Singapore: Prudential's PRUExtra Premier Customers to Enjoy Cashless Medical Service at Raffles Hospital and Mount Alvernia Hospital

| 12 Nov 2019

(L-R) Dr Kenneth Wu, General Manager, Raffles Hospital; Mr Wilf Blackburn, CEO, Prudential Singapore; Dr James Lam Kian Ming, CEO, Mount Alvernia Singapore (Pic: Prudential Singapore)

Prudential Singapore has launched a hospital partnership programme (PRUPanel Connect) to offer its customers greater convenience when they visit Raffles Hospital and Mount Alvernia Hospital for medical treatments.

With PRUPanel Connect, customers of Prudential’s private hospital Integrated Shield Plan rider, PRUExtra Premier, can receive cashless medical service* of up to S$30,000 at Raffles Hospital and Mount Alvernia Hospital. To enjoy this service, they will have to seek treatment from participating specialists** under the PRUPanel Connect programme.

These customers do not have to pay a deposit at admission nor make a payment upon discharge as Prudential will settle their medical expenses directly with the hospitals. Additionally, they do not need to seek pre-authorisation from the insurer before proceeding with medical treatments. For those seeking medical treatments at Raffles Hospital, this cashless service is also extended to their pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses.

Dr Sidharth Kachroo, Prudential Singapore’s Head of Medical Portfolio Management, said the life insurer is delighted to partner with two of Singapore’s leading hospitals to provide a more seamless experience to its PRUExtra Premier customers.

He said, “The majority of our PRUExtra Premier customers will no longer need to fork out cash deposits when they seek treatments at our two partner hospitals and its participating doctors. We know this service will give our customers greater peace of mind knowing that their medical bills are taken care of and they can focus fully on treatment and recovery.”

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A PRUPanel Connect concierge team will be on-site at both hospitals to assist Prudential’s customers on PRUShield-related enquiries from Monday to Friday***. As part of the value-added services provided, they will offer complimentary hospital parking coupons or taxi vouchers to policyholders who are admitted for inpatient treatment or day surgery.
 

Prudential’s efforts to ensure affordability and accessibility of quality healthcare

Apart from providing an enhanced patient experience through PRUPanel Connect, Prudential is focused on addressing rising healthcare costs.

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Dr Kachroo said, “Singapore’s rapidly-ageing population and growing rates of multi-morbidity are contributing to a growing demand for healthcare services. To ensure Singaporeans have access to affordable medical services and insurance in the long term, both healthcare payers and providers have an important role to play.”

According to company statement, Prudential became the first insurer to introduce the claims-based pricing approach for PRUExtra Premier in 2017. It is to motivate its customers to stay healthy and to be more prudent with the use of healthcare services.

With claims-based pricing, those who consume less healthcare services pay less premiums and vice versa. Today, more than eight in 10 of the insurer’s PRUExtra Premier customers enjoy a 20 per cent savings on their premiums because they do not make any claims during the review period.

* Eligibility for cashless service without pre-authorisation is only applicable to PRUextra Premier policies which are accepted on standard terms and have been in-forced for at least 12 months from the date of inception or date of reinstatement, whichever is later. The lives assured must also be Singaporeans or Singapore Permanent Residents.

** Participating specialists include doctors from Raffles Hospital and on-campus doctors from Mount Alvernia Hospital who have opted in for the PRUPanel Connect programme. Pls refer to the PRUPanel Connect website for the list of specialists - https://www.prudential.com.sg/ppc


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