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Tag: Axa Global Healthcare

  • New AXA Global Healthcare app unites health, wellbeing & policy support

    New AXA Global Healthcare app unites health, wellbeing & policy support

    AXA Global Healthcare are the latest insurer to launch an app that brings together policy documents, claims management, professional health support and wellbeing tools all under one roof.

    So, when they say it’s “all-in-one”, it’s no exaggeration.

    The main idea behind the app is to make it easier to access all the services and benefits available in your international health insurance policy.

    In this article, we look at the features included within the new app and how they can benefit your business and its employees.

    Are your global policies providing headaches for your HR teams? Contact our award-winning international team for complimentary policy reviews and recommendations.

    ⋯

    What’s in the app?

    The AXA Global Healthcare app is packed with tools that help staff take charge of their health. Here’s what it promises:

    Virtual healthcare 

    • 24/7 doctor access: Access over 450 qualified doctors anytime, anywhere, via phone or video.
    • Mental health support: Receive up to six psychologist sessions per policy year.
    • Second medical opinions: If you’re not sure about a diagnosis or treatment plan, you can get a second opinion from a network of over 50,000 medical experts worldwide.
    • Multilingual support: Health support is available in more than 20 languages.

    Wellbeing & preventative care

    • Health & fitness tracking: Set personal goals for fitness, nutrition, and mental wellbeing, and keep track of your progress.
    • Device integration: Sync the app with your smartwatch or fitness tracker to monitor real-time health data.
    • Wellbeing resources: Enjoy access to content to help you sleep better, reduce stress, and improve your overall wellbeing.

    Insurance & claims management

    • Find healthcare providers: Locate a doctor or specialist from AXA’s network of 1.9 million providers worldwide.
    • Easy claims management: Submit invoices, track claims, and authorise treatments from your phone or computer.
    • Easy access to policy details: Check your coverage, policy limits, and access digital membership cards in just a few taps.
    • Live customer support: If you need help, you can chat with a customer service agent in real-time.

    Engage Health Group can simplify the way you offer employee benefits to global teams at no extra cost to your business. Arrange your free consultation with one of our global experts by contacting enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or 01273 974419.

    ⋯

    How will members benefit?

    The app can be accurately described as “holistic”. It’s designed to make life easier and healthcare more accessible. Here’s how members will benefit:

    • Instant access to care: There is no need to wait for appointments, as help is available 24/7, 365 days-a-year via the app.
    • Take control of your health: With built-in tracking and resources, you can take charge of your overall health.
    • Save time and money: Virtual consultations reduce physical trips to the doctor and can help lower costs.
    • No more paperwork: The app keeps all your insurance details, claims, and medical records in one place.
    • All-in-one support: Whether you need a doctor, a therapist, or an insurance update, it’s all in the app.
    • Everything in one place: No skipping between apps, platforms or physical documents

    ⋯

    Is it a unique solution?

    It’s not entirely unique as Bupa and Allianz both offer something similar. For instance, Bupa’s Global MembersWorld App brings together claims submissions, policy document access and wellbeing tools. Meanwhile, Allianz Care’s MyHealth App has similarly comprehensive features.

    However, for current AXA Global Healthcare customers, it will make health and wellbeing services much easier to access. Xavier Lestrade, CEO of AXA Global Healthcare, calls the launch “a major milestone” for the company:

    “The launch of our new all-in-one app marks a major milestone in our mission to lead innovation within the international health and wellbeing space. AXA – Global Healthcare plans to be a key player in the growth of preventative health. The app is paving the first steps, demonstrating our journey into wellbeing.”

    ⋯

    Ease-of-use equals improved outcomes

    As insurers continue to improve the usability of their policies and extra support features; the end beneficiary will be the staff accessing them, with a knock-on effect for employers themselves.

    The continued focus on preventative tools and services is perhaps the most exciting part of this trend. Easy access to diagnostics, practical wellbeing guidance and self-help tools can help people tackle health issues before they develop into something more serious.

    The more insurers innovate in this area, the better the outcomes for people. We can certainly say that AXA Global Healthcare’s new app is a further positive step in that direction.

    Could your global health and protection policies be working more smoothly? You can take advantage of a free consultation with our award-winning global experts. We will review your current offering and see whether there is potential to streamline its administration and reduce costs. Contact enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk or 01273 974419

  • AXA Global Healthcare: is it the right option for your business?

