Aetna delivers cost-effective healthcare to expats in Africa

The new Global Health plan addresses the healthcare needs of both local and expatriate nationals in 19 countries in Africa and offers an extensive direct billing medical network, flexible payment options and an enhanced member experience with local service.

“In recent years we have seen employers across Africa pivot from traditional offshore international medical insurance providers to local ones.” Antony Brown, Head of Africa, Aetna International, said. “However, few local providers have the capacity to offer international cover, which in Africa, where certain forms of treatment are not always available locally, is essential.”

“Furthermore, as a result of the global pandemic and greater availability of skilled resources in the country, we are seeing companies on the continent make more local hires,” he added. “What this means is potentially less demand for the traditional, high-cost fully international plans and an uptick in demand for plans that are more focused on regional cover, with comprehensive yet affordable benefits.”

What does the plan offer expats?

The Global Health proposition provides four levels of service: Value, Essential, Plus and Premium. Depending on the tiers, the plans offer employees a host of health and wellbeing benefits including cancer care, inpatient psychiatric treatment or psychotherapy, HIV or AIDS treatment, terminal care, medical evacuation, dental, optical and emergency treatment outside the area of cover.

Global Health offers members access to 8,000 directly contracted providers in Africa and over 1.3 million health care professionals globally, as well as a 24/7 multilingual call centre for emergency and evacuation immediate assistance.

Ilham Lahlou, Head of Healthcare at Sanlam Pan Africa, explained: “Not only is there a vast difference in the health insurance requirements of companies from one country in Africa to another, but the diversity of the countries in terms of language, currencies, cultures, and service expectation adds additional layers of complexity.

“By bringing together the Africa-specific experience of Sanlam Pan Africa with the global health insurance expertise of Aetna International, I have no doubt that Global Health will deliver Africa’s most comprehensive and locally compliant health care solution with broad international access.”

In March, Aetna teamed up with Al Ain Ahlia Insurance Company to enhance the healthcare benefits available to SMEs in the United Arab Emirates.