Latest news with #criticalillness
The Sun
11-06-2025
- Health
- The Sun
Woman, 31, adds name to euthanasia list after ‘grim' cancer diagnosis – then she receives ‘haunting' realisation
A WOMAN who was told she had advanced-stage breast cancer and only months to live received shocking news just days later. Gabriella Patey, 31, received the "grim diagnosis" that had also claimed her mum's life, and began telling family and friends, as well as making end-of-life preparations. 2 2 Living in Canada, Gabriella put a claim through her bank for critical illness insurance and put her name on the list for medically assisted dying. She told Global News: "I just came to terms with it. This is what it was, just absolutely devastating." But just says later, her family doctor called with some unbelievable news. She recalled: "I got another call from my primary care physician stating, actually, there had been a critical patient error at the IWK (Health Centre). "And the file with the grim diagnosis did not even belong to me. "I didn't even really believe her. I mean why should I? They had made this mistake once, how could they make it again?" Gabriella first discovered a lump on her breast in October 2023, not long after her mum had died of the disease. Over the course of a year, she had multiple ultrasounds at the Breast Health Clinic at the IWK Health Centre in Halifax, Nova Scotia. In May 17, following a biopsy, Gabriella received the "great news" there were no traces of breast cancer. But two and a half weeks later, her family doctor called to say there must have been mistake as she did actually have cancer. I planned my suicide after my GP misdiagnosed me - turns out I wasn't depressed The news came just five days after she'd finished successful treatment for thyroid cancer. Two days later, however, her family doctor confirmed it was actually an error - she didn't have cancer. Gabriella's doctor went to the IWK to check her lab report. She said: "A director in the pathology department spoke to my primary care physician verbally admitted that it was a critical patient error." While Gabriella has received an apology from IWK, she's been left doubting Nova Scotia's health-care system and is pursuing legal action. She said she and her family have been left haunted by what's happened. 'It's absolutely devastating to get a diagnosis like that. I had to look my husband in the face and tell him,' she said. '(We have) all these plans for our future and (I had to) say, 'I may not be here to live out those plans with you.' I mean we're crying ourselves to sleep every night.' In a statement to Global News, a spokesperson from IWK Health said "concerns of this nature are taken seriously." Spokesperson Andrea Slaney wrote: "Due to patient privacy, IWK Health is unable to comment on specific cases. "However, concerns of this nature are taken seriously and a formal investigation process is followed with engagement from IWK's Quality, Patient Safety and Patient Experience team."
Telegraph
22-05-2025
- Health
- Telegraph
Aviva denies man HIV payout over blood transfusion clause
A man who made a health insurance claim after testing positive for HIV was denied a payout because of the way he contracted the virus. The man, known only as Mr C, said he was infected after receiving medical assistance on holiday. He subsequently lodged a claim via the critical illness policy he had taken out. However, Aviva decided he didn't meet its criteria for how the virus was transmitted and refused to pay out. Mr C and his wife then complained to the Financial Ombudsman Service, but it ruled against them. The couple took out a life and critical illness policy with Aviva in 2017, then made the claim after Mr C was diagnosed with HIV last year. He said he had contracted the condition during medical investigations and treatment while on holiday. The policy did list HIV as a critical illness, but only paid out when it was contracted as part of a blood transfusion, a physical assault or an accident at work. It also stated that 'HIV infection resulting from any other means, including sexual activity or drug misuse' was not covered. After assessing Mr C's claim, Aviva declined to pay out, as records showed he did not receive a blood transfusion. He then went to the Ombudsman, but after examining the evidence, it rejected his case and a subsequent appeal. 'Complex and inconsistent' rules Lindsey Ponsonby, of the National AIDS Trust, said her organisation regularly heard from people living with HIV who faced barriers to accessing financial services and insurance. She said: 'These cases highlight how complex and inconsistent the rules can be. We are particularly concerned by the way transmission routes are categorised, which only serve to reinforce outdated and harmful distinctions between so-called 'innocent' and 'non-innocent' modes of transmission. 'This decision highlights a case that falls squarely between the cracks – where rigid rules fail to reflect the realities of people's lives. The outcome is clearly unfair and underscores the urgent need for more inclusive and evidence-based policies.' The Association of British Insurers provides minimum standards for what a critical illness policy must include, alongside model wording for insurance companies to use. Cancer, heart attack and stroke are covered by all policies. In 2014, it released guidance that included wording on HIV, which was used in Mr C's policy with Aviva. However, the association removed this in 2018, enabling firms to adopt the wording they considered appropriate. It also said that medical advancements meant that some conditions, including HIV, could no longer be considered 'critical' in terms of life expectancy. Aviva paid out £389m in critical illness claims in 2024, but its policies no longer cover HIV. A spokesman for the insurer said he could not comment on specific cases without the customer's permission. He added: 'In 2018, the Association of British Insurers removed HIV from its minimum standards for critical illness. Aviva removed HIV as a condition on its new policies following this guidance to the industry. 'On our policies underwritten in 2017, cover for HIV was provided where the condition was as a result of a blood transfusion, a physical assault or an accident at work.
Arabian Business
13-05-2025
- Business
- Arabian Business
Heart attacks among women in the Middle East rise 50%, new report finds
Heart attacks and strokes among Middle Eastern women have increased by 50 per cent since 2020, according to a new report by Zurich International Life Ltd. The report also highlights a significant insurance gap, with women being underinsured compared to men. The 2025 Customer Claims Paid Report by Zurich International Life, part of Zurich Insurance Group, is based on retail and group life policy claims from 2022 to 2024. Rising health risks among women It found that cancer and heart disease together accounted for almost half of all death claims in the region. Among women who claimed living benefits for heart disease, one in 10 were smokers. Zurich reported a rise in claims this year to over $241 million, compared to $210 million last year. Despite the increase in critical health risks, three in five women reportedly have life cover below $200,000. The average life cover for men is 88 per cent higher than for women. 'For households where women contribute to family income or lead financially, this could create serious vulnerabilities when life takes an unexpected turn,' the report stated. The findings also reveal that life-altering illnesses are affecting individuals at increasingly younger ages. Critical illness claims have been made by individuals from the age of 23, and life cover claims from the age of 27. The youngest death claim was for a 27-year-old, while a critical illness claim was made for a 9-year-old child. 'In life's most challenging seasons, we stand as a reliable partner, providing essential support to families when they need it most. Over the past three years, we've paid 98 per cent of life claims across 73 countries, and when all documents are in place, most claims are settled within 72 hours. Timely support can make a real difference,' Shilpa Chitanand, Head of Retail Distribution at Zurich Middle East said. Zurich said that while awareness of health risks is growing, financial preparedness remains limited. The average age for a life cover claim is 52, and 51 for terminal illness. 'Looking at the benefit payout figures for the year, we've seen a sharp year-on-year increase in life and critical illness claims, possibly the most significant jump since 2020. This reinforces two truths – the need for protection has never been higher, and too many families are still acting too late,' Shilpa said.
