IMG Global (GPMI): cover benefit by benefit

IPMIBenefits reads IMG's Global Primary Medical Insurance (Global Prima) benefit by benefit: a medical core in five tiers, dental and maternity as paid-for options with waiting periods, and an unusually wide set of underwriting routes.

Plans and structure

IMG's Global Primary Medical Insurance (GPMI), sold as Global Prima, is the single international private medical insurance (IPMI) plan that emerged when IMG and ALC Health came together. It is built as a medical core in five tiers, with dental and routine maternity available as optional extras. You choose a tier for the core, then add only the options you will use.

The published summary does not list the numeric annual maximum for each tier, so the figure to compare is on the benefit table supplied at quote. The structural point is more useful anyway: tiers move the core limits, and the two optional benefits are separate decisions with their own waiting periods.

What the core covers

The core covers inpatient and day-patient hospital treatment, with out-patient cover that scales with the tier you choose. Dental and maternity sit outside the core as options, so you pay for them only if you need them, which is a straightforward way to keep the premium down when you do not.

The detail that catches people out is timing. Dental carries a 6-month waiting period from the purchase date (accidental damage is covered immediately), and routine maternity carries a 10-month wait. Add them before you expect to claim, not after. Our guide to waiting periods and sub-limits explains how to plan around these dates.

What this plan does for each benefit

Each of the eight benefits IPMIBenefits covers, with what IMG's published summary states and where it is silent.

• Maternity: routine maternity is an optional add-on on all five tiers, with a 10-month waiting period. Because it is optional, you do not pay for it unless you choose it, but you must add it well before a pregnancy.
• Dental and optical: dental is optional on every plan for an additional premium, with a 6-month wait; accidental damage is covered immediately. Optical cover is not stated on the summary we reviewed.
• Outpatient: part of the core, scaling by tier. A higher tier buys more out-patient cover; the exact limits are on the benefit table at quote.
• Mental health: not stated on the insurer's published summary we reviewed.
• Cancer care: not itemised on the summary we reviewed; inpatient and day-patient hospital treatment is in the core.
• Medical evacuation and repatriation: not stated on the insurer's published summary we reviewed.
• Chronic conditions: no separate programme is described. Cover for a condition you already have depends on the underwriting route, and IMG's range of routes is its distinguishing feature.
• Wellness and health checks: not stated on the insurer's published summary we reviewed.

Underwriting: the widest choice

IMG lists a fuller set of underwriting bases than most of the market, so there is usually a route that fits.

Full Medical Underwriting (FMU)

You give your full history; the application has three headline knockout health questions. IMG then offers standard terms, applies personal exclusions, or declines, so you know where you stand before you start.

Moratorium

No declaration upfront. Recent pre-existing conditions are excluded and can become eligible after a continuous symptom-free and treatment-free period.

Continuing Personal Medical Exclusions (CPME)

Switching insurer carries your existing exclusions across as they are, with no fresh underwriting of new conditions.

Medical History Disregarded (MHD)

A group-scheme basis where members' medical history is ignored, so pre-existing conditions are not excluded. It is only for company or group policies that meet a minimum number of lives, which varies by insurer, and is not available to individuals.

A helpful detail: if IMG cannot offer the underwriting type you applied for, it may offer an alternative. Our pre-existing conditions guide explains how to choose; Nomi can flag the route, and an experienced adviser confirms terms.

Claims and pre-authorisation

• Planned inpatient or day-patient treatment should be pre-authorised as early as possible, and no later than five working days before admission.
• Once a claim is pre-authorised and eligible, IMG issues a Guarantee of Payment to the hospital and settles directly, so you are not out of pocket.
• The MyIMG / MyALC member area handles pre-authorisation, claims, facility search and documents, backed by a 24-hour helpline and WhatsApp.
• Quote the pre-authorisation number on follow-up correspondence and keep your bank details current for reimbursements.

Who IMG Global suits

A strong fit if you want to pay only for the benefits you need, with dental and maternity as options rather than bundled in, and especially if your medical history calls for a flexible underwriting route. For company or group cover, the Medical History Disregarded basis can set history aside entirely, subject to the minimum number of lives.

Worth comparing if you want dental and maternity included as standard, or a different plan shape. See IMG against Cigna Global and Allianz Care, or browse the insurer hub.

Frequently asked questions

This page is general information, not personal or medical advice, and is based on IMG Global Prima (GPMI) plan documentation; exact terms, limits and underwriting are confirmed by the insurer at quote. Prices are indicative. IMG and the IMG logo are trademarks of International Medical Group.