Bupa International has introduced premiums related to the customer's country of residence for both individual (Lifeline) and company policies.
It said the change would be introduced from 1 April 2004.
Insurance cover will continue to be worldwide with customers able to purchase US cover as an add-on.
Bupa said both individual and company policies would continue to be community rated.
In a further change, premiums will be based on the policyholder's age, not, as previously, a five-year age band.
It said premiums for Lifeline policyholders were previously calculated on a worldwide basis, while company products were done on a regional basis.
Bupa International managing director Bill Ward said: “As healthcare provision around the world becomes more sophisticated costs begin to rise. This has caused increasing disparity between countries, which in turn has affected prices substantially.”
He added: “Our new pricing strategy responds to this concern by providing the customer with a more appropriate price.”
The company has classified countries into one of seven zones, each one containing countries with similar claims experience. It said the zone in which the country falls would determine the cost of the premium.
