As outlined by the World Health Organisation, a novel coronavirus means a new coronavirus that has not been previously identified. The virus causing coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19), is not that same as the coronaviruses that commonly circulate among humans and cause mild illness, like the common cold.
According to the World Health Organisation and other medical organisations, our current understanding about how the virus that causes coronavirus disease 2019 (COVID-19) spreads is largely based on what we already known about similar coronaviruses. It can be spread in the follow ways:
The virus is thought to spread mainly from person-to-person, particularly between people who are in close contact with one another (within about 6 feet). For example it can spread via a handshake.
In particular it can spread when an infected person coughs or sneezes, as this produces respiratory droplets which can then be passed to others by the nose, mouth or inhalation.
It also highly likely that COVID-19 can be spread by touching a surface or object that has the virus on it, and then touching your own mouth, nose, or eyes. It is therefore advised to avoid touching your face and to adopt good hand hygiene. However evidence suggests this is not the most common way by which the virus is transmitted.
According to the World Health Organisation and other medical organisations, infected people are thought to be most contagious when they are most symptomatic, i.e. at the height of their illness. However evidence also suggests that it is possible for the infected to spread the virus before they even show any symptoms; although again this is not thought to be the main way the virus spreads.
Quarantine is when a person or group of people who have been exposed to a contagious disease but have not yet developed symptoms are separated from those who have not been exposed in order to prevent the possible spread of that disease.
Quarantine is usually established for the ‘incubation period’ of the communicable disease, which means the span of time during which it took for people to develop symptoms/ become ill after exposure.
For COVID-19, the quarantine period is 14 days from the last date of exposure, because 14 days is the longest incubation period seen for similar coronaviruses. Someone who has been released from a COVID-19 quarantine is not considered a risk for spreading the virus to others, because they have not developed the illness during the incubation period.
There are a number of measure you can take to limit your exposure to the infection. These include:
If you experience the symptoms of the virus, such as fever, cough and shortness of breath, you should contact your doctor in the first instance.
It is best to call in advance to alert them to your symptoms rather than visit in person to help prevent further spread of the disease. They can then advise further on whether you need to seek medical treatment.
A number of countries have quarantine restrictions for those that have recently visited countries such as mainland China, South Korea and Italy, so please check with relevant local health authorities for advice.
If you are symptomatic, where possible try to isolate yourself from family members, particularly the vulnerable (e.g. elderly or those with pre-existing medical conditions).
There is no pandemic exclusion across our plans so if you are diagnosed with COVID-19, the usual terms and conditions of your plan will apply.
All our plans offer a full refund up to the annual maximum benefit limit of your plan for Hospital Charges, Medical Practitioner and Specialist Fees*, subject to any Annual Deductible or co-insurance selected.
Please note, if you are seeking Out-Patient treatment such as a GP consultation or diagnostic test for COVID-19, this will only be covered if you have Out-Patient cover.
* Please refer to your Members' Handbook in your secure online portfolio for full details of the terms and conditions of your plan.
We understand that most national governments are covering the cost for treatment at any government run COVID-19 quarantine facilities. However if this is not the case and you do have to pay for treatment yourself, then the usual terms and conditions of your plan will apply.
What's more, if you do need to be hospitalised in a government facility or other public hospital with COVID-19, provided the hospitalisation is free of charge you will be entitled to a daily cash benefit. Assuming a stay of 30 days the total cash benefit could be USD 3,750 or higher, depending on your plan. Please refer to the Member's Handbook for further details of the per day cash benefit limit as defined in your plan.
* Please refer to your Members' Handbook in your secure online portfolio for full details of the terms and conditions of your plan.
Our plans include cover for treatment in an isolation ward if this is deemed necessary by a medical practitioner, as per the Hospital Charges, Medical Practitioner and Specialist Fees benefit of your plan*.
In addition, if you are treated in an isolation ward with a suspected case of COVID-19, but then test negative for the virus, you will still be covered for treatment as per the usual terms and conditions of your plan.
* Please refer to your Members' Handbook in your secure online portfolio for full details of the terms and conditions of your plan.
As noted above there is no pandemic exclusion across our plans, so if you are diagnosed with COVID-19 and need treatment, the usual terms and conditions of your plan will apply.
Don’t forget our international health insurance plans mean you are covered for treatment both at home and abroad. Please check your Member’s Handbook to see if there are any geographical restrictions of coverage on your plan.
* Please refer to your Members' Handbook in your secure online portfolio for full details of the terms and conditions of your plan.
Don’t forget our international health insurance plans mean you are covered for treatment both at home and abroad. Please check your Member’s Handbook to see if there are any geographical restrictions of coverage on your plan.
In addition, if you have one of our enhanced WorldCare plans, you also have access to our travel assistance service from Assist America.
One of the services offered is the Care of Minor Children if you fall ill or are injured while travelling (on a trip of 90 days or less). This means if your child is left unattended because you are quarantined due to COVID-19, then we can arrange from them to be returned home to a family member as required.
* Please refer to your Members' Handbook in your secure online portfolio for full details of the terms and conditions of your plan.
We are introducing faster turnaround times for all patients diagnosed with COVID-19. We aim to process all eligible claims within 5 working days, and will prioritise any cases relating to COVID-19 patients.
We have also extended the claim submission period from six to nine months for members diagnosed with COIVD-19, so you and your family can focus on getting you well first.
Please note we have put in place these elevated service measures specifically during the COVID-19 outbreak and, as the situation develops, we will be in regular contact with you to provide further information and updates which will be available via our new COVID-19 Hub.
* Please refer to your Members' Handbook in your secure online portfolio for full details of the terms and conditions of your plan.
We are introducing faster turnaround times for all patients diagnosed with COVID-19. We aim to process all treatment pre-authorisations within 48 hours, and will prioritise any cases relating to COVID-19 patients, particularly in an emergency situation.
Please note we have put in place these elevated service measures specifically during the COVID-19 outbreak and, as the situation develops, we will be in regular contact with you to provide further information and updates which will be available via our new COVID-19 Hub.
* Please refer to your Members' Handbook in your secure online portfolio for full details of the terms and conditions of your plan.
If you already have pre-authorisation in place for elective surgery but wish to postpone the surgery, we are on hand to assist. We can arrange a cancellation of your existing pre-authorisation, and then rearrange for you at a later date once you have rescheduled your procedure.
Please consult your medical practitioner first to discuss whether it is safe to delay any treatment.
* Please refer to your Members' Handbook in your secure online portfolio for full details of the terms and conditions of your plan.
No COVID-19 will not impact your cover at renewal. We do not re-underwrite members at renewal.
* Please refer to your Members' Handbook in your secure online portfolio for full details of the terms and conditions of your plan.
Please note this is an evolving situation and the guidance is updated daily. Below are some of the key information sources about the coronavirus, and we advise you to check these for further information. If you need further information about your local area, please contact your relevant local authority for further information.
If you have a question about COVID-19 that we do not address here, please email our team at [email protected] and we will do our best to assist you.