Angelis Launches First UK Insurance Cover For Treatment Carried Out Abroad

Main Category: Health Insurance / Medical Insurance
Article Date: 21 Oct 2008 - 10:00 PDT

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Growing numbers of UK patients have been travelling abroad for medical treatment despite a lack of adequate insurance protection, says Angelis Insurance (Angelis), the first company to provide a dedicated and specific insurance cover for dental, cosmetic and medical treatment carried out abroad.

Figures from Treatment Abroad's Medical Tourism Survey 2007 show over 50,000 UK patients travelled abroad for medical treatment in 2006, and this is set to reach 200,000 by the end of the decade, creating a £886 million market. Even without specific insurance cover, patients continue to visit countries such as India, Thailand and Singapore for treatment. According to Health Tourism India, an enterprise which offers healthcare tourism, 1.5 million patients visited the country for medical treatment in 2007, and this figure is expected to increase by 30% annually.

Angelis was founded by Leila Wilcox, one of the UK's leading young businesswomen and entrepreneurs. She is the co-founder of Halos n Horns, a company specialising in the production of children's toiletries, and a former winner of the prime time television show Make Me A Million.

Commenting on the rationale behind launching Angelis, Leila Wilcox, Managing Director, Angelis Insurance, said: "The figures speak for themselves - a staggering 74% of general practitioners in the UK have reported a rise in the number of patients going abroad for treatment and this figure continues to increase*. Until now, patients have been left wide open to the risks associated with foreign surgery. Angelis has launched an insurance product that offers patients dedicated cover and peace of mind."

Cover is available to any UK domicile travelling abroad for surgery and is distributed through appointed doctors and hospitals, specialist travel agents and online directly to customers at http://www.angelisgroup.com. Protection is provided for all of the standard travel insurance terms as well as specific additional benefits relating to the policyholder's treatment, such as an extended stay or the need for further consultation during the trip. Cover is also provided for out of pocket expenses incurred should a follow up appointment abroad be needed within 12 months of treatment. Cover options are available to those travelling with Angelis's policyholders.

The policy is underwritten by Cassidy Davis Insurance Group General Syndicate 5820, the specialist personal lines Lloyd's insurer. Commenting on the relationship with Angelis, Chris Biles, Active Underwriter Syndicate 5820, Cassidy Davis, said: ʺCassidy Davis are delighted to be underwriting this truly innovative product. Angelis is a forward thinking company who have recognised the need for this type of cover. We look forward to building on this relationship further.ʺ

Angelis has appointed ONE Group, a specialist provider of all the major disciplines in the supply of travel insurance to the leisure and business travel market, to handle claims.

Speaking on Angelis's strategic plans, Wilcox said: "The statistics show that this is the ideal time to be launching medical tourism cover. The ever increasing long waiting lists for surgery in the UK make travelling abroad for treatment appealing, meaning the perfect platform exists for Angelis to build a strong business."

* Source - Norwich Union Healthcare: Health of the Nation

Angelis Insurance

Angelis Insurance is a subsidiary of Angelis Limited and was formed in September 2008 to provide cover for dental, cosmetic and medical treatment carried out abroad - the first product to specifically cover all the needs of those travelling overseas for such treatment . For further information please call 0870 718 9055 or visit http://www.angelisgroup.com

Leila Wilcox

Leila Wilcox is the co-founder of Halos n Horns, the first company to offer an affordable range of shampoos, body washes and oral care, developed specifically for children.

In November 2005, the Halos n Horns set up was broadcast on the Channel 4 primetime show, Make Me a Million. The concept won the competition, with Sir Stelios Haji - Ioannou, the founder of easyJet, branding Leila as "the one to watch out for in the future."

By the end of 2005, Halos n Horns had gained listings in major UK supermarkets including Tesco, Morrisons, Sainsbury's, Somerfield and Waitrose.

In May 2006, Halos n Horns was sold to Ceuta Healthcare, the largest independent outsourcing sales and marketing company in the health and beauty industry. Leila works alongside Ceuta Healthcare in areas such as brand development and awareness, PR, marketing, export and new product development.

In 2008, Leila helped launch Medicetics Skin Clinic, a company set up to offer non-invasive cosmetic surgery.

Source
Natalie Horn
http://www.angelisgroup.com