WHAT IS A WAITING PERIOD?

For some of the insurance products offered by AIA Berhad and other insurance companies, there is a waiting period. A waiting period is a duration within which certain illnesses are not covered. In other words, an insured is fully protected only after the waiting period. It is important for the insurance companies to prevent misrepresentation and fraud by some of the consumers when applying for insurance plans like medical card and 36 critical illnesses.

For medical card called ExcelCare Plus or ECP from AIA Berhad, waiting period can be divided into three:

1. Hospitalization or surgery due to illnesses or out-patient treatment for kidney dialysis within the first 30 days after the issuance or reinstatement of ECP contract.
2. Out-patient treatment for cancer within the first 60 days after the issuance or reinstatement of ECP contract.
3. Treatment or surgery for tonsils, adenoids, hernia or a disease peculiar to the female generative organs within the first 120 days after the issuance or reinstatement of ECP contract.

In sum, an insured is fully protected by his medical card only after 120 days after the issuance or reinstatement of ECP contract. All the three cases above will only be covered after 30 days, 60 days and 120 days respectively.

36 critical illnesses can be covered by many types of insurance plans from AIA Berhad. Waiting period for 27 critical illnesses is 30 days. For the other 9 critical illnesses, the waiting period is 60 days. For details, please read my post titled A LIST OF 36 CRITICAL ILLNESSES. (January 6, 2009).