Customers include large multinationals, SMEs and private families.

Allianz Partners said it is also taking on a number of Aetna International employees “whose expertise will help ensure a smooth transition”.

As part of the deal, customers will migrate to Allianz Partners at their policy renewal date and detailed migration plans are in place for the next 12-16 months, as customers will come up for renewal at different times throughout the year.

Brokers and policyholders will be provided with new, comparable policy terms from Allianz Partners around six-to-eight weeks before their renewal date. Preparations are in progress for the first migrations which will start in July this year.

Aetna International policyholders do not need to do anything at this stage. Their existing cover and support services remain in place with a commitment from Aetna International to maintain existing service levels during this time. Policyholders will be contacted in advance of their renewal date, in the run up to their transition to Allianz Partners.

Growth

As a result of the agreement, Allianz Partners plans to have an even bigger footprint in Asia Pacific, across Hong Kong, Indonesia, Philippines, Thailand and Vietnam, and in the Middle East and Africa, including Bahrain, Kuwait, Oman and Morocco.

In addition, Allianz Ayudhya has entered into an agreement to acquire 100% of Aetna Thailand, a player in the Thai health insurance market.

Ida Luka-Lognoné, Allianz Partners chief executive for health, said: “We’re delighted to be partnering with Aetna International and are very conscious of the trust they’ve placed in us to look after these customers. Working closely with our broker partners, our focus will be on making the transition to Allianz Partners as simple and convenient as possible for these customers.

“This is a fantastic contribution to the transformation and growth story of Allianz Partners and shows our commitment to the global health market and the delivery of our strategic vision.”

Richard di Benedetto, president of Aetna International, added: “Over the last several years, we have made significant headway towards our mission of transforming the consumer health experience by making healthcare more accessible, affordable and simply better.

“I am very proud of what our business has achieved and the difference we have made to our customers and to our company. I want to say thank you and acknowledge all my colleagues for their contribution over that period.”

In a survey of 1,000 expat families across the UK, US, Singapore and UAE, the firm discovered that more than 24% took out a policy to provide cover for their families.

More than a third (35%) decided to add their loved ones to an existing health plan.

Only 17% of respondents didn’t buy extra cover, while 16% considered it but decided not to, and 7% would do it in the future.

Overall, a third of global expats already had cover in place to protect both themselves and their families.

Regional differences

Aetna International found that there were a few regional differences depending on the expats’ location.

People in Singapore and the UAE were most likely to already have health cover in place for themselves and their family members, at 45% and 37%, respectively.

This compares to just 28% in US and 22% in the UK, while the global average is 33%.

But nearly half (46%) of expats in the US who already had insurance added their family members to their plan because of the coronavirus pandemic; and 33% of expats in the UK already holding a health policy bought an additional one to make sure their family was protected as well.

‘More aware’

Hemal Desai, global medical director at Aetna International, said: “The health crisis has clearly made people more aware of their own health.

“Private medical insurance has become increasingly important for expats as a means of protecting one of their most valuable assets – their health and the health of their families. Organisations like ours are more than just an insurance provider.

“As the impact of covid-19 continues, it is more important than ever that people protect their own health and that of their family.”

The Wysa app will complement existing Aetna services, by giving members instant access to guided mental support, which can help people to self-manage feelings of anxiety, financial stress, isolation and more.

With the 24/7 available digital solution, Aetna International wants to engage a broader audience with materials and activities that support mental health; from a simple anonymous conversation to guidance on appropriate next steps.

This is part of the healthcare company’s efforts to address the ‘second curve’ of the covid-19 pandemic, the less visible but increasing mental wellbeing crisis.

Challenging times

Richard di Benedetto, president of Aetna International, said: “The health effects of covid-19 are not just physical.

“We are facing an unusual and challenging set of circumstances, which have had a huge impact on the mental health and day-to-day lives of many people.

“By accelerating our relationship with Wysa, we are providing early mental wellbeing support at scale and, through this, hope to alleviate some of the pressure people are feeling during this incredibly challenging time.

The mental and emotional well-being impacts of covid-19, which represent the ‘second curve’ of this pandemic, are likely to stay with us for some time, as people grapple with change and uncertainty in both their workplaces and at home.

“It is vital that we and other businesses take proactive steps to address this.”

