Engage Health Group

Tag: William Russell

  • 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.

  • Reveal the Impact of COVID on Expat Mental Health (New William Russell Data)

    Reveal the Impact of COVID on Expat Mental Health (New William Russell Data)

    The William Russell study on expats mental health and support

    The pandemic has arrived at the doorstep of many of us on every continent and brought fear, worry and stress to our daily lives. With the upward trend in mental health awareness, more and more employers are working hard to assist employees in managing mental health conditions. But what about people who live and work abroad (expats mental health)?  Is it easier or harder for expat employees to deal with the uncertainty of the pandemic? William Russell (a leading medical international insurance provider) has just released some interesting data on how COVID-19 has affected the mental health of expats. Unfortunately, 38% of them feel that their mental health has deteriorated during the covid-19 pandemic.
    In this blog we look at:

     

    Has the pandemic affected expat mental health in 2021?

    38% of the 1,184 expatriates surveyed in five countries (Australia, Hong Kong, UAE, UK, USA) by William Russell confirmed that they had noticed a decline in their mental health in the last 18 months. On the contrary, 23% of the respondents felt that their mental health had improved during the pandemic.
    One explanation for the mixed response is that expats who are already settled in the new environment were less affected by the uncertainty and social restrictions brought up by the pandemic, and may have enjoyed the flexibility of home working. Sadly, many of the international workers were badly hit by the changes.

    What can cause mental illness in expats?

    There are many reasons, but the most common factors are:

    1. Being homesick – Living abroad could be exciting, but after a certain amount of time, they will miss their family and friends. They will feel isolated and they can even worry that they will be forgotten.
    2. Adopting to the new climate, culture, religion and language – This could cause stress on a daily basis for employees living abroad.
    3. Isolation from support bubble – In case of a crisis, such as the covid pandemic, they are isolated from their support networks such as family and friends – there is nobody to offload their anxiety, fear or stress face to face.

    When the expats were asked whether they would prefer to be at home during covid-19 pandemic, over 44% agreed and 15% strongly agreed, so more than half of the people living & working abroad would have preferred to be in their home country during the hard times of the pandemic. Only 33% of them disagreed with this.
    Having said that, 53% of the expatriates said that living and working abroad actually had a positive effect on their mental health in general, which is excellent news. But what about the rest? One in five said that their international working experience had a negative impact on their mental health, and 4% felt to say that it was “significantly negative”.

    Worldwide mental health support for expat employees

    If you are in your home country, you have easy access to call your GP or a specialised helpline, or talk to your immediate support bubble about your emotional and physical wellbeing. However, when you are abroad, it is a totally different ball game because of the language and cultural barrier and the potential cost for reaching out for professional help. No surprise then, that in the William Russell study 22% of the surveyed expats said they were “sceptical”, 46% “uncertain” and 11% “unsatisfied” about the quality of the professional health support available for them. This is an alarming rate and something employers need to take on board with regards to their benefits strategy for international employment.

    Covid impact on expats relationships with families and friends

    In the study, 24% of the expats confirmed that during the pandemic their relationship with their loved ones started to show difficulties and tensions. No doubt these situations are magnified in the mental health of an individual who already feels lonely and isolated abroad. Having said that, 18% said that their relationship with people in their home countries had improved in the last 18 months following the start of pandemic. Occasionally crises bring family and friends closer to each other. The good news is that only 9% of the expats said that their relationships with other people became broken, the majority managed to make friends with locals and sustain friendships.
    This data shows that the COVID crisis did bring some friends and families together, but many expatriates did suffer a particularly rough time.

    What is the mental health cover for international expats?

    Employers can offer support to their employees with their mental health via an International Employee Assistance Programme (link to our website). Global EAP providers often have an international footprint themselves as well as having a global network of counselling services to be able to offer face to face support to employees anywhere in the world. The friendly, professional call centres they operate are also able to handle calls in multiple languages and have a deep understanding of cultural differences that are an important consideration in addressing personal and work issues. Promotional materials and documentation are also available for these expats to use.

