Factors governing premium increases for renewals of international health insurance

Apologies if this is not appropriate but I was not sure where else to ask.

I am in Singapore (not the USA) and hold a personal private Cigna international/expat health insurance policy that works comprehensively in every country except the USA, for both hospitalization and outpatient. It's expensive but has a purpose, and you get peace of mind when it works.

I wanted to ask: How do you determine annual renewal premium increases? I was quoted almost 20% premium increase this year, and you just cannot change health insurance providers because of how prohibitive new medical underwriting and preexisting conditions are. It's a complete black box to me.

My understanding was premiums are not individualized, but are determined for each age bracket and depending on increases in healthcare costs. Premiums should generally be the same price for people of the same age, only exclusions are individualized.

I wanted to confirm if this is true and if the following affect the renewal:

1) Volume of claims (or lack of) in the preceding policy year (meaning, does it get more expensive the more claims you make?)

2) Possibility of a chronic condition, such as an anomaly in a test result or biopsy that showed benign tissue

3) Location of residence (I'm indifferent given I'm in Singapore, the 2nd most expensive healthcare country after the USA)

4) Changing age brackets (ex. hitting 40, 45, 50, 55…)

5) "Good behavior" or lack of complaints

Is there any advice on getting better individual international health insurance policy renewal rates given you cannot shop around and change policies, or is it largely a take it or leave it situation?

submitted by /u/josemartinlopez
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