ALC Health is delighted to announce that with effect from 1st January our claims handling for new and renewing customers will be carried out by Healix International, the award winning medical claims experts, under an exclusive and unique arrangement.

This is the culmination of many months of intensive research and discussion and is the logical next step in ALC Health’s mission to provide an unbeatable customer experience.

Healix maintain medically backed 24/7 and 365 capability via their centres in the UK, New Zealand and Singapore and together with ALC Health’s unique, benefit rich product set, will provide an industry leading solution.

At the same time, ALC Health are extending their commitment to AXA PPP International as their main underwriting partner, so continuing to provide the financial strength, integrity and stability necessary to ensure benefit delivery.

Sarah Jewell, CEO of ALC Health, commented, “Our Company has been built on an absolute dedication to customers, service and quality. We have enjoyed unprecedented growth and support from our customers and brokers and, as we continue on our journey, we are delighted that we can add a partner with the stature and reputation of Healix International to underline our continuing commitment to them.

We believe that by partnering with Healix International we will be providing the most customer focused claims handling service in the industry, with qualified medical personnel involved at the notification stage and proactive control and settlement throughout the process.

We will also shortly unveil further developments to help us shape an even better experience for more customers, with a new design philosophy to guide our new websites, enhancements to products and territories, and further innovations and partners – all with greater consistency, synergy and efficiency.

We want our brand to be synonymous with quality and our customers to expect and receive unrivalled service, and we will keep innovating to achieve our aim of becoming the best iPMI provider in the world.”

For further press information contact Stephen Godbold, Managing Director on +44 (0)1903 817970 or by e-mail to stephen.godbold@alchealth.com

The Gulf State of Qatar is the latest country in the region to legally require all expatriate workers to purchase private health insurance rather than allowing them to fall back on Government facilities in the event that they need medical care.

The newly introduced law requires private companies to meet the cost of private health insurance for all expatriate employees by the end of 2015. The new regulations are to be rolled out in phases over the next 12 months with white-collar workers required to be covered by the end of the first quarter, whilst blue-collar workers have until the end of the year.

In order to control growing costs and manage the strain on public systems, Qatar is another example of an increasing number of governments making private health insurance an integral part of the process of obtaining residency and work visas

Friday (26th) saw  St. Nummos Life Host the MacMillan Worldwide Coffee Morning at Sunborn Yacht in Gibraltar where ALC Health’s “Huggie” was raffled as one of the event charity prizes.

Dressed in his best ALC Health t-shirt, “Huggie” proved to be  popular guest and is now on his way to a new home.

Yesterday saw ALC Health’s UK Head Office turn into a magical bakers shop with an amazing display of cakes and biscuits home baked by our more creative and talented colleagues as part of Macmillan’s biggest fundraising event of the year.

ALC  was delighted to be able to join thousands of other people across the UK who have been holding coffee mornings to raise money for those living with cancer by raising desperately needed funds to support the valuable work and support given by the Macmillan Trust.

Cancer is the toughest fight most of us will ever face. and as treatments improve, more and more people are living with cancer in their daily lives. The money raise at this and other events held nationwide will help make sure no one has to face cancer alone, from the moment they’re diagnosed, through treatment and beyond.

Well done to everyone involved and for helping to replace those extra pounds lost a few weeks ago.

The 2014 International Living Global Retirement Index has ranked France as number one in its health care category. The study, which ranks destinations on their suitability for retired expats, praised France’s “affordable and great quality” healthcare writes Bryony Ashcroft of expathealth.org

The benefits highlighted in the report include the fact many doctors and healthcare professionals speak English, especially in major cities. Treatment in public facilities is available to those who pay, or used to pay, into the social security system. Fees for services in the public system are set, with the state paying around 70 percent of the costs. The remainder is paid out-of-pocket or by supplementary health insurance plans. The government may pay 100 percent of the costs related to serious illnesses.

In general, if you visit a doctor you pay the fees directly to them and are then reimbursed by the insurance company. Hospitals work on a direct reimbursement system, whereby patients only pay the portion which isn’t covered.

For non-EU citizens thinking of retiring in France, private health insurance is mandatory. Private insurance bought in France usually covers hospital fees but under some plans patients must pay the cost of doctor consultations themselves. Other plans refund 75 percent of doctor’s fees. The US embassy in France can help expat retirees find an English speaking health insurance provider, advises International Living.

The report, aimed at US expat retirees, places Uruguay second in the healthcare category. Uruguay’s cheap (compared to the US) private care and modern, high-quality facilities make it a good choice for expats.

Malaysia came in third place. A popular medical tourism destination, its modern private facilities and range of insurance options means healthcare needn’t be a drain on your budget. The report noted the majority of dentists are UK or US trained and can speak English, and prescriptions costs are a fraction of what you would pay in the States.

Regardless of where you decide to retire, healthcare provision must be a priority. If you don’t have private medical insurance then ensure you are aware of the costs you will be required to pay out of pocket.