[Gen-Saver Critical Illness Plan] covers elderly and mental health protection, extending the concept of family security.

Entering the age of thirty or forty, the phrase "caring for the elderly above and children below" aptly describes this stage of life. According to data from the Hong Kong Census and Statistics Department, by 2026, the number of elderly individuals requiring long-term care will account for more than a quarter of the total population¹. As the financial backbone of the family, the "sandwich generation" not only faces their own challenges but also bears the responsibility of managing sudden illnesses, potential future elderly health issues, and the well-being of family members.

FWD Insurance (hereinafter referred to as "FWD") 危疾緻尚保／危疾緻尚保（升級版） (unless otherwise specified, collectively referred to as the "Crisis OneMaster Series" below), addresses the protection needs of the "sandwich generation". It provides the insured with illness coverage up to 2080%² of the original sum insured, along with FWD Care third-party professional health support services, offering comprehensive support for the physical, mental, and emotional well-being of the "sandwich generation". Policyholders can also benefit from the pioneering³ "Family Protection"⁴ feature, ensuring that a single policy safeguards the health of three generations.

「危疾緻尚保」系列 covers 68 major critical illnesses (including cancer and acute myocardial infarction), 80 severe illnesses, and 22 childhood illnesses (including severe eczema, attention deficit hyperactivity disorder, and autism). The plan further extends coverage to unknown diseases, providing the strongest support for both adults and children.

Unlike typical critical illness insurance plans in the market, the disease classification of 「危疾緻尚保」系列 is straightforward, with all covered illnesses divided into just two categories: cancer and non-cancer, each offering coverage of 650% of the original sum insured (see Table 1). Additionally, if the insured is unfortunately diagnosed with a major critical illness, they will receive an extra cash benefit as income⁵, which can be used to take leave for treatment. If the critical illness benefit for cancer, Alzheimer’s disease, or Parkinson’s disease has already been paid, and within 2 years of the first diagnosis of such conditions, the insured requires experimental drugs for medical reasons, the costs can also be reimbursed on an actual basis⁶, a first-of-its-kind feature in Hong Kong³.

「危疾緻尚保」系列 offers a maximum coverage amount of up to 2080%² of the original sum insured, which includes up to 1300% coverage for known/defined disease categories (see Table 1) and up to 420%⁷ for unknown/undefined disease coverage.

As the insured ages, the risk of critical illness increases, and some common elderly diseases may also emerge. 「危疾緻尚保（升級版）」 takes this into account. In addition to a lump-sum critical illness payout, if the insured is first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease before the age of 86, they can receive a lifetime annuity⁸ until the policy terminates.

From the onset of illness to the recovery period, patients, their families, and even caregivers face significant emotional stress. Under 「危疾緻尚保（升級版）」, caregivers of the insured can benefit from Hong Kong’s first³ caregiver support benefit⁹. This means that within two years of the insured’s first diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease before the age of 86, their caregiver can claim reasonable and customary expenses for training courses or consultations with a psychiatrist/clinical psychologist on a reimbursement basis.

As an additional note, FWD has also partnered with the Senior Citizen Home Safety Association to provide comprehensive elderly care services for eligible clients. This includes Hong Kong’s first³ dementia support service¹⁰. Upon the first confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease for the insured or their parents, FWD will offer a designated support plan to the insured or provide referral services for a designated support plan to the insured’s parents. Furthermore, the plan offers the OneConnect Concierge Easy® service¹⁹ for those first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease, which includes escort to medical appointments, daily care, home cleaning, and rehabilitation therapy, systematically supporting the elderly and their caregivers. Click here to learn more about the service details.

Here’s an example:  
David, a 40-year-old partner at an accounting firm, is married and has taken out 「危疾緻尚保（升級版）」 with an original sum insured of HKD 1 million. At different stages of his life, David faces unexpected illnesses, including mood disorders and Alzheimer’s disease, and is diagnosed with cancer in his later years. Based on a lifespan of 80 years, he receives a total compensation of over HKD 3.2 million, approximately 3.2 times the original sum insured. 

The majority of insurance products on the market typically only cover the policyholder. However, the 「危疾緻尚保」系列 can be paired with "Family Protection"⁴, offering designated protection to the policyholder's parents and children simultaneously, achieving "one policy for three generations". "Family Protection"⁴ provides coverage for three major illnesses (cancer, acute myocardial infarction, or stroke) for the policyholder's parents¹², as well as protection for 68 major critical illnesses and 22 childhood diseases for the policyholder's children¹². The application process is simple and straightforward, with no health underwriting required, and claims do not affect the policyholder's coverage.

Many people aspire to family planning and welcome the introduction of Hong Kong's first³ family protection concept. If the policyholder unfortunately suffers from a critical illness that impacts their fertility and undergoes fertility treatment, they will be eligible for additional compensation¹³.

Urban dwellers face immense life pressures, making them prone to mental and emotional issues. According to data released by the Hospital Authority this year, between 2022 and 2023, a total of 66,000 individuals received treatment for depression under the Hospital Authority, marking an increase of nearly 20% compared to five years ago.

