Your health is priceless
https://www.unisuregroup.com/wp-content/uploads/2024/12/Unisure-November-2024-Linkedin-Article-Video_-1-1.mp4 Navigating a seemingly impossible emergency medical evacuation with our Unisure International Emergency and Medical Assistance Team Our Unisure International Emergency and Medical Assistance Team conducts an average of 300 emergency evacuations a year. No two evacuations are the same. These cases require our team’s complete focus and 24/7/365 care. Certain cases present very challenging obstacles that we’ll never forget. One such recent case tested our teams’ operational expertise to the extreme and involved mobilising an air ambulance evacuation for a critically ill patient from a high-security military zone in Mozambique. When Unisure Assist Operations Director, Cristina Meixieira, got the call to evacuate Patient Y*, there were many challenges to overcome: After two days of constant phone calls and follow-ups on the case, our team at last secured a medical report from the military base clinic. A local air ambulance company committed to flying the patient to South Africa, at great expense. Cristina and her team then mobilised all necessary resources in order to safely transfer the patient safely via air ambulance. Concurrently, they were also hard at work to secure a specialised South African medical team to accept our patient and oversee his needed care upon his arrival. This is no simple task, as the receiving medical team has very little information available and often does not want to accept patients into their care under such uncertain circumstances. Cristina and her team’s expertise and personal relationships with the medical professionals in our Unisure network serve us well and speak to our highly regarded reputation and professionalism. “One of the biggest values and advantages of having a Unisure International Private Medical Insurance Plan is the immediate access it gives you to our in-house International Emergency and Medical Assistance team,” Cristina explains. “We have decades of experience, with an incredibly strong and trusted medical service provider network, which is invaluable.” “From the moment we got the call to evacuate our patient, until the moment he landed in Johannesburg, South Africa, we were on call 24/7 for two solid days. We worked tirelessly to get him safely to the nearest point of medical excellence. Only when he landed safely were we finally able to take a first deep breath of relief, but we knew that our patient’s journey was only just beginning. Now began the arduous task of diagnosing and treating our patient…” After three days of extensive tests, all of which our team navigated personally, Unisure flew his wife to South Africa from Tanzania to be with her husband. More anxious days followed, finally revealing the devastating news that our patient was suffering from bowel cancer, with multiple tumours in his colon and numerous metastatic deposits in his liver. The tumorous obstructions and pain necessitated our patient to undergo an emergency Laparotomy. During the surgery, our patient required a total colectomy to resect his entire colon. The employer selected a basic level of health insurance cover, despite their employees being located on a remote site in a military zone. The patient’s cancer diagnosis was outside of the scope of his insurance medical benefits. Five days after landing in Johannesburg, his medical bills were already in excess of $50 000. An intra-abdominal sepsis landed him back in surgery a few days later and required him to be hospitalised for more than three weeks. His critical diagnosis, and weeks of hospitalisation resulted in severe depression. Days later he was back in the theatre again because his wound became septic and needed to be drained and debrided. This resulted in another seven days in hospital, and the medical bills piling up. Although our patient’s hospitalisation fees were covered in full as part of his Unisure health insurance plan, the sad reality is that his future remains uncertain. His inability to return to work due to his critical illness resulted in him losing his job. Without medical cover for the oncology care that he so desperately requires, his options are severely limited. Although his oncology care would not be covered by Unisure, Unisure did not turn their back on our patient. Our team immediately set to work to assist our patient and fly him back to his home country in Spain, and contacted the National Health System there, to request assistance for his Oncology care. This involved many days of phone calls, translations, and planning for our team who does this work with their whole heart and care deeply about our patients, never turning their backs on someone in need. To this day our team remains in contact with the patient’s family. Our patient is currently receiving Oncology treatment in the Canary Islands, due to the benefits that his Spanish nationality affords him, and he continues to grapple with the physical and mental health issues that accompany chemotherapy and an uncertain health outcome. This patient’s case is very significant because and highlights the importance of what could have been avoided had proper due diligence been followed. The lessons that need to be learned from this case are many, Cristina explains, outlining a few of the major considerations:
The Rise of International
Private Medical Insurance
Client Testimonial: Why IPMI solutions for the globally mobile are becoming increasingly sought-after As more companies expand internationally, with a corresponding increase in internationally mobile employees working all over the globe, the International Private Medical Insurance (IPMI) industry is on the rise. This is especially true of providers (like Unisure) who are able to offer one world-class medical insurance solution that covers all locations. Unisure’s Dollar, Pound and Euro-based International Group Health Insurance solutions are particularly sought-after by multinational employers who are looking to provide their employees all around the world with equal access to the same worldwide health insurance and the same world-class benefits. “It’s in our full portability that Unisure’s customised IPMI policies really shine,” Niel Liebenberg, Unisure Head of Insurance Operations, explains. “Through our international presence across four continents and our trusted network of leading International service providers, we’re able to offer employers the simplicity of taking out one health insurance contract with one trusted provider, instead of potentially having 10 separate contracts across 10 different countries.” In fact, it’s exactly this portability and flexibility that long-time Unisure client, Nodes & Links, says has positively impacted their business. “We’re a technology company that works with global leaders in the project delivery space. After extensive research, we chose Unisure’s IPMI plan because it not only provides world-class healthcare, but also allows our Noders the freedom to choose their own doctors, ensuring personalised care wherever they are,” says Cecilia Graziati, Head of People & Operations at Nodes & Links. “Whether they’re in their home country or travelling for work, our IPMI plan guarantees the same outstanding level of coverage, reflecting our commitment to their health and happiness. By empowering our Noders to take charge of their health, we ensure they remain at the peak of their abilities, driving forward the innovation we’re known for.” – World Economic Forum According to Graziati, enhancing the Nodes & Links employee benefits package has been transformative. “Since introducing Unisure’s IPMI cover, we’ve seen a noticeable boost in productivity and a significant reduction in sick days. For instance, the preventative healthcare services we offer – like regular wellness checks – have caught potential health issues early, helping our Noders stay healthy and focused. This proactive approach not only shows our commitment to their long-term well-being but also reinforces a culture of care and support, leading to a more engaged and motivated team.” The fact that Unisure’s IPMI plans offer very generous annual psychology and psychiatry benefits is something that Nodes & Links has found to be particularly beneficial. “In our fast-paced deep tech environment, mental health is crucial. We didn’t just add mental health coverage as an afterthought,” Graziati confirms, “we made it a priority. Unisure’s extensive mental health benefits, where our Noders get to choose the professionals they feel most comfortable with, were chosen because we understand that a healthy mind is key to sustaining the creativity and resilience required in our field. By offering these comprehensive services, we’re not just supporting our Noders in their work; we’re investing in their overall well-being, ensuring they can thrive both personally and professionally.” – The Evolving Workforce: 2024 Employee Health & Benefits Trends, MarchMcLennon Agency Not surprisingly, Unisure’s IPMI plan has become a vital component of Nodes & Links’ overall talent strategy. “In a market where the best minds have their pick of opportunities, offering Unisure’s top-tier healthcare plan is a powerful differentiator,” Graziati elaborates. “Our thorough research led us to this plan because it ensures that every Noder, regardless of location, enjoys the same high-quality coverage. This assurance is invaluable in attracting and retaining the brilliant individuals who drive our innovation. By placing their well-being at the centre of our benefits, we’re not just offering jobs—we’re building a community where our Noders feel valued, supported, and ready to make a lasting impact.” To find out more about how Unisure’s sought-after International Health and Life Insurance solutions can help your business, visit www.unisuregroup.com.