Health workers could avoid coronavirus tests over fears for life insurance, BMA warns

Blanket insurance for all workers could disproportionately affect health workers

A paramedic wearing personal protective equipment (PPE) exits an ambulance outside St Thomas' Hospital in Westminster (PA)

Health workers may avoid testing for coronavirus if they display symptoms over fears that a positive result could negatively impact applications for life insurance and income protection during the pandemic, the British Medical Association (BMA) has warned.

The union says it is aware of instances in which its members’ applications are being deferred because of a positive test for Covid-19.

Most insurers require an applicant to be back at work and symptom-free for between one and three months before an application will be reconsidered and potentially approved.

While such considerations are being applied to all of those looking for insurance policies, regardless of profession, the BMA has expressed concern that such decisions could potentially affect healthcare staff’s willingness to seek tests for coronavirus.

“The BMA believes that it is essential that staff with symptoms are able to seek an antigen swab test and that this should not result in any disadvantage compared to someone who has had symptoms of Covid but not undergone a test,” a spokesperson said.

It also says a positive antibody test – which indicates whether someone has previously had coronavirus but recovered from it – should not disadvantage applicants.

“Healthcare staff should not face additional stress at this time; they should be treated fairly and given clear and supportive information about mortgages and insurance policies,” the spokesperson added.

The BMA did say it was not currently aware of instances in which applications for insurance had been deferred on the basis of an antibody test, but it has formally written to the Association of British Insurers to seek “urgent” clarification on the issues.

“This is to better understand the situation for healthcare workers wanting insurance in the current circumstances,” the spokesperson said.

It is also drawing up a list of insurers who are “sensitive to the situation doctors and healthcare workers find themselves in as we fight Covid-19”.

A spokesperson for the Association of British Insurers, which represents over 200 companies, confirmed it had received communication from the BMA and said they would be responding.

“We are writing to the BMA to reassure them that doctors and healthcare workers will be treated the same as other workers when applying for life insurance or income protection. Insurers will focus on the applicant’s health and severity of symptoms, and whether they have fully recovered and are back at work, regardless of profession.

“This is an unprecedented situation and insurers will continue to follow developments as scientific understanding of Covid-19 progresses,” the spokesperson added. “We’d always recommend anyone looking to purchase such a policy seeks independent financial advice to help them find the best cover for their needs.”