The industry has approved the ABI Working Party's proposals to change the heart attack definition
The inclusion of troponin tests in the definition of heart attack in critical illness (CI) policies looks likely to go ahead, following a positive response to the consultation paper, published in December last year by the Association of British Insurers (ABI) CI Working Party.
Around 90% of respondents felt the model definition should be changed to reflect the increasing use of troponins ' biochemical markers ' to detect heart attacks. According to the ABI, respondents felt a change in definition would ensure policies remain up-to-date with medical science and reflect the techniques used by the medical profession when detecting heart attacks.
The ABI also confirmed premium increases were possible following the change. When the paper was first published, industry fears were aired over a possible rise. Evidence of troponin alone is not conclusive of a heart attack as the same chemical can also be released with conditions such as angina and acute coronary syndrome.
In response to this, the ABI has proposed a clause to the definition, excluding such conditions. Instead, it puts the predicted rise down to increasing claims as the use of troponin becomes more common.
Nick Kirwan, chairman of the ABI Working Party, said: 'If troponin causes an increase ' due to more reported heart attacks ' it will happen whether we change the definition or not. Even if more people are diagnosed, not changing the definition would increase uncertainty as there will be a gap between the evidence the hospital has and the evidence insurers ask for.'
Other recommendations included the stating of specific troponin levels for cover, but the ABI said this would make the definition 'more cumbersome', reducing clarity for consumers.
The ABI plans to finalise the wording of the new definition in time to be included in its revised Statement of Best Practice in May.
ABI's revised draft for heart attack definition:
The death of a portion of heart muscle, due to inadequate blood supply, that has resulted in all the following evidence of acute myocardial infarcation: typical chest pain; new characteristic electrocardiographic change; the characteristic rise of cardiac enzymes, troponins or other biochemical markers; where all of the above shows a definite acute myocardial infarction. Other acute coronary syndromes, including but not limited to angina, are not covered under this definition.
Source: ABI
