William Russell Introduces Moratorium Underwriting On All Its Individual Expatriate Health Insurance Plans

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 11 Sep 2008 - 5:00 PST

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International expatriate insurance specialist William Russell has swept away the need for expatriates to declare their previous medical history with the introduction of moratorium underwriting on all of its health insurance plans. Many pre-existing medical conditions will become eligible for cover after two years of continuous cover.

James Cooper, sales director, William Russell says:

"Expatriates have told us that the biggest hassle of taking out private medical insurance is the need to remember and record every single health condition and medical consultation on the application form. We've dealt with this problem by completely removing the need for expats to declare their previous medical history, making the application process simple, straightforward and above all fast."

The new international private medical insurance application form, which can be completed online, simply asks expatriates to declare their height and weight and give details of their current doctor. From the date their cover starts they will receive full international health insurance cover for all eligible conditions, except for pre-existing conditions and related conditions.

A pre-existing condition is any condition for which the applicant has received treatment, advice, or experienced symptoms, before cover starts. However, pre-existing conditions become eligible for cover when the member has had a continuous two year period of cover during which there have been no symptoms, and no treatment or check-ups have been necessary.

James Cooper says:

"To make the application process as simple as possible, new applicants only have to declare their height and weight and give details of their current medical practitioner.

"Our new moratorium plans exclude pre-existing conditions occurring prior to the client's date of entry. Pre-existing conditions become eligible for cover when the member has had a continuous two year period of cover during which there have been no symptoms, and no treatment or check-ups have been necessary.

"If it is generally accepted medical advice that one should attend a regular medical consultation or check-up, or take drugs, or follow a special diet, then that medical condition will be permanently excluded, together with any related conditions. This will include conditions such as diabetes, raised blood pressure, raised cholesterol levels, heart disease, some forms of cancer, and other conditions where regular monitoring is advisable."

Moratorium underwriting is now available on William Russell's individual Global Health Elite and Essential expatriate health plans and will carry a 4% premium loading to cover the increased underwriting risk. Full medical underwriting will still be available to clients who prefer to know from the outset the exclusions that will apply to their cover.

Launched in 1992 as family-run company William Russell is a specialist provider of insurance plans for expatriates of all nationalities. Its clients include individuals, families and companies in more than 190 countries world-wide. It offers a range of top quality health plans with affordable premiums and the highest standards of customer care. It is one of only a few insurance providers to offer specialist life and income protection insurance plans to expatriate customers.

William Russell