A foreign country is a large leap when pursuing further education. That step increases dramatically when taking your family with you to study abroad. The educational climate of Malawi (the “Warm Heart of Africa”) is warm and inviting, but the practical challenges of finding quality care for your spouse and children as international students are significant and will require advance preparation. A public health system that provides comprehensive coverage for international students and their families (such as is found in many Western countries or even larger emerging economies) does not exist in Malawi.
In addition to the lack of a public health safety net for international students in Malawi, there also exists a private international insurance safety net. This article reviews the process of protecting your spouse and children while you are studying in Malawi, including the cost, the options for providers and the benefits you can’t afford to live without.
The Malawi Context: Why International Cover is Non-Negotiable
Although the government has been working hard to be able to provide its citizens with quality care, the existing public healthcare system is still under-resourced and limited in terms of how much it can do for the people of Malawi. The public healthcare system in Malawi is generally capable of providing the standard, necessary services for its population; however, the system was created for this purpose and will rarely have the resources needed to support an international student requiring higher levels of care. For example, the primary issue in public healthcare systems in Malawi is usually a shortage of drugs that are specialized, long waiting lines, and a general lack of sophisticated technology to diagnose patients properly.
In addition, most local insurance programs are only for Malawian citizens or individuals employed by companies for extended periods of time. Therefore, they typically do not have the type of protection required for a foreign student studying abroad, including coverage for medical evacuation or repatriation. It is at this point that international student health insurance (ISHI) or expat health insurance policies are critical. ISHI or expat health insurance policies provide students with comprehensive medical insurance that includes in-patient, out-patient, and emergency medical services all within one contract that is portable across borders. When a country such as Malawi does not have the appropriate surgical capabilities or intensive care units to handle a patient’s condition, an individual would need to travel to another country (such as South Africa or Kenya) for treatment. In these situations, having a plan that provides “Emergency Medical Evacuation” is not only important, but also potentially a matter of life and death.
Top 10 Family-Friendly International Insurance Options
The selection of a provider is not limited to selecting a provider based on the monthly premium. It is also important that the provider accepts Malawi as a country of residence for the insured and will allow the addition of dependents. Below are some common structures and providers used by students with families.
1. IMG (International Medical Group)
IMG is one of the most prominent players in the international student market. The “Student Health” series offered by IMG is very modular. Students can begin with a base level of coverage and purchase additional “riders” or add their family members as they see fit. In particular, students have found that IMG does a good job of providing routine care for doctor visits and emergency services which are both necessary when caring for young children and they may need to visit a doctor for routine visits.
2. Cigna Global
Cigna is the most flexible option if you need to be able to pick and choose what services you want to purchase. They allow you to create a plan using their modules as a Lego set. You first will have a basic inpatient coverage and then you can add coverage for outpatient, vision, maternity care etc. The benefit for a low income family of international students is that they can reduce cost by selecting a high deductible for “the big stuff” and then use the money saved to get “the everyday” care.
3. AXA Global Healthcare
AXA is considered to be a reliable company. Their digital tools will assist you greatly if you are technology savvy and want to claim via an application. In addition to the digital tools, they also provide 24 hour support to give you peace of mind when you need it (especially when you are in a foreign city such as Lilongwe or Blantyre at 3:00 AM).
4. Allianz Care
Allianz has focused their plans on the “expat” lifestyle. Therefore, the focus is on providing strong inpatient and evacuation coverage. This would be a great choice for families who prioritize getting the best possible treatment in the best private hospitals in the region.
5. April International
Younger clients may be attracted to April due to its competitive pricing; in addition, April is known for being more flexible when it comes to adding items to a policy. For example, if a client has a health issue that needs to be monitored prior to traveling, the advisors at April are typically more open to discussing ways to provide customized solutions for these issues than the larger insurance companies.
6. InternationalStudentInsurance.com
Although technically an intermediary between the client and the actual insurance company, InternationalStudentInsurance.com is an excellent resource. They handle all the “Student Secure” plans and are specialists regarding student visa requirements. This service allows clients to compare three or four different insurance companies at once to determine how each adds spouse and children into their policies.
7. ISO Student Health Insurance
ISO focuses heavily on providing health coverage to students headed to the United States, however, the way they create their products is world-class. They know the F-2 or J-2 (dependent) structures better than just about anyone. Therefore, if you are looking for a plan that is designed with the entire family in mind (i.e., the student and his/her dependents), ISO’s international versions of their health insurance products should be considered.
8. VisitorPlans
VisitorPlans is a “match-making” service that does well when it comes to “niche” destinations. If you are having trouble finding a company that will cover travel to Malawi – then use VisitorPlans. VisitorPlans will search through dozens of insurance providers and locate the one that accepts your age group and destination.
9. Institutional Partners
Before making any decisions, always contact your host institution in Malawi; many host universities have some sort of partnership established with a regional or global insurer. Many times these “group” plans will provide a lower premium than an individual plan, and will also waive waiting periods for maternity care that would otherwise apply.
10. The “Local-Plus-International” Hybrid
There are some enterprising families who will use a local Malawian broker to purchase a very low-cost local insurance plan for those minor medical issues (i.e., malaria testing or inexpensive antibiotics), while purchasing a high-cost “catastrophic” international plan for the major surgery/evacuation type events. Although this method is more administrative, it can be a cost-effective method to obtain comprehensive medical coverage.
