UAP pays millions for new critical illness insurance

Underwriter UAP Old Mutual has in the past two months paid out Sh28.7 million on treatment expenses for terminally ill patients enrolled in its Critical Illnesses cover launched last October.

Managing director in charge of Life Business Jerim Otieno said the payouts were for breast cancer and chronic kidney disease where beneficiaries on average spent about Sh104,000.

“Kenyans now appreciate the need for enrolling for the Critical Illnesses product as ordinarily, terminal ailments are not covered under the standard medical insurance schemes” said Mr Otieno.

The firm is set to intensify promotion campaigns across Kenya for the product it said was mooted as a direct response to customers’ enquiries and research.

While conventional medical insurance products limit hospitals where one can seek treatment, the new cover allows patients to select hospitals as well as caters for expenses incurred due to lifestyle changes.

“Our cover allows a holder to seek treatment at a facility located in a country of their choice and we cover costs emanating from lifestyle changes such as buying wheelchairs, special diets, hire care-givers or even start a business to shore up their resource base,” he said.

To avert fraud, the insured must provide medical reports as well as undergo a second diagnosis and treatment by a UAP Old Mutual appointed doctor.

The Critical Illnesses cover is subdivided into two — for individuals who are allowed to choose a premium amount they can afford based on the total sum assured and the family cover available for a spouse and a maximum of four children aged between three months and 18 years, or up to 25 years if they are still in school.

Employers funding the cover can opt to cover an individual employee or extend to include family members.