By Chee Jo-Ey
THERE is no proven specific treatment or anti-viral drug for Covid-19 as of now. Patients are provided only supportive treatment based on their clinical condition.
Symptoms of Covid-19 infection are similar to that of pneumonia. Typical symptoms include fever, cough and shortness of breath.
As this is somewhat uncharted territory, medical procedures and costs can get unpredictable.
Patients might need to be quarantined in medical settings where elaborate tests and treatments will be involved.
Covid-19 patients in Singapore are discharged only when fully recovered. Prior to discharge, two swab tests at least 24 hours apart are done, using sputum samples, nasal or throat swabs. Doctors may also conduct tests with fecal or urine samples. Tests on consecutive days have to be negative before patients can be discharged. Patients are also given a date for follow-up at the hospital, according to the Ministry of Health in Singapore.
Although the disease is not as prevalent in Malaysia compared with other countries at the moment, we don’t want to be caught unprepared and some insurance companies have already started providing extra coverage to its customers. Most of the special coverage offered do not require extra premium or charges.
Prudential
Prudential has a Special Novel Coronavirus Coverage with a lump sum payout of RM5,000 to customers diagnosed with the Covid-19 by any of the hospitals identified by the Ministry of Health (MoH). There is no additional cost for this special coverage.
“This extra coverage is a bonus to help clients. But we should also focus on selecting and purchasing a comprehensive medical policy and pay attention to features like extension of age and limit of cover. It is important to make sure that your policy is valid and comprehensive,” said a Prudential insurance agent who only wanted to be known as Chung.
Great Eastern Life Assurance
Great Eastern Life Assurance has created a Financial Assistance Programme of RM1 mil for Covid-19 patients which is applicable from Feb 17 to Dec 31.
Upon diagnosis of Covid-19 and kept in quarantine at any of the MoH designated hospitals, the company will provide a cash assistance of RM200 per day up to 60 days of hospitalisation. A lump sum of RM20,000 per life will be paid out upon death due to Covid-19.
All life assured of Great Eastern Life whose policy is enforced prior to the end date of the Financial Assistance Programme (except for compulsory group employee benefits) are eligible.
Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia
Tokio Marine Life Insurance Malaysia is also extending medical coverage to customers with any of its medical card for hospital admission within Malaysia related to the Covid-19.
It will also be providing a special lump sum compassionate benefit of RM5,000 to customers in the event of death due to Covid-19 from now until March 31. There will be no increase in premium or additional charges for this extension of medical coverage.
AIA Malaysia
AIA will be offering extra coverage for cases related to the Covid-19. AIA Individual Life, Family Takaful, and Flex PA customers will be entitled to a hospitalisation and death benefit at no extra charge until June 30.
Under the coverage, policy holders will receive hospitalisation benefits of RM200 per day payable up to 30 days of hospitalisation upon diagnosis of Covid-19 and kept in quarantine at any one of the MoH’s designated referral hospitals. AIA will pay out an additional lump sum of RM10,000 per life should the insured succumb to the disease. – March 5, 2020
