A Critical Discharge, a Complex Condition, and Timely Support

Unexpected hospital discharges can quickly become high-risk events particularly for international patients managing complex conditions. For insurers and assistance providers, these moments test not only operational readiness, but the ability to balance empathy, compliance, and cost containment in real time.

This was the case for a 22-year-old college student diagnosed with a chronic disease and prone to recurrent pain crises. Over an 18-month period, the patient experienced multiple intermittent hospitalizations, each requiring careful NFG coordination and specialty medications to manage pain and prevent escalation.

iPMI Global, the leading business intelligence provider for the international private medical insurance (IPMI) market, and New Frontier Group (NFG), a premier woman-owned global healthcare cost management company, today announced the successful renewal of their strategic partnership, celebrating seven years of impactful collaboration.

Global Excel Management Inc. (Global Excel) is pleased to announce the strategic acquisition of First Assistance New Zealand Limited (First Assistance) and its subsidiary First Assistance Australia Pty Ltd, leading businesses specializing in digital assistance services. This deal marks Global Excel’s commitment to expanding its footprint in the travel assistance and claims markets in the Asia-Pacific region.

“First Assistance’s highly skilled team will play a vital role in supporting our growth strategy on the international field”, says Phil Hibbert, CEO of Global Excel, “We aim to enhance our capabilities and offer our clients a comprehensive suite of assistance services while creating new market opportunities through innovative, integrated solutions”.

AP Companies is pleased to announce the opening of its first full-scale operations office in Latin America, located in Santiago, Chile. This strategic expansion underscores our commitment to providing comprehensive medical assistance and cost containment solutions across the region.

In this iPMI Global in Focus article we dive deep into how the health and travel insurance market can work together to avoid fraud, waste and abuse. Whilst Intelligence sharing among insurers and partners is critical, there is still a lot of work to be done. According to an iPMI Global round table discussion, scandals resulting from FWA can severely tarnish an organisation’s reputation. The importance of having a Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA) Prevention Plan is highlighted as a way to maintain public trust and demonstrate a commitment to ethical business practices. This suggests that reputation damage is a potential consequence that organizations actively seek to avoid through preventative measures.

In this briefing document we summarise the key themes and insights discussed by various executives from the international private medical insurance (iPMI) and travel insurance sectors regarding fraud, waste, and abuse (FWA). The round table, hosted by iPMI Global, focused on the challenges, current landscape, prevention strategies, the role of technology and human resources, the impact of COVID-19, and the overall importance of having a robust FWA prevention plan. The "iceberg risk concept" is introduced as a metaphor to highlight the hidden and complex nature of FWA.

With everyone, including President Trump and Elon Musk, talking about fraud, waste and abuse we explore the different types of fraud that exist in global healthcare and travel insurance markets. These can be broadly categorized as insurance claims fraud and provider fraud. However, the issue is often discussed under the umbrella term of Fraud, Waste, and Abuse (FWA), which encompasses more than just intentional deception.

We also take a look at the iPMI Global, Insurance Fraud, Waste and Abuse Strategies Round Table and help you break down the different types of fraud, waste and abuse that are far too common today, and look at some actual cases of fraud, waste and abuse.

In the iPMI Global in Focus Cost Containment article we take a look at Aon's 2025 Global Medical Trend Rates Report.

The report analyses projected medical cost increases for employer-sponsored plans across various regions. The report anticipates a continued double-digit global medical trend, driven by factors such as inflation, technology advancements, and regional healthcare demands. Cardiovascular diseases are identified as a leading cost driver, while obesity emerges as a top risk factor globally. Employers are exploring strategies like well being initiatives, cost containment, and flexible benefit plans to mitigate rising expenses. Regional variations are noted, with Asia-Pacific and North America expecting higher increases, while Europe and Latin America may see decreases.

International cost containment often conjures a simplistic image: apply network discounts, reduce costs billed, and proceed. However, as demonstrated in the below complex case managed by New Frontier Group (NFG), the reality can be a deeply human-centered and intricate process. Each decision not only impacts financials, but also the well-being of patients, families, and caregivers.

Global Excel Management Inc. (Global Excel) is pleased to announce it has acquired the business of Vitori Health LLC (Vitori Health) effective January 1, 2025.

Vitori Health is a modern health plan administrator licensed in all 50 states with remarkable member support, national and regional networks, open access plans, and an unmatched claims savings guarantee for employer-sponsored health plans. With a strong reputation for innovation, Vitori offers nationwide precision-built health plan solutions which offer high-performing alternatives for mid-market employers and their employees.