In response to the latest cancer trends, and to support society's needs, AIA Hong Kong announces the launch of AIA "Cancer Guardian 3" on 5 October. It is a brand new one-stop cancer care solution that provides an array of unique-in-market protection features and value-added services to address multiple pain points on the cancer care journey. At an affordable premium as low as HK$1.6 a day#, AIA "Cancer Guardian 3" encourages proactive management of cancer risks with the introduction of unique-in-market1 "Prevention and Early Detection Benefits"2. It allows customers to reimburse the cost of HPV vaccinations or cancer screening, helping them lower cancer risks with prevention and early and timely detection. Moreover, the new plan offers first-in-market1 "Experimental Drugs Benefit"3 to help relieve customers' financial burden while allowing them to access a greater range of treatment options. The plan also caters to a more holistic range of treatment methods and psychological well-being, with multiple innovative benefits, including the unique-in-market "Expressive Art Therapy"4 cover and the extension of the "Registered Chinese Medical Practitioner Consultation Benefit" to cover a range of treatments, including the unique-in-market1 tui na treatment. In addition, the plan offers the "Health Pilot" service, a one-stop personalised solution that integrates with cancer care professionals across different disciplines and specialities for a holistic care plan that features a diverse range of valued-added services, including the "Personal Medical Case Management Services with Rehabilitation Management"7. AIA "Cancer Guardian 3" ensures comprehensive support for customers to better address their pain points and needs arising from the full cancer journey, from Prevention and Prediction11 all the way to Diagnosis, Treatment and Recovery.
Moreover, AIA Hong Kong funded The Centre for Health Systems & Policy Research, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care, The Chinese University of Hong Kong to review international literature and to conduct an independent study on cancer care in Hong Kong. AIA Hong Kong did not participate in the design, conduct, or analysis; interpretation and reporting of the results; or writing of the report. Key findings from the study5 include:
Prevention, Screening and Early Detection of Cancer
- Proactive cancer screening can be cost-effective
(Survey5 respondents aged 18-49)
- 70% of respondents did not know that the three most commonly diagnosed cancers in Hong Kong were lung cancer, colorectal cancer and breast cancer
- Over 60% of respondents had no prior experience of cancer screening
- 40% of respondents were not familiar with colorectal cancer screening method
- Over 80% of respondents considered government subsidy or insurance cover effective in motivating people to take up cancer screening proactively
Diagnosis and Treatment
- Advances in cancer care technology come with escalating treatment costs. An overseas study noted that relevant costs could increase by nearly fivefold in 15 years
- Chinese medicine might help alleviate the discomfort of cancer treatments
Recovery
- Fighting cancer calls for integrated care with psychological support to the patient and their family during the patient's cancer journey
Ms. Alice Liang, Chief Proposition Officer of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said, "AIA is delighted to fund this independent study conducted by The Centre for Health Systems & Policy Research, The Jockey Club School of Public Health and Primary Care of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The study has not only enabled us to have a deeper understanding of the cancer care trends in Hong Kong, but also shed more light on the pain points and needs of our customers. The new AIA 'Cancer Guardian 3' is a one-stop cancer care solution that exemplifies our philosophy of 'customer-centricity' and delivers on our steadfast commitment to take care of key needs of customers all the way from Prevention and Prediction11 to Diagnosis, Treatment and Recovery. We will continue to address our customers' needs by combining innovative product features with enhanced value-added services. By encouraging people to actively manage cancer risks at different stages and embrace a preventive approach such as adopting healthy living habits, taking up cancer screening and preventative vaccinations, we can help to prevent some cancers, detect others earlier and so, help ensure our customers receive timely and appropriate treatments with the latest medical technology. We endeavour to stand with our customers along their cancer care journey, helping them live Healthier, Longer, Better Lives."
AIA "Cancer Guardian 3" is a one-stop cancer care solution. At an affordable premium, it combines protection with value-added services to help customers cope with various medical expenses related to covered cancer, from Prevention and Prediction11 to Diagnosis, Treatment and Recovery. Key product features@ include:
- Unique-in-market1 "Prevention and Early Detection Benefits"2: Reimbursement for HPV vaccination and cancer screening to lower cancer risks and proactively screen early-stage cancer. In addition, if the insured is diagnosed with a covered cancer, two immediate family members will also receive preventive cancer check-ups protection6;
- First-in-market1 Cover for "Experimental Drugs Benefit"3: Cover of up to HK$1.5 million to enable customers to access the latest treatment options, alleviating the financial burden of treatment drugs;
- Unique-in-market1 "Expressive Arts Therapy Cover"4: Catering to the different treatment needs of customers, the plan covers expressive arts therapy that allows the insured and an immediate family member to improve their emotional wellbeing and receive appropriate emotional support through creative mediums such as art and music;
- "Registered Chinese Medical Practitioner Consultation Benefit": In tandem with the future development of integrated Chinese Western Medicine, the "Registered Chinese Medical Practitioner Consultation Benefit" has been extended to cover tui na treatment, in addition to prescribed Chinese medicine and acupuncture, helping to relieve the side effects of cancer treatment;
- Unique-in-market1 Covered Cancer Limit Reset Every 3 Years: Continuous protection against any covered cancer, be it a new covered cancer or recurrence or metastasis of a covered cancer. The covered cancer limit is up to HK$3 million, and will be replenished every three years with a lifetime cancer limit of up to HK$9 million, further relieving customers of the financial burden of medical expenses;
- Affordable Premium: Premium as low as HK$1.6 a day#
Moreover, AIA "Cancer Guardian 3" provides an array of value-added services, including:
- Health Pilot7: Tailor-made value-added services via designated service providers to help ease customers and their families' worries in their fight against cancer and support them on the road to recovery. Services include: (1) Personal Medical Case Management Services with Rehabilitation Management7 that features a network of over 4,000 leading specialists10 from around the world that offers third-party independent professional opinions and follow-ups, a personalised rehabilitation plan and a dedicated healthcare hotline for medical enquiry; (2) caregiver support services; (3) concierge for oncology related services8; (4) community resources support; (5) cashless hospitalisation service and claims application consultation; (6) dedicated hotline to handle customers' enquiries to ease their concerns related to the claims process;
- Hassle-free Medical Payment at Home: The service covers designated private hospitals locally in Hong Kong, Macau and China. Once the service is approved, AIA Hong Kong will settle on behalf of customers the medical expenses incurred during their hospital stay, allowing them to focus on recovery without the stress of paying hospital bills and making subsequent claims9;
- Worldwide Emergency Assistance: A worldwide assistance hotline is open 24/7 for any emergency support customers might need, especially while they are abroad.