Category Archives: Healthcare Insurance

Save Money on the Cost of a Brand New Bike in Time for National Bike Week 2013

As the nation gears up for National Bike Week 2013, leading health cash plan provider UK Healthcare offers discounts for policy holders on the cost of a brand new bike.

As National Bike Week returns for another year, a leading health cash plan provider UK Healthcare, is reminding policy holders that they can save money on the cost of a brand new bike thanks to their plan.

National Bike Week 2013 runs from Saturday 15 June until Sunday 23 June, with cycling events taking place throughout the UK. From local authorities and community groups to charities and cycling groups, bike fans up and down the country will take part fun cycles, city rides, heritage cycles, bike races and much more. There is an event for everybody young and old, and all are encouraged to get involved with a local event and rediscover the love of cycling.

Whether commuting or enjoying a weekend trip, cycling is a fantastic way to get some exercise and enjoy some fresh air.

In addition to providing comprehensive personal and corporate health cash plans, UK Healthcare champion a healthy active lifestyle, and policy holders can take advantage of a range of special offers, which includes discounts off a selected range of brand new bikes from Halfords.

With personal and corporate health cash plans from UK Healthcare, policy holders can claim back the cash spent on a wide range of medical services from dental checkups and eye tests to hospital stays, health screenings and much more. Cover is available from as little as 28p per day and 100% cash back is available on a wide variety of treatments and prescriptions up to generous policy limits.

For more information about the many benefits of a personal or corporate health cash plan, or the special offers available to the policy holder, visit the official UK Healthcare website today.

Via EPR Network
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PruHealth and Mercer launch Britain’s Healthiest Company

PruHealth, the health insurer and Vitality wellness programme provider, has partnered with Mercer, the global consulting leader in talent, health, retirement and investments, to launch Britain’s Healthiest Company. This is the first index of its kind aiming to find and celebrate the country’s most outstanding organisations demonstrating best practice and innovative approaches to looking after the health and wellbeing of their staff.

Britain’s Healthiest Company will survey employers and employees at organisations with over 100 employees to gain a deeper insight into some of the biggest health risks and trends at the heart of the corporate nation’s health. It will also highlight those that are delivering real and measurable benefits, not only in the health and wellbeing of their people, but also in the health of their balance sheets.

Neville Koopowitz, CEO at PruHealth said: “With an ageing population, rising retirement age and the increase in chronic diseases linked to lifestyle it is becoming more critical than ever to ensure a healthy long-term workforce. Organisations are starting to recognise the link between a healthy workforce and a healthy bottom line, as those that encourage health and wellness within the workplace see lower sickness absence, lower presenteeism and greater productivity.

“The Britain’s Healthiest Company Index will give vital insight and understanding into how healthy today’s workforce is and which organisations are holding the gold medals when it comes to safeguarding their employees’ health and motivating them to lead a healthier way of life.”

As well as trophies for the winners, each participating organisation will receive a Corporate Health Report detailing the main health risks facing their organisation, tailor made recommendations on how to improve* and how they are benchmarked against other companies. Employees will also receive a Personal Health Report providing a unique insight into their health and recommendations on lifestyle changes they can make.

The overall winner will be named Britain’s Healthiest Company and there will be further commendations for other top performing companies, with the top organisations in each category appearing on the Britain’s Healthiest Company Index.

Britain’s Healthiest Company launched on 26th August 2012 and the closing date for entries is 7th November 2012. The results will be announced early in 2013. Further details on how to enter can be found at: www.britainshealthiestcompany.co.uk

Via EPR Network
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PruHealth and Daley Thomson launch ‘Walk the Tube’ app

PruHealth, the UK’s fourth-largest health insurer and provider of the Vitality wellness programme, the world’s longest-standing incentive-based health improvement solution, has teamed up with Daley Thompson to launch a free ‘Walk the Tube with Daley Thompson’ app.

While the tube map app will enable commuters and tourists in London to avoid the crush of the London Underground during the particularly busy summer period, it more importantly provides an accessible and cost-effective mechanism for Londoners to make a longer-term commitment to their health by establishing a precedent of walking. This is particularly important when considered in light of the generally low physical activity levels in the capital, and the strong link that exists between walking and improvements in health.

