Health Shield has become a member of the Health Insurance Counter Fraud Group (HICFG), the organisation designed to stamp out fraud in the healthcare market through joint working and shared intelligence.
By becoming an associate member of the industry group, the health cash plan provider Health Shield has taken a firm stance on tackling issues such as medical negligence, benefit cheats and scams.
Chief executive of the Health Shield Jonathan Burton said: “We are acutely aware that the widespread issue of fraud within the industry can impact heavily upon them if decisive action is not taken against the problem.”
Health Shield’s decision to join HICFG follows the introduction earlier this year of a new provision to protect its members against fraudulent claims and misuse.
The Health Shield has pledged to remove any member who attempts to make a fraudulent claim.
Claims manager Melanie Price commented: “We believe it is essential to tackle fraudulent behaviour head on, to ensure the majority of our members do not suffer because of certain individuals abusing the system.”
A total of 29 health-related insurance companies are currently subscribed to the HICFG. The membership also includes illness insurers, re-insurers, health-related expat insurers and health cash plan insurers.