Engage Health Group

Tag: APRIL International

  • Which is the best International Health Insurance company?

    Which is the best International Health Insurance company?

    Every International Health Insurance provider offers a range of plans and price points which target different types of business customers. Whether you’re an SME looking to protect your growing workforce of global employees, or a large corporation looking to protect high-net-worth individuals around the world; there’s a policy designed for you.

    But is there one provider which we’d recommend above the rest?

    To be honest, it’s not that simple. The best solution for you will depend on the exact requirements of your business, the scale of your international workforce and the spending power you have at your disposal.

    In this blog post, we’ve listed nine of the best International Health Insurance companies operating in the market today. It’s designed to provide you with a valuable overview of the different providers to help you understand what’s available today.

    Need one-to-one advice from an independent broker? Contact our team of AMII-affiliated experts for FREE quotes and guidance. Call +44 (0)1273 974419 or click on the bottom right chat box.

    Top 9 Global Health Insurance Companies

    1. April International

    April International has been in the market for over 40 years now with over 150,000 insured members across 180 countries, 260 global employees, 20,000 distribution partners, and 12 offices worldwide. Their support for both SMEs and larger corporates are three-fold: long-term health insurance, short-term health insurance, and student health insurance.

    Products/services include:

    • Medical expenses
    • Repatriation assistance
    • Private civil liability
    • Death and disability
    • Security
    • Retirement
    • International health insurance for SMEs and large corporates
    • Specific regional solutions
    • Case management

    2. Allianz Worldwide Care

    With more than 130 years of service for international organisations under its belt, Allianz Worldwide Care is a vastly experienced outfit. They are based across Europe, the Middle East, Australia, Asia, the Americas, and Africa with a network of 1.3 million providers and partners.

    Products/services include:

    • Digital access to care resources/platforms
    • Global telehealth services
    • 24/7 multilingual helpline
    • 3 different health insurance coverage plans – Essential, Classic, Premier

    3. AXA Global Healthcare

    Headquartered in France, AXA Global Healthcare is one of the top life and health insurance companies today. AXA Global now has over 1.4 million medical facilities worldwide, a medical network spread across nearly 150 countries, and 88% of its claims are paid in just 3 days.

    They offer three options of cover for different-sized companies, simplifying the process of finding an appropriate level of cover:

    • Cover for 1-74 employees
    • Cover for 75-149 employees
    • Cover for over 150 employees

    > Further reading: A broker’s review of AXA Global Healthcare <

    4. Bupa Global

    Bupa Global is a UK organisation, with bases now spread across Australia, Europe, Latin America, the Middle East, and Asia. They were established in 1971 and have grown to work with over 1.2 million medical providers, helping over 38 million customers.

    Bupa Global provide customers with products and services to access the international healthcare they require anytime, anywhere in the world, advising through their global team of experts. Now partnered with GeoBlue, these two organisations also offer health insurance coverage to US citizens travelling abroad or any person moving to the US.

    Bupa Global’s “Ultimate Health Plan”, has long been considered the most extensive in the market which makes it well-suited to high net-worth individuals.

    5. Cigna Global

    Spanning across over 200 countries and territories with a global network of 1.5 million healthcare providers, Cigna Global is another huge successful option for international healthcare and support. They have more than 60 years of experience in the market, constantly designing and managing International Group Health Insurance and employee benefits plans for their over 180 million global customers.

    Products/services include:

    • EssentialCare – simple and flexible international health cover
    • ExecutiveCare – comprehensive international health cover offering enhanced core cover
    • EliteCare – premium international health cover
    • Offers modular and flexible options to personalise any plan

    Are you looking for FREE quotes on International Health Insurance tailored to your business? Click the ‘Get Quotes’ button at the top of the page or call 01273 974419 for impartial expert assistance.

    6. Now Health International

    Now Health International is a provider based in Hong Kong with regional service centres in Hong Kong, Shanghai, Dubai, Singapore, Jakarta, Malta, and the UK. In 2015, they acquired Best Doctors Insurance (a major medical insurance provider) with distribution throughout Latin America, Canada, and the Caribbean. The combination of both providers created one of the largest independent IPMI providers worldwide with 125,000 members, more than 370 staff members, and over 5,000 distribution partners.

    Products/services include:

    • Micro group health option (3-9 employees)
    • Mini-group health option (10-24 employees)
    • Small group health option (25-49 employees)
    • Medium group health option (50-99 employees)
    • WorldCare – members have access to the best healthcare both at home and overseas
    • SimpleCare – offers vital health protection and access to world-class medical facilities at an affordable price

    7. William Russell

    Entering the market in 1992 as part of the AWP Health & Life SA (Allianz Group), William Russell is growing at a successful rate now with a network of 40,000 hospitals worldwide, 75 employees, and members in over 160 countries. William Russell’s cover options and health insurance plans are available to any expats wanting to live and work anywhere in the world, aside from USA and Switzerland.

