Saturday 28 April 2012

Trauma Insurance For Neuropathy

Today's interesting post from lifeinsurancefinder.com.au (see link below) talks about the possibility of being covered by a trauma insurance in the event of contracting neuropathy. I've certainly never heard of such an insurance in the Netherlands and because it's an Australian article, it's possible that it only applies in certain countries. Whatever the range, this sort of insurance policy seems to be a very good thing for neuropathy sufferers although I assume that you couldn't take the insurance out retrospectively. It will be an insurance meant to cover future events and not if you're already suffering.
Many people may be able to take out insurances to cover loss of work through unpredicted illness but this may be something different. Certainly an interesting idea.

Peripheral neuropathy

Last Updated January 21st, 2011 by Life Insurance Finder
The Australian Bureau of Statistics (ABS) released data in 2008 that indicated two in three men and one in three women are likely to suffer a traumatic event during their working lifetime. One of the many traumatic events they included in their survey was peripheral neuropathy. The odds of two in three men or one in three women is not good and for this reason life insurance companies offer financial protection in the way of trauma insurance.

Peripheral neuropathy is the occasioning of damage to the peripheral nervous system, the manner in which information is transmitted from the brain and spinal cord to every other part of the body. In fact there are more than 100 types of peripheral neuropathy that have been discovered within the human body, each one with its own characteristic set of symptoms, development and prognosis.

Life insurance companies, through their trauma insurance, are helping sufferers to cope with this debilitating disease that is becoming more endemic in the community because of it close link to diabetes which has grown prolifically in recent years in western countries. This assistance is by the way of a lump sum payment on a positive diagnosis of the condition. This money can then be used to pay off existing debts, mortgage repayments etc. so the sufferer has at least one less problem to worry about.

Some sufferers may experience temporary numbness, pricking or tingling sensations, sensitivity to touch, or muscle weakness. Others may suffer more extreme symptoms, organ or gland dysfunction, paralysis, muscle wasting, or burning pains at night, as the impaired function and symptoms depend on the type of nerves affected – autonomic, sensory or motor.
There are two ways in which peripheral neuropathy can be contracted, either by inheritance or acquisition:
  • Sufferers who have inherited the disease have done so through either inborn mistakes in the genetic code or by new genetic mutations, for which there is no cure.
  • Acquired peripheral neuropathy can result because of a physical injury to a nerve, tumours, toxins, autoimmune responses, nutritional deficiencies, alcoholism and vascular and metabolic disorders. This often comes about because of systemic disease, autoimmune disorders affecting nerve tissue, infections, or from trauma brought about by some external agent.
Acquired peripheral neuropathy can be treated in many ways such as:
  • Adopting healthy habits.
  • Avoid exposure to toxins.
  • Following a doctor supervised exercise program.
  • Eating a balanced diet.
  • Correcting vitamin deficiencies.
  • Limit alcohol consumption.
All these actions can help reduce the emotional and physical effects of peripheral neuropathy as trauma insurance offered by life insurance companies can reduce the financial effects. Systemic diseases often require much more complex treatments.

In acute neuropathies, such as Guillain-Barr syndrome, the symptoms suddenly appear and develop fast, they also tend to resolve slowly as the damaged nerves heal following successful treatment. In its chronic form the symptoms appear subtly and develop slowly. Many sufferers occasion periods of relief only to be followed by a relapse. Others may get to a certain level where the symptoms remain static without change for many months, even years. Some worsen over time but very few prove to be fatal unless complicated by other illnesses. Occasionally peripheral neuropathy is a symptom of another disorder.
Since each life insurance company defines trauma insurance conditions differently it is very important to closely read the policy conditions and definitions before making any final decision to take out the cover. This early caution may save you a lot of emotional stress in the event of you making a claim in later years.

Most life insurance companies offer trauma insurance to people between 17 and 59 years of age and allow it to be renewed until the policy anniversary date prior to the insured’s 80th birthday, although it is important to keep in mind that after the insured person reaches the age of 70 years, the cover often reduces automatically to that of ‘Loss of independent Existence’. Trauma cover benefits are paid in a lump sum if the insured survives for 14 days following the occurrence of many specified major medical conditions outlined in the policy document and the cover is available as part of the life insurance policy or as a standalone cover.

The amount of trauma insurance you need to take out is purely a personal individual decision you yourself will have to determine. In making this decision you should consider your cost of living expenses and any medical costs that may be associated with your illness including any rehabilitation expenses. In short your insurance cover should be sufficient to pay off all your debts so you can concentrate on getting well again without having to worry about your finances.

http://www.lifeinsurancefinder.com.au/diseases-and-health-conditions/peripheral-neuropathy/

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