You are coming to Zambia to study.
You should also have a strategy of remaining healthy and getting assistance whenever you most need them.
In Zambia, there is a publicly administered system known as the National Health Insurance Management Authority (NHIMA). The membership is obligatory to Zambian citizens and established residents over 18 with an income and care can be obtained at accredited facilities. The short-stay foreign students are not normally provided in that framework and hence universities and embassies anticipate that they will be privately insured. Carry overseas cover containing medical evacuation and repatriation.
The UK Foreign, Commonwealth and Development Office (FCDO) appends an unpleasant fact: there is a dearth in medical facilities beyond the large urban centers, and there is scarcity of emergency treatment; you need to be insured to cover domestic care, as well as repatriation. Another need that is highlighted by the CDC Yellow Book is the distinction between travel health insurance and medical evacuation insurance, and why they are important.
This guide takes you on a tour of the top 10 providers that students are using in Zambia, the features which really do count on the ground, and a quick shortlisting and buying strategy.
What “good coverage” looks like in Zambia
- Medical evacuation and repatriation in case of emergency. In severe instances, the closest appropriate hospital might be outside of Zambia. Select a strategy that will outline evacuation to the closest suitable facility, not just to your home country. Both FCDO and CDC focus on evacuation cover and the exorbitant nature of air ambulances without the former.
- Direct billing both inpatient and outpatient. Deposits can be requested in private clinics; a program that grants a guarantee of payment eliminates procrastination. The direct-pay arrangement and virtual doctor triage offered by insurers such as Cigna and AXA make you not go to the doctor in vain.
- 24/7 assistance and telehealth. It is important to call a number you can call at 2 a.m. Virtual Doctor with AXA and telemedicine with IMG are the principles of what you desire on the very first day.
- Good paperwork of university and visa processes. Various plans of students offer immediate certificates and letters accepted by universities. For example, APRIL emphasizes the speedy online student policy certificates.
- Local practicality. A local network card is worth considering adding to your global policy (budget). SES provides clinics, paramedic response and evacuation services in Zambia, has bases in Lusaka, Livingstone and Kitwe and is registered by the health professions council of Zambia and licensed by the pensions and insurance authority, which is handy on the ground.
The 10 leading health insurers for international students in Zambia
1) Cigna Global – student-ready modular cover.
The student pages of Cigna include flexible international health insurance, extensive provider networks, optional modules (inpatient, outpatient, mental health, dental/vision) and 24/7 help. They specifically mention that there are universities that demand a demonstration of cover, which is consistent with what goes on in campuses.
Reasons to select it: Construct only what is required; powerful international network.
Question them: Which private facilities do accept direct billing in Lusaka or Ndola, and how do you deal with payment guarantees?
2) Bupa Global – IPMI premium, direct access to specialists.
The expat health insurance by Bupa focuses on direct access to a global network of experts, and a concierge-like support. In case you consider fineness in admission and high limit, it is a powerful, albeit more costly, solution.
Reasons why: High quality experience; wide awareness.
Ask them: “Provide your existing direct-billing partners in Zambia and regional evacuation routes.
3) Allianz Care – popular student plans.
International Student Health Insurance of Allianz is specialized in flexible and affordable cover in studying abroad and it provides multilingual assistance and wide network of cover. Universities are usually known to accept their student documentation.
Reasons to select it: Paperwork that is student-specific; Reliability of big brands.
Ask them: How quickly can you make a guarantee of payment to a private hospital in Lusaka?
4) Now Health International — online-based, international scale.
Now Health is an international student health insurance company that provides tech-enabled and extensive provider networks. Plans are budget-based and holistic in the sense that they allow you to match benefits according to your course duration and travels.
Reason: Rapid online boarding; extensive network.
Question them: What plan tier contains evacuation and outpatient mental health and how do you pre-authorize care in Zambia?
5) IMG (International Medical Group) — student-built.
The Student Health Advantage brochure of IMG outlines long-term student coverage that includes emergency covers, mental-health benefits and telemedicine. It is a favorite student choice as the resumes are simple and can be renewed easily.
The reason to select it: Design specific to the student; high value levels.
Questions: What is the wait times on pre-existing conditions and does the telemedicine count on my tier?
6) William Russell – transparent levels, expatriate friendly service.
William Russell provides international student health insurance with 24/7 care and access to private care wherever the students are. Their student page is up-to-date and clear regarding what they discuss and the possibility to customize it.
The reason why: Clean plan design; responsive service.
Ask them: What is the balance of an outpatient diagnostics and evacuation in a one-year program?
7) The SES Zambia- local emergency response and evacuation backbone.
