ABOUT THIS EDITION
Dear Insured Member,
We are delighted to present the March edition of the bimonthly UNSMIS newsletter!
In this issue we will discuss the following:
- Preventive checkups
- Recommended vaccination
- Genetic tests
- Update of the ASHI request process
- UNSMIS mobile app update
- New toll-free emergency helpline
The newsletter will be sent to insured members via email, will be published on the website and will appear as a pop-up window on the eClaims Portal.
We hope you find this newsletter helpful.
Kind regards,
The UNSMIS Team
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The primary objective of a preventive health check-up is to promote early detection and prevention of diseases. Screening tests and check-ups can identify health problems early, making them easier to treat.
Recently, UNSMIS expanded its coverage to include preventive medical check-ups under the following conditions:
"Preventive medical check-ups without diagnosis and prior authorization (the prescription should detail the required exams and medical reason) are covered up to CHF 1,000.- per year."
To clarify, preventive medical check-ups are designed for a complete screening of an
individual's health condition, typically conducted at a hospital. These do not result in a diagnosis but may form the basis for medical treatment or further examination.
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In contrast, specific preventive tests and examinations aim to diagnose the presence or absence of a specific disease. Typical preventive examinations include mammograms, breast echography, blood tests, and STI tests. These are considered preventive measures and are not included under the general check-ups limit of CHF 1,000 per calendar year. For a complete list of reimbursable preventive tests, please check the communication on Preventive Care on our website.
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Effective 1 February 2025, a medical prescription is no longer required for the reimbursement of WHO’s Routine Immunization recommendations. The list of these vaccinations is freely available on WHO’s website.
If you require a vaccine that is not included in this list, kindly ask your doctor to provide a referral or prescription and attach it to your claim.
The reimbursement rate for vaccinations, whether requiring prescription or not, is 80%,
except for influenza and COVID vaccinations which are reimbursed at 100%.
Vaccinations for official duty travel are typically reimbursed by your Organization at 100%. Therefore, such claims should be submitted directly to your Organization and not to UNSMIS.
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The results of a genetic test can confirm a suspected genetic condition and assist in developing a treatment plan.
When a genetic condition is diagnosed, any necessary follow-up is tailored to the needs of the individual: medical follow-up can be advised, or the use of medicines can be
adjusted.
UNSMIS introduced a new reimbursement rule related to genetic tests and liquid
biopsies.
First, please send your request to the
Medical Adviser with the following
documents:
• A medical report indicating the suspected illness or direct family illness history.
• A prescription issued by a geneticist other than the one performing the test.
• A quotation.
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Once prior authorization is granted, you may undergo testing, which will be reimbursed at 80%.
The coverage extends to testing for a maximum of 100 genes.
Genetic tests exceeding 100 genes will not be reimbursed.
Tests performed without prior authorization will not be reimbursed.
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UPDATE OF THE ASHI REQUEST PROCESS
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In our effort to make our administrative processes more effective and user-friendly, we are
introducing a new, more detailed application form for our After-Service Health Insurance (ASHI) plan offered to our retiring insured members. Additionally, we have removed the requirement of an advance premium payment for ASHI.
We wanted to highlight these changes as we have noticed that many retirees fill in the ASHI request form and pay the previously required advance premium before reaching out to us first.
Since eligibility for After-Service Health Insurance should be determined by our colleagues, we recommend contacting our Affiliations Team via email at unsmisaffiliations@un.org before retirement. They will then guide eligible insured members through the correct process and provide the most up-to-date request form.
The new form is available for download on our website.
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We are dedicated to continuously improving the UNSMIS mobile app to ensure superior performance, stability, and a seamless user experience. Our latest release includes essential technical updates that enhance the app’s functionality. To take full advantage of these improvements, we kindly encourage you to always use the most current version. For a detailed guide on updating the app on your mobile device, please visit our website.
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NEW TOLL-FREE EMERGENCY HELPLINE
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Kindly note that UNSMIS has a new, global toll-free emergency helpline. The number is as follows:
For further information on the emergency helpline, please visit our website.
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