HCI Group launches NIMBL Health

Press release

Brighton: 22 May 2022

HealthCare International Group (HCI Group) is set to revolutionise the International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) market with the launch of NIMBL Health, a fully modular and flexible health care plan designed to meet the unique needs and preferences of people living overseas whether individuals, families, or a group of employees.

NIMBL Health is now available in Africa and Asia and will be available worldwide later in 2023.

NIMBL Health allows your clients to choose the benefits and levels of cover that best suit their personal needs. All plans come with a set of core benefits with a choice of caps and deductibles to suit the client’s budget. NIMBL Health also allows the client to choose additional modules that come with benefit and deductible options to meet the whole spectrum of requirements. Maternity cover is also available for group schemes.

NIMBL Health provides a number of options for areas of cover so a client can subscribe to exactly the coverage they need.

The quoting platform is designed to be user-friendly, with a simple interface that allows you to easily customise each policy to suit your clients’ needs and budgets.

The NIMBL Health core benefits include inpatient treatment, cancer cover, and emergency dental cover. Customers can choose to cap their core benefits at $250,000, $1,000,000, $2,000,000, or $3,000,000 with five levels of deductibles from nil through to $10,000.

Customers can also choose to add optional modules to their policy; outpatient cover, routine dental cover, and assistance and evacuation with three levels of cover and four levels of deductible. $5,000 of maternity cover is added as standard to group schemes and can be increased or removed for a discount.

Ian Wood, CEO of HCI Group, said, “Our customers have requested flexibility for their international private medical insurance and with over half a million possible options, NIMBL Health delivers this. By choosing the modular approach of NIMBL Health, we can offer a truly tailored policy suitable for all budgets and circumstances.”

NIMBL Health is a game-changer in the health insurance industry, offering customers the freedom and flexibility to choose the coverage they need at a price they can afford. With its innovative modular approach, NIMBL Health is poised to transform the way customers access and manage their international healthcare.

How Much Is Private Healthcare: What are the benefits?

Private healthcare costs and benefits

Private healthcare is an option available for those who are able to pay for additional medical services and prefer a higher level of personalised care. The cost of private healthcare varies depending on the country, the medical condition, and the specific services required.

Having private healthcare can be reassuring to know you have various services available to you, with shorter wait times and more treatment options available. Depending on the country you buy cover from, will determine the level of service in your plan. According to a study conducted by the Kaiser Family Foundation, the average annual cost for a single person in the United States was $7,470 in 2020. In contrast, in the United Kingdom, the cost is much lower, with an average of £1,263 per year.

The availability of healthcare services also affects the cost. In countries where private healthcare is less common, the cost of services may be higher than in countries where this service is more prevalent. In some countries, insurance may not be available for certain medical conditions or procedures.

With paying a higher rate for health insurance, comes a variety of benefits. One of the primary benefits is the level of personal attention and care that patients receive. Private healthcare providers typically have fewer patients than public healthcare facilities, which means that doctors and nurses can dedicate more time to each patient. This attention to detail can lead to more accurate diagnoses, more effective treatments, and a better overall healthcare experience.

Another advantage is the range of services available. Choosing to go private for medical treatments offer a broader range of medical services than public healthcare facilities. This includes specialised treatments and procedures that may not be available in the public system funded by governments.

Private healthcare providers also offer greater flexibility in terms of scheduling appointments and choosing doctors. Patients can often schedule appointments at their convenience and select a doctor of their choice. This flexibility can be especially important for patients who have busy schedules or who need to coordinate medical appointments with work or other commitments.

Overall it can offer peace of mind for patients who are concerned about the quality of care they receive in the public system or when travelling abroad.

Having a suitable insurance policy when travelling is essential, in case you become sick whilst away from home, or have an accident. Without the relevant health insurance, you could be met with hefty medical bills for any medical treatment your receive when abroad.

If you need more information on what insurance is available, and what is covered under our policies, you can view our health insurance plans or talk to our friendly team.

Visa For Italy: What documents you will need and how to apply

Italy is one of the most visited countries in Europe, attracting millions of tourists every year. To travel to Italy, most foreign nationals require a visa. This is a legal document that allows them to enter and stay in the country for a specific period. We detail the necessary documents and procedures needed to obtain a visa for Italy, as well as how to extend your stay if needed.

Types of Italian Visa

Before applying for a visa, you must know which type you need. There are a couple of different options of visas for Italy, depending on the purpose of your trip. The most common are:

  1. Short-stay visa (Schengen visa): This visa allows you to stay in Italy or any other Schengen country for up to 90 days within a six-month period. It is ideal for tourists, business travellers, or anyone who intends to stay in Italy for a short period.
  2. Long-stay visa: This visa is suitable for individuals who intend to stay in Italy for more than 90 days, such as students, researchers, and individuals who are relocating to Italy for work.

Required Documents For Your Visa Application

To obtain an Italian visa, you must submit a set of documents, which may vary depending on the type of visa you need. The most common documents required for an Italian visa are:

  1. Passport: Your passport must be valid for at least six months from the date of your entry to Italy.
  2. Visa application form: You must complete and sign the visa application form, which can be downloaded from the Italian Embassy or Consulate website.
  3. Passport photos: You must provide two recent passport-sized photos.
  4. Flight reservation: You must provide a flight reservation that shows your itinerary to and from Italy.
  5. Travel insurance: You must provide proof of medical insurance that covers medical emergencies, hospitalisation, and repatriation.
  6. Proof of accommodation: You must provide proof of your accommodation in Italy, such as hotel bookings or a letter of invitation from a friend or relative who will host you.
  7. Financial means: You must provide evidence of sufficient financial means to support yourself during your stay in Italy.
  8. Other supporting documents: Depending on the purpose of your trip, you may need to provide additional documents, such as a letter of invitation from an Italian company, an enrolment letter from an Italian university, or a proof of your employment.

