Globalsurance has learned that Aviva Ltd is set to stop providing medical insurance products in Singapore to some of its clients, potentially impacting 5,000 to 10,000 insured people on the IdealMedical and Global Health plans. It is understood that Bupa International and Raffles Health Insurance (RHI), who partner in Singapore,…

Globalsurance continues to witness the falling rates of global health insurance inflation in the high-end sector, typically referred to as International Private Medical Insurance (iPMI). Average rates of inflation per year have typically hovered at around 11% over the past 5 years, but this year, AXA PPP has published an annual increase of just 8%. As a key player in the health insurance sector,

Globalsurance has learnt that Bupa is launching a new product for the Chinese market. Bupa has teamed up with China based Alltrust Insurance Company to provide Bupa Premier Worldwide Health Options (PHWO), which becomes available from the 1st of October. PWHO is unique in that it will consider covering pre-existing medical conditions, a first for international private medical insurance plans…

The rise of the middle class in East Asia is proving to be a boon for private healthcare providers. Kuala Lumpur based IHH illustrates this nicely. In their recent IPO, which was 132 times oversubscribed, IHH raised more than USD 2 billion and the shares climbed by more than 10% in the first few days of trading. The value of the company stands at around USD 8 billion. IHH is now the second largest…

There have been a number of notable changes in International Private Medical Health Insurance in the last few weeks, while not as earth shattering as the Libor scandal or the crop failures in the US, the progressive and continual changes reveal an industry that is currently very dynamic and competitive. While Bupa is launching products to fill gaps it sees in the IPMI market, US healthcare giant…

London based insurance company Aviva is now the sixth largest insurance group worldwide and the largest provider of life and general insurance in the United Kingdom. Despite having a strong start to the year so far, Aviva will be undertaking a much needed strategic review of its businesses to aid the company in its recovery after the departure of Chief Executive Officer Andrew Moss. Moss, having…

In Saudi Arabia authorities are warning hosptials in Jeddah of a dengue fever outbreak, following floods which have provided a perfect breeding ground for mosquitoes. According to the Ministry of Health Saudia Arabia, since the January 26th floods in Jeddah, six cases of dengue fever and 4 cases of malaria…

In December, Bupa International joined the ranks of international private medical insurers that offer insurance policies with full medical underwriting (FMU) options that cover individuals for pre-existing conditions. Until recently, it has been very difficult for expatriates to obtain coverage of pre-existing conditions on individual insurance policies, as few insurers would cover them. Many…

Members of à la carte healthcare, Ltd. (ALC Health) will gain online access to the contracted community of doctors and hospitals in 180 countries that Highway To Health, Inc. (HTH Worldwide) has nurtured over 12+ years of operation. Through the proprietary mobile and online medical assistance tools developed by HTH Worldwide, travellers can search for and conveniently access top quality medical providers all over the world.

Reporting a 2009 net profit of US$1.62 billion (EUR 1.19 billion), chiefly due to the profitable performances of its remaining insurance operations, Fortis also announced its re-branding strategy which aims to reflect the transformation it went through during the past year that made it a focused insurance company.