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How Cigna Global, Allianz Care and Bupa Global treat pre-existing conditions

IPMIcompare read the three insurers' current policy documents: Cigna Global and Bupa Global underwrite every applicant on a medical questionnaire and may cover, load, exclude or decline a pre-existing condition; Allianz Care does the same and is the only one of the three that also offers individuals a 24-month moratorium and continued terms from a previous insurer.

Written by IPMIcompare · Reviewed by Mo Buglow, 25 years in international private medical insurance · Documents read 18 October 2026 · Updated 27 October 2026
3 of 3underwrite individuals on a medical questionnaire: a condition can be covered, loaded, excluded or, at Cigna and Bupa, the application declined
1 of 3offers individuals a moratorium: Allianz Care, 24-month look-back, 24 continuous clear months, restarting if treated
US$3,000a year: Cigna's Pre-Existing Condition Care for declared hypertension on Platinum from age 60 (Silver US$500, Gold US$1,500)

The three side by side

One row per question a buyer with a history asks. "Not published" means we looked in the documents listed under Sources and did not find it; those points are confirmed at quote.

QuestionCigna Global (Health Options)Allianz Care (Care Base, Enhanced, Signature)Bupa Global (Major Medical to Ultimate)
Medical questionnaire (full medical underwriting)Yes. Pre-existing conditions are excluded unless Cigna agrees to cover them; an exclusion can be removed for extra premium.C1 C2Yes. Exclusion and/or a premium loading is possible.A1Yes. The medical team may cover a condition (possibly for extra premium), exclude or restrict it, or decline.B1 B2 B3
Moratorium for individualsNot offered to individuals; published only for Cigna Inspire small groups.C7Yes: 24-month look-back, then 24 continuous months with no symptoms, treatment, medication, special diet or advice; the wait restarts if any of these happen.A2 A3 A4Not published by the insurer for individuals.
Moving from another insurer (switch or continued terms)Switch terms and group-leaver continuation, each with a premium loading, in broker factsheets dated 2015 only: confirmed at quote.C5 C6Continued personal medical exclusions: your previous insurer's terms, exclusions and surcharges continue, with no new personal underwriting terms.A5The membership guide's glossary mentions transfer "on a continuous cover basis"; no terms are published.B4
Age to join18 and over, no upper age limit.C3 C4Questionnaire: to the day before your 76th birthday. Moratorium: to the day before your 65th.A6Not published by the insurer.
Chronic conditions diagnosed after you joinCovered as new conditions under the plan's terms; a nurse-led Chronic Condition Management programme is included.C8Pre-existing chronic conditions follow your underwriting terms; chronic condition defined in the guide.A7 A8Covered on all five Bupa Global Health Plans, "depending on underwriting". At renewal Bupa adds no new personal restrictions and may remove an exclusion or extra premium on review.B3 B4 B5
High blood pressureThe most specific published terms of the three: declared hypertension that is a special exclusion can still get Pre-Existing Condition Care outpatient costs from age 60 (Silver US$500, Gold US$1,500, Platinum US$3,000 a year; 40 to 59 on Platinum only, up to US$2,000). Complications are not included.C8The questionnaire asks about "abnormal blood pressure or high cholesterol"; no rule specific to hypertension is published.A9Nothing specific to high blood pressure in the documents read.
Every cell is read from the document its number points to, listed under Sources. Terms with an old source are dated in the cell. Terms can differ by country and plan, so the policy documents you receive at quote take precedence.

What each basis means for your condition

Medical questionnaire (FMU)

All three do this

You declare your history when you apply and the insurer decides each condition before cover starts: covered, covered with a loading, excluded, or declined. You know your terms on day one. Cigna lets you buy an exclusion back for extra premium;C2 Allianz may exclude or load;A1 Bupa may cover, restrict, exclude or decline.B1 B2 B3

Cigna Global, Allianz Care, Bupa Global
Moratorium

Only Allianz Care, for individuals

No questionnaire. Anything with symptoms, treatment, medication or advice in the 24 months before your start date is excluded until you go 24 continuous months clear of all of those after it; one appointment restarts the clock for that condition.A2 A3 A4 You find out what is covered when you claim. Cigna publishes a moratorium only for small groups;C7 Bupa publishes none for individuals.

