Omani Expatriates Run For Coverage

Keeping Employers and Clients Informed: The US Tax Reform

Let’s clear up some misconceptions regarding changes to US tax laws, or more specifically, things that stay the same. In the era of misinformation, detail is key to being prepared. And companies must be ready to steer their clients and members in the right direction. The Affordable Care Act aims to incentivize every person in the United States to acquire a certain level of insurance coverage and provide financial assistance to families and individuals who can’t afford to buy insurance via a “subsidy” to purchase a...

The Economy of Exclusivity Within the Pharmaceuticals Industry

Written By Armando A. Diaz, Writer, WellAway Limited. Inflation in the pharmaceutical field is rampant and shows few signs of slowing. Hide your wife, hide your kids and show your wallet, the rate of increase is growing for both hospital and non-acute settings and is expected to rise by close to 8% in 2018. Specialty medication such as “biosimilars” and “orphan drugs” are being used far more often than ever and less expensive generic brands continue to drop. The fall of generic prices should mean that pharmaceutical...

The United States Welcomes Bermuda With The US Insurance Seal Of Approval

A short two-hour flight east of the United States lies the beautiful island of Bermuda. This small, yet powerful territory has qualified jurisdiction status from the NAIC, (National Association of Insurance Commissioners). This status breeds many benefits, among them, the reduction of collateral requirements for its reinsurers who do business in the US, a victory for entrepreneurs and beneficiaries alike. Where did it all begin? Just after the young United States of America gained independence from Great Britain, it was a rugged and difficult time to live. In 1784, the...

Fears Of A Tsunami In Alaska Prompt The Issue Of A Level 4 Alert

Fears of a tsunami in Alaska on 23rd January prompted the Healix GSOC to issue a Level 4 alert to client’s employees in affected areas. Craig Webb, Security and Political Risk Analyst at Healix International talks about what happens behind the scenes when such a risk is identified, illustrating the value of Healix Active Monitoring. At 00h31 (local time) on 23rd January, a 7.9 magnitude earthquake struck off the south-eastern coast of Kodiak, Alaska. The earthquake’s high strength and shallow depth (6.2 miles) triggered tsunami warnings...

Don’t bother trying to get off the plane in Oman if you do not have expatriate health insurance. Following the government’s recent announcement, you need to have coverage in place before arriving. Only 12.3% of the workers in the private sector of Oman’s workforce are natives to the country. This means that a whopping 87.7% of the workforce are expatriates, foreigners working outside their country. And only 10% of said foreigners have health insurance. In lieu of this, millions are running for the new mandatory coverage, be it...

Global Expansion Of 2nd.MD Innovative Expert Opinion

Second opinions can save lives, and that’s exactly what 2nd.MD is doing by facilitating interactive video consults in the second opinion marketplace. Now reaching 46 countries and covering more than 12 million lives, 2nd.MD performs more expert medical consultations than any other service in the market. Facts and Figures The facts of misdiagnoses and medical error are startling. In the United States alone: Medical error and misdiagnosis is now the third leading cause of death.1 A study published in April by the Mayo Clinic found upwards of 88...

Discover The Best Practices In Travel Risk Management

Today’s interconnected world and global economy means that increasing numbers of employees are required to travel extensively overseas, often for long periods of time, to multiple destinations and frequently to very unfamiliar environments. In this white paper Healix International helps us navigate the maze that is travel risk management and explains the fundamental elements of a professional Travel Risk Management Program. An employer’s ‘Duty of Care’ towards their personnel has become more complex and increasingly topical. This is especially true when employees are working in remote or dangerous locations where...

Expats, Health Insurance, Impats And Immigrants

We All Know What Health Insurance And Expatriate Mean, Or Do We? Leading iPMI analyst and report author Ian Youngman offers his personal view on the meanings, with a reader warning that what is correct in one country or continent may be wrong in another. Those using Google Translate: you may end up with something else entirely! HEALTH INSURANCE The media, and even the insurance press, use Health Insurance. Medical Insurance, Private Medical Insurance, International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) and International Health Insurance (IHI) and Expatriate Insurance almost at random. There is no...

How Well Are You Preparing Your Staff For Overseas Assignments?

