Mar
11
Medicare International offering health insurance with ‘passive war cover’
Filed Under Expat Insurance, Health Insurance, International Healthcare, Medical Insurance, Middle East | 1 Comment
London-based international medical insurer Medicare International has now added ‘passive war cover’ as an option on its health polices to provide coverage for contractors and workers in war torn nations.
Medicare has recognized there is a growing number of people working in and around zones of conflict in the world and has tried to cater to contractors and NGO staff by offering passive war cover options on top of their regular benefits for both individual and group international health insurance policies.
Senior Executive Director of Medicare International, David Pryor, said “In an age where localised conflicts seem to be ever present, whether in the form of a full scale encounter such as that in Afghanistan or on a more localised basis in other world hotspots, the reconstruction and rebuilding of economies is of vital importance. As a contractor or voluntary worker attached to an NGO, preparing yourself for the reality of entering such areas is a must, as the type of medical care which will be needed is quite different from standard healthcare practice. For those companies involved in reconstruction and aid, attracting the necessary highly-skilled specialists can be helped if they know they can at least have full medical cover.”
While most insurance policies have a complete war exclusion, Medicare International’s policies with passive war cover come with the full range of benefit options such as medical and evacuation, as well as rehabilitation coverage of up to £100,000 (US$149,330) which would go towards reconstructive plastic surgery and prosthetics. The plans with passive war cover also provide cover in the event of a terrorist attack. Medicare International also generally offers premium discounts on groups of 3 or more lives insured.
Companies Mentioned:
With 25 years of providing expatriates top quality international health insurance, Medicare International has grown by ensuring quick and easy access to their services 24 hours a day. The company currently covers clients from 86 nationalities in 114 countries around the world.
Mar
10
British Government tired of picking up bill for medical tourists, mulls changes
Filed Under Expat Insurance, Health Insurance, Healthcare, International Healthcare, Medical Insurance, United Kingdom | 1 Comment
The British Government is looking at a number of proposals that would attempt to curtail the number of medical tourists who leave without paying the bill, such as forcing visitors to show proof of medical insurance before entering the country.
The British Home Office has put forward ideas on ways to curtail the abuse of the National Health Service (NHS) system by visitors as the Department of Health is seeking to recover £22 million (US$32.9 million) in debt from foreign nationals that have received NHS services in the last 2 years without paying for them.
Numerous individual NHS Trusts are said to be seeking repayment of over £1 million in outstanding medical costs, including: London’s Imperial College Healthcare which is seeking £1.4 million including two £50,000 unpaid bills, one for a patient from the United Arab Emirates and one from Egypt; Pennine Acute Trust in Manchester has £1.2 million in outstanding bills, of which £34,000 is owed by a Malawian national with HIV; and Barts and the London NHS Trust is seeking repayment of £1.3 million, including a £52,000 surgery bill for a Chinese citizen.
On average, unsettled bills are £1,000, while numbers from the British Department of Health show that 50% of outstanding bills are not settled within one year of receiving treatment and 5% of overseas patients have three or more invoices that haven’t been paid. In total the NHS has to swallow £5 million in medical costs owed by foreigners every year.
At the moment, immigration laws only allow for barring people that already have an outstanding balance with the NHS from coming into Britain specifically for medical treatment. However, the proposals would seek to prevent abuse of the NHS system by making changes to immigration laws including making non-resident foreign nationals show proof that they have health insurance when they go through immigration, and extending the amount of time British expatriates can spend overseas before losing access to NHS services.
Any foreign visitor who already owes money to the NHS would be barred from entry into Britain, while any already in the country would be refused an extension of their visa until the debt has been settled. Also, any migrant seeking British citizenship will have their application delayed until any money they owe the NHS has been repaid. However, the proposals do allow free health care for failed asylum seekers who cannot be returned to their home nations at that time.
The proposals would not cover people who are from countries in the European Economic Area or those nations where Britain has reciprocal healthcare agreements. There are however, some concerns due to the fact that the proposals would mean sharing information on non-paying individuals with the Border Agency, which may be in conflict with patient confidentiality rules.
Mar
5
CIGNA International offers health assessment on Expatriate Benefits plans
Filed Under CIGNA, Expat Insurance, Health Insurance, International Healthcare, Medical Insurance | 1 Comment
CIGNA International is to begin offering an international health assessment tool to help identify health risks for expatriate employees.
The preventative tool is aimed at identifying areas of health risk for employees that may endanger their work assignment, and comes with any CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits (CIEB) standard health plan to fully insured customers at no extra charge.
The assessment comes as a multilingual online questionnaire, which CIGNA says can be completed in about 20 minutes on CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits secure website www.CIGNAenvoy.com. The questionnaire, developed by London-based CIGNA company vielife, can also be customized to contain questions relating to specific geographical areas and will be available in 20 languages by the end of 2010.
CIGNA says that once the customer answers a series of questions about their lifestyle and health habits, upon completion they will be sent an electronic report detailing potential health risks as well as a section on the customers’ current health status and recommendations for improving their health. CIGNA notes that the questionnaire is both voluntary and confidential.
Sonny Patel, CIEB’s Senior Director of Global Health Solutions said “Completing a health assessment provides individuals with practical, appropriate and achievable recommendations in areas such as stress, nutrition, physical fitness, sleep and work/life balance. It’s an important resource in helping employers ensure their expatriate employees can fulfill their work assignments and enjoy life while away from home,”
Companies Mentioned:
CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits
For more than 125 years, CIGNA has been helping people lead healthier, more secure lives. The company provides health care and related benefits offered through the workplace. Key product lines include health care products and services (medical, pharmacy, behavioral health, clinical information management, dental and vision benefits, and case and disease management); and group disability, life and accident insurance. In addition, CIGNA also provides life, accident, health and expatriate employee benefits insurance coverage in selected international markets, primarily in Asia and Europe.
Feb
18
CIGNA Enlarges Providers Base in Russia
Filed Under CIGNA, Healthcare, International Healthcare | 3 Comments
As part of CIGNA International’s continued efforts to expand its international business base, it now possesses a network of 4,000 hospitals and clinics in Russia, as per announcement released early this week by the company’s marketing arm. Prior to this announcement, CIGNA Corp. counted with just 18 Russian healthcare providers.
This enlarged base of providers taps into a dense cluster of medical professionals residing in Moscow and St. Petersburg, where many expatriates work.
CIGNA International Expatriate Benefits is responsible for managing this network, which has a membership of about 300,000 expatriates, mostly non-Americans. In an effort to provide a wider range of services and quality healthcare to expats throughout Russia, CIGNA has taken steps to ensure that it is able to provide continuing high levels of service to its policyholders.
As part of its international push, CIGNA is expected to announce further expansions in the near future.
Insurance Company mentioned:
For more than 125 years, CIGNA has been helping people lead healthier, more secure lives. The company provides health care and related benefits offered through the workplace. Key product lines include health care products and services (medical, pharmacy, behavioural health, clinical information management, dental and vision benefits, and case and disease management); and group disability, life and accident insurance. In addition, CIGNA also provides life, accident, health and expatriate employee benefits insurance coverage in selected international markets, primarily in Asia and Europe.
Feb
17
Expats in Japan to comply with updated visa regulation
Filed Under Aetna, International Healthcare | 1 Comment
As per information contained in a recent release by the Marketing arm of Aetna Global Benefits (AGB) about Regulatory News in Japan, an existing regulation will be given new emphasis by the Japanese Immigration Bureau in regards to resident visa applications by foreign nationals living in Japan.
The existing requirement for Expatriates living in Japan to provide proof of current or future enrollment in the country’s national health insurance system to renew or apply for a visa with validity longer than one year will become compulsory starting from the 1st of April, 2010.
The Japanese Immigration Bureau made public their “Amended Guidelines for Change of Qualification of Foreign Residents and the Renewal of Visas”. According to these guidelines, it will be compulsory for Expats living in Japan to show proof of insurance in Japan’s national health system in order to apply for or renew their visa.