Specialty Emergency Services (SES) is a 24/7 paramedic, ambulance and evacuation service with central hubs in Zambia. They are enrolled on HPCZ to receive medical services and authorized by PIA to sell the insurance policies (in their own health/evacuation memberships). Most students have their SES membership with them as well as a global policy of faster local response.
Reasons why it should be chosen: On-the-ground capability; believable licensing.
Question them: Which grade of SES membership is most compatible with the conditions of evacuation of my international policy?
8) AXA Global health care – virtual doctor + second clinical opinion.
AXA has global schemes such as Video consultations (Virtual Doctor) and Second Medical Opinion service that assists you in deciding when it is necessary to travel to seek treatment. That is important when you are not in Lusaka and need urgent clinical consultation.
Reasons to use it: Excellent telehealth; adaptable benefit plan.
Ask them: Does my plan and area of cover involve evacuation to the closest appropriate facility?
9) APRIL International — fast certificates student centric.
APRIL Expat Student brochure targets between one-six years of study abroad, 100-percent online enrollment, fast certificates, and optional services such as mental-health support and personal liability- Got the benefit but need more than a medical package.
Reasons why: Speed of paper work; additional students require.
Questions: Did you include liability by default and what about claims by private clinics in Zambia?
10) Prudential Zambia – local medical insurance but could evacuate.
Prudential Life Assurance Zambia provides medical insurance plans with inpatient and outpatient cover, and (depending on the plan) cover of expenses incurred in the event of evacuation to specified countries. It is a local practical supplement to a global policy, and particularly a cashless access.
Reason to select it: Local network expertise; evacuation extensions.
Question them: Which hospitals are cashless on my plan, and what are the papers you need, in order to make an evacuation claim?
A fast comparison snapshot
| Insurer | Origin | Student-specific plan(s) | Evacuation | Telehealth / Second Opinion | Local leverage in Zambia |
| Cigna Global | Global | Yes (student pages; modular) | Yes | Telehealth options via Cigna Wellbeing/Envoy | Large direct-billing network; ask for ZM partners. cignaglobal.com |
| Bupa Global | Global | Expat/student-suitable IPMI | Yes | Digital services | Premium direct-billing experience. bupaglobal.com |
| Allianz Care | Global | International Student | Yes | App + assistance | Recognized documentation. allianzcare.com |
| Now Health | Global | Student plans | Yes | Digital care | Network search + fast onboarding. now-health.com |
| IMG | Global | Student Health Advantage | Yes | Telemedicine | Tiered benefits, renewability. imglobal.com |
| William Russell | Global | Student plans | Yes | 24/7 support | Clear tiering, personalized help. William Russell |
| SES Zambia | Zambia | Membership (evac/medical) | Yes | N/A | HPCZ registered; PIA licensed; bases in Lusaka/Kitwe. SES |
| AXA Global | Global | Student/expat options | Yes | Virtual Doctor; Second Opinion | Helpful for triage anywhere. AXA – Global Healthcare+1 |
| APRIL International | Global | Expat Student | Yes | Digital claims/app | Instant certificate; student extras. assets.april.fr |
| Prudential Zambia | Zambia | Medical schemes | Possible (per plan) | N/A | Local cashless access; evacuation to specified countries. prudential.co.zm |
How Zambia’s public system affects your decision
- NHIMA targets Zambians and established income earning residents; employers are required to register their employees in a period of 30 days and members have a defined benefit package offered at accredited facilities. Visiting students do not often have to comply with that requirement therefore you still need individual international insurance.
- The FCDO recommends that you have sufficient insurance and available funds to cover treatment and repatriation as emergency care is limited and facilities are different, especially out of urban centers. That is as practical a piece of advice as can be.
A 25-minute selection flow (that actually works)
Step 1 — Obtain the minimums at your university in writing (5 minutes).
Request the one-pager listing of inpatient/outpatient minimums, evacuation/repatriation, dates of coverage and any liability requirement. To keep pace with student insurers many offer instant certificates.
Step 2 — Select 3 international competitors (5 minutes).
Bring together a modular plan (Cigna Global), plan unique to the students (IMG Student Health Advantage), and a premium plan (Allianz Care or Bupa Global). Select the benefit table of each plan and point to evacuation language, mental-health visit language, and language of direct billing.
Step 3 — Add local layer (5 minutes).
See SES membership to receive immediate response/evacuation and access to clinics, or a Prudential Zambia medical plan to receive cashless regular care. The international policy is your main card and the local card is your convenience card and backup card.
Step 4 — Complete the question set of CDC (5 minutes).