FWD has always placed great emphasis on public mental health. The 「危疾緻尚保」系列 offers a range of mental health protections and support services for the "sandwich generation" or their families. The "Mind Guardian" benefit¹¹ covers anxiety disorders and mild depression, providing reimbursement on a claim-as-incurred basis for consultation fees with psychiatrists or clinical psychologists in Hong Kong if the insured is diagnosed. For other emotional disorders such as bipolar disorder, major depressive disorder, obsessive-compulsive disorder, schizophrenia, and even severe mental illnesses, a lump-sum benefit is provided under the critical illness coverage for severe conditions¹⁴. Additionally, the plan includes a Mind and Body Health Hotline¹⁵ and the "Mind Guardian" Mental Health Support Programme¹⁶ to support the emotional well-being of the insured.

If you wish to provide comprehensive care for yourself and support your family’s health, consider purchasing FWD’s 「危疾緻尚保」系列. FWD is currently offering a premium discount promotion. If you successfully apply for FWD’s 「危疾緻尚保」系列 on or before 31 March 2024, you can enjoy a total premium discount of 36% in the second and third policy years. If you want a single policy to cover three generations of your family, act now to save on premiums and secure protection. This offer is subject to terms and conditions.

1 Source: Hong Kong Government Census and Statistics Department - "Hong Kong Population Projections 2022-2046" 
2 The maximum eligible coverage amount of the plan includes Multiple Critical Illness Benefit (1300%), Additional Protection Benefit (90%), Additional Benefit for Designated Cancer (25%), Major Medical Care Benefit (20%), Life Protection Benefit (400%), Major Critical Illness Cash Benefit (74%), Infertility Treatment Benefit (10%), Extended Major Medical Care Benefit (100%), Critical Illness Medical Enhancement Benefit for Designated Critical Illnesses (20%), Compassionate Death Benefit (10%), and Extended Death Benefit (35%), subject to the specific terms and conditions of each benefit. 
3 Comparison made on 31 August 2023 by FWD with critical illness insurance products from major insurance companies in Hong Kong. 
4 Family Protection is an optional benefit under this plan. 
5 If the Major Critical Illness Benefit for cancer has been paid, and the insured person continues to receive medically necessary active treatment or palliative care for the same cancer as recommended by a specialist doctor, FWD will pay the Major Critical Illness Cash Benefit for cancer annually after 1 year from the diagnosis date of the compensated Major Critical Illness (cancer), equivalent to 10% of the original sum insured, for a maximum of 5 consecutive years. If the Major Critical Illness Benefit (excluding cancer) has been paid or is payable, FWD will pay the Major Critical Illness Cash Benefit monthly, equivalent to 2% of the original sum insured, for a maximum of 12 consecutive months. The Major Critical Illness Cash Benefit will only be paid twice under this policy. The Major Critical Illness Cash Benefit for cancer and other major critical illnesses can each only be paid once, regardless of how many times the insured person is diagnosed with a major critical illness. This benefit will automatically terminate on the policy anniversary immediately preceding the insured person’s 86th birthday. 
6 FWD will reimburse the reasonable and customary expenses for experimental drugs on an actual expense basis, up to a limit of 20% of the original sum insured (with a maximum claim limit of HKD 500,000/USD 62,500 per insured person for each claim across all critical illness plans in the series). This benefit will only be paid for one covered critical illness under this policy and will automatically terminate on the policy anniversary immediately preceding the insured person’s 86th birthday. FWD’s interpretation of (i) the definition of experimental drugs and (ii) the appropriateness of experimental drugs for claims under the Critical Illness Medical Enhancement Benefit for Designated Critical Illnesses under this policy is final and irrevocable. 
7 Includes: a) Major Medical Care Benefit: The maximum eligible coverage amount is 20% of the original sum insured, and this benefit will only be paid once under this policy; b) Life Protection Benefit: The maximum claim amount per incident is 100% of the original sum insured and can be claimed up to 4 times under this policy. The additional benefit amounts for both will not be deducted from the current sum insured of this policy. 
8 An annual lifelong annuity of 6% of the original sum insured is available. This benefit will only be paid once under this policy, regardless of how many times the insured person is diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease or Parkinson’s disease. 
9 Applicable only to Critical Illness Elite Plus (Enhanced), with a maximum of 5% of the original sum insured. This benefit will only be paid once. 
10 This benefit applies only if the policy is issued after the insured person reaches the age of 35: a) When the insured person is first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, FWD will provide a designated support programme to the insured person with the fee waived (once per insured person). b) When one of the insured person’s parents is first diagnosed with Alzheimer’s disease, FWD will provide a referral service for a designated support programme to each of the insured person’s parents. The insured person or the service user (including the insured person’s parents) must bear any other related costs and fees. 
Dementia Support Services are currently provided by Senior Citizen Home Safety Association (“SCHSA”) and its medical network team. FWD reserves the right to adjust this service at any time without prior notice and retains absolute discretion. FWD will not be liable for any acts, negligence, or omissions by SCHSA and/or its medical network team. 
Dementia Support Services will commence within 6 months from the date of the first confirmed diagnosis of Alzheimer’s disease. This service is only applicable in Hong Kong. 
