PRESS RELEASE

AIA HONG KONG LAUNCHES FIRST IN MARKET AIA METRO-TRIO MEDICAL & CRITICAL ILLNESS PROTECTION PLAN EXTENDS COVER TO PROVIDE ALL-IN-ONE PROTECTION FOR INDIVIDUALS DIAGNOSED WITH “THREE HIGH”

27 September 2017
AIA Hong Kong announces today the launch of AIA Metro-Trio Medical & Critical Illness Protection Plan, a market-first solution tailor-made to cover individuals with “three high” condition, and further demonstrates the Company's continuous commitment in extending its medical cover to offer protection to those who faced difficulties in obtaining medical cover. First-of-its-kind in Hong Kong, the new plan is specially designed for individuals diagnosed with “three high” (diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia) and offers them an all-in-one medical, critical illness and life protection, even diabetes patients with Glycated Haemoglobin (HbA1c) as high as 10% – highest in town – also have a chance to be covered. The plan's guaranteed renewal feature also enables more people to receive appropriate protection*..
Ms. Bonnie Tse, General Manager, Business Strategy and Marketing of AIA Hong Kong & Macau, said, “As ‘The Real Life Company,' AIA Hong Kong understands that ‘three high' are the three most common urban chronic diseases in Hong Kong<>. Since getting the right protection may not be easy for individuals with these conditions, long-term treatment costs can strain their finances. In light of the situation, we are steadfast in extending our cover and our market-first solution – AIA Metro-Trio Medical & Critical Illness Protection Plan – is designed to meet their needs and help them bridge the protection gap. This solution exemplifies our mission of creating shared value in a sustainable and effective manner for the economy and community to benefit all stakeholders, fulfilling our brand promise of helping people live longer, healthier and better lives.”
According to information from the Asia Diabetes Foundation, diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia (“three high”) are the top three chronic diseases in Hong Kong1. Government statistics revealed that the number of patients diagnosed with “three high” has been on the rise in recent years. From 2008 to 2014, patients with diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia surged by 29%, 39% and 54%, respectively2.
Among the “three high”, diabetes is the one of the top ten leading causes of death in Hong Kong3. Every year, about 5% of diabetes patients are either diagnosed with serious illnesses or deceased4. The major causes of death include cancer, stroke, diabetic nephropathy and critical illnesses related to the heart5. In addition, a confirmed diagnosis of all “three high” together would increase the risk of cardiovascular disease by 20-fold6. For diabetes patients who fail to maintain their conditions within prescribed levels, the morbidity rate of coronary heart disease in 10 years is nearly two times higher than that of patients who have reached two to three treatment targets7.
Continued self-management is crucial for diabetes patients. According to international guidelines, diabetes patients should attend four to six follow-up consultations (including basic prescription and laboratory assessment), one comprehensive screening, and self-care education (two to three hours) annually. The average total annual expense for outpatient care in is about HK$10,000 to 12,000 (based on figures from public health care institutions)8.

The costs will be higher if patients are diagnosed with other complications or critical illnesses or managed in the private sector. For example, the projected lifetime treatment costs for cardiovascular-renal disease amount from HK$120,796 to 563,3799.
These figures indicate that patients with “three high” chronic conditions need comprehensive protection. The AIA Metro-Trio Medical & Critical Illness Protection Plan is the first all-in-one medical, critical illness and life protection plan designed for individuals with “three high” conditions in Hong Kong. It also helps them alleviate the long-term heavy financial burden arising from medical costs. Four key competitive advantages of the plan include:
1. First in Market: Specially designed to cover individuals with “three high”

  • Individuals who are diagnosed with diabetes, hypertension or hyperlipidaemia can receive cover upon successful application.
  • All-in-one solution encompassing medical, critical illness and life protection.
2. Highest in Town: Blood glucose level threshold cover in Hong Kong

  • Individuals with HbA1c as high as 10% also have a chance to be covered.
3. Medical and critical illness protection

  • Reimbursement benefit ─ Total maximum medical benefit for each claim case can be as high as HK$1,500,000 (Standard Private plan);
  • All-in-one protection cover ─ Includes confinement benefits, inpatient and day surgery, extended medical benefits (for emergency outpatient treatment and rehabilitation purposes, etc.), and other benefits including pre- and post-surgery outpatient consultation and long-term treatment;
  • Lump-sum critical illness benefit ─ Cover for six critical illnesses and three early stage critical illnesses, including the complications related to chronic diseases such as stroke and heart attack, cancer and carcinoma-in-situ, etc. The benefit amount will not be affected by any medical benefits already paid.
4. Guaranteed renewal

  • Guaranteed renewal up to age 85^ regardless of the insured's health condition and no additional medical screening required. The renewal premium will not be raised for any claims that have been made, or any changes in the insured's health condition.
“Three high” chronic diseases can also lead to many fatal critical illnesses. Nevertheless, patients can manage their conditions by adopting a healthy lifestyle. In addition to developing innovative products to ensure more people in need can receive high-quality medical protection, AIA Hong Kong is also keen on encouraging individuals with “three high” to improve their health. Customers of the AIA Metro-Trio Medical & Critical Illness Protection Plan who are also AIA Vitality members can enjoy an instant 10% and up to 15% premium discount and an array of rewards and discounts, including up to 24 free movie tickets every year, shopping coupons, hotel and air ticket offers, and discounts on fresh fruit and vegetables purchases10. They will also receive enhanced medical protection as their health improve.
Customers who successfully apply for the AIA Metro-Trio Medical & Critical Illness Protection Plan between 1 October and 30 November 2017, and also register as AIA Vitality members, will be eligible to receive a “fitlife Health Coaching Program and Genetic Test.”11 Using innovative DNA technology, fitlife helps customers formulate a more effective and personalised health solution. Privileged services which help customers achieve their health goals include “pre-test consultations,” “7-day personalised diet programme” and “personalised health programme.”
Notes:

* Must meet underwriting requirements and subject to terms and conditions.

