Bupa enhances group critical illness cover

In an industry first, Bupa is now offering group critical illness claimants and their families access to independent confidential medical information, advice and guidance with no increase in premiums.

Through an international database of more than 50,000 leading medical specialists, identified by their peers as the best in their field, the Best Doctors® service provides people with a definitive medical opinion, delivering an independent and comprehensive assessment of their condition - all without leaving home. Best Doctors supports, not replaces, their treating doctor, helping to ensure they get on the right clinical path, first time.

Steve Payne, director of Bupa Health Assurance said: "When an employee is diagnosed with a serious illness, they want to know whether their diagnosis is correct, what alternative treatments are available and if they will get better. Giving access to Best Doctors can help employers fully support their insured staff and their families by providing a second opinion from an expert as well as help, ongoing guidance and access to medically sound, evidence-based information.  This can be hugely reassuring. Plus, as the service is independent, it doesn't influence the assessment or outcome of the claim," he said.

The addition of Best Doctors follows another recent enhancement to Bupa's group income protection proposition - appropriate early intervention and return-to-work support.  A dedicated claims assessor is allocated to each case to enable Bupa to target return-to-work interventions and guidance according to individual needs and where it really matters.  Employees do not need to complete lengthy claim forms. Instead, a trained nurse will call or visit employees at home to gather claim details and provide full support from an early stage of absence.