighbouring hub for treatment unless that is where you hold citizenship. Allianz's narrower areas, Africa only and Europe (Table of Benefits, Care, valid from 1 November 2025, p.20), do not cover Asia. Our guide to regional versus worldwide cover in Asia explains when a narrower area is worth it.
On currency, Cigna's plan limits are published in US dollars, and its deductible options depend on the plan currency. Allianz publishes its maximum plan limits, US$1,350,000 to US$5,000,000 by core plan, and sets the plan currency at quote (Table of Benefits, Care, Nov 2025, p.6). Line both up in one currency before comparing cost-share levels.
The underwriting difference matters particularly for people who have been in Asia a while and are moving off an employer or local plan. Allianz's CPME and switch terms let you carry existing terms across; Cigna underwrites on your disclosed history and requires you to declare any change in health before the start date. Our pre-existing conditions guide sets out what each route means. IPMIAsia prices both insurers through Nomi so the underwriting basis on offer can be weighed against the premium for your own age and residence; see the Thailand, Singapore, Hong Kong and Malaysia pages for the local context.
Read the full breakdowns: Cigna Global and Allianz Care.
Which should you choose?
Choose Cigna Global if…
You want to set the premium precisely with a deductible, cost share and out-of-pocket cap, you value proactive support for a chronic condition, and you want a large international network with straightforward direct billing across Asia.
Choose Allianz Care if…
You have medical history and want to choose how it is underwritten, you prefer a clean core-plus-modules structure, and you like the backing of a global insurer behind the policy.
Read the full breakdowns: Cigna Global guide · Allianz Care guide.
Both insurers against the whole market
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FAQ
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General information, not personal or medical advice. Based on each insurer’s plan documentation; exact terms, limits and underwriting are confirmed at quote. Prices are indicative. Cigna and Allianz names and logos are the property of their respective owners.