Health Insurance for International Students and Families in Burkina Faso

Burkina Faso is a poor nation in West Africa, and its healthcare facilities have been manifested in the same way.  According to official travel advice, medical facilities are extremely scarce and in case of serious medical treatment, one must be evacuated to Europe.  Practically, large public hospitals are few and are confined to Ouagadougou and Bobo-Dioulasso with one national hospital and five university hospitals.  Outside these cities, specialization and sophisticated care is difficult.  The industry is small as well, with just three private tertiary hospitals and eight polyclinics countrywide, mostly both located in the two large cities.  This implies that expatriates as well as students usually require cross-border care.  Indeed, even seasoned consultants caution that expatriates will desire to take any severe disease or injury elsewhere to the country.  As an illustration, complicated cases are often referred to the hospital in the neighbouring country such as Cote d Ivoire or Ghana, or even Europe.  With this in mind, families cannot count on the local plans: government health insurance schemes are still in their infancy (they only cover a small number of formal workers) and are not sufficient to provide the care expats require.  In brief, good international insurance is one that is needed at the beginning.

Various governments are advising against travelling to Burkina Faso because of security threats.  In its travel warnings, the U.S. and the UK specifically alert of the dangers of terrorism and kidnapping, and rates Burkina as a Level 4: Do Not Travel nation.  Insurance can be directly impacted by these warnings: a lot of insurance plans are very strict in their terms of the high-risk area or war.  The family must pay due attention to ensure that any policy includes travel to Burkina Faso or residing there, war, terrorism or security evasion limitations.  That is, do not purchase a plan before reading the fine print about the conflict zones.  Should you encounter acronyms such as WHVP (War, Hijack, or Political Violence) or should you find that some countries are not covered, just inquire of either the insurer or broker what happens to Burkina Faso.  Other expat oriented insurers might consider Burkina to be high risk which might result to exclusion or premium hikes.  It is always best to have it written down that the activities of your family in Burkina Faso (schooling, living, travel) will not be excluded and they will be covered.

Top 10 Insurance Plan Options for Student Families

International students and their dependents in Burkina Faso typically use global expatriate health plans rather than any local student scheme.  Below is a list of widely used providers and plan types that suit student families in West Africa.  Availability and pricing depend on factors like nationality, ages, benefit levels, and whether the USA is included.  (These are examples of common choices; many insurers offer similar products.)

1. Allianz Care (International Health Insurance). A leading global expat insurer, Allianz offers tiered “Care” plans with extensive networks. Plans vary by “zone of coverage” and can include up to $5,000,000 in benefits. In practice, a family plan can cover inpatient hospitalization, outpatient visits (if selected), maternity (optional add-on), chronic conditions, and always strong evacuation/repatriation. For example, Allianz notes that its plans include a wide range of inpatient and maternity treatments plus evacuations. Costs are higher than a basic travel policy, but adding a deductible can lower the premium significantly. Best for: families who want a very large international network (1.9 million providers worldwide) and the flexibility to scale coverage (different benefit levels) across West Africa and Europe.
   
2. April International (Global). A veteran expat insurer, April International is known for modular plans and flexible pricing. You can customize coverage areas, add-ons, and deductibles. Standard coverage includes hospital and outpatient treatment, chronic care, plus options for maternity and dental. Many April plans offer direct-billing (cashless) networks. Families can pick and choose – for example, adding maternity only if needed. Best for: families who want a customized policy where they control which benefits to include and can fine-tune geographic zones to manage costs.
   
3. Cigna Healthcare Africa and Cigna Global. Cigna operates dual brands. The Cigna Africa plan is built for the region: a group product that covers inpatient/outpatient care plus evacuation for “Africa, Africa+ (including parts of Middle East/Asia), Europe” etc. It is typically more affordable than a full global expat plan. For instance, the Cigna Africa plan explicitly provides “broad medical coverage including hospitalization, outpatient services, and emergency medical evacuation”. It also boasts a large network (over 1.7 million providers globally, ~3,000 in Africa) and emergency assistance partnerships. Meanwhile, Cigna Global offers fully international expat plans (Silver, Gold, Platinum) with optional global coverage. These include 24/7 support and benefits like cancer and rehab. Best for: families who may move around in Africa or need an Africa-focused plan (Cigna Africa) or those who want Cigna’s global brand with flexible tiers (Cigna Global).
   
