Private Health Insurance Companies

Delivered December 10th, 2019. Contributors: David K., Sherry R., Rosemary N. and

Early FindingsPrivate Health Insurance Companies

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Slovenia - Private Health Insurance Companies: Innovative Benefits

In Slovenia, there are three private health insurance providers. None of them offers innovative benefits such as genetic testing, smart implants or personalized medications.

HELPFUL FINDINGS — HEALTH INSURANCE IN SLOVENIAIn Slovenia, health insurance is provided by the government (specifically, the Zavod za zdravstveno zavarovanje Slovenije).
 Supplementary health insurance, which needs to be accompanied by governmental health insurance, is provided by independent insurance companies: Triglav, Vzajemna and Adriatic Slovenica. None of these companies offers innovative benefits.
Triglav health insurance limits its offerings to healthcare cost reimbursements. This is also the case when it comes to Adriatic Slovenica. Vzajemna offers cost reimbursements for medical technology and prescription drugs, among other things.
These three insurance providers are also offering faster access to healthcare services.
The Slovenian government is planning to introduce a new fund intended for cost reimbursement of medicinal devices not covered by health insurance.
In Slovenia, genetic testing is not provided or covered by health insurance.

RESEARCH STRATEGYPrivate health insurance companies that offer innovative benefits couldn't be found. In Slovenia, only three private health insurance companies exist, and none of them offer these benefits. Here is how the research was conducted:

To start the search, local news sources that often report on the topic of local healthcare, such as 24ur.com and Delo, were searched with intentions of finding news reports on innovative health insurance options. Here, we made an assumption that the innovative options are most likely to be introduced as of recently, which means local news sources could have reported on the topic. What we kept finding this way were reports on the recently announced increase in supplementary health insurance prices, but features of private health insurance policies weren't mentioned. It was found that cancer testing isn't provided by health insurance in Slovenia.

We turned to searching for mentions of innovative private health insurance policy features by local experts in the industry, such as healthcare consultants (Nina Marin, Blanka Rihter, among others). We examined their publications, blogs, reports and other forms of public statements, hoping to locate mentions of innovative health insurance offerings. The idea was that these individuals likely know this information and might have directly mentioned innovative health insurance policy features, if they exist, but no relevant information was obtained this way. These individuals provided comprehensive descriptions of the local health insurance system. By examining these, it was evident none of the features in our interests were provided by health insurance companies.

Finally, we directly examined offerings from the three private health insurance providers: Vzajemna, Triglav and Adriatic Slovenica. In Slovenia, basic health insurance is exclusively provided by the government (Zavod za zdravstveno zavarovanje Slovenije), while supplementary health insurance is provided by private, independent insurance companies (Triglav, Adriatic Slovenica and Vzajemna). We examined health insurance offerings from these three companies and found that the providers provide cost reimbursement for medicinal implants, devices and prescription medications, among other things, but they don't provide these benefits themselves. These benefits were not emphasized as innovative, but rather described as basic features of the policies.

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Belgium - Private Health Insurance Companies: Innovative Benefits

