Global health benefits provider Aetna International has announced updates to its cover for communicable diseases, including Covid-19, aimed at supporting the physical health of its members in an ever-evolving international landscape.

The changes to its Summit plans will offer better flexibility for business clients, says the insurer, allowing them to tailor coverage based on local market and member needs. After a qualifying period, individual members with Pioneer 2500 to 5000+ plans will benefit from outpatient tests and diagnostic procedures for communicable diseases (including Covid-19) even if they do not have symptoms. This type of testing could help businesses to mitigate the risk of transmission.

Additionally, to further support members’ physical health during this challenging time, Aetna International is also adding vaccinations as a stand-alone benefit to its range of Covid-19 cover for both its Summit and Pioneer plans. 

Flexible and adaptable cover for business travellers

Damian Lenihan, Executive Director Europe at Aetna International,commented: “Our aim is to support businesses and individuals by ensuring they have access to cover that is tailored to today’s unique challenges. Countries around the world are facing a range of infection rates and restrictions and are tackling these with vastly different healthcare systems and strategies.

“This means our cover needs to be flexible and adaptable as we all continue to navigate the new routines created by the pandemic. We want to ensure businesses and their employees have access to appropriate Covid-19 testing, whenever they need it and wherever they are.”

Recognising the ongoing impact of the pandemic, the temporary extension of Covid-19 testing coverage will continue, the company has said. Up to and including 31 March 2021, Aetna International members will be covered for one test per calendar month if they are asymptomatic and classified as high-risk – as referred by a medical practitioner and when testing takes place in an appropriate medical facility.

While reimbursements for Covid-19 testing won’t be offered as standard for all policies, plan sponsors will have the flexibility to add this cover to Summit plans, without increasing premiums for those who do not want or need this benefit; for example, in areas where free local testing is already available.

With testing and vaccinations for Covid key to allowing the free movement of people once more, this is undoubtedly welcome news for businesses and employees covered by these plans. With recent reports showing that business traveller confidence is still low, initiatives such as this are essential for boosting traveller peace of mind.