Novel underwriting technique allows providers to consider patient history
A new underwriting approach will mean people who have had heart attacks before taking out insurance can now be covered. Unum has announced it will be softer on heart attack sufferers following medical advances that have meant most people are able to return to work after suffering from one.
It will consider providing cover for employees who have taken out group income protection despite having suffered a heart attack previously; the provider will do this by utilising a new medical underwriting approach.
The radical technique concentrates on attitudes and behaviours that inform the provider of the likelihood of illness or injury that causes long-term sickness in an individual; meaning Unum will not underwrite a diagnosis in isolation.
The provider will also be able to offer cover for people who have had a range of other potentially serious illnesses such as cancer, paraplegia, back pain and diabetes.
Andy Couchman, director of Bank House Communications, said that this new approach was good news for employees and employers alike: "It recognises it is often not just illness and disability that stops someone working but a complex range of other factors including attitude."
He added: "Insurers are recognising it is not just people in class-one occupations with perfect health that should be our target market."
Couchman said: "Advisers do not choose clients based on their health and insurers do not have to either as Unum's move proves."
