Professional Adviser www.professionaladviser.com COVER Magazine has moved to its new website <p><!--summary start--> COVER Magazine has now moved to a new website. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2158445/cover-magazine-moved-website https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2158445/cover-magazine-moved-website Thu, 1 Mar 2012 09:00:00 +0000 Medicash unveils plan including unlimited NHS dental cover <p><!--summary start--> Medicash has launched a new corporate health cash plan including unlimited NHS Cover, access to Best Doctors and direct payment of PMI excesses. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2153733/medicash-unveils-plan-unlimited-nhs-dental-cover https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2153733/medicash-unveils-plan-unlimited-nhs-dental-cover Tue, 21 Feb 2012 10:11:42 +0000 Universal Provident unveils budget hybrid product <p><!--summary start--> Universal Provident has launched a new combined protection and health insurance product aimed at customers forced to reduce their cover limits. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2141865/universal-provident-unveils-budget-hybrid-product https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2141865/universal-provident-unveils-budget-hybrid-product Fri, 27 Jan 2012 11:08:17 +0000 Protection complaints exceed 2011 levels <p><!--summary start--> Protection complaints continued to rise during the year and have already breached last year's totals in some product areas. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2139290/protection-complaints-exceed-2011-levels https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2139290/protection-complaints-exceed-2011-levels Tue, 17 Jan 2012 12:43:22 +0000 Simplyhealth buys Denplan for £115m <p><!--summary start--> Simplyhealth has bought dental cash plan provider Denplan from Axa for £115m. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2133845/simplyhealth-buys-denplan-gbp115m https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2133845/simplyhealth-buys-denplan-gbp115m Tue, 20 Dec 2011 09:50:00 +0000 Bupa joins individual dental cover market <p><!--summary start--> Bupa has introduced its first consumer dental insurance product. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2133741/bupa-enters-individual-dental-cover-arena https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2133741/bupa-enters-individual-dental-cover-arena Mon, 19 Dec 2011 15:06:00 +0000 Is this the end? Cash plans as PMI excess - sustainable? <p><!--summary start--> Cash plans are increasingly used in place of private medical insurance excess. Howard Hughes assesses the sustainability of this pricing model <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2131277/-cash-plans-pmi-excess-sustainable https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2131277/-cash-plans-pmi-excess-sustainable Fri, 16 Dec 2011 10:22:52 +0000 Simplyhealth produces tax support for company healthcare benefits <p><!--summary start--> Simplyhealth has produced guidance for employers about the tax implications of providing health benefits to staff. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2132100/simplyhealth-produces-tax-support-company-healthcare-benefits https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2132100/simplyhealth-produces-tax-support-company-healthcare-benefits Tue, 13 Dec 2011 16:09:55 +0000 Westfield reworks its Flex plan <p><!--summary start--> Westfield Health has updated its Westfield Flex Healthcare Plan with new benefits and increased benefit amounts. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2132034/westfield-reworks-flex-plan https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2132034/westfield-reworks-flex-plan Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:41:04 +0000 Jelf predicts remuneration investigation <p><!--summary start--> Jelf has warned that the private health insurance and employee benefits sector will be "no place for the faint hearted" next year. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2132033/jelf-predicts-remuneration-investigation https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2132033/jelf-predicts-remuneration-investigation Tue, 13 Dec 2011 12:35:59 +0000 Care at home could save NHS £1.7bn <p><!--summary start--> The NHS could save up to £1.7bn a year if hospitals and Primary Care Trusts (PCTs) treated more patients in the home, according to a new report. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2128086/care-home-save-nhs-gbp17bn https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2128086/care-home-save-nhs-gbp17bn Mon, 28 Nov 2011 11:57:41 +0000 Blog: Using global support to address healthcare fraud <p><!--summary start--> Fraud is becoming a key target for the health insurance industry as it bids to stem the continued growth in medical inflation. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/2127731/blog-global-support-address-healthcare-fraud https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/2127731/blog-global-support-address-healthcare-fraud Fri, 25 Nov 2011 10:25:46 +0000 COVER Excellence Award winners' videos <p><!--summary start--> All the videos featuring the COVER Excellence Awards winners are available online. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/2126657/cover-excellence-award-winners-videos https://www.professionaladviser.com/discussion/2126657/cover-excellence-award-winners-videos Mon, 21 Nov 2011 17:10:00 +0000 GPs may lose fit for work decisions in Sickness Absence Review <p><!--summary start--> The sickness absence review is expected to call for a government funded panel to judge people's ability to work, taking the responsibility away from doctors. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2126402/gps-lose-fit-decisions-sickness-absence-review https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2126402/gps-lose-fit-decisions-sickness-absence-review Mon, 21 Nov 2011 06:00:00 +0000 Perfect time for healthcare reform - Simplyhealth <p><!--summary start--> Simplyhealth believes the NHS is crumbling and now is the best chance to change the structure of the country's healthcare system in the last 50 years. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2126230/perfect-healthcare-reform-simplyhealth https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2126230/perfect-healthcare-reform-simplyhealth Fri, 18 Nov 2011 15:46:40 +0000 PHC seeks to calm brokers' merger fears <p><!--summary start--> The Permanent Health Company (PHC) has sought to reassure advisers' and quell concerns that its new five year underwriting deal with Axa PPP will eventually result in a takeover. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2125120/phc-seeks-calm-brokers-merger-fears https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2125120/phc-seeks-calm-brokers-merger-fears Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:36:39 +0000 Westfield announces strong sales <p><!--summary start--> Westfield Health has reported sales growth of 29% increasing market share to 13.5%, in its annual results for 2010/11. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2125109/westfield-announces-strong-sales https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2125109/westfield-announces-strong-sales Tue, 15 Nov 2011 14:14:00 +0000 Axa PPP takes over underwriting of PHC plans <p><!--summary start--> Axa PPP has taken over all underwriting of Permanent Health Company's private medical insurance (PMI) and dental products. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2124966/axa-ppp-takes-underwriting-phc-plans https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2124966/axa-ppp-takes-underwriting-phc-plans Tue, 15 Nov 2011 10:08:00 +0000 Govt ordered to publish secret risks of NHS reforms <p><!--summary start--> The government has been ordered to publish a report it attempted to keep secret that details the risks of its NHS reforms. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2124688/govt-publish-secret-risks-nhs-reforms https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2124688/govt-publish-secret-risks-nhs-reforms Mon, 14 Nov 2011 11:05:16 +0000 Nice rejects another breast cancer drug <p><!--summary start--> The National Institute for Health and Clinical Excellence (Nice) has banned another breast cancer drug from routine NHS use. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2124219/nice-rejects-breast-cancer-drug https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2124219/nice-rejects-breast-cancer-drug Thu, 10 Nov 2011 15:29:00 +0000 Employee Healthcare - Do you measure up? <p><!--summary start--> So the employee health risk assessment is in place, but are you measuring what you think you are? Dr Peter Mills explains the pitfalls <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2123199/employee-healthcare-measure https://www.professionaladviser.com/feature/2123199/employee-healthcare-measure Thu, 10 Nov 2011 09:54:53 +0000 One in three employees won't pay for IP <p><!--summary start--> The vast majority of consumers are only prepared to pay less than £5 per week for income protection (IP) with almost a third not willing to pay anything, new research has revealed. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2122826/consumers-wont-pay-ip https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2122826/consumers-wont-pay-ip Fri, 4 Nov 2011 15:07:00 +0000 MPs demand public heath body be politically independent <p><!--summary start--> MPs have demanded that the new public health body for England must be independent of government while saying nudges to encourage better personal health will not work. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2121742/mps-demand-public-heath-body-politically-independent https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2121742/mps-demand-public-heath-body-politically-independent Wed, 2 Nov 2011 09:55:19 +0000 Paycare launches cash plan with complimentary cover <p><!--summary start--> Paycare has launched a new healthcare benefit cash plan for employers to offer their staff. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2121507/paycare-launches-cash-plan-complimentary-cover https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2121507/paycare-launches-cash-plan-complimentary-cover Tue, 1 Nov 2011 10:23:07 +0000 Doctors target fair NHS access for all in reforms <p><!--summary start--> Doctors have called for the government to include a clause prioritising fair access for all as part of its NHS reforms. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2119889/doctors-target-fair-nhs-access-reforms https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2119889/doctors-target-fair-nhs-access-reforms Tue, 25 Oct 2011 15:31:00 +0000 FSA workload delays Simplyhealth purchase of Groupama <p><!--summary start--> Simplyhealth's purchase of Groupama has been delayed due to the volume of work currently being imposed upon the FSA and legal system. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2119820/fsa-workload-delays-simplyhealth-purchase-groupama https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2119820/fsa-workload-delays-simplyhealth-purchase-groupama Tue, 25 Oct 2011 12:40:00 +0000 Health and protection disputes jump steeply <p><!--summary start--> Protection and health insurance complaints to the Financial Ombudsman Service (FOS) leapt sharply in the second three months of the year. