AMII Promotes Professionalism amongst PMI Advisors
Mike Izzard, AMII Chairman, outlines AMII's role in promoting professionalism amongst independent health insurance advisors.
A key focus of my chairmanship of AMII is the continuing professional development of our members. Our Constitution states that the first and foremost objective of AMII is "to promote and maintain high standards of professional and ethical conduct". I believe that this not only applies to our members but that AMII should lead the way in promoting professionalism across the whole private medical insurance marketplace.
PMI is a unique and complex general insurance product. This is demonstrated by the fact that there are a significant number of specialist intermediaries dedicated to the PMI sector. IFAs and General Insurance intermediaries who are looking to PMI as an additional source of revenue need to be aware that PMI requires it's own set of skills and technical ability, to be able to offer competent advice to clients.
Part of AMII's remit must be to provide the tools PMI advisers need to demonstrate their knowledge of this product and the marketplace. The Association already delivers quality training - either in the form of dedicated training sessions, such as those Branko Bjelobaba delivered in 2008 to our members on the FSA and "Treating Customers Fairly", or presentations from key industry figures at our regular member meetings and annual conference. With the support of our insurer partners, we were able to deliver these training events at no additional cost to our members.
Looking to the future for AMII, the next year is going to see a greater focus on training and competence. We are currently working with the Chartered Insurance Institute (CII) to introduce a new training course and examination for PMI, with AMII at the forefront of developing the syllabus and the CII invigilating the coursework and examination. Our aim is to make this course relevant to both healthcare intermediaries and the employees of health insurers, so that this examination becomes the qualification of choice for all PMI practitioners.
However, professional intermediaries also need to demonstrate an on-going commitment to maintaining their knowledge. Over the coming year AMII will be developing a more co-ordinated approach to training – using the web-site, regular meetings, our page in Health Insurance magazine and the annual conference to deliver a robust Continuing Professional Development structure to our members.
Looking at the wider economy, there is no doubt that 2009 will be a challenging year for the health insurance industry. AMII will support it's members in facing the current economic climate, but also ensure that firms focus on the future. Those intermediaries that embrace our drive to improve the professionalism of the PMI industry will be stronger and fitter, and better placed to reap the rewards that the next upturn in the economy will bring.
AN EDITED VERSION OF THIS ARTICLE APPEARED IN THE FEBRUARY 2009 ISSUE OF HEALTH INSURANCE.
2009-03-14
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The Association of Medical Insurance Intermediaries (AMII) is available and always willing to contribute on medical insurance & healthcare issues.
When you require input from AMII please contact:
Martin Wood, Concise PR
Direct tel: 01252 656435,
Mobile: 07946 527240
or
Stephanie Spicer, Concise PR
Direct tel: 01234 772078,
Mobile: 07879 811102
Alternatively:
Chairman
Andrew Tripp
Tel: 0845 862 7000
Mobile: 07770 387524
or
General Secretary
Michael Payne
Tel: 01206 731181
Mobile: 07971 231869