Insurance - Health - International Private - aLC Health

• I have ALC and live in Germany, do I have to purchase pregnancy cover?

  On 1st March 2011 the European Union introduced a Directive which required all insurances to be non-discriminatory in respect of gender.  This was originally intended to be aimed at property (motor) insurances but was extended to apply to all insurance sectors and came effective for health insurance on 21st December 2012.

  German health insurances had always traditionally included pregnancy cover for all females – rates calculated according to age. Consequently rates for men were lower. When it was announced that unisex would be implemented to the health sector optimists believed the female rates would reduce to the male level – but of course insurance companies would not miss such an opportunity, and simply INCREASED the male rates to those of females. Naturally the men complain that they have to bear the cost of pregnancy cover and in return women however will now find that they are paying for the cost of prostate cover!

  aLC never included pregnancy cover in their core benefits, which are and always have been, the same for male and female.  As it always was – and still is – pregnancy cover is a separate option – not one of the core benefits.  Therefore, it has not been necessary to rationalise the core benefit rates as they are inline with the EU Directive - being the same for both male and female. Also offering pregnancy as an option is also fairer – females who do not want this cover do not have to take it –EXCEPT if the German "Auslaenderamt" insist saying the insurance should be on the same lines as German insurance.

  It is unlikely that any German insurer would adopt the same structure as aLC – they would after all be losing potential revenue!

  The actual Law does not help too much as it relies on interpretation and the we have experienced that the Foreigners Offices also tend to apply their own ‘rules’ despite the Law.

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• I live in the Netherlands, hence does aLC provide full cover?

  The health insurance act enacted by the Dutch government requires any person who is classed as a resident to hold a health insurance policy that includes cover for such things as chronic and pre-existing medical conditions. Latter are not covered or have been specifically excluded on the aLC Prima plans! For this reason and by Dutch law aLC Healthcare is obliged to advise their clients that any cover provided is 'additional' and/or 'supplementary' towards existing Dutch compulsory health insurance.

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• Is aLC legally accepted in Germany?

  ALC Health, in conjunction with their underwriter Catlin Insurance Company (UK) Ltd., has authorisation in form of a irrefragably certificate from the German Financial Supervisory Authority (BaFin), confirming that their health plans Prima Classic, Prima Premier & Prima Platinum comply with requirements, hence are fully legal. With this authorisation aLC are eligible to trade in Germany and can offer health insurance to any resident in Germany, regardless of nationality.

  The above-mentioned is subject of payment in line with §193 paragraph 3 VVG (German Insurance Contract Act) and must include dental and pregnancy coverage!

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• aLC increases my premium every year, why?

  All insurances are subject to inflation, yet health insurance inflation is invariably higher than normal inflation. For a more detailed explanation please read this article.

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• If I cannot pay my premium on time, will my policy be cancelled?

  ALC Health suspend cover on the 7th day after payment is due and unless payment is received by 21st day the contract will be cancelled due to non-payment! Once cancelled, a policy can however be reinstated, yet may require satisfactory completion of a health declaration.

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