Over-arching definition could provide greater product clarity
The Association of British Insurers (ABI) has revealed the possibility of creating an over-arching cancer definition for critical illness (CI) policies. The ABI's CI working party has had preliminary discussions about introducing a single cancer definition, but no final decision has yet been made.
Discussing the possibility, Richard Walsh, head of health at ABI, said having one cancer definition would create greater clarity and understanding for consumers and providers, but stressed it would not be an easy task.
'There is a case for looking at an over-arching cancer definition for critical illness cover. It would be good to get one detailed definition, instead of having lots of different detailed cancer definitions. But there is a whole range of things to take into consideration, such as the practicality of doing this as well as the pricing issues involved,' he said.
Walsh added that discussions were still in the very early stages, but did not rule out future meetings. He stressed that while the working party has discussed the possibility of a single cancer definition, no details had been discussed on what this would include if it were to be put in place.
With continued and rapid improvements in medical developments, creating one definition could prove prob- lematic if new cancer treatments are discovered. Medical dev-elopments have already led to changes in the definition of prostate cancer, with low grade diagnoses being excluded under current plans.
Roger Edwards, products director at Bright Grey, said an over-arching cancer definition would create simplicity for consumers, but stressed the differing degrees of cancer means doing so will prove difficult.
'If we could get to a point where there was one overriding cancer definition it would be fantastic for consumers and providers as it would provide increased clarity. On the other hand, it could be argued that until the developments with prostate cancer there was essentially one definition.
'However, if a way of treating or curing a type of cancer was discovered, then it would not take long for it to get complicated and once again we could end up with different cancer definitions to reflect these changes,' he said.
