nib enters strategic alliance


Australian specialist health insurer, nib health funds limited has linked with major US provider, UnitedHealthcare International to service the company's expatriate insurance members in Australia.
The two companies announced what they described as a "strategic alliance" this week, with nib chief executive Mark Fitzgibbon pointing to the need for health insurance coverage across borders.
"Today's increasingly mobile global workforce has health needs that cut across borders, and we can now offer an attractive solution to those needs for UnitedHealthcare International's customers in Australia," he said.
"Through our exclusive relationship, UnitedHealthcare International's customers will now have access to nib's network of 500 leading Australian hospitals, as well as local physicians and direct payment arrangements with other care providers, such as dentists and opticians," Fitzgibbon said.
He said nib already provided private health insurance cover in Australia to approximately 20,000 international customers, including foreign workers and international students.
Fitzgibbon said the alliance with UnitedHealthcare International would better position nib to consider other international initiatives.
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