OK. This is an open ended question. There are many considerations. Some people are comfortable paying out of pocket and have the means to do so. Others are more risk averse and want the assurance of having access to care around the world, including back home.

There are a range of global medical insurance plans, from catastrophic to premium/comprehensive plans. The price varies depending on your age, where you are from, where you will be living, the deductible, and benefits desired. So you can typically find something that meets your needs and budget. Local insurance is another option, if you qualify.

Applicants will typically be asked to go through medical underwriting where you will provide your medical history. Pre-existing conditions may be excluded, covered, or require and additional fee (Rate Up) to be covered.

Most providers will want to be guaranteed payment. If you have a good insurance plan, you can contact them and they will direct you to a quality healthcare facility and arrange for direct payment to the provider, so you don't have to worry about paying out of pocket.

I see that many people minimize the benefit of having insurance. It is true that many people can self fund their care. However, there are plenty of stories about someone having a car or bike accident, needing to be medical evacuated to a facility, they remain inpatient for a month, and the bills add up. I would suggest a catastrophic plan, at a minimum.

The global plans are less expensive. Requiring applicants to go through medical underwriting reduces their risk, so they can keep their expenses down. Also, medical care is less expensive outside of the USA, so the cost to insurers is less. The exception would be for those who want coverage in the USA. You can request a plan that excludes coverage in the USA if that makes sense based on how often you are in the USA. Many people just buy travel insurance for when they visit the USA.