The past couple of years have been a stark reminder that as companies and business operations continue to expand overseas, the risks to their travelling employees are greater than ever before. The “Breaking News” of another terrorist attack is often impossible to predict in a corporate setting. However, there are arguably more important aspects to employee safety that are often overlooked, namely the risks that originate from the environment in which the employee is travelling to or carrying out their work. In this macro-environment, risks may...

Protecting Your Staff Who Work Or Live Abroad With Nugent Santé

As a specialist intermediary, Nugent Santé predominantly advise and arrange private medical insurance for corporate, SME and personal clients, whether based globally or in the UK. We are based in Preston, Lancashire, and are an appointed representative of one of the largest private medical insurance intermediary agencies in the market, Chase Templeton. Nugent Santé Chairman, Paul Nugent, has been a key figure of Chase Templeton since the agency’s infancy. With a wealth of experience in private medical insurance and protection in varied roles at insurance companies and brokerages, Paul has formed an...

Is International Medical Insurance The Right Choice?

The chances are that you are moving around the world from one assignment to another, so getting an international medical insurance plan that can travel with you will save you from having to switch insurers with each new country that you visit. This will give you the luxury of building up a relationship with one insurer who knows you and your medical history and if you have a gap between assignments then an international medical insurance policy could be the right option for you. For many expats and...

What Are The Benefits For Global Brokers, Agents And Intermediaries If They Add International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) To Their Insurance Product Portfolio?

For worldwide insurance brokers, agents and intermediaries that may be interested in IPMI market entry we asked an executive round table of leading insurance underwriters and providers of IPMI about the benefits brokers may expect if they add IPMI to their insurance product portfolio. Aetna International, Generali Global Health, HealthCare International and Wellaway all had something to say: Damian Lenihan, Aetna International: IPMI can provide a strong income and revenue stream for brokers. If a customer is buying more than one type of product from the same...

From A Brokers Perspective The International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) Market Is An Opportunity Ready To Be Taken

That is, according to Andrew Apps, Head of Global Healthcare at Bellwood Prestbury, when we asked why do global brokers, agents, intermediaries and independent financial advisers choose not to sell international private medical insurance?, at a recent IPMI broker round table. The Round Table Business Forum spoke to leading IPMI C-suite executives at the heart of global PMI about IPMI distribution trends and how brokers may benefit by adding IPMI to their product portfolio. Aetna International, Generali Global Health, HealthCare International and Wellaway also had expert IPMI broker advice...

The Evolving Face Of Health Insurance In The UAE

Written by Simon Isgar Partner Kennedys LLP. Kennedys is an international law firm with expertise in litigation and dispute resolution, particularly in the insurance/reinsurance and liability industries. With over 1,500 people worldwide across 27 offices in the UK and Europe, Middle East, Asia Pacific and the Americas, they have some of the most respected legal minds in their fields. Individuals and organisations resident in the United Arab Emirates (UAE) need to be aware of local legal requirements regarding health insurance. Otherwise, they run the risk of encountering difficulties with the UAE...

Do IPMI Insurers Purchase Medical Assistance, Air Ambulance And Logistics Services Based On Cost Or Quality?

It was Genichi Taguchi an engineer and statistician who said cost is more important than quality but quality is the best way to reduce cost. Everyone likes a good price but when your life is in someone else's hands, how much is too much? iPMI Magazine asked the international air ambulance industry this exact question in the recent round table business forum International Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Strategies. Read on to learn do IPMI insurers purchase medical assistance, transportation and logistics services based on cost or quality? EVA...

Terms Of Payment, Real Time Info And Communications Tops IPMI Provider Needs

In the recent iPMI Magazine round table business forum International Medical Evacuation and Repatriation Strategies we spoke with the insurance, assistance and air ambulance industry and discussed which policies and procedures may be improved between IPMI payors and providers. This isn't the first time iPMI Magazine has asked this question, and once again, terms of payment make an appearance. The general consensus is that IPMI providers are not concerned that they will not be paid however in some instances payment could be made quicker. Read on to learn why...

Can IPMI Insurers And Medical Evacuation And Repatriation Service Providers Work More Efficiently Together?

