Influenza A (H1N1): Frequently Asked Questions
In the wake of the Influenza A (H1N1) outbreak, you may be wondering if your life or health insurance policies provide coverage under pandemic conditions.
Here are some quick answers to the questions you may have.
- I have a Medical Expense policy.
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I do not own an individual health insurance policy but I am covered under my companys group health insurance plan.
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I have travel commitments. Should I contract Influenza A (H1N1) whilst overseas, will my health insurance policy cover foreign treatment costs?
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I have a life insurance policy and I am covered under my companys group life policy. Am I adequately covered for Influenza A (H1N1)?
A Medical Expense policy (also known as a Hospital and Surgical policy) will pay if you need to be hospitalised as a result of being infected with Influenza A (H1N1). Integrated Shield Plans are included under this type of policy.
However, depending on the terms and conditions of your policy, there may be limits and/or sub-limits placed on the amount you can claim for Influenza A (H1N1)-related treatment costs.
Also, some Medical Expense policies may have a specific exclusion, i.e. it will not pay if the insured has to be confined, isolated or quarantined in accordance with the law.
As exclusions can vary from product to product, you are advised to check with your insurance company to be clear on what your policy covers.
A Hospital Cash policy (also known as a Hospital Income policy) will pay a fixed amount of cash for each day that you are warded for Influenza A (H1N1)-related medical treatment or surgery.
However, some policies may have a specific exclusion on infectious diseases. You will not receive any benefits if your policy has such an exclusion clause.
It is advisable to check with your insurance company on what your policy covers.
You may not be covered for medical costs as a result of being infected with Influenza A (H1N1) as not all group health policies provide cover under pandemic conditions.
You should check with your group policy administrator on what the group policy covers.
A Critical Illness policy pays a lump sum when you are first diagnosed with a disease or after having a type of surgery that is covered by the policy. It does not pay for your medical bills or hospitalisation expenses.
Influenza A (H1N1) is not classified as a critical illness and thus is not covered under Critical Illness policies.
Health insurance policies commonly provide coverage anywhere in the world.
However, some products impose geographic limits. This means that treatment provided in certain countries or regions will not be covered.
It is advisable to review your policy and check with your insurance company on what it covers. If there are gaps, you should consider enhancing the coverage to ensure that you are adequately covered.
All life insurance policies pay on death or on total and permanent disability due to any cause. Your life policy will pay out the death benefit should one die as a result of being infected with Influenza H1N1.
Examples: whole life policy, endowment policy, term insurance, investment-linked policy
As hospitalisation and medical costs are not covered under life insurance policies, it is prudent to consider buying health insurance to take care of medical costs incurred as a result of Influenza A (H1N1).
Do discuss your healthcare needs with a professional insurance adviser. He should recommend suitable and affordable options for your consideration.