Türkiye is implementing a significant reform to its health insurance system for foreign residents, effective April 1, 2025. 

The new regulations aim to provide broader and more reliable healthcare coverage for expatriates by mandating state-supervised insurance standards and extending access to selected public hospitals. However, this enhanced coverage will come at a significantly higher cost, as ineffective and low-cost policies designed primarily for residence permit applications will be phased out. The reform introduces minimum annual coverage limits, upfront payment requirements, and a shift in commission structures. While initially, public hospital coverage will primarily focus on emergency treatments, further details regarding scheduled appointments and elective procedures are expected. Foreign residents have a limited window before April 1, 2025, to secure existing insurance policies that could offer coverage at lower rates for a longer period.

A new report by Manulife Hong Kong and Deloitte reveals that high-net-worth individuals (HNWIs) in China increasingly view insurance as a crucial tool for legacy and succession planning. The study, focusing on individuals with net assets of at least HKD 7.8 million, highlights that a significant majority utilize insurance in their asset portfolios, with over half specifically aiming to leverage it for wealth transfer to future generations.

In this iPMI Global Regional article we look at the French healthcare system, following news that Bupa Global, will open an office there and partner with ExpaTPA.

We explore Ian Youngman's recent report, The Future of International Private Medical Insurance (iPMI) and look at key aspects of the French healthcare system, focusing on its structure, financing, insurance options, and regulatory environment.

Bupa Global is expanding its international private medical insurance (IPMI) services into France through a partnership with ExpaTPA. This collaboration aims to provide tailored healthcare solutions to individual, SME, and corporate clients within the French market. 

A Deloitte study reveals that Swiss health insurance premiums are rising sharply, causing many policyholders to consider switching providers or adjusting their coverage. Despite high satisfaction with current insurers, support for a unified health insurance fund is growing, although the study suggests that this might not significantly lower premiums. The rising costs are eroding insurers' reserves, impacting their solvency. The study, based on a survey of over 1,000 people, highlights the potential for savings through switching insurers and the significant premium increases expected in 2025.

Greek health insurance premiums will allegedly increase by 14% in 2025, affecting approximately 1.2 million private health insurance policyholders and prompting significant government intervention. Insurance companies justify the hikes, citing rising healthcare costs and a loss ratio exceeding 100%, but the opposition party, PASOK, criticizes this as unfair and lacks transparency. The government is responding by replacing the current premium index with a new  one and investigating potential anti-competitive practices within the insurance industry, aiming to mitigate the impact on citizens. Several policy changes are also being considered to improve the situation.

Vietnam Social Security (VSS) has held a national conference to implement updated health insurance legislation and outline key tasks for 2025.

The conference highlights significant changes introduced by Decree No. 02/2025/ND-CP and Circular No. 01/2025/TT-BYT, including revised eligibility criteria, streamlined procedures for certain serious illnesses, and enhanced responsibilities for both the Ministry of Health and VSS.

Everest Insurance International has enhanced its growing Accident and Health (A&H) offerings with the launch of Innovator, an AI-driven international private medical insurance product that aims to redefine the standards of employee health coverage. The product is first available in Singapore and was developed in collaboration with DocDoc and AXA Life and Health Reinsurance Solutions.

In the iPMI Global Regional article, we discover how Best Doctors Insurance can help expatriates, travellers and tourists navigate the healthcare systems in Latin America.

We review the key themes and insights from an interview with Sheldon Kenton, CEO of Best Doctors Insurance, published by iPMI Global. The interview focuses on the company's position in the Latin American international private medical insurance (IPMI) market, highlighting its strategies, the challenges, and opportunities.

WTW, (NASDAQ: WTW), a leading global advisory and broking solutions company, today announced the expansion of its Corporate Risk & Broking (CRB) business in Japan with the launch of an insurance brokerage service. The new service will offer insurance solutions to commercial clients, as well as wholesale facultative reinsurance placement services to partner brokers or agencies in Japan under the entity, WTW Broker Japan Co., Ltd.