We all like efficiency - getting things done quickly and easily. In the international private medical insurance business efficiency can make all the difference in the golden hour, when an expatriate has an accident on assignment, or a tourist falls ill on holiday. But how efficient is the process from incident to claim to actual healthcare service access? iPMI Magazine recently asked a round table board the question, can IPMI insurers and medical evacuation and repatriation service providers work more efficiently together? ADAM BOOTH, MAYDAY ASSISTANCE: Insurance...

Why Is Emergency Medical Evacuation And Repatriation Insurance Coverage Essential For Offshore Workers, Expatriates, Business Travellers And Tourists?

In a recent exclusive iPMI Magazine round table business forum looking at air ambulance medical evacuation and repatriation services, we asked those at the heart of the global IPMI business why is emergency medical evacuation and repatriation insurance coverage essential for offshore workers, expatriates, business travellers and tourists? As always, the answers were extremely interesting: Andrew Apps, BELLWOOD PRESTBURY: Emergency medical evacuation insurance is essential when sending employees to work in remote, underdeveloped or high-risk regions of the world. From oil and gas workers located thousands of miles from...

What Are The Advantages And Disadvantages Of A Typical International Private Medical Insurance Plan?

In 2014 iPMI Magazine asked leading C-Suite Executives from the international private medical insurance (IPMI) industry what are the advantages and disadvantages of a typical international private medical insurance plan? The dialog and debate took place at the International VS Local private medical insurance round table, and in typical iPMI Magazine fashion, the commentary was extremely interesting. GREGOR SCHULTE, GLOBALITY HEALTH: The list of advantages of a well designed International Private Medical Insurance plan is headed by the customer confidence it engenders through adequate cover regardless of...

Video: 2016 Air Passenger and Freight Market Analysis

Full-year global passenger traffic results for 2016 shows demand rose 6.3% compared to 2015 (or 6.0% if adjusted for the leap year). This strong performance was well ahead of the ten-year average annual growth rate of 5.5%. Capacity rose 6.2% (unadjusted) compared to 2015, pushing the load factor up 0.1 percentage points to a record full-year average high of 80.5%. A particularly strong performance was reported for December with an 8.8% rise in demand outstripping 6.6% capacity growth. “Air travel was a good news story in 2016...

What Does BREXIT Mean For The International Private Medical Insurance, Assistance And Air Ambulance Industry?

With so many opinions and "reports" on BREXIT, iPMI Magazine speaks with leaders from the fields of insurance, assistance and air ambulance and asks, What Does BREXIT Mean For The International Private Medical Insurance, Assistance And Air Ambulance Industry? Ian Youngman, IPMI Analyst: The problem with Brexit is that no politician in the UK, USA or Europe actually knows what is going to happen or even when. It is like asking a broker to tell you the full product specification, price and insurer of a new...

Crisis In Kuwait

Tuesday, 06 September 2016 and iPMI Magazine reports that the Health Minister of Kuwait announced that the fatwa and legislative department had given the green light to setting up a separate healthcare system for expatriates under a new medical insurance scheme. The contract is meant to help ease the burden on the current health system and is in line with the government’s program of action and state development plan to develop a national healthcare strategy. January 2017 and all has changed, overnight, with no warning - leaving...

Healthcare Service Charges Increase By 500% For Expatriates In Kuwait

More unrest in the expatriate community in Kuwait where health minister Dr Jamal Al-Harby has prepared a new price list for healthcare service charges for expatriates and visitors - by mid Feb charges are set to increase by almost 500%! Kuwait officials allege that some expatriates and visitors only visit Kuwait to receive medical treatments, from routine check-ups to more complex surgeries. This puts a strain on the public hospital system and means Kuwaitis have to wait to receive treatments. Leading IPMI report author and industry analyst Ian...

What Are The Main Complexities Of Conducting International Evacuation And Repatriation Missions?

According to global medical assistance and claims providers CEGA, there has been a 30% year-on-year rise in demand for privately-funded medical repatriations. Heart problems, long term illnesses and complex fractures are among the most common medical ailments at the source of private repatriations, according to CEGA, with demand spanning areas as diverse as southern Asia, the Caribbean and mainland Europe. "The demand for medical repatriations is greatest from Europe" says Cecilia Geofilo-Pearson, CEGA's Business Development Manager. "But we are getting requests from all over the world - ranging...

