Changes include 10 enhanced definitions over and above ABI model definitions, enhanced cover for children, additional condition of cardiac arrest for standard cover, better terms and conditions for flexible benefit clients and an enhanced Best Doctor’s service offering.
Cardiac arrest has been added to the Standard Cover along with enhanced definitions for cancer, major organ transplant, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson’s disease and stroke. The Comprehensive Cover product has enhanced definitions for aorta graft surgery, blindness, coma, HIV infection and third degree burns.
The Friends Life comprehensive product now has 16 conditions that are better than the Association of British Insurer’s (ABI) model definitions.
Enhancements have also been introduced to the product terms and conditions including increasing the maximum benefit to the lower of 5 times salary or £500,000. For children’s cover, the maximum age has been extended from 18 to 21 for those in full time education.
Increased features for flexible benefit schemes now allow members unlimited benefit increases during the selection window and at standard lifestyle events.
There are two new additions to the existing Best Doctors InterConsultation service which provides a second opinion from a leading expert: ‘Ask The Expert’ is for those situations that do not require a full collection of medical records.
It offers a streamlined process that provides access to a world-leading specialist for the specified condition, within a few days.
David Williams, director of group protection at Friends Life said: “Our critical illness product is an attractive benefit option for employers to offer their staff, providing members with access to expert medical opinion and a potential financial benefit when they are at their most vulnerable through illness.”
These critical illness enhancements are available for new customers now and for existing customers at their next rate review.