    Products/services include:

    • Bronze health insurance plan
    • SilverLite health insurance plan
    • Silver health insurance plan
    • Gold health insurance plan
    • Cover for up-to-date cancer care and treatments, including providing wigs, counselling, dietitian consultations and more

    8. UnitedHealthcare Global

    Emerging from UnitedHealth Group in 2014, UnitedHealthcare Global aims to support globally mobile groups through a range of solutions targeting long and short-term assignments, individual travel, assistance and security services, and medical services. In the US, UnitedHealthcare Global is contracted with over 1.2 million physicians/care professionals and 6,500 hospitals/care facilities.

    Products/services include:

    • Domestic and international benefits plans
    • Customisable assistance, security, and intelligence services to meet specific needs of global businesses
    • Remote medical services for extreme/challenging locations – on-site staffing, supplies, and virtual health support

    9. Global Benefits Group

    Global Benefits Group has over 40 years in the market distributing and underwriting international health, life, disability, educational, and travel insurance on a global level. They have offices in Serbia, California, India, South Africa, England, the Philippines, Florida, New Jersey, and China.

    Products/services include:

    • Ability to tailor benefits to create your ideal plans e.g., low deductibles, robust benefits or increased deductibles, reduced benefits – according to budget and business need
    • Partner with local insurance companies, meeting with specific country regulations

    How do I find the best health insurance policy?

    There is no one right answer as to who is the best International Health Insurance company. As we’ve already mentioned, it really depends on the precise nature of your business, the different territories you’re operating within and the budgetary power you’re able to wield.

    We strongly advise that you speak to an independent broker with expertise in the international employee benefits market. Engage Group Health is just such a broker.

    If you contact a member of our team, we’ll give you the chance to ask all the questions you’ve ever wanted to ask about International Health Insurance and other related topics – cutting the time you would otherwise spend researching online. We’ll then advise on the best policies currently available on the market and deliver a range of quotes FREE of charge.

    Engage is fully independent of any one insurance provider, meaning we can give you completely impartial advice in your best interest.

    To kickstart your search, contact us at +44 (0)1273 974419 or use the contact form on the right.

  • Looking for the right international insurance policy? Here are 9 to consider

    Looking for the right international insurance policy? Here are 9 to consider

    If you’re a company with employees spread across different countries, you might be wondering which international insurance policy or related benefits you should provide. Whether you have global offices, expat workers or a team of far-flung remote employees; it’s far easier to support them centrally rather than via separate policies and points of contact.

    The net benefit of implementing everything within one policy is less paperwork and reduced admin processes for HR teams – plus, a more cohesive offering for employees. Surveys show that over a third of businesses are increasing the number of international remote workers unaffiliated to a local office.

    In this context, offering attractive and easy-to-administer benefits will be key to winning the battle for talent.

    This blog post reveals:

    • The top 9 international insurance policies & related services
    • International Health Insurance trends and price ranges
    • 4 key benefits of investing in a single international scheme vs separate local schemes

    If you’d like one-to-one expert assistance call +44 (0)1273 974149 or use the chatbox on the right.

     

    9 international insurance policies and services to consider

    1. International Business Health Insurance:

    What does it do?

    Gives your employees access to private healthcare, wherever they are in the world. A specific short-term policy also exists for employees working abroad for between one and 12 months.

    Why provide it?

    Fulfils your duty of care to employees all over the world, gives them the medical support they need when they need it, reduces the chances of a failed expat assignment, and can also help diagnose problems before they occur thereby reducing absenteeism.

    Learn more about International Business Health Insurance

    2. International Group Life Insurance

    What does it do?

    Provides financial support to a team member’s loved-ones in the event of their death – wherever they are in the world.

    Why provide it?

    Reassures employees that their family is looked after should the worst happen. It’s also a relatively low-cost international insurance policy.

    Learn more about International Group Life Insurance

    3. International Group Income Protection

    What does it do?

    It provides financial support to an employee should they fall ill, wherever they are in the world. Essentially, it’s a form of sick pay.

    Why offer it?

    Rather than the business having to foot the bill for staff absence, the insurance policy covers it – avoiding a potential financial hit. For the staff member, it provides essential financial support. Income Protection is currently ranking as the most desired benefit in the post-pandemic era.

    Learn more about International Group Income Protection

    Looking for independent and impartial advice on international insurance policies and other benefits? Our team of expert advisors will be happy to answer all your questions. Call us on +44 (0)1273 974149 or use the chatbox on the right.

    4. International Group Critical Illness

    What does it do?

    Provides financial support to your international workforce in the event of a serious illness or, in some policies, if they suffer a disability.

    Why offer it?

    A serious debilitating illness is a major life event and many would struggle to support themselves or their families in the absence of a regular income. This international insurance policy comes to the rescue by providing support when it’s needed most.

    Learn more about International Group Critical Illness

    5. International Employee Assistance Programmes

    What does it do?

    While it’s not strictly an international insurance policy, it’s an important related service often included with a policy. An IEAP is a digital platform which provides practical health and wellbeing support to employees, either via a mobile or desktop app. Counselling services, financial advice, and stress support are among the services offered.

    Why offer it?

    Multi-lingual support means it’s easy to provide everyday wellbeing support to your global teams. In essence, it helps them help themselves, empowering them with the tools required to be happier, healthier and more at ease with whatever life and work throws at them. They are much vaunted for their ability to reduce staff sickness absence rates.