In Belgium, there are five major private health insurance providers, including Aetna International, Bupa Global, Cigna Global, Allianz Care, and Globality Health. None of them offer innovative benefits such as genetic testing, smart implants or personalized medications.
Helpful Findings-Health Insurance in BelgiumAccording to OECD data, 99% of Belgian residents can access treatment through the public healthcare system.
Belgium ranked ninth out of 89 countries on the overall quality of its healthcare system in the 2019 Health Care Ranking.
Many see the Belgian healthcare system as one of Europe's best. It is largely funded by mandatory Belgian health insurance and contributions to social security.
In most instances, Belgian health insurance reimburses up to 50–75% of the cost, with the patient responsible for covering the rest.
Generally, this state-run insurance would reimburse up to 75 percent of treatment-related costs, which is one of the reasons Belgium also has a thriving insurance industry, where customers get plans with higher coverage rates than the mandatory insurance.
Most of Belgium's private health insurance plans allow patients to choose their own physician and hospital providers.
Private health insurance in Belgium offers additional choice, speed and comfort. It covers hospital care, medication, more advanced forms of dental treatment, and free choice of doctors/clinics.
Research strategy
The team could not locate private health insurance companies that offer innovative benefits. There are only five private health insurance companies in Belgium and none of them offer these benefits. 
Our research team commenced our research by examining offerings from the private health insurance providers by going through their websites such as Aetna International and Allianz Care. We found out that all Dutch health insurance companies cover basic health procedures. We examined health insurance offerings from these private companies and found that they provide cost reimbursement for hospital care, medication, more advanced forms of dental treatment, and free choice of doctors/clinics, but don't provide these benefits themselves. These benefits were not emphasized as innovative but were rather described as basic features of the policies.
We then searched for mentions of innovative private health insurance policy features by local experts in the industry such as health insurance consultants, such as Aetna International and Zorgwijzer. We examined their publications, reports and other forms of public statements hoping to locate mentions of innovative health insurance offerings. The idea was that these experts would list all the policies offered by private health insurance companies to inform the Dutch before they could choose their preferred coverage. After all this, there was no information about innovative health insurance policy features. These resources provided comprehensive descriptions of the local health insurance system, but there was no mention of innovative features.
Finally, our research team searched local news sources that often report on the topic relating to local healthcare, such as 24ur.com and health management.org, to find news reports on innovative health insurance options. Only announcements on the increase in supplementary health insurance prices are discussed. Features of private health insurance policies aren't mentioned. 

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Netherlands - Private Health Insurance Companies: Innovative Benefits

There are two international private health insurance providers in Netherland: ZEKUR Health Insurance and Allianz Care. Neither of them offer innovative benefits such as genetic testing, smart implants or personalized medications.

HELPFUL FINDINDSThe Dutch health insurance system is a combination of private health plans with social conditions built on the principles of solidarity, efficiency and value for the patient. Healthcare is financed through taxation: compulsory health insurance and income tax.
 It is compulsory to have basic health insurance in Netherlands. It includes the most basic health care costs, such as appointments with general practitioners, visits to hospitals and prescription costs. The government determines what is covered by this insurance each year. There are two types of health insurance: standard and supplemental insurance.
 Gewoon ZEKUR is the cheapest basic insurance in the Netherlands. With them choose a contracted healthcare provider or hospital, you receive 100% reimbursement 
Private health insurance in Netherlands offers additional choice, speed and comfort. It covers hospital care, medication, more advanced forms of dental treatment, and free choice of doctors/clinics.
There are two main costs that you need to pay for your Dutch health insurance: the monthly premium (premie), and The "own risk" amount (eigen risico).
Netherlands has 35 insurance policies each with different features and plan.

Research strategy
The team could not locate private health insurance companies that offer innovative benefits. There are only four private health insurance companies in Netherlands and none of them offer these benefits. Our research team commenced our research by examining offerings from the private health insurance providers by going through their websites such as ZEKUR Health Insurance and Allianz Care. We found out that all Dutch health insurance companies cover basichealth procedures. We examined health insurance offerings from these private companies and found that they provide cost reimbursement for hospital care, medication, more advanced forms of dental treatment, and free choice of doctors/clinics, but don't provide these benefits themselves. These benefits were not emphasized as innovative but were rather described as basic features of the policies.

We then searched for mentions of innovative private health insurance policy features by local experts in the industry such as health insurance consultants, such as IAMEXPAT and Zorgwijzer. We examined their publications, reports and other forms of public statements hoping to locate mentions of innovative health insurance offerings. The idea was that these experts would list all the policies offered by private health insurance companies to inform the Dutch before they could choose their preferred coverage. After all this, there was no information about innovative health insurance policy features. These resources provided comprehensive descriptions of the local health insurance system, but there was no mention of innovative features.

Finally, our research team searched local news sources that often report on the topic relating to local healthcare, such as 24ur.com and health management.org, to find news reports on innovative health insurance options. Only announcements on the increase in supplementary health insurance prices are discussed. Features of private health insurance policies aren't mentioned. 
 

