Aviva, Healthcare Concierge Services and Olympus Managed Health Care
On May 4th 2011, Aviva PLC, the world's sixth largest insurance group,
announced an array of benefit enhancements to further improve upon their
award-winning international private medical insurance services.
To better meet the needs of their expanding base of
international clients, Aviva has been upgrading its international private
medical insurance products. Aviva's 'International Solutions' modular private
health insurance products have been specifically designed to cover globally-mobile people who are living and working outside
their country of nationality, such as expatriates. The policies offer flexible
coverage options to handle the large discrepancies in cost and quality of
healthcare available when living overseas. A
recent study conducted by Aviva concluded that medical coverage issues have
remained a key concern in customers' travel planning.
Under the company's new updates, International Solutions will raise the overall
core benefit limit from £1.5 to £5 million (US$2.4 to US$8.2 million) and the
previous newborn lifetime cover of £20,000 (US$33,000) for 112 days will
improve fivefold to £100,000 (US$165,000) for 112 days. Routine chronic cover
annual benefit has been further doubled from £7,500 (US$12,400) to £15,000
(US$25,000), while the medical practitioner annual benefit limit has been
increased from £1,500 (US$2,480) to £2,500 (US$4,130).
In addition to raising the limits of their international offerings, Aviva has
transferred a number of benefits from its supplementary cover options into the
core cover for International Solutions products. This includes coverage for
vaccinations, which had previously only been available to customers purchasing
the Wellness Option module. There is also now an option to remove compulsory
per claim excess on individual insurance policies.
Several of Aviva's optional benefit packages have also been updated. The
maternity option benefit cap has been lifted from £7,500 (US$12,400) to £10,000
(US$16,500) and there is now an increased annual compensation limit for
consultations with a specialist, diagnostic tests and specialist-referred
surgical procedures and physiotherapy, rising from £1,000 (US$1,650) to £2,500
(US$4,130). Improvements have also been made to dental and optical services, as
well as increased out-patient service options for both
individual and corporate International Solutions insurance policies.
To complement International Solutions' coverage enhancements, Aviva has
added a StandbyMD medical consultation service. This
exclusive arrangement grants Aviva customers 24 hour
access to a physician offering medical support and advice. The healthcare
concierge service is available through 4,000 cities, across 86 different
countries worldwide. StandbyMD provides international
health insurance customers with prompt telephone access to a qualified
physician. Policyholders can also elect to arrange face-to-face consultations
or home visits.
Additionally, a new repatriation benefit rider has been developed for
expatriate customers with the compassionate travel option, which will enable
policyholders to return to their home country (or country of nominated
residence) if certain medical treatment is not available locally. If a
policyholder possessing the benefit is evacuated, Aviva will now provide
compensation for someone to accompany them on their journey, even if the
individual in question does not possess an Aviva international health insurance
policy.
For expatriate clients, Aviva has introduced a new electronic service which
will enable customers to keep important health records and allow prompt access
to said vital information while abroad. The Aviva 'My Health Passport' is
available through two different formats: a small software version used to store
practical information such as personal details and GP and insurance contact
information, and a printed booklet which covers more comprehensive health
information.
Aviva has set up a new provider network in the United States through a partnership
with Miami-based Olympus Managed Healthcare. This arrangement incorporates an
additional 6,000 hospitals, over half a million doctors and 57,000 pharmacies
into Aviva's health provider network across the US. Aviva policyholders will be
able to locate a qualified American doctor or hospital through the
comprehensive online network. If customers choose to go within the health
provider network they will have their bills settled directly by Aviva, removing
the need for individuals to handle costly medical bills themselves.
Olympus Managed Healthcare are market leaders in
claims management, handling over 125,000 claims a year on average. Aviva
believes that this joint venture will provide customers with additional
security, dedicated support and improved access to healthcare in the United
States.
Teresa Rogers, international business lead of Aviva UK Health, commented on
the inception of International Solutions policy updates: "By listening to our
intermediaries and customers, we've been able to focus on improving the right
things. We've enhanced the benefits and support that our customers tell us are
most important to them. This not only includes increasing monetary limits, but
also adding expert support services such StandByMD to
further improve the peace of mind our customers receive from their policy."
All new benefits will become available from July 2011 for both new customers
and existing policyholders looking to renew their International Solutions
service.
Aviva has been very proactive in expanding and upgrading its operations to
attract more potential clients worldwide. Aviva has established a presence in
many of the increasingly lucrative Asian insurance markets through joint
ventures with locally based insurance companies in order to capitalize on the
rising demand for insurance products and services in the region. The
company has been able to maintain growth across key markets and will look
to further improve upon its level of service to sustain strong performance
through 2011.
