Competition between Israel's health funds continues to generate benefits to their members in the form of drug insurance beyond the basket of healthcare services. Sources inform ''Globes'' that Meuhedet Health Services is in advanced negotiations with Israel Phoenix Assurance Ltd. (TASE: PHOE1;PHOE5) to launch a special health insurance policy to Meuhedet's members for coverage of services not included in the government basket.
Meuhedet confirmed that it was in talks with Phoenix, but said that the final terms of the policies to be marketed had not yet been set. "Meuhedet's management, like at all the health funds, has been working on upgrading the medical insurance that will be offered to its members for coverage of medicines that are not included in the government basket of healthcare services."
It added, "Meuhedet CEO Shmuel Mualem has taken a strategic decision not to agree to the details of the new plan until the final details of the other plans are published, and it will be possible to ensure that the plan proposed by Phoenix and Meuhedet will be the best for members."
Supplementary health insurance has been picking up speed lately, after Maccabi Healthcare Services and Migdal Insurance and Financial Holdings Ltd. (TASE: MGDL) launched a supplementary health insurance policy. Shortly afterwards, Clalit Health Fund launched a similar policy with Harel Insurance Investments and Financial Services Ltd. (TASE: HARL) unit Dikla Insurance Company. Clalit was previously Harel's partner in Dikla, with a 35% stake, which it sold to Harel in exchange for a 4% holding in Harel.
Published by Globes [online], Israel business news - www.globes-online.com - on March 24, 2010
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