Protecting Expatriates with International Private Medical Insurance in a Dangerous World
- Written by: iPMI Global
In this iPMI Global insights article we look at healthcare protection and duty of care for expatriates and global citizens in an unpredictable risk landscape.
Originally published in the recent iPMI Global Round Table report, Expatriate Healthcare Insurance Strategies, we look at strategies that may prepare and assist expatriates, whilst staying 1 step ahead of the risk.
Q: In a dangerous and unpredictable global environment with increased tensions, how can iPMI providers better secure and protect their global expatriate customer base?
Ross Walker, Cigna Healthcare: We support our customers wherever they are in the world. Our Crisis Assistance PlusTM Programme is a worldwide comprehensive crisis assistance service in the event of a travel or security risk that may occur whilst our customers are travelling. In the event of a crisis, we can dispatch a Crisis Consultant who will liaise with our customers to ensure that they are evacuated securely.
Jeroen Van de Velde, Foyer Global Health: Acknowledging the reality that not all regions our clients venture into are entirely safe, and recognizing the duty of care companies hold towards their employees deployed in such areas, we have strategically partnered with leading companies in the security domain. This collaboration ensures we provide top-notch security services, both from a technical aspect and in terms of customer service, addressing the complex needs of a globally mobile workforce.
Through our partnerships, we’ve incorporated tools that deliver real-time alerts to our members about any security risks, such as earthquakes, riots, or terror attacks. This capability ensures we are at the forefront of service offering in the International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) landscape, providing peace of mind and enhanced safety for our clients and their employees in volatile regions.
With our partners we offer an array of services designed to mitigate risks and manage crises effectively. These include:
Travel Risk Management: Assisting companies in establishing a comprehensive travel risk management framework, focusing on organizational and preventive measures before overseas deployments.
Medical Support: Guaranteeing medical care that ranges from 24/7 hotline support to communication with healthcare providers, ensuring first-response and emergency medical services, including repatriation if necessary.
Crisis Protection: Offering evacuation services in the event of critical incidents like terror attacks, natural disasters, and political crises, alongside on-the-ground support for robbery, assault, and theft situations.
Expat Health Insurance: Extensive health coverage for expatriates and their families, ensuring preventative care, emergency services, and swift reimbursement for medical expenses abroad.
These services are part of a holistic approach to safeguarding the well-being of employees abroad, aligning with the duty of care responsibilities of employers. Our commitment to security, combined with our understanding of the unique challenges faced by expatriates, positions us as a leader in offering comprehensive, reliable IPMI solutions tailored to the modern global workforce.
Optimizing Expatriate Security with Advanced Technology
Understanding the paramount importance of safety for our clients in diverse global locations, especially in regions that may not be entirely secure, we have fortified our commitment to ensuring their well-being. This dedication is manifested through our strategic partnerships with leading security service providers, enhancing our technical capabilities and customer service excellence to meet the complex security needs of a globally mobile workforce.
Central to our enhanced service offering is the “Travel Assist” platform, a cutting-edge solution designed to provide real-time alerts and comprehensive support to our members. This platform represents a significant leap forward in how we manage and communicate potential security risks to our clients, such as earthquakes, riots, or terror attacks, thereby setting a new standard in the International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) industry.
Key Features of the “Travel Assist” Platform Include:
Automated Real-Time Alerts: Leveraging advanced technology, the platform automatically identifies worldwide security incidents and alerts affected travellers promptly. This ensures that members are informed of potential risks in their vicinity as soon as they emerge.
Customizable Alert and Communication Processes: Tailored to fit corporate policies, the platform allows for the integration of company-specific travel and security policies. This ensures that all travellers receive support and information that align with their organization’s specific requirements and procedures.
Multilingual Support: Recognizing the importance of clear communication, especially in emergencies, the platform offers support and information in multiple languages. This feature is crucial for ensuring that members receive assistance in the language they are most comfortable with, eliminating barriers to understanding and action.
Proactive Status Checks: In the event of a security incident, the platform proactively contacts all affected travellers to ascertain their safety status. This feature allows for the rapid initiation of assistance for those who indicate they are in distress, ensuring timely and effective support.
Global Reach and Accessibility: With access to approximately 45 million medical providers worldwide, members can easily find and receive care from hospitals, pharmacies, doctors, and specialists. The community-driven aspect of the platform also allows members to add and review providers, sharing their experiences to benefit others.
This comprehensive approach not only underscores our commitment to the safety and well-being of our clients but also reinforces our position as a leader in providing innovative, reliable IPMI solutions tailored to the needs of today’s global workforce. Through the “Travel Assist” platform and our partnership with top security companies, we offer an unparalleled level of support and peace of mind to our clients, regardless of where their work or life takes them.
Kevin Melton, IMG (International Medical Group Ensuring that your expatriate customer base is receiving the correct travel advice, especially in high-risk areas, is critical in today’s global environment. It’s also crucial to have measures in place to assist customers in case of emergency.
For example, IMG’s Global Prima IPMI plans include access to crisis support services, including a travel intelligence app that provides location-specific alerts based on a user’s GPS location. Alerts span 10 threat categories related to terrorism, severe weather, and more, helping our globally mobile customers stay safe while abroad. Within the app, customers also have access to an emergency hotline, travel documents, important itinerary information, and more. Our crisis support services also include 24/7/365 assistance services to facilitate a response to urgent and emergency situations, such as an emergency medical evacuation.
Iara Vilches, PassportCard: One of the benefits in choosing PassportCard is the internal management of international crisis that is performed inhouse. We are using our internal rescue teams to support our members who find themselves located in areas of conflict or natural disaster locations, and can ensure fast and affective responses to these situations.
Dr Christopher Percival, iPMI Expert: This problem has been around for ever in the international trade markets, it simply evolves so it is crucial to minimise risk and take guidance from the respected governmental authorities.
Claire Hargreaves, Trawick International: Understanding the Geopolitical landscape is critical when managing the health and care of people in high-risk locations. We access to emergency assistance providers as well as in-house clinical assistance personnel that live and breathe the medical, geographical, legal, regulatory and transportation parameters for needing to move someone to access safe and appropriate healthcare.
Lourdes F. Peters, World of America: This is a complex world and requires sophisticated protection products. As an agency, we receive requests daily and see that more general profile products are falling short. By providing comprehensive coverage, a well-structured and extensive global assistance network, an agile information and advice protocol, effective emergency services, and extra specific coverages specific to risks, iPMI providers can significantly improve the safety and security of their expatriate clients in an increasingly dangerous and tense global environment.
Related Reading: Expatriate Healthcare Insurance Strategies Round Table
Editor’s Note: The above answers are published in alphabetical order by company name.
