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International Health First: What your top talent and expats demand from healthcare benefits today

International Health First (IHF), a group health insurance offering under International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI), helps businesses provide premium international private healthcare coverage for local employees, expats, and globally mobile teams — from an employee count of two. 
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As businesses compete for top talent, employees increasingly expect healthcare benefits that are flexible, comprehensive, and internationally accessible. Yet many high-end international medical plans remain difficult for smaller businesses to access due to minimum group size requirements and rising healthcare costs.

What International Health First helps you do

  • Compete for talent

    Offer high-end international healthcare benefits that help attract and retain local employees, expats, and internationally mobile talent.

  • Manage costs

    Stay competitive while offering cost-effective high-end medical coverage at pre-negotiated premiums from as few as two employees.

  • Simplify international coverage

    Access faster coverage for teams of five or more with medical-history waiver and no age limit for full time employees.

  • Strengthen duty of care

    Support employees with access to quality medical care when they relocate, travel frequently, or work across borders.

Your employees get what they deserve with International Health First 

  • Flexible plan design

    Choose from four plan levels with optional outpatient, maternity, dental, vision, and wellness benefits.

  • Worldwide coverage options

    Select regional or worldwide coverage based on workforce needs. 

  • Cashless access and concierge support

    Reduce upfront payments with access to cashless treatment, pre-authorization support, and global care navigation.

  • Digital claims support

    Simplify claims submission and policy access through web portal and mobile app support.

  • Portable coverage

    Support continuity of cover for employees who leave the organization, subject to plan terms.

Why Marsh

Marsh combines employee benefits expertise, insurer relationships, actuarial insight, and workforce advisory capabilities to help organizations manage healthcare benefits more effectively. Supporting more than 15,000 corporate benefits clients in Asia and managing 26 million lives globally, Marsh brings deep regional and global insight to international health insurance decisions.

Our global scale — including more than US$80 billion in benefits premiums placed worldwide — helps employers access competitive terms, strong insurer partnerships, and flexible international healthcare solutions designed for smaller and growing teams. With a network spanning more than 140 countries, Marsh also helps organizations navigate local market conditions, regulatory considerations, and workforce healthcare needs across borders.

FAQs

International Health First (IHF) is an international health insurance plan designed for local employees, expatriates, and internationally mobile teams. It provides flexible healthcare coverage across multiple countries, with access available for eligible businesses from as few as two employees.

Yes. Eligible small and medium-sized enterprises (SMEs) can access IHF with as few as two employees, helping smaller organizations provide high-end international healthcare coverage without needing a large employee group.

No. IHF can also support locally based employees who want enhanced healthcare benefits and access to private medical care. It may also support remote workers, cross-border teams, and frequent business travellers.

Local medical insurance typically supports one domestic healthcare system. IHF is designed to provide healthcare coverage across multiple countries, making it more suitable for employees who relocate, travel frequently, or work internationally.
In Hong Kong’s fast-moving talent landscape, health benefits play an important role in shaping the employee experience. A well-designed health program can help organisations attract, engage, and retain both local and expat talent in an increasingly competitive market.
Matt Chandler

IPMI Specialty Leader

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