Axa PPP removes cancer cover limits

Axa PPP has removed all cost and time limits for licensed cancer drug treatment for patients on its standard individual and SME plans.

It comes as part of the insurer's new commitment to cancer and heart disease coverage including improved treatment terms for policyholders.

The provider is also waiving any monetary limits that may apply to out-patient tests and consultations for cancer patients and will offer experimental drugs when pre-agreed as part of an ethical trial.

Injectable hormone treatment and bisphosphonate treatment used to manage cancer are fully covered during active treatment, while requests for experimental surgery will be considered.

Heart surgery patients will also benefit from no time limits to follow-up tests and consultations to monitor their progress and recovery.

And the provider is widening access to its freephone Dedicated Nurse service to those diagnosed with a heart condition to support members and their families.

Previously it was only available for cancer patients.

Other cancer cover features include: a hospice benefit providing a charitable donation of £100 per night for care provided in a registered hospice or for hospice care provided at home without a time or monetary limit and additional expenses support including £150 towards wigs and up to £5,000 to cover the cost of external prostheses such as eyes or limbs.

Fergus Craig, commercial director at Axa PPP, said: "We want our members to be confident that, if they need treatment for cancer or a heart problem, we're committed to supporting them - not just by settling their medical bills but also by helping them through our Dedicated Nurse service and by providing additional benefits that can help to make life a little easier when they need it most."

The changes apply both to new customers and existing members with immediate effect while Axa PPP's large corporate and healthcare trust customers will continue to have the option to choose their level of cover for treatment of cancer.