AXA PPP removes limits on cover for cancer drugs

By Charlotte Beugge

One of Britain's largest health insurance providers has abolished financial limits on its policies, meaning that policyholders who need expensive cancer treatment know they won't exceed limits while their treatment is progressing.

Private medical insurer AXA PPP Healthcare will now cover prolonged cancer drug treatment lasting for as long as needed - including for highly expensive so-called superdrugs. Previously, it limited treatment with these drugs to a year or the period of the drug licence (whichever is shorter).

According to Health Insurance magazine, AXA PPP's announcement follows last year's announcement by Aviva UK Health that it was removing all limits on cancer cover.

It said it would fund treatments recommended by medical specialists in full, including chemotherapy, radiotherapy and targeted therapies such as Herceptin and Avastin, as well as unlicensed drugs not readily available on the NHS.

Superdrugs can cost many tens of thousands of pounds and are not always available to NHS patients. As well as paying for these drugs for as long as they are needed, AXA is getting rid of monetary limits on outpatient tests and consultations for cancer treatment.

The magazine says the insurer will also pay £150 towards wigs and up to £5,000 to cover the cost of external prostheses such as eyes or limbs. Aviva UK Health pays £100 towards wigs and up to £5,000 towards external prostheses.

AXA PPP has a dedicated nurse helpline for cancer patients and it is now extending this to policyholders with heart conditions. In addition, both cancer and heart surgery patients will also be covered for follow-up tests and consultations to monitor their progress and recovery.