International health insurance (IPMI):
trends, challenges, and future according to Per Bay Jørgensen
In the history of international private medical insurance (IPMI), there are figures whose influence transcends generations. Per Bay Jørgensen is one of them. Recognized worldwide as the father of international health insurance, his career (spanning more than four decades) has been a major force in the evolution of IPMI, defining its standards, global reach and long-term vision.
In conversation with VUMI®, Jørgensen shares his in-depth perspective on the origins of IPMI, the structural challenges facing the sector, and the trends that will shape its future. His reflections combine experience, technical expertise and a clear conviction: the true value of IPMI lies in supporting the insured when they need it most. Our conversation focused on the need for a better understanding of how international health insuranceworks in the context of increasing global mobility.
The origin of IPMI: a response to international mobility
The birth of IPMI was not the result of a sophisticated commercial strategy, but rather to meet a very specific need. In the early 1970s, Denmark was moving towards a centralized public health system, aligned with the principles of public health systems promoted internationally, but without adequately considering those who lived or worked outside the country.
In the process, Jørgensen identified a critical limitation: state coverage was designed exclusively for those residing within the country, without considering those who lived or worked abroad.
“We suddenly realized that the public system only covered people living in Denmark, but mutual health insurers had customers in Germany and other parts of the world,” he recalls.
This gap prompted the creation of an innovative solution for citizens living outside their country of origin. In 1973, an international medical coverage model began to take shape, laying the foundation for private international health insurance in Europe, which eventually became a global industry. “Today, IPMI is a growing industry worldwide, and it has grown significantly in recent years,” says Jørgensen.
The value of IPMI: security, clarity, and global access
For Jørgensen, IPMI plays an essential role in an increasingly mobile world: providing security and confidence to individuals and families who live, work, or travel outside their home country. In this sense, international health insurance not only provides financial protection, but also facilitates access to top-tier medical networks, among other key benefits of international health insurance for those who require care without borders.
“It’s a way to provide peace of mind when people take a job abroad or live outside their country,” he explains.
However, he warns that not all policies offer the same level of protection. One of the main risks for policyholders lies in the contractual conditions. Therefore, clarity in coverage, exclusions, limits, and reinsurance reinforces the importance of having customizable health insurance, designed to respond to the real needs of the insured in international scenarios.
Such clarity becomes one of the major differentiators between solid insurers and those that put the customer experience at risk. “If the conditions are not carefully reviewed, the insured may face serious problems just when they most need medical assistance,” he points out.
On this point, too, the insurance agent plays a key role in advising and resolving any questions that may arise regarding a policy.
Latin America and the search for medical excellence
For years, Jørgensen has identified Latin America as one of the regions with the highest demand for international health insurance. This trend confirms the strategic role of health insurance in this region . The growth of the middle class and higher-income segments reinforces this trend, consolidating IPMI as a key tool for protecting family wealth and ensuring access to excellent medical care globally.
“It is the desire to insure the family and access high-level treatment in the best facilities, especially in the United States and other world-class medical centers,” he explains.
Regulation and trust: the challenges of the present
Far from seeing regulation as an obstacle, Jørgensen considers it an indispensable pillar for the sustainability of the sector.
“It is essential to follow the rules of the game in each country; otherwise, insurers can face very serious problems,” he says.
His experience in complex markets in Latin America and Europe shows that responsible growth is only possible when products are designed in line with local regulatory frameworks and backed by solid, transparent, and financially responsible structures.
In this context, Jørgensen invites us to broaden the traditional notion of the value of international health insurance. Beyond responding solely to an emergency, true support is built through a relationship of trust sustained over time.
“You have to be there when things go wrong, but also when everything is going well,” he says, emphasizing that insurance proves its value not only at critical moments, but also in the peace of mind it offers the insured throughout their journey.
VUMI® and the future of international health insurance
Per Bay Jørgensen’s reflections offer much more than a historical perspective: they outline a roadmap for the future of international health insurance. In an environment marked by global mobility, geopolitical uncertainty, and rapid technological evolution, IPMI will continue to be an essential pillar for individuals, families, and businesses.
Aligned with these principles of excellence, transparency, and responsible innovation, VUMI® continues to consolidate its position as a global benchmark in international health insurance, prepared not only to respond to current needs but also to anticipate tomorrow’s challenges.
Because, as Jørgensen aptly sums up, true leadership in this industry is demonstrated by being present with judgment, humanity, and strength when it matters most.