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Austria - Private Health Insurance Companies: Innovative Benefits

In Austria, there are five private health insurance providers, including Aetna International, Bupa Global, Cigna Global, Foyer Global Health, and Pacific Prime. None of them offer innovative benefits such as genetic testing, smart implants or personalized medications.
Helpful Findings-Health Insurance in AustriaAustria has one of the world's best healthcare systems and global access to medical facilities can be seen as exceptional.
Austria has a compulsory national healthcare insurance program that covers 99% of the population through 21 different carriers.
 Supplementary health insurance, which needs to be accompanied by governmental health insurance, is provided by independent insurance companies, including Aetna International, Bupa Global, Cigna Global, Foyer Global Health, and Pacific Prime. None of these companies offers innovative benefits.
The private sector has large agreements with social services, which means that the Austrian government pays to the private sector regardless of whether the patient also pays.
Approximately 50% of private doctors and 75% of private dentists are contracted to social services and the e-card system, allowing up to 80% of costs to be reimbursed.
Austria's medical device market has four main drivers: 1) the aging population and associated rising disease burden, 2) universal health insurance, 3) the rapid speed of technological development, and 4) poor lifestyle choices, including high smoking and alcohol consumption rates.
State coverage includes a full package of doctors’ visits, hospital visits, emergencies, and maternity care.
Private health insurance in Austria offers additional choice, speed and comfort. It covers hospital care, medication, more advanced forms of dental treatment, and free choice of doctors/clinics.
RESEARCH STRATEGY
Private health insurance companies that offer innovative benefits couldn't be found. There are only five private health insurance companies in Austria and none of them offer these benefits. 

To start the search, we consulted local news sources that often report on the topic of local healthcare such as 24ur.com and healthmanagement.org to find news reports on innovative health insurance options. We only found announcements on the increase in supplementary health insurance prices. Features of private health insurance policies weren't mentioned. 

We then searched for mentions of innovative private health insurance policy features by local experts in the industry such as healthcare consultants (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GOeG)). We examined their publications, blogs, reports and other forms of public statements, hoping to locate mentions of innovative health insurance offerings. The idea was that these individuals would have access to information about innovative health insurance policy features. These individuals provided comprehensive descriptions of the local health insurance system but there was no mention of innovative features.

Finally, we directly examined offerings from the five private health insurance providers: Aetna International, Bupa Global, Cigna Global, Foyer Global Health, and Pacific Prime. Austria has a compulsory national healthcare insurance program that covers 99% of the population through 21 different carriers while supplementary health insurance is provided by private, independent insurance companies. We examined health insurance offerings from these five companies and found that they provide cost reimbursement for hospital care, medication, more advanced forms of dental treatment, and free choice of doctors/clinics but don't provide these benefits themselves. These benefits were not emphasized as innovative but were rather described as basic features of the policies.

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Germany - Private Health Insurance Companies: Innovative Benefits

There are about 21 private health insurance providers in Germany Allianz Private Krankenversicherung, AXA, DKV, Debeka, Deutsche Krankenversicherung, Signal Iduna, HUK-Coburg-Krankenversicherung, Bayerische Beamtenkrankenkasse, Continentale, Krankenversicherung, Central Krankenversicherung, Barmenia, HanseMerkur, AETNA, Barmer, BKK Cigna Global, DAK Gesundheit, Erikon, KKH, and Ottonova. None of them offers innovative benefits such as genetic testing, smart implants or personalized medications.
Helpful findingsAccording to research, every citizen of Germany must have health insurance. "There are two kinds of health insurance — public, known as the gesetzliche Krankenversicherung, and private, known as private Krankenversicherung."
Private insurance in Germany covers shorter waiting times, wider access to specialists, more advanced dental treatment elective cosmetic surgery, fixed-rate premiums, and some alternative therapies.
The average premium for private health insurance in Germany will cost €400-700 per month. 
German private health insurance operates on a reimbursement system, "patients must pay upfront and then claim their money back."
Barmer's collaboration with the Center for Risk Assessment and the genetic diagnosis of breast and ovarian cancer is one of the company's top health insurance benefits.
German insurance providers are also offering faster access to healthcare services, people can only choose private health insurance if their gross income from employed work exceeds 60,750 EUR per year.
HanseMerkuHanseMerkur is another private health insurance firm in Germany.
 Websites: https://www.huk.de/gesundheit-vorsorge-vermoegen/krankenversicherung/krankenvollversicherung.html
Benefits: The company provides 90 to 100% cover on walking aids
Research strategyThe team could not locate private health insurance companies that offer innovative benefits. All the private health insurance companies in Germany operate on a reimbursement system.