While simple and intuitive, the app provides an array of information related to the journey, plus activity and behavioural motivators, including:
– Step-by-step walking routes with an at-a-glance tube map showing the number of steps between stations
– Built in pedometer that provides a real-time overview of the number of steps, length of time and calories burned on each journey
– Motivational messages from Daley Thompson throughout the journey
– An ability to save regular journeys and maintain a record of walking history to provide a summary of total distance covered, number of steps taken and calories burned
– Real-time alerts that provide updates on the tube service, and allow an assessment to be made on whether it will be quicker to walk or wait for the train.
– Enables users to share details via Facebook

Daley Thompson, a PruHealth Vitality Ambassador said: “It’s a well-documented fact that overall levels of physical fitness do not tend to improve and people are not generally motivated by seeing amazing athletic accomplishments at the Games. This is a handy tool that can be easily incorporated into people’s lives that could translate the current wave of national pride into personal action to make small changes to every day routines. Not only is it great exercise helping you tone up during the summer, but for visitors and Londoners alike it gives you the opportunity to try new walks, beat your own best times – all whilst discovering the capital’s landmarks you would miss while stuck underground.”

Neville Koopowitz, CEO at PruHealth added: “PruHealth launched the very first ‘Walk the Tube’ map seven years ago and this new app is the next logical step to meet the needs of how people now access and use information. Ideally we should all be walking 10,000 steps each day to keep ourselves healthy and we hope this app will show commuters how easy it is to do that at any time of the year and beat travel hotspots at the same time.”

The app is available for both iPhone and Android phones and is free to download from the Apple App Store and Google Play Store.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa International Launches Short Term IPMI

Bupa International has launched a new flexible short-term international private medical insurance (IPMI) policy, called Bupa Flex. The product will allow customers to purchase IPMI, but on a 3-11 month basis and anywhere in between, down to the day they require.

Previously, people moving abroad for less than a year did not have the option to buy a short term IPMI product. Bupa Flex will allow these customers to choose the length of their policy, offering them value for money, as well as access to all the benefits of being one of Bupa’s international health insurance customers.

Muriel MacCallum, marketing director, Bupa International, said: “We’ve listened to our customers and designed Bupa Flex specifically for their short term needs. If you are relocating abroad, or travelling on an overseas assignment through work, you don’t necessarily want to take out a full year’s policy, but you still want the comprehensive cover IPMI provides.

“This new product means that our customers will still have access to the appropriate care and treatment they need, wherever they are in the world (except the USA), through an insurance policy with a timeframe and price that suits their needs.”

Bupa International offers customers access to more than 200,000 medical providers worldwide and can settle bills directly with over 7,500 hospitals and clinics. Customers can contact Bupa International’s doctors and advisers for medical advice and guidance, 24 hours a day, and have access to a second medical opinion at no extra cost.

More information about Bupa’s short term international health insurance and quotes are available at www.bupa-intl.com/bupa-flex.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa announces major expansion in dentistry

Bupa has announced a multi-million pound investment to grow its dental business and become one of the largest private dental chains in the UK by 2015.

Bupa has operated dental centres since 1999 and currently looks after around 13,000 people in 11 centres. Bupa also insures or funds over 130,000 dental customers through dental insurance and cash-plans.

The healthcare group plans to add up to 50 additional private dental centres to its existing portfolio, increasing Bupa’s presence in dentistry by as much as five-fold.

Ruth Chesmore, Director of Dental Services, Bupa said: “Bupa has run a successful dental business in the UK for more than a decade and we want to build on this by opening a chain of dental centres in convenient city centre locations. We have been in the business of healthcare for over 60 years, and because we have no shareholders, we can invest the money we make into more and better healthcare. The private dental market has continued to grow in recent years and as one of the most trusted healthcare brands in the UK, we know that we have a good opportunity to provide more people with convenient, high quality, good value dental care.”

The private dentistry market is currently worth £2.4bn. The market is forecast to grow at 2.7%pa over the next 5 years* reflecting the greater numbers of patients visiting a dentist and accessing a wider variety of treatments.

The new Bupa centres will provide customers with high quality, affordable dentistry in major UK cities. They will be located close to where people work, with appointments available outside of traditional office hours.

Bupa dental centres are open to all and provide a wide variety of dental services from routine examinations to specialist treatments and cosmetic dental treatments, all led by experienced clinicians, working to the highest clinical standards and using the latest technology.

Bupa also offers a wide range of ways to pay, including pay as you go, great value dental insurance and 0% financing options.

Bupa already provides high quality healthcare and excellent customer service to over three million customers in the UK and oral healthcare is an important part of this. It has operated a successful chain of dental centres in Spain for the past 12 years serving over 650,000 customers with 81 dental clinics distributed throughout the country.

