Impartial reviews on the latest products and how they can impact consumers.
March 2013 MediCheque: HCP
MediCheque is a new provider, set up by ex Patient Choice CEO Dominic Higham, and this plan (MRECP for short) is the first in a range of plans. MediCheque is an appointed representative of Compass Underwriting (who do all the admin) and the plan is underwritten by the Kiln Group at Lloyd’s. The plan offers a choice of four cover levels and is available to individuals or employers, online and through brokers. Each level of plan pays a cash lump sum based on the expected recovery time from a particular operation or medical procedure. There are four recovery levels: A:…
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March 2013 Engage Mutual: HCP
Engage Mutual has updated its One Fund health cash plan, removing the excess on four of six treatment areas and introducing the option of a higher premium level (£25 a month) with an increased annual fund limit of £1,850. The six non-excessed benefits are health screening, counselling, complementary therapies (physiotherapy, osteopathy, chiropractic; acupuncture, and homeopathy), and consultations. A £50 excess (£10 more than previously) applies for dental and optical treatment. Despite the changes, pricing has been pegged at last year’s levels. With the new £25 a month level, there are now seven premium levels in total. Comment: The new higher…
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March 2013 Cigna: iPMI
Cigna Global Health Benefits Europe has launched a range of international private medical insurance (iPMI) plans aimed at rig workers in the oil and gas sector. Cigna points out that such workers have completely different working and living conditions to the average expatriate worker. The plans offer three cover levels—Core, Advanced and Ultra—and chronic conditions are covered as standard on all plans. Pre-existing conditions are also covered where the group is more than ten employees. There are two geographic pricing areas—both are worldwide, but one excludes the US. Dependants can also be added. A key need is for medical evacuation…
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March 2013 Ageas Protect: CI
Ageas Protect has updated its existing critical illness cover plan, and is also targeting younger customers by having features that are more relevant to their health risks. The main changes include: 47 critical conditions are now covered. That includes 17 ABI+ definitions. Children up to age 21 are now covered under the children’s CI cover element of the plan, even if they are not in education. A number of early partial payments have been added, including angioplasty and treatments of breast and testicular cancer. Ageas Protect says these are conditions where earlier payments are more beneficial to customers. A new…
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February 2013 Simplyhealth: HCP
Simplyhealth has updated its company paid health cash plan, which now comprises a core plan with a choice of three cover/premium levels. All provide 100% reimbursement (subject to a maximum annual benefit) for dental cover (up to £180 a year on a Level 3 Plan), including for accidents (max £500); full body health screening (£300); optical (£180); physiotherapy/osteopathy/chiropody/podiatry/chiropractic; acupuncture and homeopathy (£450); diagnostic consultation, tests and scans (£500), and a 24/7 health and counselling helpline. The core plan costs £5, £10.75 or £17.50 a month per employee and partners under age 70 can be added at extra cost. Children are…
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