Q&A with Care Plus Part of Bupa on the Brazilian Employee Benefits Landscape

Insurope Network Member Care Plus Part of Bupa serves more than 1,000 companies covering 250,000 members while providing a range of world-class premium healthcare products (medical, dental, occupational health and preventive care), in medical only there are 130,000 members. Care Plus’s mission is helping people live longer, healthier, and happier lives. We recently sat down with the team to discuss the unique market landscape in Brazil. 

Q: Why is Brazil considered an attractive business location for multinational companies, and what are its key strengths and challenges?

Brazil is considered an attractive business location for multinational companies because of its market size, strategic position in Latin America, and diverse economic base, but it also presents notable challenges that companies must navigate.

Q: What’s unique about the Brazilian employee medical benefits market?

The Brazilian market is unique because private medical benefits are both expected and essential, heavily regulated, and deeply tied to talent strategy. For multinationals, this means benefits are not optional extras but a core part of operating successfully in Brazil.

Q: Are there any recent regulatory changes impacting the medical benefits market?

The Agência Nacional de Saúde Suplementar (ANS), Brazil’s private health insurance regulator, has tightened rules on minimum coverage requirements, claims management, and financial reserves. Insurers must maintain stronger technical reserves to ensure solvency and protect beneficiaries. Also, in there is new labor regulations (NR-1) require employers to address psychosocial risks in the workplace. This has increased demand for mental health programs and benefits, making them a compliance issue as well as wellness initiatives. In terms data protection and privacy, employers are now subject to stricter digital reporting obligations for benefits and pay equity audits. This affects how companies document and communicate employee benefits.

Q: Where does Care Plus fit into the market?

Care Plus occupies a premium niche in Brazil’s health insurance market, positioning itself as the go-to provider for multinational companies and high-end corporate clients. Its role is distinctive as very customer centric while maintain claim management. Care Plus also offer dental coverage schemes, dental clinics, vaccination campaign and clinic and occupational health solutions.

Q: How is Care Plus adapting to changes in the market? How about medical cost increases?

Care Plus is helping transform the healthcare model in Brazil, shifting from a system-centered approach to one based on the 4 Ps: Predictive, Preventive, Participatory, and Personalized. Click here to watch the full interview on YouTube or listen on Spotify, and see how we are building a future that is more human, more connected, and more intelligent.

Q: What does all this mean for multinational employers operating locally?

All the above is only effective per member engagement. So, employers are essential to communicate, empower and clearly the available solutions. Data should be used as opportunities to centralize on member the medical journey therefore integration and value along the value chain. Therefore, health connectivity is so important.