The Association of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries has developed a new industry-standard authorisation template to promote best practice.
The Customer Authorisation Form, used for customers to inform their health insurance provider about where they would like to obtain advice from, has been revamped by the industry body.
Amii chairman Stuart Scullion introduced the new template as a single mechanism for clients to authorise the disclosure of policy information and appointment of advisers in the industry.
“Following discussions with insurer and provider partners, I was shocked to hear about cases of sharp practice in the industry,” he stated.
“We came to the conclusion the original Amii and Biba Customer Authorisation Form was failing in its objective and we needed to set a new standard to promote good business practice.”
Amii’s provider focus group - which represents its 16 corporate insurers and providers of health care services - worked across the private medical insurance and cash plan sectors in implementing these changes.
Mr Scullion added that this new form will be now adopted as a mandatory requirement. “Amii is committed to a code of ethics and raising industry standards, and this is a very real example of what we can achieve.”
The body was formed in 1998 with the aim of giving PMI intermediaries a voice. In 2013 it changed its name from the Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries, to the Association of Medical Insurers and Intermediaries, to reflect the fact that it was allowing providers as well as intermediaries to join.
Last year, Amii had 15 corporate members on board, paying fees on a sliding scale of between £5,000 and £15,000 a year.
peter.walker@ft.com