4. Indigo Expat / Indigo Expat Junior. A French-based insurer, Indigo offers “first euro” plans (picking up where French social security leaves off) or full private coverage. Burkina Faso is in Zone 1 for Indigo (essentially “worldwide excluding some high-cost countries”), which keeps premiums lower. Indigo Expat is often used by EU/Francophone expats: their service and documents are French-language-friendly. The Indigo Expat Junior plan targets ages 18–30. It covers hospitalization, outpatient, vision, dental, plus repatriation and personal liability. Coverage can be 1st-euro or a top-up to the French system, depending on eligibility. Best for: European or francophone students and young families who want French support and flexible Africa/Europe coverage.
   
5. GeoBlue Xplorer (BCBS Global Solutions). A top choice for U.S. citizens, GeoBlue Xplorer (now Blue Cross Blue Shield Global) is a high-end expat plan. It offers major medical worldwide coverage, strong evacuation, and a massive provider network. For example, one broker notes Xplorer is “an annual plan that includes comprehensive, major medical coverage inside and outside the U.S.” under US regulatory standards. It also has different levels: Xplorer Essential/Select (excl. USA coverage) and Xplorer Premier (includes USA). Warning: GeoBlue’s official documentation explicitly lists Burkina Faso among countries not covered. This reflects US insurer sensitivity to conflict risk. Nonetheless, for U.S. students who can be exempt (e.g. 30 days travel), Xplorer can be ideal for continuing US-style coverage. Best for: American students or scholars who will spend long-term abroad and want to maintain US-level benefits. (But check carefully: GeoBlue may not insure you while living in Burkina Faso, only maybe for visits.)
   
6. Student-targeted Plans (e.g. StudentSecure by IMG/TMHCC). There are specialized plans sold via student portals (InternationalStudent.com, etc.) such as Tokio Marine HCC’s StudentSecure. These are designed to meet many universities’ requirements. They come in tiers (often called Smart, Budget, Select, Elite). For example, a basic StudentSecure Smart plan offers $200,000 policy maximum and includes $50,000 evacuation. The top-tier Elite plan goes up to $5,000,000 max and $500,000 evacuation. Premiums are quite affordable for students: one source lists Smart at about $30/month in the US market, and Elite about $178/month (for a 24-year-old). Coverage: These plans include inpatient/outpatient care to various limits, emergency evacuation and repatriation, some mental health, etc. They intentionally meet visa/school rules (e.g. for J-1/F-1 visas). Best for: fee-paying students whose school does not mandate a specific insurer. These cover the basics (typically ~$100k–$500k per incident plus evac) at lower cost than corporate expat plans.
   
7. Broker-Arranged Plans (e.g. Pacific Prime). Brokers like Pacific Prime don’t offer plans themselves but can quote multiple insurers. Through a broker, you can compare Allianz, April, Cigna, Aetna, etc., and tailor a solution. Prices and benefits will match whatever insurer is chosen. A broker is especially helpful if you have complex needs (pre-existing conditions, multiple children, etc.). For example, Pacific Prime’s Burkina page notes they can compare over 50,000 plans for you. Best for: families who want professional guidance and a range of quotes. (Of course, the final plan is one of the above – e.g., an Allianz or April – but the broker helps navigate exclusions and gets volume discounts.)
   
8. Regional African Private Plans. Some insurers offer Africa-focused networks at lower cost than full global plans. These might be through Cigna Africa, Now Health Africa, or local brokers. They typically cover private hospitals within a defined African network, with more modest benefit caps. For example, a Cigna Africa group plan is “tailored to diverse needs across Africa” and highlights “broad medical coverage including hospitalization, outpatient services, and emergency medical evacuation” – but it is often cheaper than a worldwide plan. The limits may be smaller (e.g. €50k–€100k incident max and small outpatient limits), but evacuation and repatriation are usually included. Best for: families staying in West/Central Africa who want basic private care and are cost-sensitive. You’ll get access to private clinics in the region but wouldn’t cover, say, elective care in the U.S.
   
