Life InsuranceJul 30 2015

Bupa launches entry-level health insurance product

twitter-iconfacebook-iconlinkedin-iconmail-iconprint-icon
Search supported by
Bupa launches entry-level health insurance product

Bupa UK has today (30 July) launched an entry-level health insurance product, Bupa Fundamental Health Insurance, which the provider says is a lower-cost option to be sold to customers through intermediaries from this week.

Bupa said that this is the latest product developed by the firm to help meet demand for more affordable and accessible healthcare, and that the product has been developed in consultation with intermediaries.

Research conducted recently by Bupa UK showed that for 50 per cent of 32-55 year olds, the barrier to having private health insurance is that they cannot afford it.

A total of 37 per cent said they would be more likely to have it if it was more affordable, which indicated that higher costs are preventing more people from accessing private healthcare.

Bupa said that ‘switch’ terms will also be offered for the product, enabling customers to switch from a personal scheme carrying over their existing underwriting and exclusions. Alongside this, the terms will also be available for employees leaving competitor group corporate schemes.

The new product will be sold through selected intermediaries from this week, and rolled out to other intermediaries over the coming weeks.

Bupa said it will provide full cancer cover, in and day patient treatment and outpatient benefits including cover for out-patient surgery, diagnostic scans and tests, two consultations and £350 physical therapy following in or day patient treatment.

Physical therapies are available specifically to support recovery from in patient and day patient treatment to keep costs lower for customers.

Richard Norris, a director at Bupa UK said: “We know that cost is one of the main barriers that stops people using private healthcare, which is why we are committed to developing new products and services that suit a variety of budgets, making quality healthcare more affordable and accessible to more people.

“We are delighted to be launching Bupa Fundamental Health Insurance and working with intermediaries to help more people enjoy the benefits of health insurance.”

ruth.gillbe@ft.com