WILLIS GROUP HOLDINGS PLC | Willis First to Launch Medical Plans with Pre-Assignment Screening Aimed at Firms with Small Numbers of Expats |
LONDON, UK, September 18, 2014 - Willis Employee Benefits Limited, part of Willis Group Holdings plc (NYSE:WSH), the global risk adviser, insurance and reinsurance broker, has partnered with Now Health International and Healix International to offer clients with fewer than 99 expatriates unique, flexible and affordable medical plans designed to fulfil employees' healthcare needs outside their home country. A special feature of the medical plan is access to online pre-assignment medical screening for employees and their dependents. Michelle Bishop, Client Development Manager, Willis Employee Benefits, said: "There are limited products available on the market that enable up-front risk management specific to an employee's health. This will be the first medical plan to include pre-assignment screening as standard." Willis believes that many of the illnesses and health related problems suffered by business travellers and expatriates whilst overseas are both predictable and preventable. However large numbers of business travellers, expatriates, and their families are sent overseas with pre-existing medical conditions and little or no knowledge about how those conditions may best be managed in their destination countries. This results in significant disruption, failed assignments, and, in many cases, serious illness, unplanned medical evacuations and significant costs. Tony Powis, CEO of Willis Employee Benefits, said: "One of the key concerns our multinational clients raise is in relation to assignment failure. The benefits of pre-assignment screening are wide-ranging and it is an excellent risk mitigation tool for managing some of the broader risks associated with a globally mobile workforce. By integrating this within the medical plan we are able to deliver to our clients a more effective solution." For risk managers, the screening allows the provision of management information on medical risks associated with the location, specific to the employee and their family, prior to the assignment taking place and information on the potential long term cost implications for the organisation. For HR professionals, it allows an auditable process through which employers can fulfil their duty of care requirements by facilitating pre-trip advice and guidance which is specific to the individual's medical needs and location of assignment. This simple feature also acts as a method of reducing employee liability exposure. Martin Garcia, CEO of Now Health International, said: "Now Health is well placed to provide fast, accurate service to those employees who need access to healthcare anywhere in the world. The partnership with Willis and Healix offers a truly unique offering in the market today." The medical plan is administered by Now Health International, and the pre-assignment screening element is provided by Healix International. About Willis Employee Benefits Limited Willis Employee Benefits Limited is a consultancy focused on providing advice and broking services. We have a team based in London. We are part of the Willis Global Human Capital and Benefits Practice which has over 3,000 dedicated Associates in 120 countries. This global footprint allows us to use first-hand knowledge to assist in the provision of high quality and compliant solutions to their international healthcare needs. About Willis Willis Group Holdings plc is a leading global risk advisor, insurance and reinsurance broker. With roots dating to 1828, Willis operates today on every continent with more than 18,000 employees in over 400 offices. Willis offers its clients superior expertise, teamwork, innovation and market-leading products and professional services in risk management and transfer. Our experts rank among the world's leading authorities on analytics, modelling and mitigation strategies at the intersection of global commerce and extreme events. Find more information at our website, www.willis.com, our leadership journal, Resilience, or our up-to-the-minute blog on breaking news, WillisWire. Across geographies, industries and specialisms, Willis provides its local and multinational clients with resilience for a risky world. About Now Health Now Health International is an International Private Medical Insurance provider. Headquartered in Hong Kong it has further regional offices in Singapore, Shanghai, the UK and UAE. The company provides medical insurance plans to people who want to access international healthcare around the world. Its products are available directly to individuals and companies and via brokers and other intermediaries. For more information, please visit www.now-health.com About Healix International Healix International, provider of the pre-assignment screening element of the plan, is a global provider of international medical case management; medical, security and travel assistance services; and international occupational health services. It works on behalf of multinational corporations, governments, NGOs and insurers to look after the welfare of expatriates, travellers, offshore workers and local nationals in every country of the world, 24 hours a day. For more information, please visit www.healix-international.com.
Contact: |
|
distributed by
|
