News that Zurich has simplified its underwriting requirements for medical insurance generated lots of reader interest this week…
Zurich has announced it has simplified its underwriting requirements following a review with its medical experts, with changes becoming effective from 7 February.
In an update intended for financial advisers, key changes include:
GP medical exams replaced with express exams
Zurich notes replacing GP medical exams with express exams means nurses can be arranged at convenient appointment times “…making it quicker and simpler for the customer to attend”, while still capturing the same key screening elements just as effectively.
HIV and Hep B& C test changes
HIV and Hep B&C have been removed from mandatory blood test requirements.
The insurer states the incidence of HIV and Hep B & C in the general population in Australia is very low, “…with ongoing advances in medical treatment only expected to further minimise incidence and severity into the future.”
In addition to these two initiatives:
- Breast exams have been replaced with mammograms, with mammograms is seen as a more favourable customer experience
- **Stress ECGs have been replaced with stress echocardiograms as these area more effective investigation than the stress ECG – especially in younger individuals, according to Zurich
These changes were announced at the same time as the insurer released its ‘Flatter Pricing’ premium option initiative, reported last week (see: Zurich Launches ‘Flatter Pricing’ Option).
Advisers can click here for more details.
**While stress echocardiography can imply which artery may be narrowing, stress ECG does not specify which coronary artery is the culprit vessel
