The additional two definitions will pay 20% of the sum assured, over and above the original sum assured.The changes, implemented as of today (23 May), mean that Bright Grey now has a total of 43 critical illness definitions.
Introducing cover for ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS), an early form of breast cancer, puts Bright Grey ahead of many of its competitors, who currently only offer cover for mastectomy. In addition, Bright Grey has upgraded the definition of stroke to ABI+ taking the total number of ABI+ definitions to nine.
The five new definitions are for:
- Pulmonary artery graft surgery - surgery to divide the breastbone
- Encephalitis - diagnosis of encephalitis resulting in permanent symptoms
- Intensive care 10 days - any sickness or injury resulting in a person requiring continuous mechanical ventilation for 10 consecutive days or more
- Multiple system atrophy - diagnosis of multiple system atrophy resulting in permanent symptoms
- Pneumonectomy - the undergoing of surgery to remove an entire lung.
The additional two definitions are for:
- Ductal carcinoma in situ (DCIS) - the undergoing of a mastectomy, partial mastectomy, segmentectomy or lumpectomy operation for early forms of breast cancer
- Low grade prostate cancer - tumours of the prostate classified as having a Gleason score between 2 and 6 inclusive.
Ian Smart, Head of Product Development & Technical Support, at Bright Grey said:
"With the treatment of illnesses such as cancer, stroke and heart disease constantly improving and with more people surviving conditions they would have died from 20 years ago, it is crucial that our critical illness cover keeps pace with these advances.
"Introducing two definitions that will provide additional cover for people suffering from early forms of cancer is a big step forward in terms of offering IFAs even greater choice for their clients."
