HONG KONG, Jan. 15, 2020 /PRNewswire/ -- According to a recent survey conducted by AXA Hong Kong, comprising 1,000 Hong Kong people, it is deduced that more than one-third of those surveyed have been diagnosed with chronic diseases in which this proportion increased to over 50% in the 45-60 age group[1]. Observed chronic diseases do not solely trouble the aged, AXA Hong Kong have been bringing customers with innovative health management solutions. Furthermore, government's latest statistics also reveal that the proportion of chronic disease patients aged 15-24 years increased from 9.2% to 12.4% in 3 years[2]. Taking diabetes mellitus as an example, it is estimated that this affects one person in every 10 in Hong Kong, and for one in every 5 diabetic patients, the disease occurs before the age of 40[3]. Furthermore, the age-standardised prevalence of gout increased continuously in 10 years, reaching 1.4% in 2016[4]. Indeed the cost of chronic disease management is often as burdensome as that of critical diseases, the expenditure involved is too high to be disregarded.
'AXA BetterMe', a one-of-a-kind platform launched by AXA Hong Kong in 2018, strives to promote overall physical and mental wellbeing by offering a unique suite of diseases management programmes and health protection and diseases prevention solutions. This year, AXA Hong Kong announced the 'AXA Chronic Disease Management Programme' (Programme), collaborating with CUHK Medical Clinic, Hong Kong Diabetes Specialist Centre, HKSH Medical Group and Virtus Medical Group. The programme targets different chronic diseases, including diabetes mellitus, hypertension, hypercholesterolemia and gout, and provides an all inclusive service that include outpatient medical consultations, annual comprehensive complication, dietitian consultation, and more.
Dr. Alexander Chiu, Medical Director, Health and Employee Benefits, AXA Hong Kong and Macau, said, "The demand for insurance for chronic diseases cannot be ignored. AXA Hong Kong has reformed its core concept of insurance and expanded the coverage of its products to cope with changes in society since 2018, helping customers improve their health. The collaboration with CUHK Medical Clinic, Hong Kong Diabetes Specialist Centre, HKSH Medical Group and Virtus Medical Group aims at helping chronic disease patients in a more effective way, with proper consultation and solutions provided by professional medical organisations. We are looking forward to working with more of these reputable medical institutions, and to providing more personalized and flexible plans and products, to overcome the challenges of the market and to help our customers prepare a healthy body and mind to embrace the future."
All 'AXA Wiseguard Pro Medical Insurance' eligible customers[5] are entitled to particiate in 'AXA Chronic Disease Management Programme' with 12-month of medical service. The participants are allowed to choose one of the following institutions as their service provider: CUHK Medical Clinic, Hong Kong Diabetes Specialist Centre, HKSH Medical Group and Virtus Medical Group. Under the Programme, the participants will receive up to four out-patient medical consultations by a registered medical practitioner, one dietician consultation and one annual comprehensive complication assessment by an endocrinologist or specialist, and nurse communication.
To provide the best healthcare to customers, a registered medical practitioner will be assigned to support each participant throughout the entire Programme journey. The registered medical practitioner will conduct an initial medical consultation, as well as follow-up appointments. A personal health target will be set according to the condition of each individual, including electrocardiogram (ECG), blood test for blood pressure and/or HbA1c, for a more effective health management routine. For those who successfully reach their goal, a 10% premium discount[6] will be given against their eligible basic plan in recognition of the efforts which the customer has striven to achieve.
Meanwhile, the expenditure of daily medication and self-financed drugs could be a huge financial burden. In view of this, this Programme offers an option of medication from a pre-agreed list or alternative medication at a special discount. It covers up to 52 weeks of treatment/dosage[7] which provides a more comprehensive protection to the customer.
Initiatives under 'AXA BetterMe' include the 'Quit Smoking Incentive Programme', 'AXA Diabetes & Three-Highs Management Programme', 'Health Collaboration Programme' with Mannings and also the 'Mind Health' promotes employee wellness. AXA Hong Kong will put forth the "payer to partners" promise by developing more innovative solutions with renowned medical institutions under 'AXA BetterMe', empowering customers to lead a healthy and happy life.