Owners of city based dental practices who are interested in working with Bupa should go to www.bupa.co.uk/sellingyourdentalpractice for more information.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa Launches Series Of Cancer Support Booklets For Children

Bupa has launched a series of booklets to support children when someone close to them has cancer. The booklets are free and available to all and have been developed through consultation with children and the advice of specialists, including Bupa’s cancer experts.

Child psychologist Professor Tanya Byron has today said that more emotional support is needed for families dealing with cancer, highlighting the difficulty of helping children to understand the illness. She said: “When we as adults receive information that is devastating to deal with, it’s almost harder to tell our children than it is to hear it ourselves. But research has shown that by not talking at all, in order to avoid the painful truth, many parents may be causing excessive levels of anxiety for their children when there are simple steps to manage this.

“Up until now there has been little advice available to help with this problem, which is why these new booklets, available now, are such an important initiative.”

The series of four booklets, called ‘I Know Someone with Cancer’, are aimed at 7-11 year olds. They explain cancer and treatments in a simple and sensitive way, using language and visuals that children can relate to. They also offer children ideas for dealing with their feelings and helping their family in small ways, as well as activities to occupy them at home or at hospital. They can be read independently by the child or used as a guide for discussion.

The initiative is also supported by actor Stephen Mangan, who has been personally affected by cancer and has young children of his own.

Stephen Mangan said: “My family has been affected by cancer and I’ve seen how hard it is to talk about the illness with loved ones. Now I have two young children I have wondered what I would do in that situation. These booklets are a wonderful tool to help with a very difficult conversation, to help children understand what the adult with cancer is going through and how to cope with their feelings about it.”

Dr Katrina Herren, medical director, Bupa Health and Wellbeing, said: “It can be very confusing and frightening for a child to find out someone they love is ill with cancer. We have set out to create something that children can understand and read in their own time and share with their friends and family.”

Bupa’s dedicated Oncology Support Team takes over 10,000 calls per month from people with cancer and their relatives, who often seek advice on the many emotional, physical and practical difficulties associated with cancer.

Bupa has been providing expert cancer care for over 60 years, funding treatment for over 23,000 people per year and follow-ups and support for an additional 20,000 cancer survivors who have been treated for cancer in the past.

The ‘I Know Someone with Cancer’ series can downloaded from www.bupa.co.uk/iknowsomeonewithcancer.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa Reveals Only Half Of Brits Visit The Dentist

Bupa has revealed that more than half of Brits believe that the quality of a person’s teeth has a major impact on a person’s career or romantic life, yet only half of UK residents visit the dentist regularly.

Bupa’s research found that three in five people (63 per cent) believe having bad teeth can prevent someone from finding a partner while over half (52%) believe having nice teeth can help someone get a better job. Almost half (46%) of respondents believe having nice teeth can help a person to make more friends.

However, only half of the people polled (53 per cent) attend a regular dental examination and one in seven (14 per cent) has not used any dental services in the last four years, with four per cent having never visited the dentist at all.

Despite the trend for American-style perfectly straight, sparkling white teeth, a British smile was voted the most popular in the poll, with Kate Middleton’s natural smile trouncing the competition and being voted the nation’s favourite.

Not only does the nation think that having a nice smile is important, it seems that many people would do an awful lot to get one, with one in seven (14 per cent) saying that they would give up having sex for a whole year if it meant they could get perfect teeth. Similarly, one in five (22%) would forgo booze for a year if they could have a spectacular smile

Brian Franks, Clinical Director, Dentistry, Bupa Health and Wellbeing said: “Being happy with your teeth can have a big impact on your confidence and this can affect your work and relationships. So it’s surprising that so many people don’t go for regular dental examinations. Even people who are currently happy with their teeth should pay attention to their dental health, as problems can happen at any time and get worse if not treated. For example, gum disease is very common, affecting more than half of adults. If left untreated for a long time it can lead to tooth loss. But the good news is that in its early stage it is completely reversible so it’s vital to visit your dentist regularly so they can spot any potential problems early and help prevent them getting worse.”

More than one in three people said that the expense is the main reason for not visiting the dentist regularly. Although three in ten people have landed themselves in debt or had to make sacrifices in order to cover unexpected dental bills, only one in ten people have dental insurance or a dental cash plan.

Via EPR Network
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PruHealth Reveals Brits Are Eating Less Healthily Due To Rising Living Costs

PruHealth has announced that, according to its recent study, every one in five Brits (22%) is eating less healthily due to the rising cost of living.