Businesses Insure Vehicles And Office Contents But Often Fail To Protect Employees On International Assignments

In 2017 duty of care is a legal and moral obligation, but how can the international private medical insurance industry assist global employers fulfill their duty of care obligations? The Corporate Manslaughter and Corporate Homicide Act 2007 is a landmark in law and for the very first time, companies can be found guilty of corporate manslaughter as the direct result of serious management failures resulting in a gross breach of duty of care. But what does this all mean for expatriates, business travellers and tourists? Or for employers with a globally...

Learn More About Emergency Medical Evacuation And Repatriation Insurance Plan Coverage

In an ever riskier world, emergency medical evacuation and repatriation insurance coverage is essential, for offshore workers, expatriates, business travellers and tourists, but why? In a recent exclusive iPMI Magazine round table business forum, we asked those at the heart of global healthcare what they thought. As always, the answers were extremely interesting: Fiona Greenwood, ROWLAND BROTHERS INTERNATIONAL: National and international travel for work or pleasure is an accepted part of normal life in the twenty first century. With this increase in people moving around the world, there...

Medelinked And Integra Global Put The Consumer At The Centre Of Healthcare Delivery

In a way prescient of how health services will need to be delivered in future, international health plan provider Integra Global has worked with Medelinked to provide a secure online platform that empowers its customers to take control of and manage their healthcare and health state; and to view, update and provide trusted medical professionals with tailored access to their cloud-based personal medical records - all whist increasing the efficiency of the administrative process for more effective health delivery. Integra Global specialises in providing health plans...

Peer To Peer Insurer Lemonade Launches In New York

Lemonade, the US's first peer-to -peer insurance company, has been licensed as a full insurance carrier by New York State. NY homeowners and condo owners and renters can now get insured and settle claims instantly, anytime and from any device. "Technology drives everything at Lemonade" said Shai Wininger, President and co-founder. "From signing up to submitting a claim, the entire experience is mobile, simple and remarkably fast. What used to take weeks or months now happens in minutes or seconds. It's what you get when you...

Kuwait To Launch New Expatriate Healthcare System

The Health Minister of Kuwait Ali Al-Obaidi announced Monday that the fatwa and legislative department has given the green light to setting up a separate healthcare system for expatriates under a new medical insurance scheme. A draft contract has been approved by the fatwa department, which the ministry plans to sign with the Health Insurance Hospitals Company, in order to provide healthcare services to expatriates. With an estimated 2 million + expatriates in Kuwait the contract will help ease the burden put on the current healthcare...

Understanding PMI And IPMI Market Size Per Country

One of the most frequently asked questions we get asked at iPMI Magazine is what is the size of market for PMI and iPMI by country, and globally? Before we answer that, answer the following 2 questions: If a Frenchman living in London buys an IPMI policy from a French broker who uses an Irish insurer that is part of a German group for cover in a Gulf state where insurance has to be fronted/shared by a local insurer; Which or how many of these 5 countries do...

Hacks Tax and Expatriates

Panama law firm announces major data hack. Resignation of Icelandic PM. Swiss police raid Uefa offices. 20 global leaders alleged to have used tax havens. British PM gives 5 different answers to questions on finance after allegations that his father paid no tax for 30 years then eventually admits he profited from father’s offshore fund. China shuts down the Internet. Laundered cash from Britain’s largest gold bullion robbery was hidden in Panama. Argentinean President is being questioned by federal authorities. Thailand's Anti-Money Laundering Office investigating...

Where There's A Will, There's A Way

Aviva‘s latest Family Finances Report highlights very clearly the lack of planning people generally have in place should they die. It also reveals that although families know they should plan ahead for the inevitable, they find it difficult to have those important conversations. The report suggests that 62% of people feel that death is a taboo subject. These figures are borne out by similar figures issued by the Dying Matters Coalition which suggests that 72% of the public believe that people in Britain are uncomfortable discussing dying, death...

