The Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) has lined up The Rt. Hon. Stephen Dorrell, MP and Chair of the Health Select Committee and broadcaster and TV medical correspondent, Fergus Walsh, for AMII 2012, the Association’s first private healthcare summit.

AMII 2012 will be held on Tuesday, 3 July at the Royal College of Physicians, in London’s Regent’s Park. Fergus Walsh will host the event, including making his own presentation and Stephen Dorrell will be one of the key speakers.

Hazel Gregory, from AMII’s Executive Committee said, “These are challenging times for the private healthcare sector and AMII is taking the lead to help secure a successful and profitable future with a completely new, prestigious annual event. To have attracted two very influential individuals as Stephen Dorrell and Fergus Walsh to our inaugural summit is great news, really puts AMII 2012 on the map and makes it an event not to be missed from this year’s calendar.

“With a single day format and clear business focus, we are calling on the industry, intermediaries, insurers and other providers, to come together for a series of top level presentations and debates on issues that really matter to us all.”

Alongside the summit programme, there will be an exhibition hall where all sectors of the industry will have an opportunity to network, and insurers and other providers can promote their products and services. AMII 2012 is open to all intermediaries with an interest in the private healthcare sector – you do not have to be an AMII member to attend as a delegate.

Follow the link on the Summit logo above for more information about AMII 2012.  Companies interested in exhibiting or sponsorship opportunities will also find full details on the site, or by calling Claire Chapman at Campaign Partners on 01372 844401.

When any individual with company medical insurance leaves their job to go to a new one or retires, they should be given a ‘group leaver option’ enabling them to continue to have insurance cover in their own right. But according to the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) that isn’t necessarily going to be their best deal available.

“For those wanting to continue with medical insurance, they should most definitely use this opportunity to shop around,” said Debbie Kleiner-Gaines from AMII. “Although cover for pre-existing conditions should always be a major consideration, that aside they may find a better deal elsewhere both in terms of cost and overall cover.”

For example, in one instance the group leaver option quote was £320 per month for a man aged 40 with a family moving from his engineering job in the Midlands to a new job in the same area, whereas shopping around he could get the same cover for £146 per month. And a man taking retirement at aged 60 could get similar cover for £228 per month whereas his group leaver option quote was £280 per month.

“However, it is worth considering taking the Group Leaver Option when you are in the middle of a claim and need continuation of cover but don’t forget that when that treatment is over, you can look at switching but with an intermediary holding your hand,” added Kleiner-Gaines.

“Apathy means too often people accept what they are offered by their existing provider without shopping around. With medical insurance, it is always worth checking with a local specialist intermediary to see if the best deal and most importantly appropriate cover have been offered. If they then find they already have the best option they’ve lost nothing but gained important peace of mind.”

AMII’s website includes a ‘find-a-broker’ section so the public can search for specialist independent intermediaries across the UK who provide specialist independent advice on medical insurance products.

AMII’s Chairman, Andrew Tripp said, “Our members, all of whom are specialist independent healthcare intermediaries with considerable expertise in PMI, are bemused by Defaqto’s ranking of PMI products. For example, we do not understand how a budget plan with little out-patient cover can be given the same 3 stars as other full out-patient products, it doesn’t make sense.

“PMI is an extremely complex product and really does need specialist advice so that the product bought really is suitable and appropriate to an individual’s personal circumstances and wishes. Type of cover, fully comprehensive v policies with exclusions, cover for cancer treatment, levels of excess, pre-existing conditions, hospital choice are just a few of the factors that need consideration. Introducing simple star ratings to PMI products is highly dangerous and not in the best interests of consumers.”

The 500th candidate to pass the exam John Davidson, CertPFS of Ringrose Grimsley says: “I am pleased to have passed the IF7 at the first attempt. I did the exam because I believe it is important to keep one’s knowledge up to date.”

Simon Kelly, Business Account Manager at Best Health who recently passed the exam says he did so because it is a requirement of his employer for advisers to do so. He believes however it is very important for himself:  “I have been working in the health insurance world since 2008 and have gathered a lot of knowledge. However, having passed the exam gives me the confidence that I really do know what I am talking about!

“Being able to demonstrate CII accredited training as a PMI adviser gives me another tool to use when speaking to clients and prospects.  If they are trying to decide between me and another company, the fact that I can demonstrate by knowledge might swing them towards Best Health.”

And Simon would definitely recommend anyone else advising on PMI to take the exam:

“There were many elements within the course material that I don’t use on a day to day basis but were very useful to have studied as a background to my knowledge base,” he says. “Passing the exam has also given me an appetite to continue my studies towards gaining the Certificate of Insurance qualification.”

Commenting on the results, Andrew Tripp, Chairman of AMII said: “We are delighted so many people have embraced the drive to professionalism by taking the IF7 exam. Insurers and healthcare intermediaries alike are taking up the education challenge. As their contemporaries see that happening they too will find it harder and harder to make excuses not to follow suit. Already we are building on the continuing success of the exam with the development of a full Health and Protection Qualification to come later in the year.”

AMII Chairman, Andrew Tripp said, “We want to see greater transparency around benefit fee limits for consultants and anaesthetists. In the UK access to transparent and competitive markets should  be fundamental rights for consumers seeking private healthcare and as an Association we welcome the OFT’s decision to refer to the Competition Commission. This is extremely important, especially now, when greater pressures are being put on NHS spending raising the important role the private healthcare market has to play.”

The Association recognises benefit fee limits and hospital networks are a necessity to maintaining a cost-effective insurance proposition for consumers. However, it believes there should be a clear distinction between those broad-based “hospital networks”, where the private medical insurance (PMI) policyholder has actively agreed to only obtain treatment at a selected list of hospitals in return for a lower premium; and the “treatment networks” where the insurer insists that for certain types of treatment (for example oral-surgery, ophthalmic conditions, certain types of cancer treatment) the PMI policyholder must use specific consultants/hospitals, which may be more restrictive than the general hospital list that the PMI policyholder has bought into.

