Let me share a recent personal experience with everyone with regards to insurance claim for surgical implants under personal accident insurance policies.
I thought that I have personal accident coverage, I am good. However that is not true…
This may not apply to other country. I am sharing within my knowledge for this type of claim in Singapore only.
I had an accident that dislocated my thumb and there were torn ligaments to go along. Surgery was done on my thumb to put it back in place. After surgery, I submitted my hospital bill for claim through my company’s insurance and thought all was well until I got a letter coming back to say that they will pay my bill except for the “implants”
I checked with the insurance company why, and they told me it’s one of the exclusions that include implants, pacemaker and prosthesis.
I believe many are not aware that if you have surgery to repair torn ligaments, broken bones and such will require “implants”. Implants refer to the screws and whatever that goes into your body to put the broken parts together. They are all classified under one common term by the hospitals, “implant” in which the insurance firm will not pay unless you have bought a rider for it.
This is probably one of those terms you didn’t pay attention when you purchase these policies, mind you, when I check with various insurance companies, agents, hospitals in Singapore, everyone is aware of this. I never thought about it assuming insurance coverage include “implants” necessary to put you back together.
It is also known in the insurance industry in Singapore that they do not pay for “implants” regardless if they are necessary or not.
For those that have existing policies to cover personal accidents and such, I urge you to relook into your policies and check with your agents that sold you the policies.
Imagine if you happen to be involved in accident and may be broken in some places that needs to be fixed back. The cost of implants to put you back together could put you back by a few thousand dollars.
Just as you thought you were well covered by the various insurance policies that you have until you put in an insurance claim for surgical implants…