LONDON, June 18, 2012 /PRNewswire/ --

- New private medical insurance promises better healthcare choices, combining fast access to private UK diagnostics with best private treatment abroad -

- Savings of up to 50 percent on traditional private health insurance -

Fast access to high quality private healthcare is now within reach for millions of people across the UK, with the launch of a new and more affordable medical insurance plan from Passport2Health.

     (Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20120617/538051 )

The UK's first fully packaged private health cover combining private UK diagnostics with private treatment abroad provides rapid admission to some of Europe's finest medical facilities for as little as £19 per month^[1], including door-to-door, concierge-managed travel and accommodation for the patient and a companion. The lower cost of European healthcare means that Passport2Health's premiums are up to 50 percent^[2] less than traditional UK private medical insurance (PMI).

Passport2Health CEO and founder Frank Levene says that the escalating price of UK health insurance, combined with continued pressure on household spending, has left many people faced with lengthy waits with the NHS, unable to afford cover for private treatment. "Millions of people in this country have gone without health insurance for themselves and their families, but with Passport2Health they can now take advantage of the same high quality healthcare enjoyed by our European neighbours."

Passport2Health customers can choose from some of the finest hospitals internationally - including those in France, Germany and Spain as well as Belgium, Cyprus, Portugal, Gran Canaria and Malta and soon to be added, Israel and Turkey. Every hospital is hand-picked by Passport2Health's expert team for its exemplary clinical standards, and each is carefully selected for its English language capabilities, service quality and patient comfort.

Almost seven million people in the UK currently have private healthcare insurance cover^[3] but well-documented escalating premiums mean that PMI subscribers have declined by more than 10 percent since 2008^[4].

Passport2Health aims to broaden access to high quality medical treatment, putting private healthcare within reach of most people's budgets through an insurance plan that is up to half the price of regular PMI. The scheme will also appeal to companies seeking cost-effective health cover for staff, and to the self-employed.

'Medical tourism' is a growth area, with approximately 60,000 people^[5] believed to travel from the UK each year for treatment abroad. Until now however, patients have had to put together their own package and pay the full price in one go. With Passport2Health, everything is fully covered and all arrangements taken care of, including return travel, treatment, accommodation and after-care, plus integration into the UK health service on return.

While the NHS is highly valued for emergency and urgent surgery, elective treatments such as angioplasty, hernias, hip replacements or cataracts can now be treated overseas without the patient having to join a long waiting list. With Passport2Health, procedures are scheduled as fast as possible, to suit the patient - normally within two to four weeks of diagnosis.

Passport2Health customers have the same access to their usual GP, plus a generous allowance for private specialist consultations and diagnostics in the UK. With the exception of cancer, patients are covered for the same types of surgical procedures as many other UK PMI schemes, including a wide variety of treatments in specialisms such as orthopaedics, ENT, cardiology, ophthalmology, urology and gynaecology.

• Find out more from Passport2Health on 0330-333-4101, email info@passport2health.co.uk, or visit http://www.passport2health.co.uk.
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Notes to editors:

Greater choice and faster treatment: Passport2Health is unique in providing the UK's first and only fully private healthcare insurance package - combining private diagnosis in the UK with private medical treatment overseas, along with all travel, accommodation and support. It means that more people can gain timely access to the very best care available when they need it most.

The Passport2Health package covers diagnosis in the UK (including MRI, CET and PET scans), and all the same elective procedures as many other PMI schemes (including standard surgical procedures in specialisms such as orthopaedics, ENT, cardiology, ophthalmology, urology, and gynaecology).

Excellent, affordable healthcare and patient choice lie at the heart of the Passport2Health experience. Policyholders have fast access to a network of quality-assured private hospitals, all carefully selected by Passport2Health's expert team. An unrelenting focus on customer service ensures the patient is fully supported throughout - whether during their journey or while being treated.

The Passport2Health policy is underwritten by Advent Solutions Management Limited on behalf of Sirius Lloyd's Syndicate 1945. Advent Solutions Management Limited is an approved Lloyd's coverholder, underwriting risks and issuing policy documentation; claims and clinical case management by Europ Assistance Holdings Limited, a provider of leading assistance and care services; and first-class concierge services are provided by Ten Group.

1. For a 30-year-old. Prices as at 27/02/12 shown on both comparison and insurer's websites

2. Subject to status - the cost of the individual policy will depend on a number of factors such as current health, age and previous medical history

3. Figures according to Private Healthcare UK - http://www.privatehealth.co.uk/service-to-industry/statistics-and-data/private-healthcare-key-facts/

4. http://www.hi-mag.com/health-insurance/product-area/pmi/article371509.ece

5. Figures according to Treatment Abroad - http://www.treatmentabroad.com/press/medical-tourism-facts/ 

Forum 3, Solent Business
Park, Whiteley, Fareham,
Hampshire, PO15 7FH    

t:    0330-333-4100
e:    info@passport2health.co.uk
w:    http://www.passport2health.co.uk 

For more information contact Passport2Health's PR agency, Remarkable Group on:

Rhiannon Thompson | rhiannon.thompson@remarkablegroup.co.uk | +44(0)7554-014-228 | +44(0)1962-893-893

Carrie Lowe | carrie.lowe@remarkablegroup.co.uk | +44(0)7554-014-188 | +44-1962-893-893

SOURCE Passport2Health