Deciding to pursue higher education in Mauritius can be both an exciting decision and a very deliberate one. The fact that Mauritius has been gaining momentum as an education center and the beautiful tropical setting on the Indian Ocean make it appealing to many adult students or professionals wanting to upgrade their skills. But when you take your family with you, the focus will switch from whether you succeed academically to how stable your home life will be.
The most important foundation to achieve that stability will be healthcare. Although the public health system in Mauritius is strong, the truth about accessing top tier private clinics in Mauritius is quite different for international residents. So, if you want to be able to afford the best treatment possible for your wife, kids, etc., while at the same time not having to deplete your bank account, then purchasing a comprehensive and well thought out insurance policy is not an option but a necessity for peace of mind.
The Mauritian Healthcare Landscape: Public vs. Private
A hybrid health-care model exists in Mauritius. There is a public health system providing no-cost services to both its citizenry and permanent residents. In addition, there is a highly developed private health sector servicing those who seek to receive quicker and more individualized care.
As an international student, you find yourself in a “middle man” position as you will have access to public hospital emergency departments, but typically, you would encounter extended wait times and variable amounts of high tech equipment. Additionally, while you have access to public hospitals, many services offered at these hospitals require payment by non-resident patients on an out-of-pocket basis.
In general, student families prefer to utilize the private health sector when accessing health-care. Cliniques such as Wellkin Hospital or Clinique Darné provide health-care consistent with international standards; they employ personnel that speak English and French; and possess up-to-date diagnostic technology. The drawback of utilizing clinics similar to Wellkin Hospital or Clinique Darné is that their use comes at a cost (the cost of service). For example, the cost of a single surgical intervention or a pregnancy complication requiring medical attention could exceed a year’s tuition costs. As such, it has become customary for students in the expatriate community to purchase private or international insurance.
Top 10 Insurers for Families in Mauritius
Many off-the-shelf student insurance policies don’t meet the needs of a family — including a student, spouse, and kids. That’s why you will need to select an insurer that has experience in the expat marketplace. The following are the top 10 insurers that consistently deliver reliable coverage in Mauritius.
- AXA – Global Healthcare: AXA offers what they call “Mauritius-ready” expat insurance plans; this means that they have developed their plans specifically for the expat community in Mauritius. AXA also offers tiered options that make it possible for you to customize your coverage based on the unique needs of your family.
- Allianz Care: Allianz Care is a global giant when it comes to health insurance. They offer a modular approach that allows families to customize the benefits they receive from their policy, such as dental and maternity. This flexibility makes them a great option for families that need customized coverage.
- Bupa Global: For the ultimate in high-end health insurance coverage, Bupa Global is the way to go. While expensive, Bupa offers some of the highest annual limits and provides direct access to virtually every specialist imaginable. They are the gold standard of health insurance, but come at a cost.
- Cigna Global: Cigna is one of the most well-known and respected health insurance providers among expats in Africa. Their Close Care and Silver plans are often perfect for families living in Mauritius.
- Aetna International: Aetna offers tiered levels of comprehensive coverage that are easy to understand and use. Aetna places a lot of emphasis on providing preventive care and wellness programs for children.
- IMG Global: IMG is designed for individuals and families that are moving to Mauritius for educational or professional reasons. Their plans are often more affordable than other expat insurance plans for students, yet still allow dependents to be included.
- GeoBlue (Blue Cross Blue Shield): GeoBlue is an excellent option for families that frequently travel between countries or would prefer a health insurance plan offered by one of the largest and most well-established medical networks in the world.
- William Russell: William Russell is a small boutique insurer that specializes in providing exceptional customer service to its clients. Their Elite Plans offer generous benefits for evacuating a patient if they become ill or injured while abroad. Because of its remote location, the ability to evacuate quickly is critical in the event of a serious emergency.
- APRIL International: APRIL International is a specialized international student insurance company that offers flexible plans that can accommodate the entire family unit. Their plans are designed to be used digitally, making it easier to process claims.
- International Student Insurance (ISI): ISI acts as a broker, offering several different multi-insurer plans. As a result, they can help you find a plan that meets both your needs and your budget, making them a good resource to start your search for insurance.
Local Alternatives: MUA and Good Harvest
Locally there are many plans that offer much higher cover than the MUA (with its “Essentiel” plan) and Good Harvest – some of these plans have even as high as an R10,000,000 limit. Be aware though that many of these plans will also need a formal residency permit or other visa type that can be difficult for short-term international students to obtain. Thus they are best suited as a “top-up” or for students who plan on staying in Mauritius long term.
Understanding the Financial Commitment: What Will It Cost?
Pricing is never one-size-fits-all. It’s a chemistry experiment involving age, medical history, and the level of “cushion” you desire. However, we can look at broad benchmarks for a typical family (two adults in their 30s and one or two children).
- The Budget-Friendly Option ($200 – $400 USD/month): These are usually “Regional” or “Africa-only” plans. They cover the essentials: inpatient care, hospital stays, and major surgeries. You will likely have a high deductible (the amount you pay before insurance kicks in) and very limited outpatient (GP visit) coverage.