With the UK dipping back into recession and food inflation on the rise, new data from PruHealth, the health insurance provider that rewards healthy behaviour, finds the continuing rise in cost of living means that 10.6 million Brits are not eating as healthily as they would like to and over half (52%) believe their health has suffered as a result of the recession.

The study, which ran at the start of the financial downturn in 2008 and again this year, highlights the nation’s health is sinking further into the doldrums in terms of its eating habits.

Over the last four years 75% of Brits have changed their eating and shopping habits and 85% of these stated the recession and or rising food prices as the cause for the change.

The ‘five-a-day’ mantra is one of the most high profile Government health campaigns, but the number of Brits struggling to reach the recommended target has increased by 26%. Three fifths (59%) admit they are currently finding it a challenge compared to 47% at the start of the recession in 2008

More than two thirds (68%) of Brits say healthier foods tend to be more expensive. One in six (16%) respondents said they’re buying as much as they can that is ‘reduced to clear’ and one in ten (11%) only buy foods that are on special offer. Worryingly, around one in four (24%) Brits say they regularly take vitamin supplements because they are unable to eat as healthily as they like or to supplement their diet.

Naturally most parents want to put their children’s health first and ensure they have a nutritionally balanced diet, but almost one in five (18%) are doing this at the expense of their own health. One in ten (9%) are even skipping meals so their children eat well.

Dr Dawn Richards, Head of Clinical Service at PruHealth, commented: “We can clearly see how people’s healthy eating habits have been affected, with the picture having got significantly worse since the start of the economic downturn. People are only too well aware of the need to eat healthily, but financial constraints are making it difficult, resulting in people’s health being negatively affected.”

Via EPR Network
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Bupa Reveals Workplace Absence Costs Britain’s Small Businesses 10% Of Turnover

A significant proportion of the UK’s small business bosses are risking burnout and ill health as they battle absence to keep businesses afloat, according to Bupa research.

Four in ten (40 per cent) heads of small companies told researchers they continue to work from their sick beds when ill, rather than take time off to recover because there’s nobody else to pick up their work.

They are also battling mental as well as physical strain. With financial pressure and a lack of resources hampering succession planning, a third of SME bosses (31 per cent) said that their business would collapse if they were to take time off.

However, while small business owners put their own physical and mental health and wellbeing at risk, it seems their employees may be compounding the problem. Nearly two thirds (62 per cent) of small business bosses say that employee absence is negatively affecting their business, and according to 46 per cent, high levels of employee absence are estimated to contribute up to a 10 per cent drop in turnover in small businesses.

Tony Wood, sales and marketing director at Bupa said: “Small business bosses are real troupers; they are totally committed to running their firms in sickness as well as health. However they need to think about how to take care of their health needs and those of their staff, as working through sickness isn’t a long-term solution for anyone.”

Four in ten (38 per cent) bosses admit they spend more on office stationery than initiatives that support employee health and wellbeing, such as flu jabs, cycle to work schemes and subsidised gym membership.

Dr Jenny Leeser, Clinical Director of Occupational Health, Bupa, suggests that small business heads should see investment in employee health and wellbeing as a beneficial long-term investment: “There are lots of things bosses can do to support staff and reduce the pressure of sickness absence. Staff benefits such as flu jabs or health checks can make a huge difference and are relatively low cost. Absence can be less of a burden if it is properly managed, for example through part-time return to work plans which can see staff return sooner. To get advice tailored to individual business needs, bosses should consult an occupational health specialist.”

The Bupa research showed that the sectors worst affected by workplace absence are property and technology companies, with 77 per cent of small business bosses surveyed in each of these sectors agreeing that sick leave has a financial impact on business. Other sectors which said that unplanned leave caused their business to suffer significantly were hospitality (58 per cent) and retail (50 per cent).

These figures come in the wake of Bupa’s 2011 study that found over half (51 per cent) of all HR managers claim that staff sickness absence puts additional work related stress on those employees left to ‘hold the fort’. One in three (31 per cent) staff stated they had to take on extra overtime to pick up additional workload as a result of colleagues being off sick. The research was in response to the Government’s Sickness Absence Review in November which found that the way sickness absence is managed by businesses can radically alter the length of time someone is off work.