    AXA Global Healthcare: is it the right option for your business?

    AXA Global Healthcare is an International Health Insurance product available to both UK individuals and businesses. Essentially, it’s a single policy which can be used to provide health coverage in multiple countries.

    But what do our expert brokers think?

    Engage Health Group’s International Director, Ian Abbott, and Senior International Manager, James Carrick, provide their expert insight into AXA’s international health insurance products and the level of service customers can expect.

    Contents:

    • An overview of AXA Global Healthcare
    • The AXA Global product range:

    – Personal
    – Small business
    – Medium-sized business
    – Large corporate business
    – NGOs and IGOs

    • The broker’s verdict: Key strengths & issues to consider
    • Summary: Is AXA Global Healthcare right for you?

     

    Would you rather speak one-to-one with an AMII-accredited independent expert? We’ll advise on the various health insurance options available for your global business. Call 01273 974419 or email enquiries@engagehealthgroup.co.uk

     

    AXA Global: a brief overview

    AXA Global Health Insurance logo

    AXA Global Healthcare is one of the leading providers of International Health Insurance, with a particularly strong reputation across Europe. Its core international products consist of the following plans:

    • Personal: for individuals and families
    • Small business: covering businesses with 1-74 employees
    • Medium-sized business: covering 75-149 employees
    • Large corporate: covering 150-plus employees
    • NGO/IGOs

    Many international insurers are tied to a particular customer type, such as large corporates. But AXA Global offers something for anyone seeking out a health insurance policy which works around the world.

    It’s worth noting that all International Health Insurance schemes, whoever the provider, will cover what you’d expect in a typical domestic health insurance plan. This includes in-patient, day-patient and out-patient services. However, international schemes offer a greater range of services which typically includes:

    • A wider range of cancer treatments
    • Emergency evacuation and repatriation
    • Unlimited virtual consultations
    • Second medical opinions
    • A personal account manager to answer all your queries

     

    The AXA Global product range

    > Personal plans

    AXA provides personal plans for individuals and families covering a range of circumstances, including:

    • Expats
    • People living or working in one other country
    • People living or working in more than one country

     

    Coverage can be provided on a short-term or long-term basis.

    Short-term is designed for those:

    • Living or working abroad for less than a year
    • Unsure whether they will need coverage beyond a year
    • Needing cover while in the process of applying to a local healthcare system

    Long-term coverage is designed for those who require coverage for longer than a year.

     

    > Small business plans: 1-74 employees

    A global AXA small business policy provides five different levels of cover which cater for varying budgets and business needs. As with AXA’s other international schemes, customers get their own account manager, virtual doctor, mind health access and emergency medical evacuation services where claims made don’t impact allowances or excesses – plus everything you would get in a regular business health insurance scheme in the UK.

    Other features included in all five tiers of coverage include:

    • Ambulance transport
    • Accidental damage to teeth
    • Medical issues arising from pregnancy
    • Surgery
    • Parental accommodation (should a child be hospitalised)
    • Access to a Healthcare Hub and online account, providing information on how to make the most of the services available.

    It’s worth noting that this plan is very much a “set menu” which means there is little room for tailoring these plans to the distinct needs of a business. On the plus side, customers can benefit from the simplicity of knowing that what they see is what they get. If you like what you see on the shelf, the process of buying the scheme is relatively straightforward.

     

    > Medium-sized businesses: 75-149 employees

    Medium-sized businesses can get a more flexible plan compared to what’s available on AXA’s small business scheme. Expect all the services mentioned above, plus a few extra features.

    There are four core products to choose from, with the main variable being the maximum insurance payout amount allowed in any given year. I.e. the higher the maximum, the higher the premium.

    Added extras include the following ‘cost control’ features:

    • A guarantee that premiums won’t increase at first renewal, if your claims stay under a set amount.
    • A range of excess options designed to help you cut your costs
    • Different ways of covering existing medical conditions (underwriting options)
    • A profit share arrangement – you’ll get money back if claims add up to less than 75% of the premium (minus tax)
    • A £35,000 cap on high value claims – meaning any amount claimed above that will not be added to your renewal premium.
    • A variable treatment allowance which you can set differently for different groups of employees (higher risk/lower risk)

     

    You’ll also receive support from a dedicated account manager along with performance dashboard helping you to manage your scheme.