Please visit the following website to learn more about 'AXA Better Me':
https://www.axa.com.hk/zh/axa-betterme
[1] The online survey was conducted by Edelman Intelligence, a market research company, interviewing 1,000 people aged 18-60 years old from 4th May to 2nd June in 2019. 38% respondents have been diagnosed with chronic disease while 52% of them are aged 45-60. |
[2] Thematic Household Survey Report, No. 68: Proportion of chronic disease patients increase from 28.4% in 2016/2017 to 31.1% in 2018/19. The proportion of patients aged 15-24 increase 9.2% to 12.4%. https://www.statistics.gov.hk/pub/B11302682019XXXXB0100.pdf |
[3] Announced by Department of Health, HKSAR: https://www.statistics.gov.hk/pub/B11302682019XXXXB0100.pdf |
[4] Data from Department of Health, HKSAR: https://www.chp.gov.hk/files/pdf/ncd_watch_april_2019.pdf |
[5] A customer successfully submits an application for any basic plan or supplement of AXA WiseGuard Pro Medical Insurance Plan; and every such new basic plan or new supplement under a new/existing basic plan must be successfully issued and in force. |
[6] Premium discount shall be credited to the Account upon AXA's receipt of confirmation from the designated medical service provider that the targets have been achieved, and such arrangement is subject to AXA's approval. For details of the offer, please refer to the programme leaflet and clauses 12 -19 under the terms and conditions of the programme. If there are any discrepancies between this Press Release and the programme leaflet, the programme leaflet shall prevail for all purposes. |
[7] For the "medication included" version, medication from a pre-agreed list will be included in the Programme that covers up to 52 weeks of treatment/dosage at HKD 25,000; for the "medication not included" version at HKD 13,000, no medication will be included in the Programme and the charges of any medication will be borne by the Eligible Customer who shall pay such charges directly to the designated third-party medical service provider. |
ABOUT AXA HONG KONG AND MACAU
AXA Hong Kong and Macau, a member of the AXA Group, prides itself on serving over 1.3 million customers[i] with our superior products and services. AXA is the top-tier life insurer in Hong Kong with the longest history[ii]. In addition to being the No. 1 global Property & Casualty commercial lines insurer[iii], we are the No. 1 most considered insurance brand in Hong Kong[iv]. We are also one of the largest health protection providers in Hong Kong and Macau.
AXA is one of the most diversified insurers, providing a full range of coverage for individual and commercial customers. We offer all-round, integrated solutions across Life, Health and Property & Casualty to address all of our customers' insurance needs. In keeping with our brand promise "Know You Can", AXA strives to be a lifelong partner to our customers by empowering them to achieve their goals and live better lives.
As an innovative insurer, we leverage on Big Data and AI to transform the customer experience end-to-end, making insurance simpler and more personal. We continue to drive innovation notably in health and protection, supporting customers in prevention, treatment and recovery.
We also believe it is our inherent responsibility to support the communities in which we operate. AXA Foundation is our flagship corporate social responsibility programme covering all of our efforts in promoting holistic wellbeing and supporting the underprivileged to create a positive and lasting impact in the communities of Hong Kong and Macau.
[i] Including customers of AXA China Region Insurance Company Limited, AXA China Region Insurance Company (Bermuda) Limited (incorporated in Bermuda with limited liability), and AXA General Insurance Hong Kong Limited |
[ii] Top tier insurers are defined based on the annualised premiums of Individual Direct New Business (Classes A to F) of Statistics on Hong Kong Long Term Insurance Business published by the Insurance Authority. |
[iii] AXA Corporate Solutions, AXA Matrix Risk Consultants, AXA Insurance Company, and AXA Art with AXA XL's insurance and reinsurance operations combined |
[iv] AXA Hong Kong Brand Preference Tracking Report 2019 |
THIS PRESS RELEASE IS AVAILABLE ON AXA'S WEBSITE: AXA.COM.HK
IMPORTANT LEGAL INFORMATION AND CAUTIONARY STATEMENTS CONCERNING FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS
Certain statements contained herein may be forward-looking statements including, but not limited to, statements that are predictions of or indicate future events, trends, plans or objectives. Undue reliance should not be placed on such statements because, by their nature, they are subject to known and unknown risks and uncertainties and can be affected by other factors that could cause actual results and AXA's plans and objectives to differ materially from those expressed or implied in the forward-looking statements. Please refer to Part 4 - "Risk factors and risk management" of AXA's Document de Référence (Annual Report) for the year ended December 31, 2016, for a description of certain important factors, risks and uncertainties that may affect AXA's business, and/or results of operations. AXA undertakes no obligation to publicly update or revise any of these forward-looking statements, whether to reflect new information, future events or circumstances or otherwise.
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