Axa Global Healthcare has increased a number of benefit limits, co-pay and refund options to its international private medical insurance (IPMI) plans for individuals and small and medium enterprises (SMEs).
The insurer said it was aiming to provide more comprehensive coverage for a wider range of health needs with support for early diagnosis and prevention to improve long-term health outcomes.
Across its individual plans the insurer has increased benefit limits for health checks, including routine cancer screening, and is allowing more health checks each year with a 20% co-pay with no excess applied.
For Foundation level customers the overall policy limit has been increased from £100,000 to £250,000.
Prestige customers will see their out-patient limit increased to £10,000 or €12,750 or $16,000.
It is also adding reimbursement for the hire or purchase of prescribed durable medical equipment.
Across SME schemes there are a series of changes.
An overnight accommodation benefit of up to £150 per night, with a maximum of £600 per year, is being introduced for hotel stays the night before treatment.
There is a 20% out-patient co-pay option for Hong Kong to offer more price flexibility in the region.
An optical and dental co-pay option has been added giving a choice between a full refund or up to 80% reimbursement for optical and dental treatments within module limits.
And a full refund option for out-patient drugs and dressings will be available, in addition to current set limits.
Recognising customer challenges
Axa Global Healthcare global head of product and proposition Sebastian Judez told Health & Protection the support for chronic and recovery conditions recognises the challenges faced by customers with chronic conditions or during recovery, with enhancements like durable medical equipment cover helping to provide practical support.
He added co-pay options would give customers more convenient and flexible ways to manage their policies and costs.
The insurer has also aimed to encourage early detection and better health outcomes through increased health check limits and clearer cancer screening coverage.
Judez noted the higher out-patient and overall policy limits were in response to customer demand for more comprehensive coverage
“The new co-pay and partial reimbursement options help manage premiums and out-of-pocket costs, making plans more adaptable to different budget needs,” he added.