The Yellow Book explains what you have to ask: how you will be evacuated, where you will be, pre-authorizations and how you will directly pay. Check that checklist then you can pay.
Step 5 — Store the hotlines and put the app to the test (5 minutes).
Have your insurer card, certificate and your 24/7 assistance number, both on your phone and on paper. Install telehealth (e.g., AXA Virtual Doctor; telemedicine of IMG) and perform a test login.
Practical tips students forget (and later wish they hadn’t)
- Telehealth first. Use a virtual doctor to triage symptoms before you travel across town. It’s fast and keeps you out of waiting rooms. AXA and IMG both support this.
- Evacuation wording matters. You want “nearest suitable facility” language and high limits. The CDC explains why vague evacuation language is risky.
- Documents win claims. Photo every receipt, prescription, and referral. The CDC recommends assuming you may need to pay up front in certain settings and get reimbursed later.
- Network reality check. Ask Cigna/Allianz/AXA for named facilities in Lusaka, Ndola, Kitwe, and Livingstone, and whether they will guarantee payment. It’s the difference between a smooth admission and a surprise deposit.
- Use local capability. SES is in-country and HPCZ-registered/PIA-licensed, which helps with on-the-ground response and evacuations that integrate with your global insurer.
Budgeting, deductibles, and real expectations
- Deductible strategy. A moderate deductible often balances premium cost with predictable out-of-pocket expenses. For a year in Zambia, avoid ultra-high deductibles that could slow urgent care decisions.
- Evacuation limit. Air evacuations can be extremely expensive; set limits generously. The CDC notes the high potential cost and the need for insurer-arranged evacuations.
- Pre-existing conditions. Clarify waiting periods and medication rules. Insurers publish this in plan brochures; IMG’s Student Health Advantage is a good example of transparent documentation.
- Add local cashless access if budget allows. A Prudential medical scheme or SES membership can make routine care and urgent response easier while your global plan handles major claims and cross-border care.
Frequently asked questions
Does Zambia have a foreigner student health scheme?
There is no devoted student scheme. NHIMA covers Zambians and already established residents with income; the visiting students must put in mind that they will do it on individual coverage abroad.
Which is the most important benefit that should be insisted?
High limit, 24/ 7 clinical coordinated emergency medical evacuation. Both FCDO and CDC draw attention to evacuation and repatriation of Zambia and travel health in general.
Is the insurance of a credit card reliable?
Usually not. The CDC cautions that despite the benefits the card has, it is only limited and necessitates enrollment and should not be used as an alternative to obtaining adequate travel health/evacuation cover.
Are Universities in Zambia insured?
There are differences in policy, but student insurers such as Cigna specifically mention that evidence of cover may be demanded by universities. The written minimums should always be requested of your admissions office.
One sensible setup for most students
If you want a straightforward, defensible choice:
- Pick one comprehensive international student plan from Cigna Global, Allianz Care, or IMG, depending on your budget and need for add-ons.
- Add SES membership or a Prudential Zambia medical plan for local cashless access and rapid response.
- Store your certificate, ID card, and 24/7 hotline in your phone and in your bag. Use telehealth first when you feel unwell.
You’ll have global protection, local convenience, and the paperwork universities and embassies recognize.
Sources:
- UK FCDO – Zambia: Health (limited facilities outside cities; ensure insurance covering local care and repatriation). GOV.UK
- NHIMA (Zambia) – FAQ (membership compulsory for Zambians and established residents over 18 with income; employer registration and benefits overview). Nhima
- CDC – Travel Insurance & Medical Evacuation (types of insurance; evacuation costs; why card benefits are not substitutes). CDC+2CDC+2
- SES Zambia – medical and evacuation services; HPCZ registration and PIA licensing; bases in Zambia. SES
- Insurer documentation:
Cigna Global – International Student Health Insurance (flexible, modular cover; university prerequisites). cignaglobal.com
Allianz Care – International Student Health Insurance (student plan overview). allianzcare.com
IMG – Student Health Advantage (student plan brochure with benefits incl. telemedicine). imglobal.com
GeoBlue – Navigator Student (worldwide student brochure). geobluetravelinsurance.com
Bupa Global – Expat Health Insurance (direct specialist access; global network). bupaglobal.com
AXA Global Healthcare – Online Doctor / Second Medical Opinion. AXA – Global Healthcare+1
APRIL International – Expat Student brochure (online enrollment; student-specific scope). assets.april.fr
William Russell – International Student Health Insurance (student-focused plans). William Russell
Now Health International – International Student Health Insurance (digital service; network size). now-health.com
Prudential Life Assurance Zambia – Medical Insurance (inpatient/outpatient; evacuation to pre-determined countries per plan)