Details

Through Wysa, all Aetna International members and their employees will have free access to 24/7 text-based support designed to help them navigate a range of mental wellbeing challenges at their own pace, including anxiety, stress, motivation and confidence.

The app’s AI-driven function allows members to ‘chat’ about their mental health via text, and will direct them toward self-help content and coaching packs that can be used to develop tailored management plans.

The app will also signpost how members can seek additional support through structured one-to-one coaching sessions with one of Wysa’s qualified coaches.

Each member will be entitled to one completely free coaching session, and will benefit from “special” Aetna International rates for further sessions, which are available to purchase via the app.

Additionally, the Wysa app will direct members to existing Aetna International services they can access as part of their policies, such as telephone or face-to-face counselling, online consultations and other self-help and professional support resources.

This is part of the firm’s plan to help international medical insurance members access the care that they need during the coronavirus pandemic.

The firm recently expanded patient access to consultations and medication through its virtual health offering, vHealth, which was made freely available to all members.

“The health, safety and well-being of Aetna International customers and members is paramount, which is why we are announcing additional steps today to help provide timely and barrier free access to care during the covid-19 outbreak,” said Richard di Benedetto, president of Aetna International.

“We are doing everything we can to make sure our members are supported and have simple and affordable access to the treatment they need, when they need it.”

Details

If cost-sharing, co-pay or another deductible applies to a member’s inpatient benefit, Aetna International will waive this for inpatient admissions at all in-network facilities for treatment of covid-19 or health complications associated with the virus.

This policy applies to all its international medical insurance members and is effective immediately for any such admission until 1 June 2020.

Additionally, for Aetna International members in the Americas, hospitals no longer need advance approval for members requiring hospitalisation for coronavirus.

This change allows for expedited access to the necessary treatment.

The firm said: “Aetna International is working closely with partner hospitals in the region to help transfer and discharge members with issues unrelated to covid-19 from hospitals to safe and clinically appropriate care settings where they can continue to have their needs addressed.

“This will help hospitals and emergency rooms make room for more patients, especially those suffering from covid-19.”

Diagnostic testing

As well as treatment waivers, expedited access to treatment, and free access to virtual health services, Aetna International said members who undergo diagnostic testing for covid-19 will also be reimbursed in full for the cost of the test and consultation.

It added: “Members should continue to follow the guidance issued by their local health authority and contact their local health care provider or a vHealth doctor if they have any concerns.”

People across the global are taking precautions, but many will be worried about whether their health insurace will cover them if they get infected.

Health insurance providers Aviva and Aetna, part of US pharmaceutical giant CVS, told International Adviser they will.

Aetna’s medical director Mitesh Patel said everything from medical advice, visits to a physician and subsequent treatment will be covered according to members’ policies.

Similarly, the UK insurer said: “Aviva Health insurance customers in the UK would be covered should they contract the illness, subject to standard policy terms; however, it would be highly unlikely that they would be treated in any of the UK private hospitals as these are not set up for patient isolation.

“Our understanding is that patients diagnosed with coronavirus would be sent and treated in NHS isolation units.

“NHS Cash Benefit would be payable from Aviva private medical insurance policies in accordance with the terms and conditions for any NHS in-patient stay.”

In a statement on its website, Generali Global Health sought to reassure clients.

“While this is a rapidly evolving situation, based on the information available, the virus is not considered an epidemic or pandemic and you can rest assured there is no change to your Generali insurance coverage,” the firm said.

Check your policy

When IA asked Cigna the same question, the health insurer said that it would depend on the type of policy.

A spokesperson for the provider said: “We are closely monitoring developments related to the new coronavirus which has been traced to Wuhan, China.

“We advise members to follow guidance provided by the World Health Organisation and the US Centres for Disease Control and Prevention, which includes maintaining basic hygiene and exercising vigilance if in an affected region.

“We provide a wide-range of products and services globally. Our cover options vary, so if our members have detailed policy questions, we advise them to refer to their policy terms and conditions or contact their local representative.”

What about travel?

While Aviva only provides health insurance for UK-based customers, it does offer them travel insurance.

This means that “customers who have Aviva UK direct travel insurance would be covered for medical treatment overseas if they contracted the coronavirus”, the firm added.

“However, treatment would be subject to the locally available facilities, and medical repatriation or transfer to alternative medical facilities would be subject to any travel restrictions which are in place.”