Bupa International gives customers more cover for chronic diseases

Leading expatriate health insurer, Bupa International, is now offering cover not just for the diagnosis of chronic diseases but also to control them as the number of sufferers continues to rise.

According to the World Health Organisation, chronic diseases such as stroke, heart disease, cancer, chronic respiratory disease and diabetes, are by far the leading cause of mortality in the world.

Effective immediately, new Bupa International Lifeline customers will be covered for drugs, consultations and treatment to control conditions such as diabetes, asthma and hypertension. Existing customers will receive enhanced cover for chronic conditions at renewal.

Diabetes in particular consistently grabs headlines as the estimated number of sufferers worldwide is increasing rapidly - putting huge financial strain on health budgets. This is especially true of Type two diabetes, which is linked to another global heath risk – obesity. Leading health charity Diabetes UK estimates that three million Britons are now diabetic, a trend that is just as relevant elsewhere in the world, for example, in France where around estimated two-and-a-half million people live with the condition.

Commenting on the extended cover for chronic diseases, Tim Slee, Bupa International's global sales director, said: "We are always looking for ways to offer better value to our customers, whether they are in their home country or living and working abroad. And, as conditions such as diabetes are becoming increasingly prevalent wherever you are in the world, our extension of chronic disease cover reflects a very significant benefit to our members."

Other enhancements to Lifeline cover include increased out-patient benefits and more cover for pathology, x-ray and diagnostic tests. Customers will continue to have access to more than 5,500 hospitals and clinics worldwide, and Bupa International's 24 hour, multilingual helpline.