Health Insurance for MPRP--Hoping for an update to the older threads

11POSTS

3 months ago

I know there are a few threads on the topic, but they are older. I am hoping folks will share their more recent experiences.

Hi folks,

We are moving to Malta in October. We have our MPRP approval in principle and are under contract to purchase a residence in Bormla (Cospicua). At this point, we are focusing on the health insurance piece.

We will be retired. We will have Medicare in the U.S., but worldwide coverage (excluding the U.S.) is important because we plan to travel.

We are looking at some standard internationals plans (Cigna, GEO Blue, and Allianz) and also LaFerla (a Maltese based carrier). The costs for similar coverage vary significantly depending on what level we select. We can work through that.

Cost aside, I am curious about experience with a carrier when it comes time to file a claim. If you are willing to share, I would appreciate your experiences.

Thanks for any insight.

Dave

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SimCityAT Expert

14420POSTS

3 months ago

Welcome.

For local healthcare in Malta and routine claims, LaFerla is widely praised by expats for fast, straightforward local processing and direct hospital billing. However, major international carriers like Cigna Global provide more robust, seamless direct-settlement networks and standardized support when traveling outside of Malta.

jonnyD59 Member

10POSTS

last month

@David Glassark

Hi Dave. We moved in 2024 and became resident in 2025 on the retirement program. Similar conditions on medical, I expect. We went with the local Laferla Insurance. Your residency program will dictate the level of insurance required by Identita, so ask them. We had to take the silver international plan, excluding USA and Canada. Be prepared to haggle a bit on pre- conditions. I had a renal nephrectomy in 2016 due to stage 3 cancer. Clear ever since and initially they wanted to exclude cancer completely. After some advice from my urologist in South Africa I haggle and the exclusion was removed.

We have used St James hospital this year as there is a local unit nearby us in Marsaskala. Very professional. They have ER rooms that also serve like a walking doctors practice. You pay (+-35 eur) but the staff are very good and listen. Laferla pays the provider direct for approved procedures. And I also tested refunds, which happened within a week to my bank.

Going back to who we chose...I found two other international providers were noticeably more expensive (20%+). And I wanted to ensure spend on insurance would be 'remitted funds' for tax purposes, initially at least.

I found Laferla Support highly responsive. Give them a try.

If you need any more info, ask.

Cheers, Jonathan

Ps we were surprised to find out that we were eligible to access malta health services after the first year, as I am a Brit and on State Pension. We still need the medical insurance as is a condition of the residence permit. Will be trying out Mater Dei and community health services when I come round to needing annual blood tests etc, to save on private hospital expenses.