Allianz Care (to the day before your 65th birthday)A6
Continued terms (CPME / switch)

Allianz publishes it; Cigna and Bupa confirm at quote

If you move straight from another insurer, Allianz Care carries your existing terms, exclusions and surcharges across with no new underwriting.A5 Cigna's switch and group-leaver terms exist in 2015 broker factsheets and carry a loading;C5 C6 Bupa's glossary mentions transfer on a continuous cover basis without terms.B4 For both, ask for the current terms in writing before you cancel the old policy.

Allianz Care as standard; Cigna Global and Bupa Global at quote

Which suits which history

A condition you had years ago, now clear, and you want to know your terms before you pay
Any of the three on the questionnaire
Declare it in full. Each insurer decides before the start date, so a clear history can be accepted with no exclusion, and you will know if it is not.
Something minor in the last two years that you expect to stay clear
Allianz Care moratorium
No questionnaire, and the condition becomes eligible after 24 clear months. It only works if you need no treatment or advice for it in that time, because one appointment restarts the count.A4
Declared high blood pressure, and you are 60 or over
Cigna Global, Platinum if the budget allows
Cigna is the only one of the three that publishes a benefit for an excluded, declared hypertension: outpatient maintenance up to US$3,000 a year on Platinum, US$1,500 on Gold, US$500 on Silver.C8
Already insured elsewhere with exclusions you can live with
Allianz Care continued terms
The only published route of the three that keeps your old terms without new underwriting.A5 Move without a gap.
IPMIcompare's own view, reviewed by Mo Buglow, weighing the documents above. The right plan still depends on your history, age and where you live.

Get an indication before you apply

Nomi, IPMIcompare's quote assistant, prices Cigna Global, Allianz Care and Bupa Global for your age and country in about a minute, and the underwriting terms you will be offered are confirmed by each insurer at application. The wider comparison of eight insurers' underwriting bases, including AXA, IMG, William Russell and APRIL, is in our pre-existing conditions and underwriting guide; the four insurers' plans level by level are on AXA vs Allianz vs Cigna vs Bupa.

Price all three for your age and country

Nomi quotes 23 insurers live in about a minute, Cigna Global, Allianz Care and Bupa Global among them.