    Learn more about International Employee Assistance Programmes

    6. Group Travel Insurance

    What does it do?

    Provides insurance coverage for groups of employees travelling abroad, covering them for things such as: accidents, illnesses, lost possessions and travel cancellations.

    Why offer it?

    Particularly useful if you have teams travelling abroad for business trips. A comprehensive policy can massively reduce the burden on HR if employees’ get into difficulty, providing rapid support and guidance for all the issues covered within the policy. You might also be able to get travel insurance with Covid cover.

    Learn more Group Travel Insurance

    7. Pre-Assignment Screening

    What does it do?

    Provides a series of checks designed to assess an employee’s suitability for working overseas. Health screening, personal evaluation, pre-trip preparation and family support is often included.

    Why offer it?

    The failure rate of expat assignments can be quite high if not managed appropriately. Pre-assignment screening maximises the chances of a successful assignment by checking the psychological and physical wellbeing of the employee before they leave, and ensure that every potential challenge is considered or negated in advance.

    Learn more about Pre-Assignment Screening

    8. Kidnap & Ransom Insurance

    What does it do?

    It supports a business in the event of an employee’s kidnap or hostage. It covers consultancy costs (hostage negotiators, for example), care expenses (physical & mental), legal costs and/or employee replacement costs.

    Why offer it?

    If your business operates in a part of the world prone to such incidents, or you have high net worth individuals, then Kidnap & Ransom Insurance may be advisable. It helps protect both employee and business alike, both during and after the incident. This international insurance policy is often overlooked by businesses.

    Learn more about Kidnap & Ransom Insurance

    9. Cultural training

    What does it do?

    It’s a specific form of workplace training which essentially equips people (expats, multi-national workplaces and/or global leadership teams), with the knowledge and skills to communicate effectively across different countries and cultures, free of misunderstanding or cultural faux pas.

    Why offer it?

    Ultimately, improved communication leads to improved team dynamics – driving productivity and bolstering team morale.

    Learn more about Cultural Training

     

    International Health Insurance trends and price ranges

    Global health insurance provider, APRIL International, were happy to share with us some of the current trends they are witnessing. With over 30 years of experience and operations globally covering more than 150,000 insured members in 180 countries around the world, this is a market they know well.

        • Average International Business Health Insurance premiums: An employer can expect to pay on average £1,500 – £2,500 annual premium per employee but of course this can vary depending on the age, location and level of benefit required. For a basic Inpatient only policy with APRIL International we can expect an annual premium of around £1,200.
        • Average age range: The average age of an employee we typically see for an SME group is 35-40 years.
        • Percentage of ‘new to market’ business: 20-30% of group enquiries are businesses which have not purchased a policy previously. 70-80% are existing clients looking for an alternate offer to their renewal.
        • Mental health provisions are in demand: Over the last 5 years in general there has been a real emphasis on mental health awareness and therefore almost all brokers and customers query the cover in relation to this aspect.

     

    In a post Covid world, health insurance for global employees is likely to become ever more important. Global insurance providers such as APRIL International offer a route through the complexities of accommodating this risk.

     

    4 practical benefits of investing in single international insurance policies

    A single international employee benefits scheme provides several advantages over domestic, single country schemes:

    1. Consistency:

    International benefit schemes provide a consistent range of benefits and support for all staff across multiple countries creating simplicity and ease of administration.

    Even if an employee moves from one country to another, the scheme can be designed to move with them. This saves the trouble (and cost) of removing an employee from a pre-existing policy and enrolling them onto a new one.

    1. Generous terms

    When you have multiple employees under one policy, you can gain improved terms and conditions. This is the typical ‘bulk buy’ effect. For example, it’s possible to get Medical History Disregarded underwriting on an International Health Insurance plan – this means an individual’s previous medical conditions are overlooked in the pricing and/or terms of the policy. A single national policy is unlikely to offer such generous terms.

    1. Centralised and simplified

    Hundreds of HR hours can be saved by bringing together a range of insurance schemes and perks in one place. Different languages, renewal dates, currencies and points of contact can be brought into a centrally managed system.

    “Having one central point of contact to administer a group’s international healthcare cover across time zones and languages is costly, so if this burden can be borne by the insurer, the client will save valuable resource,” said Adam Vogt, Sales Director from APRIL International. “Equally, having clearly defined procedures and benefits centrally on a company intranet can ensure all have access and the rules and policy operation are made easier.”

    1. Superior quality

    Many international insurance policies will provide more extensive levels of cover than domestic policies. This is particularly true of global health insurance, where individuals may have access to extra services such as: maternity care, private GP visits, preventative health screening, dental, optical, wellbeing and medical evacuation.

    Would you like to outsource the workload?

    Many companies choose to utilise an insurance broker when seeking out an international insurance policy. A good broker can alleviate the strain on HR by doing all the legwork involved in sourcing and implemeting a scheme.

    Engage Health Group is a broker fully independent of any insurance provider. That means we can offer impartial advice free of charge and obligation.

    Tel: +44 (0)1273 974419 or use the chatbox on the right.