How to Apply for your Italy Visa

To apply for your visa, you must follow these steps:

  1. Determine the type of visa you need and the requirements for that visa.
  2. Collect all the necessary documents.
  3. Schedule an appointment with the Italian Embassy or Consulate in your country.
  4. Attend the appointment and submit your documents.
  5. Pay the visa fee, which may vary depending on the type of visa and your nationality.
  6. Wait for the processing of your visa, which may take up to 15 days.

Extending Your Stay in Italy

If you wish to extend your stay in Italy beyond the duration allowed by your visa, you must apply for a residence permit. The residence permit is a legal document that allows you to stay in Italy for up to one year. To obtain this permit, you must submit the following documents:

  1. A copy of your passport.
  2. A copy of your visa.
  3. Proof of your financial means to support yourself during your extended stay.
  4. Proof of accommodation in Italy.
  5. A medical certificate.
  6. Proof of enrolment in an Italian language course (if applicable).
  7. A letter explaining the reason for your extended stay.

Once you have submitted the documents, you will receive a receipt, which allows you to stay in Italy while your application is being processed.

Ensuring you have the essential forms and documentation can be stressful, and our team are on hand to help support you through the process and confirm you have the correct travel medical insurance. Talk to us today

What You Need For A Cyprus Visa Application

Cyprus, known for its warm climate, stunning beaches, and rich cultural heritage, is a popular tourist destination for travellers from all over the world. If you’re planning a trip to Cyprus, you may need to obtain a visa before your arrival.

Cyprus Visa Application

There are several types of visas available for those visiting Cyprus;

  1. Schengen visa: This visa allows people to visit Cyprus for up to 90 days within a 180-day period. It is ideal for travellers who plan to visit other Schengen countries as well.
  2. Short-stay visa: This visa is issued to those who wish to stay for up to 90 days for tourism or business purposes.
  3. Long-stay visa: This visa is issued to visitors who wish to stay in Cyprus for more than 90 days. It is ideal for students, researchers, or those who plan to work in Cyprus.
  4. Transit visa: This visa is issued to travellers who are passing through Cyprus on their way to another destination.

As with all visa applications, you will need to complete certain forms before your arrival. 

To apply for a Cyprus visa, you will need to complete and provide the following documentation:

  1. Visa application form: This form must be completed and signed by the applicant. It includes personal information, travel details, and the purpose of the visit.
  2. Passport: A valid passport with a minimum of six months validity from the date of entry is required.
  3. Passport photos: Two passport-sized photos must be submitted with the application.
  4. Travel itinerary: A detailed itinerary of the trip must be submitted with the application.
  5. Proof of accommodation: Evidence of where you or the applicant will be staying during their visit to Cyprus must be provided. (This does not need to be booked at this stage, just an address provided)
  6. Travel insurance: Proof of travel insurance covering medical expenses must be submitted.

Overstaying your visa in Cyprus:

Overstaying your visa in Cyprus is a serious offence and can result in fines, imprisonment, and deportation. It is important to note that if you overstay your visa, it may also affect your ability to obtain a visa for other countries in the future. Therefore, it is essential to ensure that you comply with the visa requirements and regulations of the country you are visiting.

Applying for a visa is a straightforward process as long as you follow the correct procedures and provide all the required documentation.

Being aware of the different types of visas available, should make the application process easier. 

If you need assistance our friendly team is here to help. Talk to us today

Travel Insurance vs International Medical Insurance

Travel insurance and international medical insurance are two types of insurance policies that are designed to protect you against unexpected expenses during travel or medical emergencies. Although both types of insurance policies may seem similar, there are several key differences between them that you should be aware of when deciding which policy to purchase.

The Differences between Travel Insurance and International Medical Insurance

Whilst travel insurance and international medical insurance provide coverage for unexpected expenses, they both have different levels of protection whilst you are away from home. Lets look at what the differences are, and which type of cover would work better for you.

What is Travel Insurance?

Travel insurance is a type of insurance policy that is designed to protect individuals against unexpected events that may occur while traveling. These events can include trip cancellation, trip interruption, lost or stolen luggage, medical emergencies, and other travel-related incidents.

It can be purchased for a single trip or for multiple trips throughout the year. The cost of coverage can vary depending on the type and level of coverage required, the destination, and the length of the trip.

What is International Medical Insurance?

International Medical insurance is a type of insurance for those who are traveling or living abroad. It is designed to cover medical expenses that may arise during international travel or living abroad, including emergency medical treatment, hospitalization, prescription medication, and medical evacuation. This can be purchased individually or through an employer-sponsored health plan. Some common types of medical insurance include comprehensive health insurance and short-term health insurance.

Policies can also include routine check-ups, diagnostic tests, and emergency medical care. The level of coverage can vary depending on the policy and may include coverage for pre-existing conditions, maternity care, and dental care.

Having the right level of travel insurance is an important consideration for anyone planning to travel. This is especially true for international travel or should you participate in high-risk activities such as adventure sports or extreme sports. It can provide peace of mind and financial protection against unexpected events that may occur during a trip.

Getting the right cover for you ensures that you can focus on enjoying your travel experience without worrying about unforeseen expenses.

Deciding what insurance you need for your trip, can be confusing. If you need help or further advice, our team will be happy to assist you. Say Hello