Ultra Lifeline

Modern life has made us particularly susceptible to certain illnesses whilst at the same time modern medicine has increased the chances of our surviving these illnesses. Ultra Lifeline is an entirely new kind of product designed to protect you and your family from the additional financial demands which these serious illnesses bring with them.

The Ultra Lifeline Plan is an equity-linked insurance plan available to anyone between the ages of 20 and 60, which provides a benefit on death or upon first diagnosis of one of the conditions listed in the "definitions" below.

ULTRA LIFELINE BROCHURE

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Alzheimer's Disease

Means a definitive clinical diagnosis by a specialist of Alzheimer's Disease, which is a progressive degenerative disease of the brain. The insured must exhibit loss of intellectual capacity involving impairment of memory and judgement, which results in a significant reduction in mental and social functioning, as to require continuous daily supervision. All other dementing organic brain disorders and psychiatric illnesses are specifically excluded.

Angioplasty (to two or more coronary arteries)

Means the undergoing of a cardiac catherization procedure on the advice of a Consultant Cardiologist to correct a narrowing or blockage of two or more coronary arteries using balloon angioplasty and involving the use of transluminal coronary catheters to correct significant stenosis of at least 50% diameter narrowing. Angiographic evidence to support the necessity for the above operation will be required.

Aorta Graft Surgery

Means the undergoing of surgery for disease to the aorta with excision and surgical replacement of a portion of the diseased aorta with a graft. The term aorta includes the thoracic and abdominal aorta but not its branches. The following are not covered:

• Any other surgical procedure, for example the insertion of stents or endovascular repair.
• Surgery following traumatic injury to the aorta.

 
Aplastic Anaemia

Means a definite diagnosis of a chronic persistent bone marrow failure, confirmed by biopsy, which results in anaemia, neutropenia and thrombocytopenia requiring blood product transfusion, and treatment with at least one of the following: marrow stimulating agents; immunosuppressive agents; bone marrow transplant. The diagnosis of aplastic anaemia must be made by a specialist.

Chronic persistent bone marrow failure means total aplasia of the bone marrow and requires treatment  with at least one of the following: 

• Regular blood product transfusion
• Marrow stimulating agents
• Immunosuppressive agents
• Bone marrow transplantation       

Bacterial Meningitis

Means inflammation of the membranes of the brain or spinal cord resulting in permanent neurological deficit lasting for a minimum period of 30 days and resulting in a permanent inability to perform at least three (3) of the Activities of Daily Living ( bathing, dressing, toileting, bladder and bowel continence, transferring, feeding) either with or without the use of mechanical equipment, special devices or other aids and adaptations in use for disabled persons. For the purpose of this benefit, the word permanent shall mean beyond the hope of recovery with current medical knowledge and technology. 

Exclusion: No benefit will be payable under this condition for viral meningitis.

Benign Brain Tumour

Means a tumour arising from the brain or meninges. The histologic nature of the tumour must be confirmed by examination of tissue (biopsy or surgical excision). Tumours of the bony cranium and pituitary micro-adenomas (less than 10 mm in diameter) are excluded.
 
Blindness

Means permanent loss of sight in both eyes, as confirmed by a licensed and practicing Ophthalmologist. The corrected visual acuity must be worse than 20/200 in both eyes, or the field of vision must be less than 20 degrees in both eyes. Blindness caused from diagnosed and untreated glaucoma is specifically excluded.

Cancer

Means the diagnosis of a malignancy, which is characterized by the uncontrolled growth of cancer cells with invasion of tissue, diagnosed not earlier than 90 days after the date of issue of this policy, or, in the case of reinstatement of the policy, 90 days after the date of the Certificate of Reinstatement. 

The following conditions are excluded: 

a)      Early prostate cancer, diagnosed as T1A NO MO and T1B NO MO or equivalent staging
b)      Non-invasive cancer in situ
c)       Pre-malignant lesions, benign tumours or polyps
d)      Any tumour in the presence of any Human Immunodeficiency Virus (HIV)
e)      Any skin cancer other than invasive malignant melanoma greater than 0.75mm
f)       Hydatidiform Mole (Gestational Trophoblastic Disease)

Coma

Means a state of unconsciousness with no reaction to external stimuli or response to internal needs for a continuous period of four days. A coma which results directly from alcohol or drug use is excluded. 

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery

Means the undergoing of heart surgery to correct narrowing or blockage of one or more coronary arteries with bypass grafts. The surgery must have been recommended by a licensed and practicing Cardiologist. Non-surgical techniques such as balloon angioplasty, laser embolectomy or other non-bypass techniques are excluded. 
 
Deafness

Means the permanent loss of hearing in both ears with an auditory threshold of more than 90 decibels, as confirmed by a licensed and practicing Otolaryngologist. 

