HIV and its implication on insurance

HIV in Singapore has become a health and social issue that a government committee has been formed to look into this problem. The impact on a person with HIV from the insurance perspective is terrible.

1. Medical Expense Insurance (e.g. Medishield or private shield plans)

HIV is excluded in this form of insurance. Therefore, a HIV patient has to pay the hospitalisation bills by his/her savings.

2. Disability Income Insurance

AIDS is excluded in this form of insurance. Therefore, a HIV patient cannot claim the loss of income as a result of AIDS.

3. Critical Illness Insurance

HIV is claimable provided:

a. the infection was through a blood transfusion;

b. the blood transfusion was medically necessary or given as part of a medical treatment;

c. the blood transfusion was received in Singapore.

Or the person got infected during his/her professional duties. Only people in the medical profession (i.e. doctor, nurse, medical lab techinican, paramedical worker etc) qualify for this claim.

4. Life Insurance

If the policy was inforced BEFORE the person got HIV, life insurance proceed(death benefit) is claimable.

If the person already got HIV, no life insurance company would approve new life policy on him/her.

Therefore, beside the health and social issues, a HIV patient will be hit hard financially as well.