In the latter case (“treatment networks”), the criteria that these insurers are using to determine which providers are included on the “treatment network” should be clear to private healthcare providers, medical professionals and consumers.

In addition, when an insurer introduces a “treatment network” for specific medical conditions, AMII would like to see existing policyholders given the choice to “opt out” of the network (albeit, at a higher premium).  And insurers should share with intermediaries and policyholders the quality data they are using to establish these “treatment networks”.

Tripp concluded “These are really important issues which need addressing for the benefit of the consumer.”

Des Benjamin will outline Simplyhealth’s view of the future of the PMI market, some of the reasons behind its strategy in acquiring the business of Groupama Healthcare and give delegates the chance to pitch their questions about the acquisition.

The other speakers are:

• Don Grocott, Director of The Private Patients Forum
• Matt James, CEO of the Private Hospitals Alliance (PHA) – representing the UK’s 5 largest independent hospital groups
• Naomi Sargoussi, Principal at Mercer and author of Mercer’s 2011 “Covering Cancer” survey
• Neil Kleiner, Head of Social Media, Havas Media UK – hosting a masterclass session looking at the rise of social media as a marketing tool
• Branko Bjeloboba, Branko Ltd – AMII’s Compliance Consultant

Further details about the Conference can be obtained from Michael Payne, AMII’s General Secretary, tel 01206 848443.

New members in the last quarter include:

Alan & Thomas Insurance Group, Poole, Dorset

Alec Finch Employee Benefits Ltd, Manchester

Barnett Waddingham LLP, London

Best Health Protect, London

Healthnet Services, Poole, Dorset

Andrew Tripp, chairman of the Association said: “AMII continues to go from strength to strength and our members now account for well in excess of £500m of private medical insurance (PMI) annual premium income in the UK.

“At a time when there is so much uncertainty over the NHS and with the trend of waiting lists getting longer, indications are demand for private healthcare and medical insurance will increase. This makes it even more important that people looking to take out PMI know where they can get specialist independent advice.”

New member to the Executive, Graeme Godfrey of Best Go Private is to assume the role of broker liaison to encourage closer relations between the executive committee and member firms.

Lindsey Joseph from LEBC Corporate Healthcare Solutions will continue in her role as membership secretary and has also been appointed Deputy Chair as an interim measure before the honorary position of Vice-Chair is reinstated at the next AGM. The portfolios of the executive committee are as follows:

Andrew Tripp – Chairman

Lindsey Joseph – Deputy Chair/Membership Secretary

Michael Payne – General Secretary

Debbie Kleiner-Gaines – Treasurer

Hazel Gregory – Exhibition and Conference Project Manager

Isobel Skeates – Membership Services

Graeme Godfrey – Broker Liaison

Mike Wagg – Provider Liaison

John Miller – Trade Body Liaison

Brian Walters – CII Liaison

Pub Relations sub-committee: Lindsey Joseph & Debbie Kleiner-Gaines

Andrew Tripp, chairman of AMII, says: “The AMII Executive Committee works tirelessly behind the scenes to improve the benefits of AMII membership and ensure the Association runs smoothly.  The delegation of PR responsibility to Lindsey and Debbie earlier this year worked so well that we are now rolling this concept out to other areas. 

“We hope that Graeme’s new role of Broker Liaison will encourage members to talk to us and become more involved in AMII’s direction, and, from my own personal experience, the re-introduction of the Vice-Chair role seems a pragmatic response to those situations where the Chair is unavailable for a short-period, for whatever reason.”

This applies particularly to those people who think they will need medical treatment for natural wear and tear which can affect any of us from middle age onwards, such as knee or hip replacements or cataracts as we get older.

This follows regular concerns that some NHS Primary Care Trusts are already delaying non-life threatening operations to save money as the squeeze on their budgets continues and waiting lists increase forcing more people to consider private healthcare rather than relying on the NHS.

According to AMII Chairman, Andrew Tripp, “If they choose to go private then insurance can be a cost effective way to pay for treatment when they most need it rather than suffering because they have to wait. However, like any insurance, you must have taken it out before an event or situation occurs otherwise you’ve left it too late.”

But it’s not only age that causes bits to wear out and need replacing.  Those individuals who lead very active lives whether through their work or sports can suffer in middle age with for example disintegrating knees. If it’s work then your livelihood is affected, if it’s a hobby then you’re potentially missing out.

Tripp added, “These conditions which can often befall us as we get a bit older are relatively easy to deal with. The Coalition Government is concerned about pressure on pensions and on rising NHS costs. Longer waiting lists are certainly not top of its wish list so it makes sense for politicians to encourage those who can afford to take out cover for ailments that are quick and easy to treat.

“As a very general guide across the market, a knee replacement could cost approximately £10,000 and the medical insurance premiums for basic cover for a couple in their 50s could cost less than £25 per week or £4 per day depending where they live.”

Andrew Tripp, chairman of the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries says: “The FOS figures show that PMI insurers have worked really hard to resolve issues that arise, and over recent years there has been a consistent downward trend on the number of complaints about PMI being referred to the FOS.  

“Obviously whilst any complaint is an unwelcome event, the PMI sector insures over 6 million people in the UK and pays out over £11 million every working day, so in that context the number of complaints being upheld by the FOS is miniscule compared to other areas of protection.

“A good intermediary can help resolve claims issues before they even give rise to a complaint, and specialist healthcare intermediaries are usually very willing to liaise with insurers on a claimants behalf in the rare instances when a problem arises.”