Inclusion of overseas treatment options to innovate private medical insurance products may not catch on, Jelf Employee Benefits has said.
Speaking as sales and development director for the advice firm, as opposed to alter Amii chairman ego, Wayne Pontin said he remained sceptical about this path of innovation.
He said: "I think it is early days for the idea of overseas treatment and whether people will consider this as an option or not. Is there an appetite for this amongst consumers? I do not know whether there is."
Pontin added it could prove difficult for new provider entrant Passport2health to catch on with its UK diagnosis and overseas treatment PMI cover.
He said three and a half years ago Jelf had dipped a toe into similar waters and attempted to build overseas cover products with providers. But according to Pontin, there was no "real appetite" for it.
"You have to be careful with people travelling form this country. For example, if you go to the Netherlands your insurance has to be provided by Dutch companies," Pontin explained.
"I am sceptical about it and there are a lot of other areas in the UK that can be looked at to develop PMI products."
But Frank Levene, managing director and founder of Passport2Health, reported 1000 lives on its books and committed interest from 20 adviser firms.
He said, during a COVER interview for August's issue, that treatment overseas could offer better quality care and lower prices, adding it would also take pressure off NHS waiting lists.