Via EPR Network
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New e-Book: How to Avoid 7 Medicare Traps

For those turning 65 the path to Medicare enrollment is filled with bumps and traps that can end up meaning higher health care costs for retirees. iQuote.com’s new booklet: Getting Ready for Medicare: How to Avoid 7 Medicare Traps can help people avoid mistakes and missed deadlines when enrolling for Medicare and selecting a Medicare health plan.

Medicare terms can be confusing. iQuote.com finds people are often confused about how to sign up, when to sign up and then how to compare different Medicare plan choices. The new booklet is designed especially for those who are getting ready to sign up for Medicare or choosing a Medicare health plan. It identifies some of the terms, deadlines and choices that, if missed, can end up increasing the cost of health care coverage in retirement.

Some of the traps include missing Medicare enrollment dates, misunderstanding deadlines, staying on COBRA too long and failing to understand the costs of Medicare and how to compare plans to find the right Medicare plan.

The booklet can be downloaded at www.medicare.iquote.com/medicare-resources-links.aspx.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa partners with the Ramblers

Bupa, the leading healthcare group, has teamed up with the Ramblers to help people live healthier lives through walking.

The Ramblers is Britain’s Walking charity, working to help everyone realise the pleasures and benefits of walking, and to enhance and protect the places where people walk, whether rural or urban.

Walking can help people to reach the recommended healthy level of physical activity of 150 minutes of moderate exercise over a week in bouts of 10 minutes or more. The many benefits of regular walking include stress reduction, protecting against a number of illnesses and boosting fitness.

Sue Moore, Marketing and Customer Development Director, Bupa Health and Wellbeing said: “We are always looking for ways to help people live healthier lives, and we know that walking is an excellent way to do that. We hope that many of our members get involved with the Ramblers and start enjoying the benefits of walking.”

Robert McKinnon, Head of Marketing, the Ramblers said: “At the Ramblers we know that walking is a great way to keep in shape. We hope that Bupa members will join us and discover the friendship, fresh air and fitness that comes with getting outside and walking.”

Bupa members will be offered a 50% discount on Ramblers membership for the month of February. Ramblers members are also entitled to a special discount on Bupa health coverand Bupa health assessments.

For more information visit www.bupa.co.uk/ramblers.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa Launches Its First Dental Insurance Product

Bupa is introducing a consumer dental insurance product for the first time, in response to high demand from customers.

Dental Cover 10 and 20 from Bupa allow customers to choose whichever dentist they want to visit. Dental Cover 10 offers customers a full refund for NHS treatment* and market-leading oral cancer cover up to £15,000 per person per year**.

Dental Cover 20 allows customers with a privately registered dentist to claim up to £150 a year of dental insurance for routine treatment such as check-ups, dental x-rays and scale and polish. For more expensive, non-cosmetic treatment such as fillings, root canals, extractions, crowns, bridgework and dentures, customers can claim up 75% of each bill, with up to £700 paid back per year. Cover also includes emergency dental treatment and treatment for dental injury***.

With no underwriting or pre-enrolment checks required****, set-up is quick and easy for the customer.

Previously Bupa dental cover was only available to individual customers as an option with the healthcare group’s adaptable health insurance product, Bupa By You.

Sue Moore, Marketing and Customer Development Director, Bupa Health & Wellbeing said: “Having listened to our customers, we have designed a product which gives people extensive cover when they visit the dentist, whether NHS or private. We know that our customers will value the peace of mind that this gives them.”

To obtain a quote, consumers can call 0800 600 500 or visit www.bupa.co.uk/dentalinsurance.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa Health Foundation and Alzheimer’s Australia Announce UK Availability Of Brain Health App

The Bupa Health Foundation and Alzheimer’s Australia have announced the UK launch of a world-first brain health app, the latest digital tool to help in the fight against dementia.

Based on latest research that links brain health and a reduced risk of dementia, to a healthy heart and cardiovascular system, ‘BrainyApp’ is the first dementia risk reduction iPhone app designed to help people monitor and improve their brain-heart health.

The new app, which was designed by Alzheimer’s Australia and Bupa Health Foundation, has already knocked Facebook off the number one spot in the Australia and New Zealand Top Free Apps list and has clocked up more than 130,000 downloads down under.

Now available to people in the UK, ‘BrainyApp’ helps users monitor and improve the physical, mental, dietary and social aspects of their lifestyle.

There are currently 750,000 people living with dementia in the UK and this is predicted to rise to over a million by 2021. Delaying the onset of dementia by just five years would reduce deaths directly attributable to dementia by 30,000 a year.

