1 August
Today Now Health International announces details of its 2012 WorldCare product and price review which takes effect from 1 August 2012.
There are a number of changes that will apply to all new plans with start dates of 1 August 2012 onwards:
- Premium rates
- Benefit enhancements
- New optional benefits
- Updated wordings
- Claims process enhancement
Please note that these changes do not apply to our recently launched admitted product in Mainland China.
Premium Rates
Individual Full Medical Underwriting (FMU) Rates
Our 5% introductory discount will come to an end from 1 August.
Our base premiums however will only be subject to the following small increases:
WorldCare Essential - approx. 0.5%
WorldCare Advance - approx.0.5%
WorldCare Excel - approx. 3%
WorldCare Apex - approx. 3%
Individual Continuous Transfer Terms (CTT) Rates
We now have a different set of rates for CTT clean applications at a 3% loading on top of the individual FMU rates.
Please note that CTT applications are subject to underwriting approval.
Benefit enhancements
Following feedback from our intermediary partners, we have also made the following enhancements to WorldCare, bringing the higher end plan options up to the level we believe they should be.
WorldCare Essential
The out-patient charges core benefit will change from a period of cover limit to a medical condition limit
WorldCare Advance
The physiotherapy benefit under out-patient charges will now be full refund up to 30 sessions, subject to pre-authorisation after every 10 sessions (previously 10 sessions)
The alternative therapies benefit will now be full refund up to 30 sessions, subject to pre-authorisation after every 10 sessions (previously USD 50 up to 15 visits)
WorldCare Excel
The physiotherapy benefit under out-patient charges will now be full refund, subject to pre-authorisation after every 10 sessions (previously 15 sessions)
The alternative therapies benefit will now be full refund, subject to pre-authorisation after every 10 sessions (previously USD 100/EUR 80/GBP 60 up to 15 visits)
WorldCare Apex
Maintenance of chronic conditions will now be full refund (previosuly USD 35,000/EUR 28,000/GBP 21,875)
The physiotherapy benefit under out-patient charges will now be full refund, subject to pre-authorisation after every 10 sessions (previously 20 sessions)
The alternative therapies benefit will now be full refund, subject to pre-authorisation after every 10 sessions (previously USD 150/EUR 120/GBP 90 up to 15 visits)
New optional benefits
Out-patient option for Essential plan
Available to both individuals and groups, a small level of out-patient and physiotherapy cover can be added to the Essential plan
The new benefit looks like this:
"Medical Practitioner fees including consultations, specialist fees, diagnostic tests and prescribed drugs and dressings - up to USD 4,500/EUR 3,600/GBP 2,800 per period of cover
Physiotherapy by a registered physiotherapist, when referred by a medical practitioner or specialist - full refund up to 10 sessions per period of cover"
Well person benefit
Available for groups only, a second tier well person benefit has been added at a higher benefit limit of USD 1,000/EUR 800/GBP 625 (USD 600/EUR 480/GBP 375 optical) per period of cover.
Updated wordings
We have also made some small updates to our members' handbook wording:
- A new exclusion:
"33. External Prosthesis
You are not covered for any costs relating to providing, maintaining and fitting of any external prosthesis or appliance or any other equipment, medical or otherwise except as is specified under the hospital charges, medical practitioner and specialist fees benefit."
- A change to the sexual problems and gender reassignment exclusion
- A change to the 'Adding New Borns' section
- New wording for the Health at Hand section
- A small change to the maternity benefit, limiting post-natal check-ups to six weeks after birth and noting that we do not pay for parenting or teaching classes
- An update to the Data Protection wording and complaints procedure for FSA-regulated business.
Claims process enhancement
We recently announced that we removed the need for large group plans (50+ members) to submit original claim forms and receipts for claims over USD 500/EUR 400/GBP 300.
We're delighted now to be able to extend this to all customers. This means that we will accept all claims by email regardless of the amount.
Please remind your clients to keep the original claim form and any receipts in case we ask for them. And it's also worth noting that the requirement for medical practitioners to complete section 3 of claim forms for claims over USD 500/EUR 400/GBP 300 per medical condition remains in place.
As with any product and pricing review there are plusses and minuses, however we believe that these benefit and service enhancements are significant in light of the relatively small premium increase. When many providers in the market are imposing large double-digit increases, we are confident that our proposition provides you with one of the most serious, scalable offerings available today.