Foreign nationals can continue enjoying the coverage provided by international private health insurance companies, such as the overseas coverage offered by AGB. This coverage intends to supplement, instead of being a replacement for the coverage offered by the national health insurance system.
Insurance Company mentioned:
Aetna Global Benefits (AGB), the international segment of Aetna Inc., is a provider of comprehensive health benefits solutions and health management services for multinational employers, high-net-worth individuals and government entities. AGB’s health benefits offerings include medical, dental, vision, life, disability and emergency assistance for employees and high-net-worth individuals who live, work or travel internationally. With the acquisition of Goodhealth Worldwide, AGB is one of the industry’s largest and most prominent U.S.-based international benefits providers, supporting approximately 400,000 members worldwide from offices throughout the U.S., Europe, Asia and the Middle East.
Feb
12
CIGNA acquires Kronos Optimal Health Company
Filed Under CIGNA, Healthcare, Insurance Company, International Healthcare | 7 Comments
Cigna International Insurance has acquired Kronos Optimal Health Company of Phoenix, Arizona USA as part of an effort to expand their on-site health-management programmes for companies and their employees.
Through this acquisition Cigna will be able to offer to its large and medium-sized clients services such as biometric screening, flu shots, health-improvement programmes and other services.
Cigna had an existing relationship with Kronos, the latter being its provider of biometric screening and other services. The variety of health education and health-management programmes Kronos offered to businesses were of particular interest to Cigna, and gaining access to Kronos’ network of about 13,000 health coaches, health educators and screeners all over the USA.
Kronos’ local staff of 25 employees will continue working for Cigna and only its highest-ranking employee will leave the company and become a consultant to Cigna.
There were no details on the financial terms of the acquisition.
Cigna continues expanding its base of on-site clinics for large and medium-size companies. With this deal Cigna also aims to efficiently offer to smaller companies on-site healthcare and health education.
Insurance Companies Mentioned:
For more than 125 years, CIGNA has been helping people lead healthier, more secure lives. The company provides health care and related benefits offered through the workplace. Key product lines include health care products and services (medical, pharmacy, behavioural health, clinical information management, dental and vision benefits, and case and disease management); and group disability, life and accident insurance. In addition, CIGNA also provides life, accident, health and expatriate employee benefits insurance coverage in selected international markets, primarily in Asia and Europe.
Kronos Optimal Health Company provides optimal health products and services for consumers, employer groups and healthcare providers. Its mission is to help people live as healthy as possible throughout their lives. Kronos Optimal Health Company employs more than 50 professionals in the fields of science, medicine, technology, pharmacology, customer service, sales and marketing.
Feb
9
Spanish Doctors Call for Reevaluation of EHIC Scheme
Filed Under Expat Insurance, International Healthcare, Medical Insurance, Spain, Switzerland, United Kingdom | 6 Comments
Politicians and Doctors in Spain have recently joined forces to speak out against certain British ‘health tourists’ who are receiving free-of-charge medical treatment which is ultimately being paid for by taxpayers.
The SiMAP Union, representing public health doctors in Spain, criticized travelers holding the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) for misusing the provision of emergency care and treatment destined for troubled holidaymakers. This criticism is not directed to expats with rightful residency who pay taxes.
Out of the thousands of British expats and tourists alternating residence between UK and Spain there is a percentage who time their visits to coincide with their needs for medical treatment. An approximate estimate by SiMAP puts this figure at 20 percent of all hospital admissions in Alicante, a favoured tourist destination.
Health professionals for years have kept silent about what politicians labeled as “freeloading” by these expats, and it’s possible that this rare support is instigated by the Doctors’ first-hand perception of the issues; issues which include ‘medical tourists’ jumping queues, draining the Spanish healthcare system of their limited resources and depriving local people of medical attention they are rightfully entitled to receive.
One point of contention is the definition of ‘emergency treatment’ which has meant that in most instances Doctors do not question the alleged illnesses claimed by these foreign patients.
Addressing the above issue from a different angle, UK-based International healthcare and insurance firm PMI Global recently found that up to 20 per cent of companies are not procuring the correct health insurance for their expat employees in long-term foreign assignments.
