Over the past few weeks we have received a number of similar questions regarding the Coronavirus / Covid-19 and Morgan Prices stance with regards to our clients. We thought it might be useful to distribute these questions and the current answers as a general update. This will give an indication of how the policy will operate during this Worldwide Pandemic.
Q1. The Virus has been named a Pandemic – does this mean I am not covered?
The virus Covid-19 has been determined to be a Pandemic by the WHO. This does not change our stance. The testing for and any hospital necessary isolation required after diagnosis of Covid-19 will be covered in the normal way.
Q2. Will I be evacuated to another country if I get diagnosed?
Simple answer is no. Most if not all countries are not accepting medical patients who are already diagnosed with the virus. This is out of our hands and we cannot influence this decision. The best advice is to either a) self-isolate, or b) if you are in hospital – stay in that hospital until you have recovered from the virus.
Q3. If I travel to a country that has Covid-19 and I get it, will I be covered?
If you travel against the advice of the Government in either your current country and/or the destination country, then the policy will not cover you. If the Government has not advised against such travel, then you should decide whether the travel is essential. If not then you should not go. Wilfully exposing one’s self to potential harm is a general policy exclusion so you run the risk that you may not be covered depending on circumstances.
Q4. I need to travel back to my home but that means going to a Covid-19 restricted country. Will I be covered?
If you are travelling home to your declared country of residence (as shown on your medical insurance policy certificate), and you are able to do so, then you will need to proceed. Once you reach your home you should self-isolate for the prescribed number of days for that country.
If you are subsequently diagnosed with Covid-19 when in your country of residence (as declared on your certificate) then the policy will cover you as required.
Q5. I am due to go on holiday but the country I am going to has diagnosed cases. Am I covered?
If you travel to a country against Government advice, then the policy will not cover you. At this point governments are generally warning against all but essential travel, and you should decide if “ a holiday” during a worldwide pandemic is essential. We cannot decide that for you, but if you get quarantined once abroad, then the policy will not cover you.
Q6. I am in Italy – can I buy a policy?
Currently we are not accepting New Business applications from Italy. We will advise any further updates as and when they occur.
Q7. We have a client that is currently in the UK, but usually resides in China and he is due to return there soon. As he resides in China, does this advice (the outbreak update) still apply? I understand him following advice not to travel there on holiday or for a business meeting, but as he is returning home, he doesn’t really have any alternative.
See Answer under 4. If you are going home and can get there the policy will cover you if you subsequently fall ill with Covid-19. Other than that you should follow self-isolation guidelines when you get home.
Q8. Our client wants to know: Does the insurance cover the cost of coronavirus treatment?
The answer is yes subject to the policy terms and the adherence to WHO and National Governmental rules on exposing yourself unnecessarily to the virus. See the other Questions and Answers here for further specific guidance.
Q9. A general question about the Coronavirus outbreak. Would this be covered under your Evolution health policies or is there any exclusion for pandemics etc?
Our policies do not carry a Pandemic exclusion so we would treat Covid-19 as per any other illness under the policy terms.
Q10. Could you confirm if your in–patient benefits will cover for epidemic/corona?
If you are admitted to hospital with Covid-19 and have followed all other advice and guidance, then subject to the policy terms in-patient cover is available.
Q11. If we were to become infected would we be covered?
See answers 9 and 10 above.
Q12. If there was a large outbreak or panic situation in Bali would we be covered for repatriation?
See the answer to number 2 above. The simple answer is no because most if not all countries are not accepting patients who are already infected. The policy only covers medically required evacuation.
Q13. I would like to know what the standpoint of MP is about covering epidemic diseases, particularly COVID-19 coronavirus.
We have no Pandemic/Epidemic exclusion on our policies so subject to the policy terms and the following of WHO and National Government advice, the policy will cover these diseases.
Q14. Question – “What should I do if I think I have coronavirus?”
This will differ from country to country but the important thing to note is that for the policy to operate you must follow the current government guidelines in terms of isolation/contacting a medical professional etc and following normal claims guidelines in conjunction with this. The one thing nearly ALL countries have in common is that if you think you may have the virus you should NOT attend a clinic/hospital BEFORE you have contacted them by phone to enable them to carry out a risk assessment based on your contact, recent travel and potential exposure threat.