Jeremy Hughes, Chief Executive, Alzheimer’s Society, said: “Most people know how to reduce their risk of heart disease, diabetes and stroke but they don’t realise that the same healthy lifestyle choices may also lower the risk of developing Alzheimer’s diseaseand other kinds of dementia. The idea is that what is good for the heart is also good for the brain.”

‘BrainyApp’ allows users to take a brain-heart health survey about their diet, exercise patterns and lifestyle. It then provides suggestions and ideas about how to make improvements to each. It also includes all-new brain games, and encourages users to build brain-heart points by staying physically and mentally active, socialising with friends and family, and sharing their progress on Facebook.

One of the brain games – ‘Word Tennis’ – requires players to unscramble anagrams in order to move a paddle and hit a ball back to their opponent.

Director of dementia care for Bupa Care Services, Dr Graham Stokes, said: “There is evidence to show that keeping the mind exercised can stave off the onset of dementia but ‘BrainyApp’ highlights that good physical health also has a part to play. Best of all it’s good fun.”

‘BrainyApp’ is available as a free download for users of iPhone, iPod and iPad devices from the App Store. There are plans to develop an Android version in early 2012.

More information about BrainyApp is available at www.bupa.co.uk/brainy-app.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa International Releases Health Guides To Hong Kong And Singapore

Bupa International has published two new health guides for expatriates in Hong Kong and Singapore. The guides include information on vaccinations, medical insurance and emergency healthcare.

Expatriate health information is increasingly sought after as a growing number of people relocate to foreign countries for work. Information on healthcare in the East Asian region is particularly needed, as the area’s many booming industries have drawn a large number of foreign workers in recent years.

Expatriates already living in Hong Kong or Singapore and those who are planning to move to either country can access the health guides via the Bupa International website.

The Hong Kong health guide discusses vaccinations and the various infectious diseases that expatriates in Hong Kong may be susceptible to. For those wondering whether to take anti-malarial medicines prior to their move, the health guide explains that this is unnecessary, as the mosquito-transmitted disease is not found in Hong Kong.

However, though malaria is not found in Singapore, the Singapore health guide suggests that expatriates take measures to prevent mosquito bites, as dengue fever and chikungunya have both been reported on the island.

The two health guides also provide information on international health insurance options that expatriates in Singapore and Hong Kong can benefit from and give an overview of the healthcare systems in both city-states, such as the availability of specialist care, the number of hospitals and the nature of primary care.

“Moving and living abroad can be daunting, particularly when it comes to the subject of health,” said Dr Sneh Khemka, medical director for Bupa International. “These health guides will help people to prepare for their move to Singapore or Hong Kong and offer them detailed information about hospital and treatment options there.

“Healthcare systems can vary enormously from one place to another so it’s vital to be prepared for any eventuality before you move or travel abroad. These health guides give an overview of the situation in Singapore and Hong Kong but you should always seek advice from an expert if you have a serious medical condition.”

Bupa International’s website also includes expatriate guides to other countries. The guides offer advice on culture and cost of living in various countries as well as other information such as how people can ship their belongings when relocating to a foreign country.

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Bupa Reveals Brits In Denial About Realities Of Too Much Drink

Bupa is warning Brits to face up to the realities of excessive drinking as research reveals that despite having one of the highest rates of alcohol consumption in the world, they are the least likely to want to cut down their intake.

The International Bupa Health Pulse survey which studied over 13,000 people in 12 countries, found that Brits are over a third (41%) more likely to drink alcohol than the international average. They are also twice as likely to describe themselves as ‘regular drinkers’, with almost 1 in 10 (9%) admitting to drinking ‘every day’ – over double the international average.

But despite the proven link between excess* alcohol consumption and a range of life-threatening health conditions, more than 1 in 3 of Brits who drink (38%) say they don’t want to change their behaviour. Internationally, almost 3 in 4 of drinkers have admitted they would like to cut down.

Assistant Medical Director for Bupa, Dr Layla McCay said: “This is a worrying observation which implies that Brits are particularly resistant to change when it comes to drinking habits. Whether that is due to a lack of awareness about alcohol effects or whether we are simply in denial, there is clearly more work to be done to raise awareness of the associated risks and the real impact it can have on lives.

“Excessive drinking carries several health risks, including heart disease, stroke, liver disease, many types of cancer, and even diabetes. Something needs to be done immediately and we need to challenge the social norms – social lives too often revolve around drinking and it is important that we work towards coming up with healthier alternatives. It’s not about total abstinence, but it is about drinking responsibly and being aware of the effects that heavy drinking can have.”

