To help users better understand how international health insurance, we are committed a series of exclusive interviews with doctors who agreed to answer us.

In this second interview, BSI wanted to know the opinion of a physician on the medical questionnaire in the purchase of a contract international health, in addition to CFE « the 1st euro » (or « pension » for significant capital). What is the role? Why is it essential for the insurer?

Dr. Romain GIRE, graduated from the Faculty of Medicine of Saint-Étienne, Saint-Didier en Velay, gives us his opinion on the medical questionnaire.

BSI: Dr. Gire, from your point of view of doctor, why the insurance company wish to ensure the good health of the Subscriber at the time of the signature of a contract? Happening including a « medical questionnaire » and sometimes a physical or medical examinations.

Dr. Gire: To apply for certain contracts, insurance candidate will indeed have a « medical questionnaire » and in some cases a doctor will need to, in addition, give its opinion. Statements form the basis of the contract. The insurance company must indeed be in full knowledge of the « health profile » of the future to confirm or not its conditions. The doctor is the expert authority which will sometimes have to certify a State of health, and his signature hired him.

BSI: And the medical secret in all of this?

Dr. Gire: Medical confidentiality prohibited the doctor to disclose information about the patient’s health without the express permission of it. When the patient comes to us, it is to him that we are meeting… not the insurer.

BSI: Does in the medical questionnaire answer all the questions?

Dr. Gire: Yes, the insured (or the physician) must answer « in good faith » to all the questions asked by the insurer. This isn’t to you that I will learn that the intentional misrepresentation by the insured can be source of nullity of contract. As for the doctor, he could be sentenced to 3 months imprisonment and 1500 euros fine…

BSI: In conclusion doctor? Dr. Gire: To be honest, I think most of my colleagues like myself who really like to complete a medical questionnaire… but it is our duty if the patient so requests. Remember, your potential customers that it is so better make sure as long as one is healthy, because otherwise it turns quickly problematic, if not impossible.

BSI: Thank you Dr. IWRM!