Washington, March 19 (IANS) India’s second-largest health insurer, ICICI Lombard is partnering with America’s UnitedHealth Group to provide Indian travellers to the US with access to a broad array of health care services. Through this initiative, any of ICICI Lombard’s 1.6 million policyholders travelling to the US will have access to UnitedHealthcare’s preferred provider network as well as medical management and organised resources that align to their health needs, according to a company announcement.

The partnership with ICICI Lombard illustrates the increasingly global nature of today’s health care marketplace in which health companies are offering broader access to more innovative health care solutions for a more mobile population, the Minneapolis, Minnesota based company said.

UnitedHealth Group’s growing global business is helping lead this trend by offering expatriate coverage for both US and international foreign companies.

A recent independent study by SK&A Information Services, Inc., a leading provider of health care information solutions and research, found that US physician offices accept UnitedHealthcare insurance more than any other plan, it said.

Sudhir Menon, Head, Travel Insurance, ICICI Lombard, said: “This partnership is an innovative benefit for Indians who are increasingly travelling abroad for both occupational and educational purposes.

“We are committed to continuously enhancing our service and value proposition, and we look forward to leveraging the assets of UnitedHealth Group to deliver the best in service and resources to our customers throughout their travels to the United States.”

Ori Karev, CEO of UnitedHealth International, said: “Our new partnership with ICICI Lombard is an important step in making access to cross-border health care more seamless for consumers, a model we are exploring in multiple markets.

“ICICI Lombard is an outstanding partner committed to enhancing the quality and access to health care for its members. We believe Indians traveling overseas will have peace of mind knowing that, when they visit the US, their health care needs will be met.”

ICICI Lombard is a 74:26 joint venture between ICICI Bank Limited, India’s second largest bank with $79 billion in assets and Fairfax Financial Holdings Limited, a Canada-based $26 billion diversified financial services company engaged in general insurance, reinsurance, insurance claims management and investment management.

Headquartered in Minneapolis, Minnesota, UnitedHealth Group is one of the largest and most diverse health care companies in the US. It offers a broad spectrum of products and services through seven operating businesses to about 70 million Americans.