    > Large corporate plan: 150+ employees

    The large corporate plan is entirely bespoke rather than a tiered plan. Under this plan, AXA will work with you to design a scheme according to your exacting needs.

    Expect all the features which have been outlined in the plans for small and medium-sized businesses, plus regular detailed reports which monitor the performance of your plan, plus extra support for cancer diagnosis via a dedicated case manager.

    Broadly speaking, whatever features you desire in your international health insurance policy, AXA Global Healthcare can deliver.

    Whether you’re an SME or a large corporation, the independent experts at Engage Health Group are here to help you make the wisest decision. Simply call us on 01273 974419 or use the contact form on the right for objective analysis and individually tailored advice.

     

    The broker’s verdict on AXA Global Healthcare

    Key strengths

    Strong reputation across Europe

    “Their European heritage makes them a very strong brand across Europe,” says Ian Abbott, International Director at Engage Health Group. “It means that when you turn up to a hospital, you don’t have to put your hand in your pocket and pay the bill yourself before later getting it back from the insurer.

    “Instead, you can simply show your AXA card and the hospital will immediately know what to do and the insurer will directly settle most in-patient and day-patient cases themselves.

    “Conversely, if you were with a smaller provider or one with a weaker reputation, the response might be ‘who are they?’ and ‘are we going to get paid?’ and so more checks will be required in order to get the payment settled.

    “In this sense, the AXA brand holds a tangible value because it enables a smooth process, which is exactly what you need when you’re ill. AXA is very trusted on the continent – more so than a UK brand like Bupa.”

    Excellent customer service

    “AXA’s customer service is excellent,” says James Carrick, Senior International Manager at Engage. “Their claims turnaround time is very quick compared to the rest of the industry, with online claims usually paid within 24 to 48 hours.”

    “They provide twenty-four seven support, so they’re very supportive to HR teams. They’ve also received a stellar rating for customer service from their customers.”

    Ian concurs: “When we surveyed one client’s employees, the feedback was all very positive. The main comments centred around fast turnaround of claims, and ease with which they could always get hold of someone for support.”

    “We’ve never had a client with AXA Global who’ve had a problem with their service or wanted to leave because of it. The feedback we get is always positive. They’re definitely one of the better insurers in terms of the experience the employees get by being a member with them.”

    Simplicity of scheme

    “It’s a simple product to understand because it has a tiered structure for SMEs,” says Ian. “Yes, it has less flexibility compared to some plans, but for companies who are buying for the first time it’s easier to put in place and ticks a lot of boxes in one go.”

    Clearly, this simplicity can be both a strength and a weakness. However, for medium-sized businesses of over 75 employees, or large corporates with more than 150 employees, schemes can be individually tailored.

    Low price rises at renewal

    Some insurers hit their customers with a major hike at renewal, but AXA Global Healthcare has been performing well in this respect.

    “They offer sustainable premiums, most likely owing to their big footprint in Europe which essentially means they probably get the best discounted rates,” says James. “This means that customers pay less over a longer period of time. For example, one of our clients had a two percent increase with AXA Global this year but in the wider industry you’re typically looking at ten percent year-on-year in medical inflation. So for AXA to offer such low increases year-on-year is testament to how they manage their claims.”

    Indeed, this is reflected by AXA’s own data which shows an average annual increase of just over 6% over three years which is below the industry average.

     

    Issues to consider

    Lack of flexibility for SMEs

    While the simplicity of AXA Global Healthcare’s SME products is often a selling point, it also means the policy is somewhat rigid in nature for some businesses.

    “They are quite inflexible in certain areas which is something they are addressing,” admits James. “A lot of other insurance providers have become more modular, so you can add and remove features. A lot of companies would want that flexibility. AXA’s global offering is still very much an off-the-shelf package for SMEs, though there are certain optional upgrades such as dental and rotine pregnancy cover.  They’ve tried to change that, but it’s not as modular as Allianz, Aetna or Cigna.

    “However, it’s more flexible for bigger businesses because for anything over 74 employees there is more room for customisation and for over 150 employees you can pretty much have whatever you want. You can add or remove benefits and include anything ranging from infertility to gender dysphoria treatments.”