We commenced our research by searching local news sources that often report on the topic relating to local healthcare such as 24ur.com and healthmanagement.org to find news reports on innovative health insurance options. We only found announcements on the increase in supplementary health insurance prices. Features of private health insurance policies weren't mentioned. 

We then searched for mentions of innovative private health insurance policy features by local experts in the industry such as healthcare consultants (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GOeG)). We examined their publications, blogs, reports and other forms of public statements, hoping to locate mentions of innovative health insurance offerings. The idea was that these individuals would have access to information about innovative health insurance policy features. These individuals provided comprehensive descriptions of the local health insurance system but there was no mention of innovative features.

Finally, we directly examined offerings from the four private health insurance providers: Allianz Private Krankenversicherung, AXA, DKV, Debeka, Deutsche Krankenversicherung, Signal Iduna, HUK-Coburg-Krankenversicherung, Bayerische Beamtenkrankenkasse, Continentale, Krankenversicherung, Central Krankenversicherung, Barmenia, HanseMerkur, AETNA, Barmer, BKK Cigna Global, DAK Gesundheit, Erikon, KKH, and Ottonova. We found that all the private health insurance companies in Germany operate on a reimbursement system, making none of the companies fit for the criteria.

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Denmark - Private Health Insurance Companies: Innovative Benefits

There are four private health insurance providers in Denmark. They include Aetna International, Bupa Global, Cigna Global, and Pacific Prime. None of them offer innovative benefits such as genetic testing, smart implants or personalized medications.
HELPFUL FINDINDSThe private health insurance in Denmark helps in speeding up access to treatment and diagnosis. The insurance covers specific areas not currently incorporated under the state system such as some forms of alternative therapy. 
 Complementary voluntary insurance in Denmark is often procured on an individual basis and covers statutory copayments. This type of insurance is mainly for pharmaceuticals, dental care, and services not fully covered by the state such as physiotherapy. 
About 2.2 million Danes have private health insurance coverage, which is provided nearly exclusively by non-profit organization Danmark. Around "1.5 million people hold supplementary insurance to gain expanded access to private providers."
These three insurance providers are also offering faster access to healthcare services.
About 45% of Danish medical devices manufactured in 2016 were hearing aids." There are over 250 dedicated medical device companies operating in Denmark."
According to research, "the main health insurance company offers a supplementary grant of 1,500- 3,000 Danish kroner for hard of hearing people who are insured, and who decide to purchase hearing aids from a private dispenser."
Research strategyThe team could not locate private health insurance companies that offer innovative benefits. There are only four private health insurance companies in Denmark and none of them offer these benefits. 

We commenced our research by searching local news sources that often report on the topic relating to local healthcare such as 24ur.com and healthmanagement.org to find news reports on innovative health insurance options. We only found announcements on the increase in supplementary health insurance prices. Features of private health insurance policies weren't mentioned. 

We then searched for mentions of innovative private health insurance policy features by local experts in the industry such as healthcare consultants (Gesundheit Österreich GmbH (GOeG)). We examined their publications, blogs, reports and other forms of public statements, hoping to locate mentions of innovative health insurance offerings. The idea was that these individuals would have access to information about innovative health insurance policy features. These individuals provided comprehensive descriptions of the local health insurance system but there was no mention of innovative features.

Finally, we directly examined offerings from the four private health insurance providers: Aetna International, Bupa Global, Cigna Global, and Pacific Prime. We found that about 2.2 million Danes have private health insurance coverage, which is provided nearly exclusively by non-profit organization Danmark. We examined health insurance offerings from these four companies and found that they provide cost reimbursement for hospital care, medication, more advanced forms of dental treatment, and free choice of doctors/clinics but don't provide these benefits themselves. These benefits were not emphasized as innovative but were rather described as basic features of the policies.