Insurance Companies And Products As We Know Them Today Will Have To Evolve

That's according to Griselle Chernys, CEO, at Wellaway, who took an executive seat on a recent iPMI Magazine round table business forum. Although global risks have changed dramatically, medical inflation and the cost of employee benefits continues to cause concern. In the most recent iPMI Magazine Round Table Business Forum we spoke with leading C-Level executives from the world of International Private Medical Insurance about the rising cost of healthcare and medical inflation. An AON report report shows that in 2015, medical costs are expected to increase by 10.15 percent before plan design...

Self-Insured Funding – Is This The Right Option For Your Company?

With rising premiums and reduced benefits to employees, many employers are deciding to self-fund their healthcare benefits, in order to avoid costly healthcare reform mandates, taxes, and inflated insurance carrier profit margins. Nearly 60% of employers in the USA, of all sizes, self-fund their healthcare plans, states the Employee Benefit Research Institute. The question remains, “Is self-funded the right option for your company?” The question is sure to be answered upon conclusion of this piece. Self-insured funding is one of the most effective ways employers can...

The IRS Moves Towards Implementing The Cadillac Tax

Regardless of the opposition of congressmen, brokers, and employers, on July 30th, the United States Internal Revenue Service (IRS) issued another notice on the Cadillac Tax, which will go into effect in early 2018. Notice 2015-52 Section 49801 – Excise Tax on High Cost Employer-Sponsored Health Coverage addresses additional topics and issues related to the Cadillac Tax, which will seriously impact most employer-sponsored group health plans. In February, the IRS issued Notice 2015-16. That notice brought into light the preliminary ideas for the reason of developing future...

What Is Important When Designing Maritime And Marine Medical Health Insurance Plans?

There are more than 1.5 million seafarers in the world. A majority of these seafarers now have a right to be protected through national laws and practices applying the MLC, 2006 to the ships on which they work. Title 4 of the MLC covers Health Protection, Medical Care, Welfare and Social Security Protection. From August 20th 2013 all vessels over a certain size have to comply with a new labour convention known as the Maritime Labour Convention (MLC) 2006. Late 2014 and International Private Medical Insurance...

Critical Considerations When Designing Individual International Private Medical Insurance Plans

Introducing a business into new emerging markets is the response from worldwide business owners to the preeminent mega trend that is globalisation. Establishing a global footprint may be of pivotal importance to a wide range of industry, and according to PWC, cross-border assignments are showing no signs of a slowdown. In fact, 59% of CEOs plan to send more staff on international assignments with predictions that global corporate travel and international assignments will increase 50% by 2020. But it isn’t just business crossing borders. Leading research firm...

What Are The Key Differences Between An iPMI And A Local Insurance Plan?

In a recent International Private Medical Insurance Magazine executive round table business forum, we spoke with leading C-Level executives about the major differences between international private medical insurance plans and local insurance plans. As expatriate hot spots around the world continue to mandate insurance cover for expatriate employees, under various visa and employment laws, questions from the business community continue to be raised. Issues focus around how new laws will help and assist expatriates and what levels of cover they may expect from local insurance plans. GREGOR...

Shipping Losses Lowest For 10 Years But Mega-Ships And Cyber-Attacks Pose New Threats For Maritime Sector

75 large ships lost worldwide in 2014, down by a third year-on-year. South China and South East Asian waters top loss hotspots. Increasing size of container ships and floating offshore facilities could cause larger losses exceeding $1 billion. Cyber risks a growing concern in shipping sector, particularly around e-navigation. Crewing levels, Arctic shipping, the increase in human trafficking by sea and further geopolitical uncertainty create new industry risks. Shipping losses continued their long-term downward trend with 75 reported worldwide in 2014, making it the safest year...

U.S. Employers Expect Health Care Costs to Rise 4% in 2015

Companies plan to continue subsidizing and managing benefits while taking aggressive action to keep costs down. U.S. employers expect a 4% increase in 2015 health care costs for active employees after plan design changes, according to global professional services company Towers Watson (NYSE, NASDAQ: TW). If no adjustments are made, employers project a 5.2% growth rate, putting absolute cost per person for health care benefits at an all-time high. Despite this cost trend, most (83%) employers consider health benefits an important element of their employee value...