    Limited coverage for local nationals

    Many businesses employ local nationals in different parts of the world. It’s often a key reason why they seek out health insurance with global coverage. However, while AXA Global Healthcare has strong coverage in Europe, in other parts of the world there have been limitations.

    “Historically, AXA have been unable to quote for a number of locations in which other insurers have done so,” says James. “However, they have started to relax their stance. Whether they can provide a quote largely depends on the company, the makeup of the census, percentage of locals on the plan and where payment is being received from.”

    If you’re a company looking to provide health insurance to employees living in different parts of the world, it’s worth arranging a FREE call with our international brokers. We’ll provide the latest advice and guidance, and gather personalised quotes from across the whole market.

    Provides health insurance only

    Other international health insurers may also provide other international policies such as Life Insurance, Global Income Protection and Global Critical Illness Cover. AXA Global Healthcare provides these policies, but only for companies based outside of the UK, due to Brexit. This means UK-headquartered companies can only access AXA’s International Health Insurance products. On the plus side, you can be assured that they have a dedicated team who know this market very well.

     

    Summary: Is AXA Global Healthcare right for you?

    The answer to this question really depends on the precise needs of your business. It may be that a simple-to-administer global health insurance policy, which works particularly well across Europe, is just what you need. However, the lack of customisation for SMEs may make those businesses question whether it will provide true value for money.

    As ever, with the complex topic of health insurance, we recommend speaking to an independent broker like Engage Health Group. We provide expert help and guidance on all the complex issues facing international businesses. We will also deliver a range of FREE quotes according to your exacting requirements.

    And our assistance doesn’t end there. We’ll also help you implement a new scheme, introduce any new employee benefits to your global teams and help with the claims process.

    Call us 01273 974419 or use the chatbox in the bottom right to start the conversation.

     

    Title image by Laurent Grassin – CC

     

  • 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.

  • The AXA Global Healthcare 2021: The latest trends & cutting-edge solutions

    The AXA Global Healthcare 2021: The latest trends & cutting-edge solutions

    Healthcare insight and trends by AXA Global

    AXA launched its interactive Global Healthcare Virtual Conference this March. It incorporated discussions and insights from AXA’s leaders and representatives across the world on the recent trends they’ve noticed and their thoughts on how best to navigate the future terrain.

    Essentially, it was a debrief on the extraordinary last 12 months the industry has had to adapt to.

    As well as taking the opportunity to showcase their upcoming International Health Insurance plans, the conference mostly centred around: “The World of Work” – their latest annual report to have been commissioned. Its aim: to discover what international working looks like today and how this information can help HR decision makers better meet the needs of their assignees and prevent overseas assignments from failing.

    Over the course of a couple of days AXA explored a range of subjects surrounding the challenges the future may bring and how they expect the role of healthcare providers to change.

    They also raised questions like:

    “What complexities has the pandemic created?”

    “Are placements still viable for global businesses?”

    “Do employees still want to go on placement?”

    Engage Health Group is an employee benefits broker with particular expertise in helping international businesses. We deliver FREE quotes and impartial advice designed to achieve maximum value and lighten the burden on HR. Fill out the form on the right or tel:+44(0)1273 974419.

    Covid-19 impact on businesses

    The head of AXA’s Global reinsurance partnerships in Singapore; Laurent Pochat‑Cottilloux, shared his insights on the impact Covid-19 has had on the business which were particularly interesting.

    Impact #1:

    From his viewpoint, policy retention remained stable throughout the outbreak although new business took a hit as assignments were cancelled or brought to an end earlier than planned.

    Impact #2:

    All in all, people have been much less inclined to look at new policies or think about switching providers. To back up this point he added that sadly, one in five ex-pats left Singapore in 2020. He thinks it unlikely those numbers will return, predicting at least five years before they see similar numbers in Singapore again. 

    Impact #3:

    Of course, with social distancing a new must, the way we sell has changed. Face-to-face selling has not been an option and consequently, an up-tick in telesales has been noted.  

    Impact #4:

    In terms of claims costs, he described a significant drop, in comparison to those seen in 2019, as people have been avoiding medical centres, either by choice or government order.