9. Short-Term Medical + Evacuation Plans. For short stays (a few months) or study trips, some insurers sell limited-duration policies. These mimic travel insurance but with higher medical limits and strong evac cover. For example, IMG’s GlobeHopper short-term plan offers up to £1,000,000 in medical cover with £500,000 evacuation (on the Standard tier). A premium tier even provides £5,000,000 for both medical and evacuation. The idea is emergency stabilization and evacuation. Coverage: These usually cover acute emergencies only (sometimes only major hospitalization), with maybe minimal outpatient. Preventive or chronic care is limited. Best for: short academic programs, internships or fieldwork where the main needs are emergency and airlift, not long-term illness management. They are cheaper for short duration but would not be cost-effective for 2+ years of study.
   
10. University/Scholarship Group Plans. Some scholarships or host universities include a group health policy for their students. Benefits vary widely: some cover only basic medical and emergency evacuation, others add dental or mental health. Often premiums are subsidized or included in fees. However, these plans may exclude dependents (check carefully). Best for: students on government or sponsor-funded programs. Even if such a plan is provided, families should verify it covers any children or spouse, and whether the limits match host-country needs. It’s common to supplement a group plan with private insurance for extra coverage.
    

Indicative Costs and Benefit Levels

While exact premiums depend on age, nationality, deductible, and territory, here are some general benchmarks to guide budgeting:

• Minimum Benefit Levels: Most student-oriented policies aim for at least around $100,000–$200,000 per accident/illness benefit, plus robust evacuation/repatriation. For example, the entry-level student plan above provides $200,000 (policy max) per claim and $50,000 for evacuation. Many study abroad programs even require these minimums. On the high end, comprehensive family expat plans can offer $1M–$5M per claim and similar-scale evacuation cover.
  
• Premium Ranges: Expect student-only bare-bones plans to be cheapest. Some plans (like StudentSecure Smart) can be under ~$30–$50 per month for an undergraduate student. However, those lower premiums come with higher deductibles (e.g. $500–$2,000) and limited outpatient benefits. A family policy covering two adults and a child will cost much more. For example, the top-tier StudentSecure Elite (for one person) is about $178/month – adding dependents or lowering the deductible would increase cost. A full family expat plan (e.g. Allianz or April with worldwide cover, maternity included) could run several hundred to over a thousand USD per month, depending on ages and coverage scope. In general, adding features like maternity, including the USA, or covering older ages dramatically raises premiums.
  
• Deductibles and Limits: You can tune cost by raising the deductible and reducing optional cover. In Burkina Faso’s context, it often makes sense to have high deductibles ($1,000–$5,000) but still ensure high maximums and unlimited inpatient. That way, you pay routine care mostly out-of-pocket (if you must use private clinics) but are fully covered for a major event or evacuation.
  

Coverage Features to Prioritize

Given Burkina Faso’s environment, some benefits deserve special emphasis in any plan:

• Medical Evacuation/Repatriation: This is essential. Both U.S. and UK advisories stress that serious cases need evacuation. Any policy you consider must include a substantial evacuation limit (often $100k–$500k) and repatriation of remains. Verify whether the plan covers evacuations for medical and non-medical reasons (e.g. security kidnappings). Check if there are exclusions for “political violence” or “war.” In practice, expect to be sent to Ghana, Côte d’Ivoire, or Europe for anything beyond basic emergencies.
  
• Private/Regional Access: Ensure the insurer will pay for care in private hospitals in Ouagadougou or Bobo. (These are far better equipped than public ones.) Also, check that the network or cashless arrangements include major regional clinics in neighboring countries. Since referrals often go to Abidjan (Ivory Coast) or Accra (Ghana), it’s wise if the plan’s geographic coverage (e.g. “Africa+” or including Europe) allows treatment there without a long wait or giant bill. In short, you need access to good-quality facilities either locally or a short flight away.
  