Chief Executive of Drinkaware, Chris Sorek, said: “There is always an excuse to drink but there are plenty of reasons to cut down too. It can be easy to drink more than you intended, by not being aware of the units in your favourite drink or pouring large measures at home. However drinking can affect your sleep patterns, meaning you wake up feeling stressed and tired the next day.

“Regularly drinking over the daily guidelines can lead to more serious health harms including alcohol-related liver disease, which has no warning signs. Alcohol is also the second biggest risk factor for cancer after smoking – responsible for cancer of the breast, liver, bowel and mouth.”

For people worried about the amount they drink Bupa hosts a free alcohol calculator available on its website which calculates how much alcohol an individual consumes and provides alcohol information and support on how to drink less.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa International Launches New Health Insurance Video

Bupa International has announced the launch of a new video detailing its international private medical insurance (IPMI) product.

Bupa International, a global health insurance provider which gives its members access to more than 7,500 medical facilities around the world, has released the video to show how customers can use its flexible Worldwide Health Options insurance to create a healthcare plan that suits their unique situation and needs. Rather than produce a text-heavy brochure, the company decided to launch a video giving an overview of what the product offers.

The video gives examples of people who have moved abroad following retirement, individuals who travel around the world for work and families who have relocated to another country. By using characters based on real-life stories, the video conveys the flexibility that the product offers and shows customers how they can tailor their international health insurance to fit their own unique situation.

Customers who purchase Bupa’s IPMI can choose as many Worldwide Health Options to add to their cover as they wish, or they can simply stick with the core cover. Options include cover for doctor consultations, medicines, screenings, evacuation and treatment in the United States. Additionally, customers can also apply for cover for pre-existing conditions.

Bupa Worldwide Health Options allows customers to combine modules to create the best solution for each individual or family.

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Bupa Puts Real People At The Heart Of New Health Insurance Campaign

Bupa has unveiled its latest TV advertising campaign to promote its new health insurance product, ‘Bupa By You’.

The multi-million pound, integrated, through-the-line campaign launched on 5 September and promotes the adaptable and affordable nature of ‘Bupa By You’.

The direct response TV advert, direct marketing and digital advertising have all been created by OgilvyOne.

Bupa By You‘ is a natural evolution of the brand’s ‘Helping You Find Healthy’ campaign launched earlier this year which demonstrated that healthy means different things to different people. The product meets this ambition by providing customers with the ability to personalise their insurance cover to best reflect their individual health needs, priorities and budget.

The campaign focuses on real people in real situations revealing them to be doing something that isn’t initially expected. This helps to demonstrate that ‘Bupa By You’ is adaptable and Bupa doesn’t make assumptions about its customers health insurance needs.

“‘Bupa By You’ is proof that health insurance doesn’t need to be one-size-fits-all,” commented Sue Moore, marketing and customer development director at Bupa Health & Wellbeing. “We have put the customer at the heart of the decision making process and the adaptable nature of the product reflects how we have listened to their needs.”

Annette King, Chief Executive, OgilvyOne, added: “This campaign demonstrates how Bupa is doing things differently – providing an adaptable product that meets individual customer needs. Our multi-platform approach allows us to communicate with customers on a very personal level.”

Media buying was undertaken by Carat.

Further information about Bupa By You can be found on Bupa’s website, with the new TV advert available on Bupa’s YouTube channel.The product is available for purchase by phone now and online from late September via www.bupa.co.uk/byyou

Via EPR Network
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Pruhealth Becomes Nectar’s Exclusive Healthcare Partner

PruHealth customers can now collect up to 200 Nectar points and 10 Vitality points each week when buying £20 worth of healthy foods* during the weekly shop at Sainsbury’s, under PruHealth’s new and exclusive partnership with Nectar, the largest loyalty programme in the UK.

Enhancing PruHealth’s existing partnership with Sainsbury’s**, the innovative insurer that rewards healthy behaviour has become Nectar’s exclusive healthcare partner within the programme.

Policyholders with Nectar membership can now receive 10 Nectar points per £1 spent in Sainsbury’s on over 1,500 healthy foods***. Customers will also be rewarded 1 Vitality point for every £2 spent on healthy foods, which contributes towards discounts with PruHealth’s reward partners and cashback on the individual’s policy.

