Headline news

Aditya Birla launches new international health insurance plan

The plan covers international hospitalisation costs, as well as post-treatment expenses

Travel restrictions should be eased around the world, says IATA

The International Air Transport Association (IATA) urged governments to accelerate relaxation of travel restrictions as Covid-19 continues to evolve from the pandemic to endemic stage

Ras Al Khaimah announces expansion of healthcare sector

Tripling capacity of RAK hospital, high-quality care, improved clinical outcomes, and digital innovation outlined as key objectives

Governments recommend avoiding travel to Ukraine

The recommendations follow rising tensions in Ukraine as fears of a potential Russian military incursion grow

Travel restrictions do not aid spread of Covid variants, says WHO

The World Tourism Organization (UNWTO) has welcomed the call of its sister UN agency World Health Organization (WHO) for restrictions on travel to be lifted or eased

EU announces changes to travel rules from February

Restrictions will move towards a more simplified, individual-based system of restrictions based around the EU’s digital Covid certificate scheme

CII outlines challenges for insurance professionals in 2022

The Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) highlights ‘knowledge gap’, Covid-19, Brexit and hybrid working as key issues

Central Bank of Malaysia to create insurtech regulation framework

The framework is part of plans to encourage greater efficiency and competitiveness across the country’s financial sector

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New Year, New Issue | January 2022

Quality healthcare with easy access in Thailand

White beaches, blue seas, and quality healthcare – what every tourist (and their insurer) dreams of. But what should international payers take note of when working with medical providers in…

Enhancing policy wording in travel insurance

Ensuring policy wording offers protection to insured and insurer is a fine art. Mario Pierobon spoke to industry experts to identify the areas in which amendments have been made post-Covid…

The digitisation of travel insurance

The adoption of digital and mobile services by travel and health insurers is like a tsunami, and its momentum is unstoppable. Mandy Langfield spoke to insurers and providers to identify…

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Navigating undeclared pre-existing conditions

Dr Lynn Gordon, Chief Medical Officer at Charles Taylor Assistance, shares what happens for the assistance company when undeclared pre-existing conditions get in the way of travel insurance coverage

International private medical insurance trends in 2022

David Healy, CEO EMEA, Aetna International, identifies trends for the international private medical insurance sector in the coming year

Now's the time for the insurance industry to move away from legacy platforms

As insurance technology continues to advance, there has never been a better time for insurers to upgrade away from their legacy platforms, says Elliott Draga of Nordic Insurance Software

New skiing legislation in Italy: how will insurers and travellers be affected?

Marco Rinalducci of Argos Assistance shares how winter sports enthusiasts are going to be affected by a new piece of legislation that comes into action from January, and why assistance…

Insuring students abroad in 2022

Seven Corners President Jeremy Murchland reviews 2021, and predicts what 2022 has in store for providers of international study abroad insurance policies

Company Profile: Worldwide Medical Management Solutions LLC

World Medical Management Solutions Inc. shares the latest developments in the company with ITIJ, including a new alarm centre in Buenos Aires and the addition of an industry veteran to…

Changing customer behaviour in travel bookings

Julie Kyse, VP, Global Air Partnerships, Expedia Group, explains how new patterns in the airline and booking industry are emerging following a shift in traveller behaviour

How the Nordic insurance market benefits from a reliance on powerful partnerships

Robert Kielerstajn, VP Nordics at Sapiens, shares how the Nordic insurance market benefits from a reliance on powerful partnerships that allow for exchange of ideas and best practice

Interview: Dr Hemal Desai, Aetna International

Dr Hemal Desai, Global Medical Director for Aetna International, talks to ITIJ about telemedicine, ‘long Covid’ and how his clinical experience influences his career in insurance

Interview: Steve Paraboschi, IMG

Steve Paraboschi, CEO of IMG, speaks about how Covid has changed travel insurance and how IMG is adapting to meet consumer needs in a rapidly changing world

Interview: Carole Tokody, Crisis Cover

Mandy Langfield spoke to Carole Tokody, CEO of Crisis Cover, about building successful partnerships, the role of aggregators in the market, and what a new generation of travel assistance providers…

Interview: Anna Gladman, nib Travel

Mandy Langfield spoke to Anna Gladman, CEO of nib Travel, about how the company has coped with the challenges of Covid, and her hopes for the future of the Australian…

Ras Al Khaimah announces expansion of healthcare sector

Tripling capacity of RAK hospital, high-quality care, improved clinical outcomes, and digital innovation outlined as key objectives

AXA publishes its annual Mind Health and Wellbeing Index study

The study looks at the current state of mental health and how it differs by age and gender around the world

Report quantifies shrinking Asian IPMI market during Covid

Despite a first-ever market decline, new international private medical insurance (IPMI) markets are emerging post-Covid, IPMI advisor McGrigor Group revealed in its three new market reports

Employers should keep employees engaged in health benefits

Engaging the non-engaged is crucial for employers to bring value to health and wellbeing plans in 2022

Retaining customers through transparency and realistic commitments

Rajeev Shrivastava, CEO of VisitorsCoverage, shares his insights into how insurers can improve customer retention rates through transparency, great customer service, and ensuring realistic commitments

How to optimise the insurance claims process

Luiza Gusmao, VP of Customer at Cover Genius, describes how embedded technologies and automation in the claims process can optimise efficiency and improve experiences in the claims journey

The price of fraudulent Covid insurance claims

Global health insurance provider William Russell has uncovered over US$100,000 of fraudulent claims that occured as a direct result of the coronavirus pandemic. International Claims Manager Qian Huang and Head…

Parametric insurance: just the ticket for a struggling travel insurance sector

Carl Carter, UK Country CEO of CPP Group, discusses the growing popularity of parametric insurance solutions, how they help customers, and why they could prove instrumental for travel insurance companies…

On the ground response: Afghanistan evacuations for NGO staff

David G from Healix International describes what happened in Kabul, Afghanistan, when the US military pulled out, and what it meant for NGO employees in the country

New TRM standard offers a structured approach

Lloyd Figgins shares his insights into what the new standard from ISO could mean for companies operating in the travel risk management sphere of operations

Interview: Cory Sobczyk, VP of Business Development, Arch RoamRight Travel

Cory Sobczyk, Vice President of Business Development, Arch RoamRight Travel, tells Mandy Landfield spoke how travel insurers can use data to address issues before they become problems

Interview: Elena Edwards, CEO of Allianz Partners USA

Elena Edwards, CEO of Allianz Partners USA, told Mandy Langfield about regulatory change, enhancing engagement with customers and employees through technology

Interview: Dr Anton Decker - Mayo Clinic International

ITIJ spoke to Dr Anton Decker, President of Mayo Clinic International, about how the company adapted to the pandemic and adopted new digital solutions

Interview: Xavier Blanchard, CEO, AXA Travel Insurance

Mandy Langfield spoke to Xavier Blanchard, AXA Travel Insurance CEO and Global Head of Travel at AXA Partners, about why companies need to consider each market as an individual, and…

Interview: Matilda International Hospital

ITIJ spoke to executives at Matilda International Hospital in Hong Kong to find out about how the medical facility has dealt with changing patient dynamics and the travel lockdown

Interview: Jayson Glover, Global Provider Network Manager, Healix International

ITIJ spoke to Jayson Glover, Global Provider Network Manager for Healix International, about what he’s learned during his time in the medical assistance sector, and his plans for moving the…

Interview: UNICAIR leadership team

The leadership team of UNICAIR shared more details about the merger of Air Alliance Medflight and Jetcall and their plans for the future