- The Mid-Range Balance ($400 – $800 USD/month): This is the sweet spot for most professional students. You get worldwide coverage (often excluding the USA), lower deductibles, and a meaningful outpatient benefit. This level often includes some maternity coverage (after a waiting period) and basic diagnostic tests.
- The Comprehensive Shield ($800 – $1,200+ USD/month): These plans are for those who want zero stress. They include high-end maternity benefits, dental, optical, and high annual limits that effectively mean you will never pay a cent out of pocket for any medical event.
Actionable Advice: Prioritizing the Right Features
Don’t get distracted by flashy marketing. When you are sitting down to compare policies, focus your “eyes on the prize” with these five critical areas:
1. Inpatient and Surgery
This is the “catastrophic” part of your insurance. In Mauritius, private surgery is expensive. Ensure your plan offers “Full Cover” for hospital stays and surgery. An annual limit of at least $500,000 is recommended for a family to ensure that one major accident doesn’t exhaust the policy.
2. Outpatient Care
Children get fevers. Spouses get the flu. You will likely visit a GP or a specialist 5–10 times a year. Many cheap plans exclude these visits. Look for a plan that covers GP consultations and prescribed medicines, as these small costs add up quickly in the private sector.
3. Emergency Evacuation
Mauritius has excellent doctors, but for highly specialized neurosurgery or rare cardiac procedures, patients are sometimes evacuated to Reunion Island, South Africa, or India. Ensure “Medical Evacuation and Repatriation” is included. It is a feature you hope to never use, but it is financially ruinous if you don’t have it.
4. The “Maternity Waiting Period”
If you are planning to grow your family while studying, pay close attention to the “Waiting Period.” Almost every international insurer requires you to hold the policy for 10 to 24 months before they will cover a pregnancy. If you arrive already pregnant, most expat plans will exclude the birth as a pre-existing condition.
5. Direct Billing Networks
The most stressful part of insurance is paying a massive bill upfront and waiting weeks for a refund. Ask the insurer for their “Provider List” in Mauritius. Top insurers have direct billing agreements with Clinique Darné, Wellkin, and others, meaning the hospital bills the insurer directly, and you only pay your deductible.
Practical Steps to Secure Your Coverage
The process of securing insurance shouldn’t be a headache. Follow this workflow to ensure you get the best value:
- Consult a Specialist Broker: Firms like Pacific Prime specialize in the Mauritian expat market. They don’t charge you extra—they get paid by the insurers—and they can provide side-by-side comparisons that you can’t easily find on your own.
- Define Your Territory: If you don’t plan on traveling to the USA or Europe during your studies, choose a “Worldwide Excluding USA” or an “Africa/Indian Ocean” regional plan. This can slash your premiums by 30-50%.
- Audit the Exclusions: Read the fine print. Does the plan exclude “high-risk” activities like kitesurfing (very popular in Mauritius)? Does it exclude mental health support? If these are important to you, seek a policy that includes them as “add-ons.”
- Leverage Your Student Status: Some insurers offer specific discounts for students. Always mention your university enrollment and your visa type (Student Visa) during the application process.
Pro Tips
Mauritius offers an exciting experience for international students, however every great experience comes with a risk of disaster. The “safety net” for families while studying abroad is medical insurance. While it’s simply a means to pay for doctor visits, it protects your family from turning a minor medical issue into a major financial burden. This can cause you to drop out of school and end your studies early.
Take the time to research and compare different plans. Don’t just consider how much the premium is going to be each month. Research all of the benefits of each plan. Research the strength of the local provider network. Consider the comprehensive evacuation coverage in case there are no local providers or if you need further care elsewhere. With a solid plan in place for you and your family, you will be able to focus on why you are there – to complete your degree and build a better future for yourself.
References:
- APRIL International. (n.d.). What does international student health insurance cover? https://www.april-international.com/en/international-student-insurance/guide/what-does-international-student-health-insurance-cover
- AXA – Global Healthcare. (n.d.). Mauritius health & medical insurance for foreign expats. https://www.axaglobalhealthcare.com/en/international-health-insurance/mauritius/
- Cigna Global. (n.d.). International health insurance plans. https://www.cignaglobal.com
- Good Harvest Ltd. (n.d.). Medical insurance for you and your family. https://www.goodharvest.mu/medical-insurance/
- International Santé. (n.d.). Health insurance for expats in Mauritius. https://www.international-sante.com/healthforexpats/expat-insurance/country/mauritius/
- International Student Insurance. (n.d.). International student health and travel insurance plans. https://www.internationalstudentinsurance.com/
- International Insurance. (n.d.). Best international health insurance companies. https://www.internationalinsurance.com/health/best-companies/
- MUA. (n.d.). Essentiel health insurance. https://www.mua.mu/health-insurance/essentiel
- Pacific Prime. (n.d.). Mauritius health insurance for expats. https://www.pacificprime.com/country/africa/mauritius-health-insurance/
- Pacific Prime. (2024). Top insurance companies in Mauritius for expats. https://www.pacificprime.com/blog/top-mauritius-insurance-companies-expats.html
- William Russell. (n.d.). Health insurance in Mauritius: How to get covered. https://www.william-russell.com/blog/health-insurance-mauritius/
