APRIL International UK Introduces Second Medical Opinions with the Launch of Best Doctors Services

LONDON, December 9, 2015 /PRNewswire/ --

All new APRIL International UK international private medical insurance policies now come with automatic membership of Best Doctors, an expert medical support service made up of some of the best medical minds around the world. These experts are on hand to offer a second opinion on a diagnosis, course of treatment or even just to suggest the kind of questions friends or family may wish to ask the medical specialists, so they too have a clearer understanding about the implications of diagnosis and treatment.

Your health is your number one priority, especially when you are living and working abroad. But if you are unlucky enough to fall ill and have to see a doctor or be referred to hospital, just how many of us really understand our diagnosis or what is involved in an operation or what the implications of a course of treatment are? Add in to that the implications of falling ill in a country where English might not be the first language and the importance of you or your family being able to access a second professional medical opinion becomes clear.

That's why APRIL International UK, the specialist provider of international private medical insurance, has teamed up with the Best Doctors service.

The Best Doctors panel is assembled following peer group nominations from around the world - to qualify for inclusion, fellow doctors are invited to nominate the best specialist in a given field, the individual with the highest number of peer nominations then becomes the Best Doctor in that discipline. As the Best Doctors panel is drawn from all over the world, its members really do represent the global cutting edge of medical experience and knowledge.

And once you scratch the surface, the logic and appeal of getting a second medical opinion becomes ever more powerful. Because falling ill is a private and personal matter, it is unlikely many of us will hear how valuable it can be, unless the person concerned is a celebrity and unless they decide to go public. That was precisely the case with singer Kylie Minogue's diagnosis of breast cancer a few years back. Initially given the all clear prior to starting the Australian leg of her Showgirl tour following a routine breast cancer scan, Minogue took the unusual decision of asking for a second opinion and it may well have saved her life, as cancer was detected once she was re-checked.

It's not just for major operations that a second opinion could be valuable - any medical intervention where the expectation cannot be for a full recovery merits a second look. Sports injuries are a good case in point - if an operation can be avoided, significant risk is removed from the treatment.

Second opinions can also encourage the emergence of new thinking on treatments, especially if that knowledge is drawn from an international context. The idea that this "must be the right treatment, because that is what we have always done" should always be challenged, if progress is to be made.

APRIL International UK's Business Development Director Joe Thomas comments, "Best Doctors represents radical new way to empower the patient and tip the balance back in favour of the most vulnerable party. APRIL International UK is the first major international private medical insurer to offer the service free as a part of all new policies sold."

APRIL International UK offers international health insurance to individuals on a short or long term basis, to employee groups and to students studying around the world.

For details of April International's International health insurance plans visit http://www.april-international.co.uk  Email info@april-international.co.uk or call +44-(0)20-3418-0470.

Note to Editors 

April International UK Limited (until recently known as MediCare International) is part of the April Group which was founded in France more than 35 years ago. It is an internationally known and respected insurance services group with operations in 37 different countries, looking after close to 6 million policyholders worldwide, consisting of some 86 different nationalities located in more than 120 countries.  

April International UK  are specialists in designing and delivering outstanding, flexible international health insurance solutions for individuals and companies, with long term, short term and student healthcare plans available.

All April International UK plans include the additional services of Best Doctors (second medical opinion), Blood Care Foundation (screened blood available worldwide) and RED24 (crisis management specialists)

Cover under group plans may also available for local nationals. Discounted group rates start with 3 lives and full medical history disregarded underwriting is available on groups of 10 or more employees, making April International one of the most competitive group cover providers.

April International UK Limited is an Appointed Representative of APRIL Medibroker Limited which is authorised and regulated by the Financial Conduct Authority. Registered Office: Minster House, 42 Mincing Lane, London, EC3R 7AE, United Kingdom Registered in England No7261287.