/FAQs

2019 Product Review FAQ

  • When are the changes effective from?

    The changes to our plans and pricing are effective from 1 April 2019. 

  • Have premiums increased?

    We've worked to deliver minimal premium increases across our plans to ensure price stability for you and your clients. Premiums for our enhanced WorldCare and SimpleCare plans have seen an average premium increase of 0%, except in the UAE and Singapore. 

    Our original WorldCare plans (which are no longer available for new business) have seen slightly higher premium increases. We will continue to encourage existing members to upgrade to our enhanced WorldCare plans at renewal, with higher benefit limits, simple annual deductible structure and added value services. 

    Please see the table below for more details. You can get a quote with the new rates online here. 

  • What are the key benefit changes for WorldCare? What cover has been enhanced?
    • Physiotherapy: For Essential Plans, we have enhanced this benefit to include cover for 5 physiotherapy sessions (within 30 days after hospitalisation). For WorldCare Essential members with Out-Patient Option 1 or 2, physiotherapy is limited to 10 sessions in total.
    • In-Patient Emergency Dental Treatment: We have enhanced this benefit to include cover for the repair or reconstruction of dentures (following an accident that necessitates the Insured Person’s admission to hospital for at least one night, provided that such dentures were being worn at the time of the accident).
    • Out-Patient Psychiatric Illness:  We have enhanced this benefit to include treatment administered by a Psychologist (subject to 10 sessions and the benefit limit). Previously this benefit only included cover for treatment administered by a Psychiatrist. 
    • Added value services: We have also enhanced our added value services - including second medical opinion, travel assistance and global concierge - to better meet the needs of your globally mobile clients. Further details to follow shortly.
  • What are the key benefit changes for SimpleCare?

    Please note there will be no changes to plan benefits to our recently launched SimpleCare plans. 

  • What are the key benefit changes for my clients still on the original WorldCare plans?

    Please note there will be no changes to plan benefits to our original WorldCare plans. We will continue to encourage existing customers to move across to our enhanced WorldCare plans at renewal, with higher benefit limits, simple annual deductible structure and added value services. 

  • What updates have been made to the exclusions?

    We have made updates to the following exclusions. Please see our Member's Handbooks for further detail. 

    • Allergy Testing
    • Vegetative State and Coma
    • Eyesight tests or vision correction, hearing tests, hearing or visual aids
    • External appliance and or Prosthesis
    • Genetic Testing 
    • Hazardous Sports and Pursuits
    • HIV, AIDS or sexually transmitted disease 
  • What are the key changes for Group plans?

    Effective from 1st April 2019 the classification for SME Group plans will be revised to cover groups of 3 – 99 employees (previously 3 – 49 employees). This means Groups of 50 – 99 employees will now be community rated. 

    We have also added a new definition to the Member's Handbook to define the term 'Active at Work' for Group plans. The new definition states that: 

    Actively at Work shall mean You are employed by the Plan holder on a full-time permanent basis and You are performing all Your regular duties according to Your employment terms on a customary manner and on a full time basis. If You are an employee, You need to be Actively at Work on the day you become Eligible to join the Group Plan. If You are not Actively at Work on the day You become Eligible, Your cover will only begin on the day You return to work on an Actively at Work basis. You can only add Your Dependents when You return to work.

    You are considered NOT being Actively at Work if:
    • You are working less than 80% of the required work hours or being paid less than 80% of the usual pay as stipulated in Your employment terms
    • You have a Medical Condition that necessitates absence from Your usual work place for more than 60 days, with the exception of maternity/paternity leave as allowed by the local regulations.

  • What changes have been made to loadings and discounts?
    • The discounts for our Out-Patient Co-Insurance options (not applicable for WolrdCare Essential) have been revised to ensure they are aligned worldwide. In all markets in which we operate the discounts will now be:
      • 10% Out-Patient Co-Insurance: 7.5% discount
      • 20% Out-Patient Co-Insurance: 15% discount
    • The loadings for the WorldCare Essential Out-Patient Optional Benefits 1 & 2 have also been revised. Please use our updated broker quote tool for an accurate quote.