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Frequently asked questions

Does Cigna Global cover pre-existing conditions?
Not by default. Cigna's policy rules exclude pre-existing conditions unless Cigna agrees in writing to cover them, and an exclusion can be removed for an additional premium.C1 C2 Declared hypertension that stays excluded can still receive Pre-Existing Condition Care outpatient costs from age 60 on Silver, Gold and Platinum, and from 40 on Platinum.C8
Does Allianz Care offer a moratorium?
Yes, to individuals joining before their 65th birthday: a 24-month look-back and a 24-month continuous clear period, restarting for a condition if you have symptoms, treatment, medication, a special diet or advice for it during the wait.A2 A3 A4 A6
Does Bupa Global accept pre-existing conditions?
Bupa underwrites on a medical questionnaire. Its medical team may cover a condition, possibly for extra premium, exclude or restrict it, or decline the application.B1 B2 B3 Chronic conditions diagnosed after you join are covered on all five Bupa Global Health Plans, depending on underwriting.B5
Can I move from one of these insurers to another and keep my terms?
Allianz Care publishes continued personal medical exclusions: your previous terms, exclusions and surcharges carry across with no new underwriting, if you move without a gap.A5 Cigna's switch terms are in broker factsheets dated 2015 and carry a loading;C5 C6 Bupa mentions transfer on a continuous cover basis without published terms.B4 Ask both for the current terms in writing before you cancel.
Documents read (18 October 2026)
  1. C1 Cigna Global, Policy Rules, CGHO Policy Rules CGIC EN 02/2026: general exclusion 2 (p.19), cl. 1.3 (p.4), cl. 3.1.1 (p.6), cl. 13.2 and 13.6 (p.15), definitions (p.25). https://www.cignaglobal.com/dvc-pdfs/CGIC-EP38/en/CGHP%20Policy%20Rules%20CGIC%20EN%2002_2026.pdf (linked from https://www.cignaglobal.com/brokers/global-individual-health/plans-useful-documents). Read 18 Oct 2026.
  2. C2 Cigna Global, Policy Rules (as C1), cl. 1.3: removing a medical exclusion for an additional premium. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  3. C3 Cigna Global, international health plans: https://www.cignaglobal.com/international-health-plans ("no upper age limit"). Read 18 Oct 2026.
  4. C4 Cigna Global, https://www.cignaglobal.com/seniors-health-insurance, and Senior Plan Sales Brochure 591560 DTC EN 11/2024, p.3. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  5. C5 Cigna Global, Underwriting factsheet (© 2015): https://www.cignaglobal.com/pdf/Underwriting.pdf. Read 18 Oct 2026. Dated 2015: terms confirmed at quote.
  6. C6 Cigna Global, Group Leavers factsheet (© 2015): https://www.cignaglobal.com/pdf/Group%20Leavers.pdf. Read 18 Oct 2026. Dated 2015: terms confirmed at quote.
  7. C7 Cigna Global, Cigna Inspire: https://www.cignaglobal.com/employers/small-to-medium-enterprises/international-health-plans/cigna-inspire. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  8. C8 Cigna Global, Customer Guide 591048 CGHO EN 02/2026, pp.6 and 35: https://www.cignaglobal.com/dvc-pdfs/UKCEIC-UKCEICP11/en/591048%20CGHO%20Customer%20Guide%20EN_02_2026.pdf. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  9. C9 Cigna Global, Application Form 200043 CGHO Broker EN 02/2026, question 2 and p.5: https://www.cignaglobal.com/dvc-pdfs/GENERIC-229/en/200043%20CGHO%20Application%20Form%20Broker%20EN_02_2026.pdf. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  10. C10 Cigna Global, Premium loading factsheet (© 2015): https://www.cignaglobal.com/pdf/premium-loading.pdf. Read 18 Oct 2026. Dated 2015: confirmed at quote.
  11. C11 Cigna Global, Customer Guide (as C8), p.52. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  12. A1 Allianz Care, Individual Benefit Guide, Care, valid from 1 Nov 2025, pp.11 and 57: https://www.allianzcare.com/content/dam/onemarketing/azcare/allianzcare/en/docs/DOC-IBG-CARE-EN-1125.pdf. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  13. A2 Allianz Care, Individual Benefit Guide (as A1), moratorium definition, p.54. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  14. A3 Allianz Care, Individual Benefit Guide (as A1), p.58. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  15. A4 Allianz Care, Individual Benefit Guide (as A1), rolling moratorium, p.59. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  16. A5 Allianz Care, Individual Benefit Guide (as A1), CPME/CTT, pp.44-45. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  17. A6 Allianz Care, Individual Benefit Guide (as A1), "Insured person", p.51; also application forms FRM-APP-CARE-FMU-EN-0126 (https://www.allianzcare.com/content/dam/onemarketing/azcare/allianzcare/en/docs/FRM-APP-FMU-EN-2025.pdf, p.2) and FRM-APP-CARE-MORI-EN-0126 (https://www.allianzcare.com/content/dam/onemarketing/azcare/allianzcare/en/docs/FRM-APP-MORI-EN-2025.pdf, pp.2 and 5). Read 18 Oct 2026.
  18. A7 Allianz Care, Individual Benefit Guide (as A1), chronic condition definition, p.43. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  19. A8 Allianz Care, Individual Benefit Guide (as A1), p.11. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  20. A9 Allianz Care, FMU application form FRM-APP-CARE-FMU-EN-0126, p.7 (URL as A6). Read 18 Oct 2026.
  21. A10 Allianz Care, Individual Benefit Guide (as A1), pp.35-36. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  22. B1 Bupa Global, expat FAQ: https://www.bupaglobal.com/en/for-you/expat. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  23. B2 Bupa Global Health Plans brochure, April 2026, Bupa Insurance Limited, BIN-BGHP-SALE-EN-XXXX-2606-0065255, pp.13 and 17: https://www.bupaglobal.com/-/media/BupaGlobal/PDFs/2026/Products/BGHP/BINS/BINS-Bupa-Global-Health-Plans-Sales-Brochure-EN-APR26-0065255.pdf. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  24. B3 Bupa Global, Major Medical membership guide, 1 Dec 2024, Bupa Global DAC, DAC-MMHP-MEMB-EN-XXXX-2411-0055057, pp.2, 8, 15, 20, 22, 24, cl. 6.3-6.4: https://www.bupaglobal.com/-/media/BupaGlobal/PDFs/2024/Products/BGHP/DAC/BGHP2/DAC-Major-Medical-Global-Health-Plan-Membership-Guide-EN-DEC24-0055057.pdf. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  25. B4 Bupa Global, Major Medical membership guide (as B3), glossary. Read 18 Oct 2026.
  26. B5 Bupa Global Health Plans brochure (as B2), p.13. Read 18 Oct 2026.