AIA Hong Kong announces today the launch of AIA Metro-Trio Medical & Critical Illness Protection Plan, a market-first solution tailor-made to cover individuals with “three high” condition, and further demonstrates the Company's continuous commitment in extending its medical cover to offer protection to those who faced difficulties in obtaining medical cover. First-of-its-kind in Hong Kong, the new plan is specially designed for individuals diagnosed with “three high” (diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia) and offers them an all-in-one medical, critical illness and life protection, even diabetes patients with Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) as high as 10% – highest in town – also have a chance to be covered. The plan's guaranteed renewal feature also enables more people to receive appropriate protection*..

Ms. Bonnie Tse, General Manager, Business Strategy and Marketing of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said, “As ‘The Real Life Company,' AIA Hong Kong understands that ‘three high' are the three most common urban chronic diseases in Hong Kong<>. Since getting the right protection may not be easy for individuals with these conditions, long-term treatment costs can strain their finances. In light of the situation, we are steadfast in extending our cover and our market-first solution – AIA Metro-Trio Medical & Critical Illness Protection Plan – is designed to meet their needs and help them bridge the protection gap. This solution exemplifies our mission of creating shared value in a sustainable and effective manner for the economy and community to benefit all stakeholders, fulfilling our brand promise of helping people live longer, healthier and better lives.”

According to information from the Asia Diabetes Foundation, diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia (“three high”) are the top three chronic diseases in Hong Kong1. Government statistics revealed that the number of patients diagnosed with “three high” has been on the rise in recent years. From 2008 to 2014, patients with diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia surged by 29%, 39% and 54%, respectively².

Among the “three high”, diabetes is the one of the top ten leading causes of death in Hong Kong³. Every year, about 5% of diabetes patients are either diagnosed with serious illnesses or deceased⁴. The major causes of death include cancer, stroke, diabetic nephropathy and critical illnesses related to the heart⁵. In addition, a confirmed diagnosis of all “three high” together would increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20-fold⁶. For diabetes patients who fail to maintain their conditions within prescribed levels, the morbidity rate of coronary heart disease in 10 years is nearly two times higher than that of patients who have reached two to three treatment targets⁷.

Continued self-management is crucial for diabetes patients. According to international guidelines, diabetes patients should attend four to six follow-up consultations (including basic prescription and laboratory assessment), one comprehensive screening, and self-care education (two to three hours) annually. The average total annual expense for outpatient care in is about HK$10,000 to 12,000 (based on figures from public health care institutions)⁸.

The costs will be higher if patients are diagnosed with other complications or critical illnesses or managed in the private sector. For example, the projected lifetime treatment costs for cardiovascular-renal disease amount from HK$120,796 to 563,379⁹.

These figures indicate that patients with “three high” chronic conditions need comprehensive protection. The AIA Metro-Trio Medical & Critical Illness Protection Plan is the first all-in-one medical, critical illness and life protection plan designed for individuals with “three high” conditions in Hong Kong. It also helps them alleviate the long-term heavy financial burden arising from medical costs. Four key competitive advantages of the plan include:

“Three high” chronic diseases can also lead to many fatal critical illnesses. Nevertheless, patients can manage their conditions by adopting a healthy lifestyle. In addition to developing innovative products to ensure more people in need can receive high-quality medical protection, AIA Hong Kong is also keen on encouraging individuals with “three high” to improve their health. Customers of the AIA Metro-Trio Medical & Critical Illness Protection Plan who are also AIA Vitality members can enjoy an instant 10% and up to 15% premium discount and an array of rewards and discounts, including up to 24 free movie tickets every year, shopping coupons, hotel and air ticket offers, and discounts on fresh fruit and vegetables purchases¹⁰. They will also receive enhanced medical protection as their health improve.

Customers who successfully apply for the AIA Metro-Trio Medical & Critical Illness Protection Plan between 1 October and 30 November 2017, and also register as AIA Vitality members, will be eligible to receive a “fitlife Health Coaching Program and Genetic Test.”¹¹ Using innovative DNA technology, fitlife helps customers formulate a more effective and personalised health solution. Privileged services which help customers achieve their health goals include “pre-test consultations,” “7-day personalised diet programme” and “personalised health programme.”

The above information is for reference only. For the details on the product features, content and conditions, please refer to the product brochure and the terms & conditions of the policy contract.

AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau are subsidiaries of AIA Group Limited. AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, we have over 14,300 AIA financial planners ¹, as well as an extensive network of brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve more than 2.7 million customers ², offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, mandatory provident fund, personal lines insurance to investment-linked products with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high net worth customers.

¹ as at 30 June 2017   ² as at 31 January 2017

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacific – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Macau, Brunei, Cambodia, a 97 per cent subsidiary in Sri Lanka, a 49 per cent joint venture in India and a representative office in Myanmar.

The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai almost a century ago. It is a market leader in the Asia-Pacific region (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$200 billion as of 31 May 2017.

AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia-Pacific, AIA serves the holders of more than 30 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.

AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).