    Expat mental health covered by International Private Medical Insurance?

    Medical Insurance for companies with global employees, generally offers a strong level of cover for both in and outpatient mental health treatment. With some International Health Insurance providers, it is built into the core product as standard, while others offer an optional or variable level of cover. We would always recommend these benefits are included, if budget allows, as not only is it a valuable benefit to employees in crisis, but mental health issues are one of the biggest reasons for expatriate assignment failure. Most Global Medical Insurance providers now also include an International EAP built into their offering as standard, avoiding the need for purchasing a separate, stand alone service.

    Why prevention key to expat mental health?

    Mental health is a growing area of particular focus for both expats and employers with expat populations alike. There are several studies that show that mental health is one of the greatest causes of sickness and it also affects the productivity of employees. Early intervention is key to reducing absence, therefore many Global Employee Assistance Providers will aim to be very visible with employee and intervene within the first week, prompting early discussion and support, and facilitating a quicker return to work.
    There is plenty of evidence suggesting that factors that delay or prevent mental illness treatment include low levels of knowledge regarding mental illness and prejudice and discrimination against people with mental illness. However, given the right focus by employers, with the right support, benefits package, training and focus, this can be avoided.

    Contact Engage Health Group to discuss the best International Medical Insurance and International EAP options for your employees working abroad. We are happy to give you free, no-obligation advice.

  • William Russell release data showing overseas healthcare bills can hit over $390,000

    William Russell release data showing overseas healthcare bills can hit over $390,000

    Overseas International Health Insurance Claims 2019-2020

    We have been given an insight into the stark reality of global healthcare costs as William Russell, a leading International Medical Insurance provider, shares their analysis of overseas international health insurance claims, made between 2019 and 2020.

    The William Russell data reveals that the highest value healthcare claims paid during this period, generally relate to cancer treatment, with 25 claims hitting over $100,000 with five surpassing $300,000. The highest single claim landed in at over $390,000.

    However, the data it also sheds a light on the high cost of treatments in different parts of the world which are equally as eyewatering. Several maternity claims topped $40,000, with Hong Kong coming out as the most expensive country to have a baby. The most expensive medical evacuation during this period was $31,125 – although in extreme cases, complex medical evacuations costs can reach into the hundreds of thousands.

    Even routine treatments in some parts of the world can land you with a medical (healthcare) bill that could keep you awake at night. The highest claim for diabetes came in at $6,806 (Thailand) with the highest dental claim at $8,336. It isn’t just the older age ranges driving the higher costs of treatment either. In several cases expats and families living abroad were charged over $800 for childhood vaccinations.

    This new data is based on claims now up to two years old. With the cost of healthcare globally rising year on year due to new, cutting edge drugs and treatments being available as well as standard inflationary pressures, it’s likely that these figures have already been surpassed in 2020-2021.

    This is another timely reminder of the importance of having the right international health insurance in place for expatriate employees and a considered approach to international employee benefits for overseas staff.

    Commenting on the analysis, Inez Cooper, Managing Director and Co-founder of William Russell, stated:

    “The data shows the huge financial risk for families living and working abroad who seek medical care without cover from international health insurance.

    “While we at William Russell were more than happy to cover these costs on behalf of our global health insurance clients, we dread to think of any expatriate families who may need to pay these fees out of their own pockets.

    “Some of the sums revealed in our data could cause serious, long-term financial difficulty for families, which would add to the stress of illness.”

    Financial Wellbeing

    In addition to the practical considerations of protecting your family or employees at a time when they are ill. We know that Financial wellbeing is increasingly being recognised as a core pillar of mental health, as has been recently documented in the Mental Health Index released by leading Global Employee Assistance Programme provider, Lifeworks / Morneau Shepell, which you can read more about here.

    William Russell are a leading provider of International Health Insurance, which provides comprehensive cover for healthcare treatment anywhere in the world. These products are commonly used by expatriates to protect themselves and their families, and by businesses who want to protect their expatriate employees, or to provide a consistent and harmonised level of health insurance benefit, across multiple international locations.

    Further reading: