Does my health plan cover COVID-19?

If you have health plan from William Russell, you're covered for the treatment of COVID-19 as you would be for any other viral infection. This is provided that the plan you have selected covers the treatment and you don't have personal medical exclusions on your certificate of insurance that would apply. For example, if you have a personal medical exclusion for 'respiratory conditions' or any other condition that might be affected by Coronavirus, you wouldn't be covered for the diagnosis and treatment of your excluded condition.

Does my health plan cover me while I am travelling?

There are no changes to the cover provided while you are travelling. However, your ability to access services may be impacted by local conditions. Before you travel you should check that the plan you have selected includes cover in the countries you are travelling to. You should also check for limitations on cover and trip duration in case you need to extend your stay due to travel restrictions.

Can I buy a health insurance policy if I have coronavirus?

If you are currently experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, then we will not offer cover until at least a month after you have recovered and are back to good health. If you have been admitted to hospital due to COVID-19, or you have an underlying health condition then we will need to ask further questions regarding your symptoms, treatment and recovery. Depending on the answers to these questions, there may be further delay before we can offer terms.

Can I renew my health insurance policy if I have coronavirus?

Yes, your right to renew your cover will not be affected if you have coronavirus.

Does my health insurance plan cover COVID-19 tests?

If you need a private test, you may have cover for the cost of the test. Most testing programmes are run by national governments or local health authorities. To encourage maximum participation, tests are usually free.

If you have a Silver Lite, Silver or Gold plan and you have symptoms of COVID-19,you're covered for out-patient costs related to investigation, testing, and treatment of COVID-19, provided these are prescribed by a doctor. These costs are covered even if the test result is negative. The is normal plan terms and conditions on excesses and co insurances apply.

If you or have a Silver or Gold plan and you're not experiencing COVID-19 symptoms, you're covered for the costs of a test under your well-being benefit. The normal plan terms and conditions on excesses, waiting periods, and co-insurances apply.

Sometimes a hospital may include a COVID-19 test as part of pre-operation screening.This is also covered under all health plans.

Does my private health plan cover COVID-19 vaccination costs?

Most COVID-19 vaccination programmes are run by national governments or local health authorities. This encourages maximum participation and ensures that the most vulnerable or at risk are vaccinated first. As a result, most vaccines are free.

If you have a Silver or Gold planwith William Russell, you will be covered for vaccinations under your vaccinations for adults or well-child benefit. The vaccine must be administered in your country of residence and must de approved for use by the health authority of that country. You will not be covered for vaccines received outside of your country of residence.

Does my private health plan cover treatment for the side effects of a COVID-19 vaccination?

You are covered for eligible treatments you receive due to the side effects of a COVID 19 as vaccination, as long as the you don't have any relevant personal medical exclusions on your certificate of insurance.

For example, if you have personal medical exclusion for 'allergies' you wouldn't be covered for treatment following an allergic reaction to the vaccine.

Am I still eligible for the hospital cash benefit if am admitted to a public or government hospital, with COVID-19?

Yes. The hospital cash benefit is designed to reward members with COVID-19 or another condition who receive inpatient medical treatment at a hospital within a country's public healthcare system. Usually, treatment at these hospitals is free for patients, or at least heavily subsidised.

As no costs are passed on to us, to we pass on some of the savings to our members. We'll pay cash benefit for each night you stay in a hospital as an inpatient, where no charge is made by the hospital and where the treatment costs would have been covered by your plan.

Can I still get an emergency medical evacuation if I cannot be treated locally?

Our ability to evacuate members is being affected by the pandemic. This is due to by international travel restrictions and the limited number of hospitals accepting new patients. We will do our best to get you the care that you need within these limitations.

Whether your case qualifies for evacuation, where you will be evacuated to, and how you will be evacuated are at the discretion of our Assistance Service. You can contact the service on +44 1243 621155.

Am I covered for consultations made over the phone or video link during the pandemic?

As long as the face-to-face consultation would have been covered under your plan, then we'll cover the same consultation that is carried out by telephone or video link. This applies for both COVID-19 and non-COVID-19 conditions.

Many governments are encouraging people to stay at home to avoid spreading COVID 19 and overwhelming healthcare systems. In response to these guidelines, healthcare providers are giving consultations over telephone or via video link. . It's best to get in touch with us if you have any questions relating to your plan and whether your consultation would be covered.

Am I covered if I'm told I have to quarantine?

If you're admitted to hospital with symptoms of COVID-19 that require medically necessary treatment in a hospital which can only be provided as a day-patient or inpatient, we can consider cover, subject to pre-authorisation. Admissions that are solely for quarantine purposes are not covered.

1.Virus been named : does this mean I am not covered?

The virus Covid-19 has been determined to be a Pandemic by the WHO. This does not change our stance. The testing for and any hospital necessary isolation required after diagnosis of Covid-19 will be covered in the normal way.

2. Will I be evacuated to another country if I get diagnosed?

Simple answer is no. Most if not all countries are not accepting medical patients who are already diagnosed with the virus. This is out of our hands and we cannot influence this decision. The best advice is to either a) self-isolate, or b) if you are in hospital stay in that hospital until you have recovered from the virus.

3. If travel to a country that has Covid-19 and get it, will I be covered?

If you travel against the advice of the Government in either your current country and/or the destination country, then the policy will not cover you. If the Government has not advised against such travel, then you should decide whether the travel is essential. If not then you should not go. Wilfully exposing one's self to potential harm is a general policy exclusion so you run the risk that you may not be covered depending on circumstances.

4. I need to travel back to my home but that means going to a Covid-19 restricted country. Will I be covered?

If you are travelling home to your declared country of residence (as shown on your medical insurance policy certificate), and you are able to do so, then you will need to proceed. Once you reach your home you should self-isolate for the prescribed number of days for that country. If you are subsequently diagnosed with Covid-19 when in your country of residence (as declared on your certificate) then the policy will cover you as required.

5. I am due to go on holiday but the country I am going to has diagnosed cases. Am I covered?

If you travel to a country against Government advice, then the policy will not cover you. At this point governments are generally warning against all but essential travel, and you should decide if " a holiday" during a worldwide pandemic is essential. We cannot decide that for you, but if you get quarantined once abroad, then the policy will not cover you.

6. I am in Italy can buy a policy?

Currently we are not accepting New Business applications from Italy. We will advise any further updates as and when they occur.

7. We have a client that is currently in the UK, but usually resides in China and he is due to return there soon. As he resides in China, does this advice (the outbreak update) still apply? I understand him following advice not to travel there on holiday or for a business meeting, but as he is returning home, he doesn't really have any alternative.

See Answer under 4. If you are going home and can get there the policy will cover you if you subsequently fall ill with Covid-19. Other than that you should follow self-isolation guidelines when you get home.

8. Our client wants to know: Does the insurance cover the cost of coronavirus treatment?

The answer is yes subject to the policy terms and the adherence to WHO and National Governmental rules on exposing yourself unnecessarily to the virus. See the other Questions and Answers here for further specific guidance.

9. A general question about the Coronavirus outbreak. Would this be covered under your Evolution health policies or is there any exclusion for pandemics etc?

Our policies do not carry a Pandemic exclusion so we would treat Covid-19 as per any other illness under the policy terms.

10.Could you confirm if your in-patient benefits will cover for epidemic/corona?

If you are admitted to hospital with Covid-19 and have followed all other advice and guidance, then subject to the policy terms in-patient cover is available.

11.If there was a large outbreak or panic situation in Bali would we be covered for repatriation?

See the answer to number 2 above. The simple answer is no because most if not all countries are not accepting patients who are already infected. The policy only covers medically required evacuation.

12.I would like to know what the standpoint of MP is about covering epidemic diseases, particularly COVID-19 coronavirus.

We have no Pandemic/Epidemic exclusion on our policies so subject to the policy terms and the following of WHO and National Government advice,the policy will cover these diseases.

13.Question "What should I do if I think I have coronavirus?"

This will differ from country to country but the important thing to note is that for the policy to operate you must follow the current government guidelines in terms of isolation/contacting a medical professional etc and following normal claims guidelines in conjunction with this. The one thing nearly ALL countries have in common is that if you think you may have the virus you should NOT attend a clinic/hospital BEFORE you have contacted them by phone to enable them to carry out a risk assessment based on your contact, recent travel and potential exposure threat.

Covid-19

Cover is provided if the insured has complied with the governmental vaccination requirements in the country of residence.