Impartial reviews on the latest products and how they can impact consumers.
November 2012 Bupa: PMI
On 21 September 2012, Bupa announced the launch of a new range of private medical insurance (PMI) plans for firms of all sizes. The three plans launched are: Foundations. This plan offers three levels of cover. The three are i) Diagnosis (prompt expert diagnosis but no treatment and roughly 60% cheaper than traditional PMI), ii) Treatment (specialist private treatment but no diagnosis and 40% cheaper) and iii) Combined care (both, with treatment through Bupa’s ‘network of experts’ and 30% cheaper). Open referral is available on all versions. One major exclusion is cancer, unless the NHS is unable to provide the…
read more »
October 2012 Smart Insurance: Term
Smart Insurance is a new direct to consumer provider, part of Neilson Financial Services, which is an appointed representative of Thistle Financial Initiatives. The plan is underwritten by Scottish Friendly Assurance Society. A range of online contracts has been launched (including guaranteed acceptance life and accident insurance). This plan’s main features are: • Up to £750,000 of life cover (from age 45 this reduces from £400,000 and to £150,000 from ages 60-64). The benefit is also paid on diagnosis of a terminal illness. • Optional child’s cover, up to £30,000, covering critical illnesses and accidental death (only). • Premiums can…
read more »
October 2012 Legal & General: CI
Legal & General latest changes to its existing critical illness (CI) insurance plan are: Low grade prostate cancer is now covered. The lower of 25% of the full sum insured or £25,000 is paid on diagnosis and the customer only needs to have had treatment for the condition to trigger a claim. Definitions for three conditions have been changed to become ABI+. The three are multiple sclerosis (the six month minimum has been removed), cancer (as well as malignant melanoma, other skin cancers are now covered, as long as they have caused invasion of the lymph glands or spread to…
read more »
October 2012 Cigna: iPMI
October 2012 iPMI Cigna Global Health Benefits CoverN’GO NGOs (non-governmental organisations) are organisations operating internationally that are different in nature to both government organisations and commercial businesses. Cigna and Vanbreda have developed an international private medical insurance (iPMI) package to meet the particular needs of small to medium NGOs. The plan can cover up to 200 lives and includes: • Three core plans – Phoenix, Orion and Pegasus, which offer progressively higher levels of cover. Pegasus has the highest annual limit, at €3m, and greatest benefits. Maximum limits (per insured and per insurance year) for Phoenix and Orion are €1m…
read more »
October 2012 Now Health International:
Now Health International has introduced changes to its WorldCare international private medical insurance (iPMI) plans, albeit with small average increases in premiums. The main changes are: • WorldCare Essential: Out-patient charges core benefit changed from a period of cover limit to a per medical condition limit. • WorldCare Advance: Physiotherapy benefit under out-patient charges is now full refund up to 30 sessions, subject to pre-authorisation after every ten sessions (previously a ten sessions maximum limit applied). The alternative therapies benefit is now full refund up to 30 sessions, subject to pre-authorisation after every ten sessions (previously US$50 up to 15 visits). • WorldCare Out-patient physiotherapy benefit is now…
read more »
