IMG Europe GlobalFusion International Medical Insurance
IMG Europe’s latest international PMI (private medical insurance) plan is aimed at expatriate and eligible local individuals and families. Key features of the new plan include:
• Full UK FSA regulation.
• Four sub-plans to tailor cover—Silver, Gold, Gold Plus and Platinum.
• Optional cover can be added: Global Personal Accident Plan; Hospital Income Plan; Maternity; Terrorism, and Sports.
• Two cover areas: Area 2 (worldwide excluding USA; Canada; China; Hong Kong; Macau; Japan; Singapore and Taiwan) or Area 3 (worldwide).
• Family premium covers first two children aged between 14 days to age ten at no additional cost in year one and 50% discount in year two.
• Can be denominated in GB £s, Euros or US $ and with monthly, quarterly or annual premiums.
• IMG Europe says premiums are significantly cheaper than the majority of the market.
• Single annual excess applies.
• Freedom to choose any healthcare provider but with access to two extensive provider networks.
• Medical concierge programme within the USA.
• Online customer portal that gives access to documents, claims status, obtaining pre-certification and details of over 17,000 healthcare providers worldwide.
• Easy to understand EU-style policy wording.
At extra cost, some pre-existing conditions can be covered if treatment free in the first two years of the pol-cy. There is an overall lifetime limit per insured person.
A male age 44 and a female 39 with children aged 5 and 8, with a £138 ($250) annual excess would pay £1,276 a year for Area 2 Gold cover or £1,725 a year for Area 3 Gold cover. IMG Europe says the Gold level of cover is ‘exceptionally competitive’ and ideally suited to short-mid term expatriates. Under this version, cover is reduced after three years.
Plus points: Comprehensive cover for short-mid term expats, offering a range of options; Competitively priced; Good online support and help.
Not so plus points: Lifetime and other benefit limits; Benefits under some versions reduced after three years; Some treatment has to be pre-certified; The number of options can make choosing the right level of cover quite complex; Cover ceases at age 75.
Website: http://www.imgeurope.co.uk.
Rating (max 10): Innovation: 7. Overall: 8. Gold.