Life & Critical Illness Blog

In Part 1 of our ABI (Association of British Insurers) Critical Illness Definitions guide we looked at the definitions for Alzeimers Disease, Aorta Graft Surgery, Benign Brain Tumour, Blindness and Cancer.  Part 2 dealt with Coma, Coronary Artery By-Pass grafts, Deafness, Heart-Attack, Heart Valve Replacement or Repair and HIV Infection.  Here are the remaining Critical Illness Definitions:-

Kidney failure – requiring dialysis

Chronic and end stage failure of both kidneys to function, as a result of which regular dialysis is necessary.

Loss of speech – permanent and irreversible

Total permanent and irreversible loss of the ability to speak as a result of physical injury or disease.

Loss of hands or feet – permanent physical severance

Permanent physical severance of any combination of 2 or more hands or feet at or above the wrist or ankle joints.

Major organ transplant

The undergoing as a recipient of a transplant of bone marrow or of a complete heart, kidney,liver, lung, or pancreas, or inclusion on an
official UK waiting list for such a procedure.

For the above definition, the following is not covered:

• Transplant of any other organs, parts of organs, tissues or cells.

Motor neurone disease [before age x] – resulting in permanent symptoms

A definite diagnosis of motor neurone disease (before age x) by a Consultant Neurologist. There must be permanent clinical impairment
of motor function.

Multiple sclerosis – with persisting symptoms

A definite diagnosis of Multiple Sclerosis by a Consultant Neurologist. There must be current clinical impairment of motor or sensory
function, which must have persisted for a continuous period of at least 6 months.

Paralysis of limbs – total and irreversible

Total and irreversible loss of muscle function to the whole of any 2 limbs.

Parkinson’s disease [before age x] – resulting in permanent symptoms

A definite diagnosis of Parkinson’s disease (before age x) by a Consultant Neurologist. There must be permanent clinical impairment
of motor function with associated tremor,rigidity of movement and postural instability.

For the above definition, the following is not covered:

• Parkinson’s disease secondary to drug abuse.

Stroke – resulting in permanent symptoms

Death of brain tissue due to inadequate blood supply or haemorrhage within the skull resulting in permanent neurological deficit with
persisting clinical symptoms.

For the above definition, the following are not covered:
• Transient ischaemic attack.
• Traumatic injury to brain tissue or blood vessels.

Terminal illness

Advanced or rapidly progressing incurable illness where, in the opinions of an attending Consultant and our Chief Medical Officer, the
life expectancy is no greater than 12 months.

Third degree burns – covering 20% of the body’s surface area

Burns that involve damage or destruction of the skin to its full depth through to the underlying tissue and covering at least 20% of
the body’s surface area.

Traumatic head injury – resulting in permanent symptoms

Death of brain tissue due to traumatic injury resulting in permanent neurological deficit with persistent clinical symptoms.