The Financial Reality: What Will It Cost?
Budgeting for insurance is as important as budgeting for tuition. While prices fluctuate based on the age of your family members and the level of “frills” you choose, we can establish some clear benchmarks.
| Coverage Level | Typical Monthly Cost (Family of 3) | Best For… |
| Basic | $250 – $450 USD | Young families on a tight budget focusing on emergencies. |
| Mid-Range | $500 – $800 USD | Families wanting routine care, diagnostics, and low deductibles. |
| Premium | $900 – $1,200+ USD | Full “peace of mind” including dental, maternity, and mental health. |
Drivers of Cost
- Deductibles: Choosing a $1,000 deductible (the amount you pay out of pocket before insurance kicks in) can slash your monthly premium by 30%.
- Area of Cover: Excluding the USA and Hong Kong from your policy will significantly lower your rates. Since you are in Malawi, ensure “Worldwide Excluding USA” is selected.
- Ages: Premiums jump as the primary policyholder or spouse enters new age brackets (usually every 5 years).
Critical Features for the Malawi Environment
In a country where the private medical sector is small and the public sector is stretched, certain policy features move from “optional” to “mandatory.”
Emergency Medical Evacuation
This is the most important clause you have within your travel contract. Should a family member suffer from a broken limb with multiple fragments (a complex fracture) or have a serious heart attack (severe cardiac event), the medical facilities within the local community are not equipped to provide advanced treatment. You require a plan that provides for a private medical evacuation (medevac) flight to a major city (like Johannesburg). A medevac flight without insurance could cost as much as $20,000 USD.
Inpatient and Surgery
Costs associated with in-hospital care in Malawi can rise quickly. Your policy should include coverage for “room and board” at 100%, including surgeon’s fees and intensive care unit (ICU) stay(s). Do not have to argue over what the bill is going to cost when your child is sick and needs medical care.
Outpatient and Diagnostics
Tropical environments may create opportunities for illnesses such as malaria or waterborne illness. An international plan which includes consultation fees, laboratory testing (blood work), and diagnostic imaging (x-ray, MRI) will enable you to receive medical treatment sooner and prevent a potential emergency situation from developing.
Mental Health and Telehealth
The stress associated with studying abroad may be challenging, but the isolation that many spouses or children experience while living abroad can be even more difficult. Many modern international health insurance plans now offer “telemedicine” — the ability to consult a physician or counselor via a video conference in your native language. A telemedicine option may provide an important support mechanism for the mental well being of your family.
Actionable Steps: How to Choose Your Plan
Don’t wait until you arrive in Lilongwe to figure this out. Follow this checklist to ensure your family is protected from day one.
- Verify Visa Requirements: Contact the Malawian Department of Immigration or your university’s international office. Some visas require a specific minimum level of health coverage to be granted.
- Audit Your Family’s Health: Does anyone have a pre-existing condition? Most “student” plans exclude these or have a 12-month waiting period. If you need immediate coverage for asthma or diabetes, look for “Expats” plans rather than “Student” plans, as they often offer “Medical Underwriting” to include these conditions.
- Calculate Your “Out-of-Pocket” Comfort Zone: Look at your savings. If an emergency happened tomorrow, could you afford a $500 deductible? If the answer is no, you must pay a higher monthly premium for a $0 deductible plan.
- Read the “Exclusions” Page: This is the most boring part of the brochure, but the most important. Check if the plan excludes “Motorbike accidents” (a common mode of transport in Malawi) or “Sports injuries.”
- Use a Broker: You don’t pay more to use a broker; they get a commission from the insurer. A broker who understands the African context can tell you which insurers actually pay claims quickly in Malawi and which ones are a nightmare to deal with.
Pro Tips:
As an international student in Malawi, securing family medical insurance is an example of responsible leadership for your family. What could be a major disaster for your family financially becomes a very manageable monthly cost. The public health system in Malawi shows the warm spirit and tenacity of its people but, with a private international policy from a company such as Cigna, IMG, or Allianz, your family will have confidence that they will receive the most quality care possible for their needs, if something unforeseen happens, while allowing you to remain focused on your education.
References:
- Allianz Care. (n.d.). International health insurance for students. https://www.allianzcare.com/
- April International. (n.d.). Student international health insurance plan. https://www.april-international.com/en/international-student-insurance/international-student-health-insurance-plan
- AXA Global Healthcare. (n.d.). International health insurance plans. https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/en/international-health-insurance/
- Cigna Healthcare. (n.d.). Affordable health insurance plans for individuals and families. https://www.cigna.com/individuals-families/shop-plans/health-insurance-plans/
- International Medical Group. (n.d.). IMG student health advantage. International Citizens Insurance. https://www.internationalinsurance.com/img/student-health-advantage/
- International Student Insurance. (n.d.). Student secure: International student health insurance. https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/student-health-insurance/
- ISO International Student Health Insurance. (n.d.). International student health insurance plans. https://www.isoa.org/
- NIB Group. (n.d.). OVHC – Overseas visitor health insurance & health cover. https://www.nib.com.au/overseas-working-visitors/
- WorldTrips. (n.d.). StudentSecure international medical insurance. Tokio Marine HCC. https://www.tmhcc.com/en-us/products/global-travel-insurance/student-secure
