The Daily Dispatch E-Edition

Rise in dread disease claims blamed on plunge in early screening due to Covid

GARTH THEUNISSEN

A big decrease in health screening since Covid has distinct parallels with an upward trend in severe illness claims, says SA’S top health insurer.

Discovery Life is out a total of R11bn to clients in 2022 in claims linked to uncertain, life-altering events and shared-value benefits, according to the group’s annual claims review.

The payouts comprised R9.1bn in individual life and group life claims and R1.9bn in Payback and Cash Conversion payments.

The lingering, residual effects of the Covid-19 pandemic was evident in Discovery Life’s increased claims for living benefits compared with 2021, said Gareth Friedlander, Discovery Life’s deputy CEO.

“Despite fewer Covid19 related death claims, severe illness payouts rose by 16%, disability by 38% and income protection by 6%,” he said.

Mortality risk from Covid-19 is trending significantly lower, though the longer-term impact is expected to persist.

Friedlander said a worrying side-effect of the pandemic is a big decrease in screening, and this went in parallel with higher claims for severe illness.

“Cancer has always been high on the list of severe illness claims,” said Dr Maritha Van Der Walt.

“Now, after the reduction in screening during the pandemic, we’re seeing the impact of latestage diagnoses.”

Discovery Life said while breast cancer has an overall survival rate of only 30%, that increased to 95% in cases where it was diagnosed early. Similarly, prostate cancer has a 31% overall survival rate that increases to 99% if diagnosed early.

The SA Depression and Anxiety Group (SADAG) and University of the Witwatersrand estimate that 5.5-million more South Africans are dealing with depression since the pandemic.

Discovery Life said that during the past 10 years it has paid out more than R3.2bn for mental and behavioural claims, including suicides. Suicide claims in 2022 were 13% higher than the pre-pandemic period between 2019 and 2021 and 24% above the 2016-2018 period.

Cumulatively, Discovery Life has paid out R47bn in claims to clients since inception in 2000. It has also paid out more than R10.4bn in Paybacks to clients. Payback is the insurer’s cash incentive that enables clients to earn up to 100% of their premiums back through the duration of their policies by managing their health and wellness.

Business

en-za

2023-06-09T07:00:00.0000000Z

2023-06-09T07:00:00.0000000Z

https://dispatch.pressreader.com/article/282484303162439

Arena Holdings PTY