^  Renewal premium will be based on the prevailing premium rates at the time of renewal.

1    Thematic Household Survey Report No. 58, Census and Statistics Department, The HKSAR government.

2    Thematic Household Survey Report No. 41 and No. 58, Census and Statistics Department, The HKSAR government. The information is extracted from AIA's Research of Critical Illness Trends and Medical Expenses by GfK Hong Kong, an independent market research company (data collection date: September 2017).

3    Health Facts of Hong Kong 2017 Edition, Department of Health.

4    Prevent the Preventable (www.DiabetesRisk.hk), Chan JCN et al Am J Med 2014, Luk AOY et al Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2013.

5     Chan JCN et al Curr Cardiovasc Risk Rep 2011, Yang X et al Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2008, So WY et al Diabetes Metab Res Rev 2008.

6    Hong Kong Medical Association, 2010 (http://www.hkma.org/CommunityNetwork/hkecn/2010_%20booklet%20cover.pdf)), INTERHEART Study, Lancet 2007; 364:937–952, The information is extracted from AIA's Research of Critical Illness Trends and Medical Expenses by GfK Hong Kong, an independent market research company (data collection date: August 2017).

7    Kong A et al Diabetes Care 2007.

8    Hospital Authority Annual Report 2015-2016, World Health Organization Global Report on Diabetes 2016, American Diabetes Association Diabetes Care - Standards of Medical Care in Diabetes-2016, International Diabetes Federation Plan of Action (2006-2010) for the Western Pacific Declaration on Diabetes.

9  Lee VW et al International Heart Journal 2006, Ioannides-Demos LL et al Clinical Drug Investigation 2010, Yu R et al Hong Kong The Hong Kong Jockey Club 2012.

10  Customers who become AIA Vitality members can enjoy an instant 10% premium discount for the first policy year and earn “AIA Vitality” Points to increase the premium discount to up to 15%.The premium discount is only applicable to selected “AIA Vitality” insurance products. Please visit AIA Hong Kong's website: aia.com.hk “AIA Vitality” for more information.

11Must meet the required annualised new premium threshold. “fitlife Health Coaching Program and Genetic Test” is provided by Prenetics Limited. The Genetic Test is conducted through DNA sample and provides personal sports and nutrition guidance based on test results. Please refer to the promotional leaflet for details on offer terms and conditions.
The above information is for reference only. For the details on the product features, content and conditions, please refer to the product brochure and the terms & conditions of the policy contract.
About AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau

AIA Hong Kong and AIA Macau are subsidiaries of AIA Group Limited. AIA Group Limited established its operations in Hong Kong in 1931. To date, we have over 14,300 AIA financial planners 1, as well as an extensive network of brokerage and bancassurance partners. We serve more than 2.7 million customers 2, offering them a wide selection of professional services and products ranging from individual life, group life, accident, medical and health, mandatory provident fund, personal lines insurance to investment-linked products with numerous investment options. We are also dedicated to providing superb product solutions to meet the financial needs of high net worth customers.

as at 30 June 2017   2 as at 31 January 2017
About AIA

AIA Group Limited and its subsidiaries (collectively “AIA” or the “Group”) comprise the largest independent publicly listed pan-Asian life insurance group. It has a presence in 18 markets in Asia-Pacific – wholly-owned branches and subsidiaries in Hong Kong, Thailand, Singapore, Malaysia, China, Korea, the Philippines, Australia, Indonesia, Taiwan, Vietnam, New Zealand, Macau, Brunei, Cambodia, a 97 per cent subsidiary in Sri Lanka, a 49 per cent joint venture in India and a representative office in Myanmar.
The business that is now AIA was first established in Shanghai almost a century ago. It is a market leader in the Asia-Pacific region (ex-Japan) based on life insurance premiums and holds leading positions across the majority of its markets. It had total assets of US$200 billion as of 31 May 2017.
AIA meets the long-term savings and protection needs of individuals by offering a range of products and services including life insurance, accident and health insurance and savings plans. The Group also provides employee benefits, credit life and pension services to corporate clients. Through an extensive network of agents, partners and employees across Asia-Pacific, AIA serves the holders of more than 30 million individual policies and over 16 million participating members of group insurance schemes.
AIA Group Limited is listed on the Main Board of The Stock Exchange of Hong Kong Limited under the stock code “1299” with American Depositary Receipts (Level 1) traded on the over-the-counter market (ticker symbol: “AAGIY”).
AIA Hong Kong
Ms Deronie Tan
+852 2881 4413
Bentley Communications Limited
Mr Kevin Chan
+852 3960 1903