• Family-Focused Benefits: Look beyond emergencies. Good pediatric coverage (for routine kids’ care and vaccinations) and solid maternity/obstetric cover are important if you have a pregnant spouse or plan a family. Some expat plans default-exclude pregnancy, so you may need to add it. Also check outpatient limits: even if you plan mostly private care, having a few good outpatient visits covered (especially for chronic diseases or specialists) adds value. If children are young, a plan with dental or vision benefits is a plus. Finally, preventive care (immunizations, check-ups) can be critical in a new environment; some plans include global wellness or immunization stipends.
  
• Other Perks: Things like 24/7 telemedicine (helpful when clinics are limited), prescription drug coverage (for ongoing meds), and mental health support can greatly improve day-to-day life abroad. These may not be mandatory, but they differentiate plans. If you or family members have any known health issues, ensure those are covered and that the insurer offers case management, not just “emergency only.”
  

Practical Structuring Tips for Student Families

1. Confirm Institutional Requirements. Start by checking if your university or sponsor mandates certain coverage levels or insurers. For example, some international scholarship programs require at least $100K medical and evacuation. If a plan is provided (say by scholarship), review it carefully: what’s covered, what’s excluded, and whether dependents are allowed. Sometimes these group plans are minimal, so it may be wise to supplement them.
   
2. Choose Coverage Zones Wisely. Consider an Africa-Only or Africa + Europe zone if your family doesn’t need global cover. This can cut premium significantly. Only pay for “Worldwide” if you truly want, say, U.S. or Asian coverage. (Note: many companies classify Burkina Faso as “Zone 1” which typically means global excluding the USA; you’d be paying extra to include the USA.)
   
3. Set Deductibles for Balance. A higher deductible/co-pay can lower the premium a lot, but make sure your safety net remains strong. For example, raising the deductible to $1,000 or $2,500 could halve the cost, while still leaving you fully covered for catastrophic bills. Given that routine care may be out-of-pocket anyway, prioritizing a low coinsurance (e.g. 80–100% after deductible) and full inpatient benefits is key. Aim to preserve the unlimited (or very high) sum insured for hospitalization and evacuation, even if you sacrifice outpatient coverage or add a deductibles.
   
4. Work with a Broker or Agent. If your situation is complex (multiple children of different ages, a spouse, pre-existing conditions, etc.), it can pay to consult an independent adviser. Provide them with your family’s age list, intended duration of stay, nationality, and an “evacuation preference” (e.g. if you prefer France or South Africa for referrals). They can then propose 2–3 specific configurations: one “tight on budget,” one “balanced,” and one “comprehensive.” This way, you get concrete quotes and avoid endless shopping.
   
5. Read the Fine Print. Before you commit, read key clauses: are country/region exclusions clearly listed? How is “Burkina Faso” classified? Does the plan have any waiting periods for benefits you need (like maternity)? Are there any global sanctions issues (some countries, e.g. US insurers, exclude coverage in Burkina Faso by policy, as noted above)? If anything is unclear, ask for clarification or a written note from the insurer.
   
6. Maintain Continuity. If you have existing insurance in your home country (especially U.S.), check if you need a “cross- border” plan that coordinates with it. Some U.S. students choose policies that allow ongoing coverage for care back home, which means the insurer must be licensed to pay claims in both places. Be aware that GeoBlue Xplorer can, for example, integrate with a U.S. primary plan if you keep it (Xplorer Select).
   

Lastly, maintain adequate records of the communications with the insurance. Keep your policy booklets and emergency telephone numbers in a safe location. Emergency travel documents (e.g. copies of passport, itinerary, vaccination records) are also a good idea to keep at hand because insurers will frequently request them in case of an emergency evacuation. Safety includes preparation in an unstable environment.

summary: Secure health insurance that has high evacuation and access to foreign care is not a luxury of the international students in Burkina Faso, it is a must. The best fit will be achieved in comparison plans based on network, coverage and cost. Medical evacuation, personal care options, and family coverage options should all come first before adjusting the deductibles and zones to meet your budget. You can be sure that studying abroad is all education and no ER in case you plan it carefully.

Sources: International expat health insurance providers and travel advisories on Burkina Fasopacificprime.comgov.ukexpatfinancial.comindigo-expat.comexpatfinancial.comexpatfinancial.cominternationalstudentinsurance.com.