When you should consider Full Medical Underwriting

There are many considerations for expatriates choosing private medical insurance, but none more important than making sure you know what medical conditions you are not covered for.

It is far better for you to find out about exclusions before you join, than when you face a bill for expensive medical treatment that is excluded under the terms of your moratorium policy.

Here we explain what pre-existing conditions are, and when you should opt for full medical underwriting. Plus, read this case example for additional help.

PRE-EXISTING CONDITIONS AND RELATED CONDITIONS

The Global Health plans do not cover the treatment of pre-existing medical conditions and related conditions.

A pre-existing medical condition means any disease, illness or injury for which you have received medication, advice or treatment, or for which you have experienced symptoms, whether the condition has been diagnosed or not, at any time before the date on which your Global Health plan starts.

A related condition is any disease, illness or injury that is caused by a pre-existing condition or results from the same underlying cause as a pre-existing condition.

FULL MEDICAL UNDERWRITING (FMU)

With this option you will have to complete a health declaration in respect of your medical history, and based on the information you declare, we will advise you at the outset if there are any specific exclusions that will apply to your cover.

Consider this option:

To get a 3% premium discount – our fully underwritten premiums are 3% cheaper than the moratorium premiums.
If you are aged 55 or more. You must apply for FMU if you are over 55.
If you have suffered from any type of serious and/or chronic medical condition. For example if you have ever suffered from any form of cancer, any type of heart or circulatory disorder, or any medical condition for which it is generally accepted medical advice that you should attend a regular consultation for on-going medical treatment or advice (including check-ups), or take drugs, medicines or injections, or follow a special diet.

MORATORIUM UNDERWRITING

With moratorium underwriting, after two years of continuous cover, some pre-existing medical conditions will become eligible for benefit, subject to the terms and conditions of your plan, and provided you have not consulted any doctor or medical practitioner for medical treatment or advice (including check-ups), or taken medication, (including drugs, medicines, special diets or injections), or suffered symptoms for that medical condition, or for any related condition, for a continuous period of two years.

Consider this option:

If you have suffered from a medical condition in the past, which is not a chronic OR a serious condition, for which you want cover should it recur in the future.

CHOOSE THE BEST OPTION FOR YOU

If you have suffered from any type of serious or chronic condition we strongly recommend that you complete a fully underwritten application form and make a full declaration about your medical history.

In that way we can advise you of any exclusions that will apply to your cover before you join the plan and you can decide whether or not you wish to proceed.

Talk to your broker or one of our sales advisers if you require more help.