So here we are at the start of a New Year – 2022!
The first day of January very often brings about the question ‘What can we expect from the year ahead?’ and quite rightly so!
After the recent constantly changing world of 2020 & 2021- where the key has been to adapt – we are all finding different ways to navigate the choppy waters on which we sail and focus on the positive’s that we have to look forward to.
At PMIS, we have our ears to the ground and our fingers on the pulse to try to keep you up to date with the many exciting changes that we anticipate over the next 12 months
Even before the incredible disasters of 2020, the Private Medical Insurance [PMI} sector was already shifting at pace but the global pandemic took those changes and accelerated them.
For example, let’s take a look at the introduction of ‘remote consultations’ during height of lockdown. Something that many insurers said wasn’t possible actually became the ‘norm’ overnight and hundreds and thousands of patients had treatment with GP’s and hospital consultants by telephone and video call
It meant people could see the specialist they needed in a timely manner, from the comfort and safety of their own home, protected from Covid-19 and massively increasing overall capacity! Overall, this whole scenario was met with fantastic enthusiasm and very positive feedback.
Technology will continue to be a huge focus this year for all insurers, as they race to keep up with the world around us. Combining that with the ‘hybrid work place’ – working from home – we are very likely to see, where we haven’t already, many of the pathways and processes, such as, claims processing being brought online
We have already seen the introduction of Vitality’s Care Hub towards the end of 2021 which created a one stop shop where you can book virtual GP consultations, self-refer for specified conditions and so many other things
With the Care Hub itself having the functionality to instantly assess and authorise most claims but with claims team staff still available to help with more complex cases or for those clients who prefer to speak directly to a claims specialist directly, the entire process has been sped up and simplified – with one important additional benefit……you no longer have to endure that dreadful hold ‘muzak’ and the ubiquitous “ Your call is important to us….please continue to hold!”
With the majority of insurers now allowing you to start claims online, this will quickly become the norm.
PMIS, as a trading style of Halo Consulting [ a specialist health intermediary ] is already experiencing a piqued interest and increased demand for information about Private Medical Insurance policies – especially with the recent news of the NHS backlog touching the 6 million mark.
It is no surprise that people are willing and eager to consider paying for the of peace of mind such policies can offer.
The opportunity to access secondary and acute care without delay is a major priority for many of our clients – rather than waiting for months for treatment with the associated concern and inconvenience of pain & suffering to deal with…and, of course, the inherent concern of cancelled and postponed operations and treatments
This growth in demand is likely to fuel further improvements by insurers as they strive to further expand the range of benefits they offer over the coming year.
We anticipate a greater focus on everyday health expenses such as optical, dental and prescription costs and we fully expect the Health Cash Plan sector to experience some considerable growth – both in the individual and family markets as well as in the SME/Corporate sector
One currently hot topic is ‘early intervention care’ – the identification of identifying health symptoms and issues before they become too serious – and this is likely to play an even more prominent role going forwards.
Instead of just offering heavily discounted health screenings as has been done previously, we are now experiencing even greater of urgency in this sector with the likes of Cigna expanding their SME proposition to include important Wellbeing Services’ such as assistance with pre-existing chronic conditions and fully-funded cancer screening
In summary, we honestly feel that we will have much to look forward to during 2022 from new insurers entering the market, changes in product propositions shifts, refreshed opportunities to deliver ‘early intervention’ and greater ‘peace of mind’ for those who join health plans before they succumb to the myriad of conditions that have threatened to overwhelm our NHS
Saying that….what we looking forward to most in 2022 here at PMIS and at Halo Consulting is being able to work with you – our individual and corporate clients…..those that we already know and those that we have not yet met
So if you want some advice, require some additional information or simply wish to revisit that policy that you thought about some time ago and ‘put off’ – contact us for a friendly chat about insurance needs. Send us a text (07709 035 118) or drop us an email (paul@pminsurance.co.uk) or pick up the phone (0151 201 8574). We will be waiting!