Furthermore, Nectar customers wishing to join PruHealth will receive 5,000 Nectar points for taking out a new private medical insurance policy, meaning they could potentially collect up to 15,400 Nectar points in the first year, as well as 520 Vitality points.

Recent findings from PruHealth indicate a third of British adults (33%)**** want to improve their diets and eat more healthily in 2011, and PruHealth and Nectar are committed to helping their members live a healthy lifestyle.

Dr Katie Tryon at PruHealth commented: “We all know what we should be doing to look after ourselves, but we need encouragement to implement these changes into our lifestyle on an ongoing basis. Incentivising healthy behaviour is our core philosophy and we believe our healthy foods initiative can help drive behavioural change amongst our members. We are extremely excited about the possibilities presented by our new partnership with Nectar and our enhanced relationship with Sainsbury’s and look forward to developing further initiatives in the future.”

The innovative insurer hopes the rewards offer an attractive incentive for members to eat healthily, while also providing an attractive proposition for new customers as well. One in ten (12%) British adults said receiving discounts for leading a healthy lifestyle would be an incentive to take out private medical insurance.

Via EPR Network
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Pruhealth Introduces New Sustainable Commission Model

PruHealth, the insurer that rewards people for engaging in healthy behaviour, has adopted what it believes to be a more sustainable and transparent commission model which rewards long-term partnerships with brokers and aims to deliver lasting client value. From April 2011, all Small and Medium Enterprise (SME) new business has been written on a 10:10 commission* basis, with 10% initial commission and 10% at each renewal.

Speaking at the Laing and Buisson conference, Dave Priestly, sales director at PruHealth argued: “The current market focus on low new business premiums and high initial commissions is unsustainable and the industry needs to adapt in order to decrease churn and over-commoditising the group PMI market. Combined with strong market demand for lower premiums, the combination of claims costs, commission costs and operating costs, outstrip the premiums being charged. As a consequence, renewal premiums are forced up, resulting in more companies looking to switch or reduce their PMI cover.”

The new model is designed to reward long-term relationships by offering level commissions, enabling PruHealth to protect future premiums and remain competitive over the long-term. Brokers who sign up to the partnership scheme could be eligible for ‘portfolio commission’**. This offers the potential for a quarterly new business commission uplift of up to 20% dependant on their portfolio retention, portfolio loss ratio and new business API.

Dave Priestly continued: “We are taking a partnership approach to SME commission and want to share greater rewards with those brokers who work in partnership with us to develop stable and sustainable portfolios. Client retention is as important for our long term success as driving new business. We have chosen to apply level initial and renewal commission for SME business to move us towards a more sustainable future. However, firms who work in partnership with us to develop long-term, stable customer relationships could benefit from a new quarterly payment of ‘portfolio commission.”

PruHealth believes this approach will help foster stronger relationships with its intermediary partners and will also bring more security to customer relationships, allowing them to reap the benefits of a longer term relationship with their insurer. Specifically in the case of PruHealth a long term customer relationship gives them greater opportunity to get more value from our Vitality programme. Health is not a short term commitment and continued engagement in the tools and partners provided within Vitality can make a real difference to people’s health and as a consequence help control premium costs.

Via EPR Network
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Bupa Care Homes Roll Out the Red Carpet for Cannes Film Festival

Bupa care homes residents across the UK rolled out the red carpet as they added a local twist to the 2011 Cannes Film Festival.

Altogether over 250 care homes, including dementia care homes, transformed rooms into in-house movie theatres and showed classic films, with staff dressing up as famous film stars, such as Charlie Chaplin, and ushers to bring the festival to life. Care home residents were also served popcorn and ice cream during the film intervals. The homes were also joined by entertainers to serenade the residents with their favourite show tunes.

Each home was provided with a selection of iconic movie star photographs in order to set the scene.

Penny Leng, Bupa Care Homes’ national activities manager, said: “Our residential and care home staff really went the extra mile to recreate the cinema experience so residents had the chance to feel part of the action.

“It was a fantastic way to appreciate the glitz and glamour of the Cannes Film Festival, as well as offering a great opportunity for our residents to reminisce and talk about their favourite legends of the silver screen.

“Many of our residents remember the bygone era of when going to the cinema was a really thrilling experience, and we’ve thoroughly enjoyed bringing that sense of excitement to life in our homes.”

This year marked the 64th Cannes Film Festival, which took place from 11-22 May. Known as the world’s oldest and most esteemed showcase for European films, movie stars and producers flock to the festival each year to launch their new films.

Via EPR Network
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