Now Health International has announced details of its WorldCare product, including a price review, to take effect from 1 August.
There are a number of changes that will apply to all new plans, including; premium rates, benefit enhancements, new optional benefits, updated wordings and claims process enhancement.
These changes do not apply to Now Health's recently launched product in Mainland China.
On individual full medical underwriting (FMU) rates, the current 5% introductory discount will come to an end from 1 August and base premiums will be subject to the following increases:
WorldCare Essential - approx. 0.5%
WorldCare Advance - approx.0.5%
WorldCare Excel - approx. 3%
WorldCare Apex - approx. 3%
Now Health also now have a different set of rates for Individual Continuous Transfer Terms clean applications at a 3% loading on top of the individual FMU rates.
Following feedback from intermediaries, WorldCare higher end plan options have been altered:
WorldCare Essential
- The out-patient charges core benefit will change from a period of cover limit to a per 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 US$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 US$100/EUR 80/£60 up to 15 visits)
WorldCare Apex
- Maintenance of chronic conditions will now be full refund (previously US$ 35,000/EUR 28,000/£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 US$150/EUR 120/£90 up to 15 visits)
Available to both individuals and groups, a small level of out-patient and physiotherapy cover can now be added to the Essential plan: Medical Practitioner fees including consultations, specialist fees, diagnostic tests and prescribed drugs and dressings- up to US$4,500/EUR 3,600/£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 US$1,000/EUR 800/$625 (US$600/EUR 480/£375 optical) per period of cover.
Now Health has also enchanced its claims process, as the need for large group plans (50+ members) to submit original claim forms and receipts for claims over US$500/EUR 400/£300 has been extended to all customers. This means that the provider will accept all claims by email regardless of the amount.
Alex Dalton, Managing Director, Europe commented, "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 our intermediary partners with one of the most serious, scalable offerings available today."
