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
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.