In a report compiled by PMI Global, it was also revealed that up to 48 percent of companies didn’t carry the appropriate health assessments for the destinations their expat employees are sent to, and almost 50 percent of the companies neglect organizing the necessary vaccinations. Other problems identified include the level of access to psychological assistance and proper advice on where to receive medical attention.
According to comments by the operations director for PMI Global, too many employers are relying on the European Health Insurance Card (EHIC) in lieu of a proper international health insurance cover to ensure the medical attention their staff may require whilst on overseas assignments.
“While the EHIC entitles any resident in the UK to receive emergency healthcare treatment while traveling in the European Economic Area (EEA) and Switzerland, restrictions mean it isn’t a substitute for standalone international health insurance,” Rachael Floyd, operations director for PMI Global stated.
Given the looming healthcare budget shrinkage for both Spain’s SiMAP and the UK’s NHS, a possible target for cost-cutting measures would be the resources currently allocated for non-essential treatments and such action could potentially solve the perceived ‘medical care freeloading’ problem.
Insurance company and union mentioned:
PMI Global is a pioneering service offering an integrated package of insurance and healthcare support for employees abroad. The service is operated by PMI Health Group, the UK’s largest independent specialist provider of employee healthcare and insurance services.
SiMAP (Spanish)
SiMAP is a union of doctors in Valencia working in the public healthcare sector, covering the 3 provinces in the community. With essential presence in the Health Sector Roundtable, without favouritisms, to achieve greater quality of care and decent working conditions.
Feb
8
Aetna Global Benefits Targets Middle East and Africa Wellness
Filed Under Aetna, Africa, Insurance Company, International Healthcare, Middle East, UAE Insurance | 13 Comments
In an effort to provide more comprehensive levels of coverage and support to policyholders located in Africa and the Middle East, Aetna, a leading international health insurance company, today announced that it would be launching its Online Wellness Center to support plan members in the region.
Aetna Global Benefits, the international arm of the Aetna insurance company, created its Online Wellness Center to help combat some of the more serious health risks throughout the Middle East and Africa. With a higher preponderance to risk of coronary artery disease, cancer, and serious heart conditions, expatriates and local nationals throughout these regions may often be unaware of the serious health risks posed by everyday life. Aetna has designed their online tool with the aim of educating and informing their policyholders, as well as giving them the resources which they need to find adequate and comprehensive care in the event of a serious illness or untoward accident.
Mark Jardin, the Managing Director for Aetna Global Benefits in Africa and the Middle East stated that the company wants “to engage, educate and motivate members through the AGB Wellness Centre.” Mark was appointed MD of the company’s Africa and Middle East business in May 2009.
One of the primary reasons for the deployment of Aetna’s Online Wellness Center is the preponderance of Cancer throughout the region. Currently, cancer is the second leading cause of mortality worldwide, and responsible for a third of deaths in the United Arab Emirates. Aetna’s Online Wellness Center now gives policyholders in the Middle East and Africa the ability to actively manage their healthcare in light of worsening health trends; something which Aetna hopes will promote healthy lifestyles and living throughout the region.
Insurance Companies Mentioned
Founded in 1853, Aetna is one of the leading health insurance companies in the USA. Continually working on innovating and improving healthcare and services for their policyholders, Aetna is committed to providing comprehensive insurance coverage for American citizens.
Aetna Global Benefits:
The international health insurance arm of Aetna, AGB is able to cater to the needs of expatriates located around the globe. With innovative policies, and dedication to service, Aetna Global Benefits exemplifies the commitment to the customer shown by their parent company.
Feb
5
SWICA and DKV Globality in new partnership
Filed Under DKV, Expat Insurance, Health Insurance, Healthcare, International Healthcare, Switzerland | 3 Comments
A cooperation agreement has been signed between SWICA and DKV Globality. As one of the biggest health and accident insurance companies in Switzerland, SWICA aims to jointly market with DKV Globality the international health insurance cover Globality CoGenio in the Swiss market, as well as providing a local continuation of insurance option in Switzerland. DKV Globality is a leading international health insurer with a special focus on expatriates. This joint approach closes a gap in corporate health and accident plans for global companies.