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2117949/health-protection-disputes-jump-steeply https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2117949/health-protection-disputes-jump-steeply Tue, 18 Oct 2011 13:19:27 +0000 Westfield Health launches new iPhone app <p><!--summary start--> Health cash plan provider Westfield Health has launched version two of its successful iPhone application. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2117674/westfield-health-launches-iphone-app https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2117674/westfield-health-launches-iphone-app Mon, 17 Oct 2011 14:29:28 +0000 Govt stats hide health of NHS - Kings Fund <p><!--summary start--> Significant pressures in some local NHS areas are being masked by national statistics but overall performance is holding up well, according to the King's Fund. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2117416/govt-stats-hide-health-nhs-kings-fund https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2117416/govt-stats-hide-health-nhs-kings-fund Fri, 14 Oct 2011 15:58:09 +0000 AMII announces executive committee responsibilites <p><!--summary start--> The Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) has announced the portfolio responsibilities of the individual members of its executive committee. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2117380/amii-announces-executive-committee-responsibilites https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2117380/amii-announces-executive-committee-responsibilites Fri, 14 Oct 2011 14:49:36 +0000 Doctors defiant despite NHS Bill's progress <p><!--summary start--> The two main bodies representing doctors in the UK have pledged to continue battling the progress of controversial NHS reforms despite it being passed by the House of Lords. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2117013/doctors-defiant-despite-nhs-progress https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2117013/doctors-defiant-despite-nhs-progress Thu, 13 Oct 2011 12:42:00 +0000 NHS Bill passes key Lords' test <p><!--summary start--> Controversial NHS reforms have taken a step nearer with the government's Health and Social Care Bill surviving its latest stage in the House of Lords. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2116733/nhs-passes-key-lords-test https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2116733/nhs-passes-key-lords-test Wed, 12 Oct 2011 16:04:53 +0000 PM and NHS reforms face fresh attacks <p><!--summary start--> The government's contentious NHS reforms have commenced their second reading in the House of Lords among fresh controversy, including a renewed attack on the Prime Minister. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2116294/pm-nhs-reforms-fresh-attacks https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2116294/pm-nhs-reforms-fresh-attacks Tue, 11 Oct 2011 15:26:49 +0000 COVER Awards 2011: The night in pictures <p><!--summary start--> Last night COVER recognised the best work of those in the health insurance and protection world. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/2115510/cover-awards-2011-night-pictures https://www.professionaladviser.com/opinion/2115510/cover-awards-2011-night-pictures Fri, 7 Oct 2011 13:13:51 +0000 Aviva's Colley scoops COVER's Outstanding Achievment Award <p><!--summary start--> Louise Colley from Aviva picked up the Outstanding Achievement Award at last night's COVER Excellence Awards. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2115433/avivas-colley-scoops-covers-oustanding-achievment-award https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2115433/avivas-colley-scoops-covers-oustanding-achievment-award Fri, 7 Oct 2011 10:55:00 +0000 NHS reforms have 'hell of a lot wrong' - Lord Winston <p><!--summary start--> Lord Robert Winston has slammed the government's Health and Social Care Bill saying there was "a hell of a lot wrong with it" and said it did not address patients basic medical needs. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2114725/nhs-reforms-hell-lot-wrong-lord-winston https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2114725/nhs-reforms-hell-lot-wrong-lord-winston Wed, 5 Oct 2011 13:24:00 +0000 Mental health issues most common reason for absence - research <p><!--summary start--> Stress and other mental health issues are now the most common reason for people absent from work, new research has found. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2114580/mental-health-issues-common-reason-absence-research https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2114580/mental-health-issues-common-reason-absence-research Wed, 5 Oct 2011 09:44:57 +0000 Public health experts condemn 'irreperable harm' of NHS reforms <p><!--summary start--> Almost 400 public health experts have given the government's NHS reforms a damning review. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2114340/public-health-experts-condemn-irreperable-harm-nhs-reforms https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2114340/public-health-experts-condemn-irreperable-harm-nhs-reforms Tue, 4 Oct 2011 15:08:00 +0000 Overprescribing cancer drugs 'not tenable way forward' - experts <p><!--summary start--> Cancer experts have concluded that countries in the developed world are overprescribing very expensive drugs that produce marginal benefit. <!--summary end--></p> https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2112446/overprescribing-cancer-drugs-tenable-forward-experts https://www.professionaladviser.com/news/2112446/overprescribing-cancer-drugs-tenable-forward-experts Tue, 27 Sep 2011 15:38:42 +0000