11 Reimbursement on an actual expense basis for reasonable and customary fees for up to 5 consultations with a psychiatrist/clinical psychologist in Hong Kong (including any medication prescribed by the psychiatrist), covered up to age 70, with a maximum of 2 claims. If the insured person exhibits the first symptoms, conditions, or undergoes diagnosis or surgery related to mild emotional disorders within the first year from the policy issuance date, FWD will not pay the MindGuard Benefit. However, this first-year restriction does not apply if the mild emotional disorder is entirely and directly caused by an accident and not by any other reason. For the second claim, there must be at least a 3-year interval from the date of the first confirmed diagnosis for which the Mild Emotional Disorder Benefit was paid. 
12 The maximum age for parents’ declaration is up to 76 years, and the declaration must be made within 180 days from the policy issuance date. If the insured parents, aged between 56 and 85, a) are unfortunately diagnosed with cancer, acute myocardial infarction, or stroke for the first time, they can receive compensation of 20% of the original sum insured, with a maximum claim limit of HKD 200,000/USD 25,000 per insured parent per incident across all critical illness plans in the series; b) pass away within one year from the first diagnosis date due to the cancer, acute myocardial infarction, or stroke: the insured parents can receive compensation of 20% of the original sum insured, with a maximum claim limit of HKD 200,000/USD 25,000 per insured parent per incident across all critical illness plans in the series. Each insured parent can receive payment once, provided the policy has been in force for two consecutive years or more from the issuance date. 
If the insured person’s child is first diagnosed with a major critical illness, they can receive compensation of 30% of the original sum insured, with a maximum claim limit of HKD 300,000/USD 37,500 per insured child per incident across all critical illness plans in the series for the insured person and/or their spouse. If diagnosed with a designated common modern childhood illness, they can receive compensation of up to 15% of the original sum insured, with a maximum claim limit of HKD 150,000/USD 18,750 per insured child per incident across all critical illness plans in the series for the insured person and/or their spouse. Each insured child can receive payment once, provided the policy has been in force for two consecutive years or more from the issuance date. 
13 Infertility treatment can be reimbursed for an amount equivalent to 10% of the original sum insured. This benefit will only be paid once under this policy. This benefit will automatically terminate on the policy anniversary immediately preceding the insured person’s 46th birthday. 
14 FWD will pay the Multiple Critical Illness Benefit, Additional Benefit for Designated Cancer, Major Medical Care Benefit, and Life Protection Benefit only if the insured person exhibits the first symptoms, conditions, or undergoes diagnosis or surgery related to a major critical illness, severe illness, childhood illness, or condition after the first 90 days from the policy issuance date. 
15 Includes access to Emotional Health Management and Child Development Referral Service Programme in Hong Kong, Mental Health Support Services, and Emotional Health Consultation Services in Mainland China. This service is currently provided by Mutual Health and its medical network team, subject to the relevant terms and conditions. FWD reserves the right to adjust this service at any time without prior notice and will not be liable for any acts, negligence, or omissions by third-party service providers. 
16 Provides Mental Health Assessment Services, conversations with Mental Health Coaches, and appointments with Mental Health Specialists. This service is provided by a third-party service provider, subject to the relevant terms and conditions. FWD reserves the right to adjust this service at any time without prior notice and will not be liable for any acts, negligence, or omissions by third-party service providers. 
17 If the insured person passes away, FWD will pay an additional 10% of the original sum insured as a Compassionate Death Benefit, and this benefit will not be reduced by any compensation amounts paid by FWD under this plan. 
18 The ages mentioned above refer to the insured person’s age at their next birthday. 
19 The OneConnect CareEasy® Service refers to the "Senior Citizen Home Safety Service" benefit under the designated insurance plan, with a specified limit (currently HKD 5,000, subject to change by FWD, SCHSA, and its team (if any) from time to time), provided in the form of account credit to eligible customers’ OneConnect CareEasy® app account. Eligible customers can make bookings through the OneConnect CareEasy® app within 12 months from the date SCHSA issues the account credit and enjoy a 10% discount on the original price (the 10% discount is valid for one year from the date of the first order). SCHSA services are only available in Hong Kong. Please refer to the relevant service brochure for more details.

Disclaimer 
This promotional material is sponsored by FWD and is for general reference only. The above product information does not include the full terms of the policy and is subject to the terms and conditions of the relevant plan. For details on the above product features, coverage benefits, full terms, exclusions, and key product risks, please refer to the FWD website, relevant product brochures, and policy terms. Any promotional offers or materials should be read in conjunction with the relevant product brochure. Customers must successfully complete a financial needs analysis to ensure that the recommended insurance product meets their insurance needs.

Note: This article was last updated on 30 November 2023.

This English version of this article has been generated by machine translation powered by AI. It is provided solely for reference purposes. In the event of any discrepancy or inconsistency between this translation and the original Chinese version, the Chinese version shall prevail.