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More often than not, the staff of international companies and organizations on temporary overseas assignments have to fend for themselves or are inadequately insured when falling ill or suffering an accident. Another concern is whether they can resume the same level of cover provided by their plan upon their return to Switzerland. The partnership between SWICA and DKV Globality aims to eliminate the risk to expatriates when overseas.
Corporate clients benefit from the cooperation since it allows policyholders to switch from SWICA’s national inpatient and outpatient private health insurance solutions to DKV Globality’s international expat solutions, without the need for medical underwriting.
Globality CoGenio is an integrated, worldwide insurance solution for corporate clients in the Swiss market. This insurance solution offers the best of both worlds, since it has a wide range of assistance services and other benefits in addition to comprehensive healthcare services, ensuring comprehensive protection whilst maintaining individual local support.
Furthermore, this cooperation meets the needs of international companies by providing even wider cover. Swiss companies with international operations can now be offered by SWICA the market-leading DKV Globality products, supplementing its existing product range, whilst corporate clients in Switzerland of DKV Globality can enjoy the continuation of insurance option for staff returning to Switzerland.
A win-win situation for both companies and their clients.
Insurance companies mentioned:
SWICA
SWICA is one of the largest health and accident insurance companies in Switzerland, with a high-quality range of products and services comprising health, accident and daily allowance insurance for individual and corporate clients. Over a million people and more than 22,000 companies rely on premier service, financial security and competent assistance in the event of illness or accident. With its decentralised organisation, SWICA serves clients at over 50 locations in Switzerland.
DKV Globality
DKV Globality is a leading international health insurer with a special focus on expatriates, i.e. people working or studying abroad. Global companies and their expatriate staff as well as individuals and their families place their trust in DKV Globality’s expertise. The company stands for more than 80 years’ experience in health insurance and the proven competence of an international network of assistance and service partners. It is a member of Munich Health with more than 5,000 experts at 26 locations worldwide, providing its clients and partners around the world with innovative healthcare solutions. DKV Globality is a subsidiary of Munich Re, offering the financial strength and security of one of the world’s leading (re)insurers.
Feb
3
American International Group to sell American Life Insurance Company
Filed Under AIG, Insurance Company, International Healthcare, Life Insurance, MetLife | 18 Comments
American International Group Inc. has confirmed on Tuesday that it is in talks with MetLife Inc. to sell the groups’ life insurance unit, the American Life Insurance Company. Rumors surfaced last month with regards to a potential MetLife deal for the AIG unit, and market analysts speculated that such a move would be incredibly beneficial to MetLife as the American Life Insurance Company has an extensive international health and life insurance business operating in more than 50 countries around the world.
Despite the discussions around the American Life Insurance Company, AIG has stipulated that it will not consider the sale of two Japanese life insurance companies which it took off the market in 2009. Star Life Insurance Co. and AIG Edison Life Insurance Co. were up for sale following the turning of AIG’s fortunes in 2008 at the peak of the global financial crisis, but had been removed from the market by the fourth quarter of 2009.
With a number of global insurance providers supposedly in position to increase their international reach through acquisitions, some analysts have speculated that AIG may be willing to play in a competitive market. However, AIG spokesman Mark Herr stated of both Star Life and AIG Edison that “they are good businesses and we are pleased to have them in the AIG family.”
The move for MetLife to buy the AIG unit may have its roots in the sharp loss of profits experienced by MetLife in the fourth quarter of 2009. MetLife has stated that the company’s profit dropped by approximately 70% as it paid out more benefits and claims.
Insurance Companies Mentioned:
The American International Group is a leading international insurance organization with operations in more than 130 countries and jurisdictions globally.
Possessing over 140 years of insurance expertise, MetLife aims to be an innovator in the field of international Life insurance. Globally, MetLife is able to offer its clients accident and health insurance, life insurance, disability income protection, and retirement and savings products.