    Elective, non-emergency and wellbeing claims have dramatically reduced and though the cost of severe Covid-19 cases can be high, these costs are usually funded by local healthcare systems. Furthermore, in the worst hit areas, private beds were requisitioned by governments for public use, so they have not seen the costs of hospital treatment filter through in claims as much as one might have expected.

    You can see further research from competing International Medical Insurance provider Cigna Global on the impact of Covid-19.

    So, what does this mean for 2021 according to AXA?

    AXA do expect to see a marked increase in claim submissions as we move toward the end of 2021 and medical services become safer to access and more widely available. Healthcare providers may need to hike their premiums up this year to cover the losses incurred from 2020.

    Yet, despite the impact this will have on claim costs, insurers are increasingly being asked to freeze their premiums. Therefore, to manage growing claims costs against static premiums, underwriters may increasingly have to ask for Covid-19 to be declared at enrolment. After all, we are still at the beginning of our Covid journey in many ways – only time will tell what the long-term effects of Covid-19 will really be on society.

    How will technology start to play a larger role in healthcare? 

    Accelerating trends

    We know very well that the technology we use to communicate with now was exactly the same technology we had available to us a year ago, we’ve just been forced us to become more adept and accustomed to using it.

    The pandemic has massively accelerated our use of technology in healthcare as people have increasingly felt inclined to make use of virtual GP apps and International Employee Assistance Programs. Mental health issues have been widely talked about since the pandemic began and it’s estimated that one in five employees experience mental health problems during international work placements, so it’s no surprise that intermediaries have reported seeing their clients more willing to actively seek out virtual mental health support such as therapy and counselling.

    New normals

    Communicating with medical professionals virtually, appears to have become another one of our “new normals” and along with it, has come a greater realisation of the benefits of accessing our healthcare this way. In fact, AXA are reporting that 69% of people globally now say they would consider or even prefer virtual consultations – this really opens up the potential for these types of mental health provisions to start expanding rapidly across the world.

    It’s no surprise then, that AXA think technology will become an essential part of international assignments in the future. They responded to this same demand themselves by launching their MIND health service mid-pandemic and including a virtual doctor and second medical opinion service across all their individual and SME plans – you can read more about this here.

    Tech to the rescue?

    We know that we will never have enough healthcare professionals to meet the demands in our communities – we have a growing and ageing population, more chronic disease is to be expected. Additionally, we are seeing an increasing frequency of pandemics and environmental challenges. Therefore, we will need technology to bridge the gap if we are ever going to manage our health needs successfully as a society. Face-to-face medical treatment can never be fully replaced by technology, but it can certainly be used to enhance and streamline our medical services, and we will have to figure out the perfect balance between digital tools and human intervention in terms of accessing and delivering healthcare as time goes on.

    For a long time now, people have been using apps to monitor their health and lifestyle, and more commonly we are seeing virtual technologies such as virtual assistants (or chat robots) in customer support settings with varying degrees of uptake and success, but naturally we expect this type of technology to progress.

    One theory shared toward the end of conference was that perhaps one day we will reach a point where we are able to integrate the information from all the different platforms we use, both public and private, into one single, medical database – where the information gathered by symptom checkers, unit calculators and lifestyle apps can be shared safely with doctors working in traditional healthcare settings to actually assist them in their diagnoses of patients, or even to spot trends and predict potential health crises (like pandemics) in the wider community.

    So, what does the future hold?

    In light of everything discussed over the course of the conference, the general consensus seemed to be that short-term assignments will probably become more common and in terms of health insurance premiums, affordability is likely to become a major customer pain point – medical inflation in the last five years has far surpassed GDP, therefore, efficiency and quality will have to improve. Online healthcare services will become more popular as people become more accustomed to using them, and Virtual GP apps will consequently become more respected.

    Overall, the closing message from the conference was positive: although there have been many challenges this last year, with change comes opportunity and most of the intermediaries participating remarked that they feel positive about the future. In Laurent’s words: “At least the world will be readier for the next pandemic. Hopefully”.

    You can read the findings of the 2020 World of Work report here.

    Axa Global Healthcare is a leading provider of health insurance for international employees and expat health insurance.

    Read our verdict on AXA Global Healthcare’s insurance products.

    Contact the Engage Team for expert advice on International Employee Benefits and Health Insurance