life assurance and STD testing

[veron01]

Re: Medical/Lifestyle Questions and Underwriting Standards

"Please explain why anyone would volunteer for an STD test if they had NEVER indulged in risky behavours?"

Because Rainday if you read up on STD's, you might be very shocked to read how people can be infected with various STD's even when someone is practising "safe sex".

I know it shocked the hell out of me...

That is why I have to disagree that all people who get tested are on some level involved in some sort of risky behaviour.

Sex full stop is risky behaviour.

 

[ajapale]

Medical Lifestyle Questions and Underwriting Standards

There are some life assurance companies who will look favourably on those who can provide evidence of regular medical compliance:

[broken link removed]

Evidence of medical compliance, regular health care and especially preventative health care screenings (mammograms, blood pressure checks, colon and prostate cancer screening) should be viewed favorably.

and..

optimistic attitudes, lack of depressive symptoms, evidence of intact and active social networks are all favorable prognostic factors that have been connected with longevity

ajapale

 

[CDM01]

STD testing & Insurance companies

All sexual contact carries a degree of risk

However Insurance companies are not discriminating against people who have had a STD test. Their rates are based on risk, with the level of risk being established by the past history of their clients.

Driving your car one mile per year has an associataed risk. It’s unlikely that you will have an accident, but it could happen. The more sexual partners you have, the higher the risk of catching a std as you don’t who is a carrier, as symptoms may not show for months or even years.

Using car insurance as an example, it wouldn’t be fair that the premium for a driver who has had two accidents in the last 5 years should pay the same as somebody who hasn’t had any.

The driver may not have an accident for another 40 years, but based on the data available to the insurance company this driver is more likely to have an accident.

Likewise it is known that people who have been tested for a STD have a higher probability of catching a STD in the future – On average they will have had more sexual partners and engage in more ‘risky’ sexual behaviour.

Due to the accosiated health problems of STD’s, the insurance company is more likely to incur additional costs in the future. Therefore the insurance company will charge the person who has been tested for a STD extra over and above the person who has not, as on average they will make higher claims

 

[ajapale]

Re: STD testing & Insurance companies

All sexual contact carries a degree of risk

All human activity carries a degree of risk

However Insurance companies are not discriminating against people who have had a STD test.

They are if they make unfavourable underwriting decisions based on the response to the question "have you ever tested for STD's?" Surely a better question for every one is "have you ever diagnosed or treated for an STD?"

Using car insurance as an example

Should the insurance companies ask "how many times have you brought you car to see a mechanic?" rather than the more sensible "how many claims have you made?"

Likewise it is known that people who have been tested for a STD have a higher probability of catching a STD in the future

This may be true, but a better indicator is the actual incidence of STD.

Due to the accosiated health problems of STD’s, the insurance company is more likely to incur additional costs in the future.

I think the original question related to Life Assurance companies. What extra costs do Life Assurance incur as a result of STD's?


ajapale

 

[CDM01]

Re: Life Assurance

Quote: AJAPALE
They are if they make unfavourable underwriting decisions based on the response to the question "have you ever tested for STD's?" Surely a better question for every one is "have you ever diagnosed or treated for an STD?"


CDM01 - They’re not discriminating against people who have been tested for std’s.

Insurance is based on assessing the risk. The higher the risk, the higher the cost – people who have been tested for STD are more likely to get a std and the related health problems that could potentially be fatal. Seems simple enough to understand.


Quote: AJAPALE

This may be true, but a better indicator is the actual incidence of STD.

CDM01 - The fact remains that the people who have been tested have a higher actual incidence of std than the general public.


Quote: AJAPALE

I think the original question related to Life Assurance companies. What extra costs do Life Assurance incur as a result of STD's?

CDM01 - Genital warts for example can increase the probability of cancer in women. If that cancer takes a woman’s death there would be a cost to the insurance company

________________________

 

[ajapale]

Are there any questions LA Cos should not be allowed ask?

Hi CDM01,

For clarity I have reproduced the standard questions asked here:

1
Have you smoked cigarettes in the last 12 months?

2
a)Have you, within the last three years, consulted anyone, (for example, doctors, clinics, hospitals or osteopath) about your physical or mental health? (Do not include advice for common cold, influenza, minor injury, negative routine X-ray, pregnancy without complication, blood test for donor purposes or usual childhood ailments, except rheumatic fever.)
b) Are you taking any medicines or drugs, whether or not prescribed by a medical practitioner or receiving any treatment?

3
Have you tested positive for HIV/AIDS, Hepatitis B or C or have you been tested/treated for any other sexually transmitted diseases or are you awaiting the results of any such tests? If yes, please provide details - if you prefer, for confidentiality purposes these may be sent directly to our Chief Medical Officer .......... Co. Dublin.

4
Has any application for life assurance, critical illness cover, or permanent health insurance on your life been postponed, accepted on special terms, refused or withdrawn?

OK CDM01, If I were to accept all your points ie ...
LA companies dont discriminate,
LA companies manage risk and carry out thier business accordingly,
there is a good correlation between std testing and motality.................
............Are there any questions LA companies should not be allowed ask?


ajaplae

 

[CDM01]

Re: Are there any questions LA Cos should not be allowed ask

Yeah, Your quite right.....

There does have to be a limit on how far a private company can infringe on your privacy.

 

[ajapale]

Re: Are there any questions LA Cos should not be allowed ask

Great! a sort of concencus is reached.

I think the discussion was very useful in that it highlighted the delicate balance between an Assurance Companies right to persue its legimate business of managing risk for profit and their obligations with respect to social responsibilty, regulation and treating customers in a fair and equatible fashion.

ajapale

 

[ajapale]

This question has been raised again here.