VitalityHealth promises “Best in class Cancer Cover” with latest enhancements
8th June 2019 (London) – VitalityHealth today announces that it has enhanced its cancer cover at no extra cost for all new and existing members*. The provider has also introduced new discounted cancer screenings and risk assessments for some of the most common cancers. This comes at a time when national screening programme attendance is reportedly slipping.
Firstly, VitalityHealth has combined its standard and upgrade cancer cover options into a comprehensive proposition that will now become standard for all new and existing plans*. This means that once diagnosed with cancer, the provider will cover all of an individual’s eligible in-patient and out-patient costs in full: from radiotherapy, chemotherapy, biological, hormone and bisphosphonate therapies to cancer surgery, reconstructive surgery, stem cell therapy, follow-up consultations and more.
Secondly, as part of the provider’s commitment to prevention, detection and early intervention, VitalityHealth now offers discounts on targeted cancer screenings – a test to estimate an individual’s lifetime risk of breast cancer, as well as screening and risk assessments for cervical and bowel cancer.
This comes at a time when although cervical cancer mortality rates have decreased by up to 70% since the introduction of the NHS’ national screening programme in 1988, attendance has fallen over the last 10 years and attendance is now at a 19-year low1.
It’s a similar story for breast cancer. The NHS’ screening programme has achieved much: reducing mortality rates in the UK by nearly two-fifths (38%) since the 1970s. But breast screening uptake in the UK has fallen slightly over the past 8 to 9 years2.
Meanwhile, bowel cancer has become more prevalent amongst people under age 503. And over half of bowel cancer cases are diagnosed at a late stage. At the same time, 54% of bowel cancer cases are preventable4.
Brian Walters, Principal of PMI broker Regency Health, commented: This is a welcome package of enhancements from VitalityHealth. Early detection is of course key for cancer survival and it makes sense that Vitality have added discounted screenings to what is fast becoming a complete integrated healthcare offering.
“It's also noteworthy that Vitality members who have had cancer and were stuck on the lower tier of cancer cover will be automatically upgraded from renewal. This is a principled move from Vitality and one that should be commended.”
Dr Keith Klintworth Deputy CEO at VitalityHealth, said: “These latest enhancements ensure that our care package is truly end-to-end. In addition to fully covering the cost of treatment, the additions also complement our existing cancer prevention and detection benefits – including Vitality Healthcheck and Vitality GP – plus our support throughout diagnosis and treatment in the shape of a dedicated and clinically trained Care Consultant, not to mention group support at a Champneys resort for recovering breast cancer patients**.
“Our goal is to ensure that all our members have access to best-in-class cancer cover while keeping our commitment to prevention, detection and early intervention.”
ENDS
For more information on VitalityHealth Cancer Cover, go to https://www.vitality.co.uk/health-insurance/core-cover/cancer/
* Except for Corporate Healthcare members where their employer has chosen the lower Cancer Cover option (VitalityHealth has retained this option for corporate clients)
** Places are limited and are available on a first come first served basis to women who have been diagnosed with cancer.
1 Health matters: making cervical screening more accessible, Public Health England, August 2017 https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/health-matters-making-cervical-screening-more-accessible/health-matters-making-cervical-screening-more-accessible--2
2 Breast cancer statistics, Cancer Research UK [Accessed April 2019] https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/breast-cancer#heading-Two
3 Bowel cancer diagnosis, Bowel Cancer UK, March 2016, https://www.bowelcanceruk.org.uk/about-bowel-cancer/diagnosis/
4 Bowel cancer statistics, Cancer Research UK [accessed April 2019] https://www.cancerresearchuk.org/health-professional/cancer-statistics/statistics-by-cancer-type/bowel-cancer#heading-Zero
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