 Bajaj Allianz offers 2nd opinion plan
Bajaj Allianz General Insurance, one of India's leading private general insurance companies, and WorldCare Inc., a pioneer and leader in the development and distribution of global healthcare services and solutions, announced in Chennai that they will introduce a path-breaking new insurance product to the Indian market - the Bajaj Allianz e-Opinion Rider, which will cover the expenses of 2nd opinion e-consultation services for serious illness in India. Bajaj Allianz is the ftrst company to launch such an insurance plan in India - a unique insurance plan rider with Personal Accident Cover.
Such e-consultation will be rendered by three of America's best academic medical centres - The Cleveland Clinic, Duke University Health System and Partners HealthCare System which includes Massachusetts General Hospital and Brigham and Women's Hospital. Duke University Health System and Partners HealthCare are members of the WorldCare Consortium. Policyholders who have purchased Bajaj Allianz's 'e-Opinion Riders' will be provided the right to receive up to three expert e-consultations per year.
If a policyholder develops a specified serious illness, including cancer and or heart disease, that individual may elect to have his or her medical record, including text and medical imaging (X-rays, CT Scans, MRI, ultrasound) digitised, encrypted and sent to WorldCare's Telemedicine Headquarters in Cambridge, MA, where it will be reviewed for quality control and quality assurance. The record will then be transmitted to the telemedicine centres of The Cleveland Clinic, Duke University Medical Center or Partners HealthCare for specialist and or sub-specialist physician review.
A written second opinion, including a confirmed diagnosis and recommended treatment plan, will be then returned to Bajaj Allianz's medical director within seven working days of the receipt of a complete medical record by
WorldCare.
S Sreenivasan, CFO, Bajaj Allianz General Insurance said, "Bajaj Allianz is also pleased to enter into a long-term relationship with WorldCare. With today's encrypted and secure technology, consumers in India will be able to secure timely, affordable, e-access to high-quality healthcare at a time when they may need it the most... namely, upon the diagnosis of a serious illness."
He added, "We believe this 'e-Opinion Rider' will provide our customers with the ability to complement the high-quality care they already receive in India with additional input from expert physicians who practice within this renowned group of hospitals. This seamless access can't help but improve the quality of healthcare decision-making for our customers, their families and their attending physicians."
Nasser Menhall, CEO, WorldCare Inc, said, "WorldCare is pleased to announce this unprecedented contract with Bajaj Allianz. For the first time, Indian consumers will be able to enjoy timely, affordable electronic access to some of America's best hospitals for the evaluation of a serious illness. We are proud to partner with Bajaj Allianz to provide these life affirming and peace of mind services."
The Cleveland Clinic will provide services through WorldCare until December 31, 2006.
R Rangaraj
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