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Home / Critical illness cover / - HIV or AIDS from Occupational Duties or Accident
Background information
By the end of 2001, more than 48,000 people had been diagnosed HIV-positive.
Over the same period, over 12,000 had died with AIDS.
In addition, it is estimated that there are currently more than 11,000 people living with HIV - unaware of being HIV-positive.
While the number of people dying from AIDS is falling (due to the widespread introduction of 'combination therapy' in 1996), the number of people living with HIV is set to increase by 47% between 2000 and 2005.
(Terrence Higgins Trust, 2002)
Definition
Infection by HIV or AIDS provided:
- the infection results directly from occupational duties or accidental exposure involving involuntary contact with either:
- a hypodermic needle or an infected sharp instrument; or
- a person infected with HIV;
- the incident happens in the European Union, The Channel Islands or The Isle of Man after the cover start date;
- within five days, the incident is recorded as having been reported:
- according to the procedures of the relevant occupation;
- to a GP; or to the police, and
- a test, showing no HIV or HIV antibodies, is made within five days of the incident and a later test is made within 12 months showing infection by HIV or AIDS.
What does this mean?
Any incident which takes place whilst performing occupational duties, or any accident at work or elsewhere which leads to infection with the HIV virus would be covered. A claim would be paid out if, in conjunction with the procedures outlined above, it is proved that infection with HIV was a result of occupational duties or an accident. Note that this condition is not restricted to the emergency services – all occupations are covered.
NEWS
Parkinson's disease conference held
16 October 2007 16:13:02
Critical illness
cover customers suffering from Parkinson's disease are being kept up-to-date on research into the condition.
The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) presented its latest findings at a two-day conference attended by a number of professionals from the field.
Several experts gave presentations at the event in New York which was open to anyone affected by the condition, from patients and caregivers to researchers and health professionals.
"With a disease like Parkinson's, where everyone's case is unique, it is crucial to realise how it affects day-to-day living," commented Lucien Cote, professor of neurology at Columbia University.
Ahead of the conference, sponsored by research-driven pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim and other industry leaders, Ms Cote pointed out that it would focus on issues making a genuine difference to the lives of those with Parkinson's disease.
In August, Boehringer Ingelheim revealed the preliminary result of a study of patients with Parkinson's disease, with the trial confirming the prevalence of depression in patients with the condition.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online.
Obesity and smoking can push up premiums
04 October 2007 14:32:03
The cost of life insurance can be affected if a customer's body is not "in beautiful condition", according to one adviser.
Stewart Parr, an insurance expert for financial consultants Moneyextra.com, pointed out that an individual's current state of health is likely to be the key variable for the purchase of life cover.
"Underwriters get alarmed by the presence of cancer and heart disease and conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, particularly if there is a family history of illness," he commented.
He added that more attention is now given to other aspects of an unhealthy lifestyle, with excess bodyweight and smoking viewed as particularly detrimental.
Smokers already lose out on cheap life cover according to the adviser, while obesity-induced heart disease is predicted to overtake the habit as a major cause of early death in the UK.
Mr Parr highlighted that extra benefits such as critical illness also add to a premium's price.
A new type of life insurance, income protection and critical illness cover launched recently by Prudential UK and South African insurer Discovery aims to reward customers who have healthy lifestyles.
PruProtect offers "vitality points" which can be offset against the cost of annual premiums.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online.
Advanced stage cancer more common among uninsured
20 February 2008 17:15:58
A study of cancer patients in the US has revealed that sufferers who did not have a private health insurance policy were more likely to have the disease in its advanced stages.
The findings may boost life insurance and critical illness cover policies.
Researchers from the American Cancer Society studied 12 types of cancer among more than 3.5 million cancer patients and found a link between patients without insurance and advanced cancers that could have been detected earlier by screening or evaluation of symptoms.
John Seffrin, chief executive officer for the American Cancer Society, said: "The findings of this major study are critical, not only for the 47 million Americans who have no health insurance, but also for our nation."
The study, published in The Lancet Oncology, used America's National Cancer Database, which includes information for around 73 per cent of patients diagnosed with cancer in the US, for the research.
Breast cancer was found to have the highest risk of developing to advanced stages undiagnosed.
Patients who are part of Medicaid, the United State's health programme for individuals and families with low income, also had increased risks of developing the disease in its advanced stages compared to patients with private health insurance.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online
16 October 2007 16:13:02
Critical illness
cover customers suffering from Parkinson's disease are being kept up-to-date on research into the condition.
The Parkinson's Disease Foundation (PDF) presented its latest findings at a two-day conference attended by a number of professionals from the field.
Several experts gave presentations at the event in New York which was open to anyone affected by the condition, from patients and caregivers to researchers and health professionals.
"With a disease like Parkinson's, where everyone's case is unique, it is crucial to realise how it affects day-to-day living," commented Lucien Cote, professor of neurology at Columbia University.
Ahead of the conference, sponsored by research-driven pharmaceutical firm Boehringer Ingelheim and other industry leaders, Ms Cote pointed out that it would focus on issues making a genuine difference to the lives of those with Parkinson's disease.
In August, Boehringer Ingelheim revealed the preliminary result of a study of patients with Parkinson's disease, with the trial confirming the prevalence of depression in patients with the condition.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online.
04 October 2007 14:32:03
The cost of life insurance can be affected if a customer's body is not "in beautiful condition", according to one adviser.
Stewart Parr, an insurance expert for financial consultants Moneyextra.com, pointed out that an individual's current state of health is likely to be the key variable for the purchase of life cover.
"Underwriters get alarmed by the presence of cancer and heart disease and conditions such as diabetes or high blood pressure, particularly if there is a family history of illness," he commented.
He added that more attention is now given to other aspects of an unhealthy lifestyle, with excess bodyweight and smoking viewed as particularly detrimental.
Smokers already lose out on cheap life cover according to the adviser, while obesity-induced heart disease is predicted to overtake the habit as a major cause of early death in the UK.
Mr Parr highlighted that extra benefits such as critical illness also add to a premium's price.
A new type of life insurance, income protection and critical illness cover launched recently by Prudential UK and South African insurer Discovery aims to reward customers who have healthy lifestyles.
PruProtect offers "vitality points" which can be offset against the cost of annual premiums.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online.
20 February 2008 17:15:58
A study of cancer patients in the US has revealed that sufferers who did not have a private health insurance policy were more likely to have the disease in its advanced stages.
The findings may boost life insurance and critical illness cover policies.
Researchers from the American Cancer Society studied 12 types of cancer among more than 3.5 million cancer patients and found a link between patients without insurance and advanced cancers that could have been detected earlier by screening or evaluation of symptoms.
John Seffrin, chief executive officer for the American Cancer Society, said: "The findings of this major study are critical, not only for the 47 million Americans who have no health insurance, but also for our nation."
The study, published in The Lancet Oncology, used America's National Cancer Database, which includes information for around 73 per cent of patients diagnosed with cancer in the US, for the research.
Breast cancer was found to have the highest risk of developing to advanced stages undiagnosed.
Patients who are part of Medicaid, the United State's health programme for individuals and families with low income, also had increased risks of developing the disease in its advanced stages compared to patients with private health insurance.
Direct Life and Pensions Services Ltd are one of the UK's leading providers of life insurance, term life assurance, mortgage protection, critical illness and life insurance advice online