Health clinic objects to conditions imposed by insurance agency

A private clinic has filed a judicial protest claiming that a company offering health insurance was behaving in a way that did not allow a level playing field by informing clients to choose only those clinics or hospitals forming part of its approved list.

St Edward's Clinic further claimed that, in its letter to clients, Bupa Malta Ltd, through Global Capital Health Insurance Agency Ltd, said that if they chose private clinics or hospitals not on the approved list they would only be reimbursed 80 per cent of the expenses incurred. The clinic said such behaviour was not conducive to a level playing field among competing clinics and hospitals.

St Edward's Clinic further complained that it was suffering as a result of the agreement struck by Bupa with the private hospitals and clinics in order to feature on the approved list. The clinic therefore called on Bupa Malta Ltd and Global Capital Health Insurance Agency Ltd to withdraw the directive to its clients and held them responsible for damages.

Lawyer Michael Tanti-Dougall signed the judicial protest.