SJA client The Printed Word held its annual Calendar Competition inviting their clients to enter one of the following categories – Nature, Action and Amusing.
They had an overwhelming response which made it very difficult to choose from.
The winning entry for the Amusing Category went to Sarah Louise with her crocheted bicycle taken underneath the Brooklyn Bridge, New York.
Heart disease and cancer have seen dramatic improvements in treatment over the last few years. To keep pace with these changes, AXA PPP healthcare have enhanced their core products with their new Heart and Cancer Commitment.
Heart Cover – Members diagnosed with a heart condition will now have access to their dedicated nurse service which supports the member and their family through their treatment. Time limits have been removed on members' out-patient cover for follow-ups for heart surgery treatments. These improvements will apply immediately to all existing and new business.
Cancer Cover – There are now no time limits for licensed cancer drug treatments. If experimental durg treatment is needed then AXA PPP healthcare will cover it if it is part of an ethical trial and pre-agreed by them. In addition injectable hormone treatment and bisphosphonate treatment used to manage cancer will be fully covered while active treatment is being received.
AXA PPP healthcare will consider requests for experimental surgery which will be reviewed by their clinical team. Time limits have been removed from cancer follow-ups and they won't count cancer out-patient consultations towards the member's general out-patient limits.
Palliative care will now be covered and AXA PPP healthcare will also donate £100 a night to a hospice charity when terminal patients are receiving hospice care.
Enhanced cover for Individual and SME plans will have the enhanced cancer changes applied from 9 January 2012 regardless of their renewal date.
Bupa has removed a further 25 BMI Healthcare hospitals from its list of approved facilities, in addition to the 12 announced last month.
Bupa has apologised for the inconvenience caused by the action, but argues that it is vital to maintain and improve the affordability of private healthcare for their members.
Not all BMI Healthcare facilities have been removed from Bupa's list and discussions with BMI Healthcare are oingoing with the hope to return the group's hospitals to its list of recognised facilities.
Bupa has also confirmed that it is prepared to consider requests for members to use BMI hospitals on an out-of-network basis, with the member paying the shortfall. Bupa will also cover consultations at de-listed hospitals, but not the cost of any procedures, including diagnostic tests.