Fulminant Viral Hepatitis

Means a sub massive to massive necrosis of the liver caused by any virus leading precipitously to liver failure. The diagnostic criteria to be met are: 

• Regular blood product transfusion
• Marrow stimulating agents
• Immunosuppressive agents
• Bone marrow transplantation
• A rapidly decreasing liver size as confirmed by abdominal ultrasound; and
• Necrosis involving entire lobules, leaving only a collapsed reticular framework; and
• Rapidly deteriorating liver functions tests; and
• Deepening jaundice. 

Hepatitis B infection or carrier status alone does not meet the diagnostic criteria. 

Heart Attack

Means the death of a portion of heart muscle as a result of inadequate blood supply, as evidenced by a) new electrocardiographic (ECG) changes indicative of a myocardial infarction, and by b) the elevation of cardiac biochemical markers to levels considered diagnostic for infarction.  Heart attack during coronary angioplasty is covered provided that there are diagnostic changes of new Q wave infarction on the ECG in addition to elevation of cardiac markers. 

Exclusions:  Heart attack does not include an incidental finding of ECG changes suggesting a prior myocardial infarction, in the absence of a corroborating event. Lesser acute coronary syndromes including unstable angina and acute coronary insufficiency are specifically excluded.  

Heart Valve Replacement

Means the undergoing of surgery to replace a malfunctioning heart valve with either a natural or mechanical replacement valve. The repair of an existing heart valve is specifically excluded. 

Kidney Failure

Means end stage renal disease presenting as chronic irreversible failure of both kidneys to function, as a result of which either regular haemodialysis, peritoneal dialysis or renal transplantation is initiated.
 
Loss of Limbs

Means the irreversible severance of two or more limbs from above the wrist or ankle joint as the result of an accident or medically required amputation.

Loss of speech

Means the total and irreversible loss of the ability to speak as the result of physical injury or disease which must be established for a continuous period of at least 180 days. All psychiatric related causes are specifically excluded.
 
Major Burns

Means third degree burns covering at least 20% of the body surface area with survival for at least 30 days.
 
Major Organ Transplant

Means the undergoing of surgery, as a recipient by transplant of any of the following organs or tissues: heart, liver, lung, kidney or bone marrow.

Motor Neuron Disease

Means unequivocal diagnosis of amyotrophic lateral sclerosis (Lou Gehrig's disease), primary lateral sclerosis, progressive spinal muscular atrophy, progressive bulbar palsy, or pseudo-bulbar palsy. Other variations of motor neuron disease are specifically excluded.
 
Multiple Sclerosis

Means a diagnosis by a neurologist of definite Multiple Sclerosis, characterized by well-defined neurological abnormalities persisting for a continuous period of at least six months or with evidence of two separate clinically documented episodes. Multiple areas of demyelination must be confirmed by MRI scanning or imaging techniques generally used to diagnose multiple sclerosis.

Multiple Sclerosis is defined as "a diagnosis by a neurologist of definite Multiple Sclerosis as defined by the International Panel on MS Diagnostic Criteria."

Muscular Dystrophy

Means a diagnosis of muscular dystrophy by a Consultant Neurologist of the combination of 3 out of 4 of the following conditions: 

a) Family history of other affected individuals
b) Clinical presentation including absence of sensory disturbance, normal cerebro-spinal fluid and mild tendon reflex reduction
c) Characteristic electromyogram
d) Clinical suspicion confirmed by muscle biopsy
No benefit will be payable under this covered event before the life assured has reached the age of 12 years.

Occupational HIV Infection

Means human immunodeficiency virus (HIV) infection as a direct result of accidental exposure to HIV contaminated blood or bodily fluids during the course of the life insured's regular occupation.

The life insured must undergo a generally accepted medical testing procedure for HIV Infection, performed by an independent, duly licensed medical laboratory:

a)      within 14 days of the accidental exposure and the result must be negative; and
b)      between 90 days and 180 days after the accidental exposure and the result must be positive.  

For greater certainty, non-accidental exposure including, but not limited to, sexual transmission or intravenous drug use does not satisfy the definition of occupational HIV Infection. 

The critical illness benefit will be payable only if the following conditions are satisfied: 

a)      the accidental exposure has been reported within 14 days of the accidental exposure; and
b)      the accidental exposure has been reported, investigated and documented in accordance with prudent
c)       workplace practices and any applicable legislation, regulations, or guidelines.  

The critical illness benefit will not be payable if the life insured elected not to take any available licensed treatment which is customarily recommended for protection against HIV.

Paralysis

Means the complete and permanent loss of use of two or more limbs for a continuous period of ninety days following the precipitating event, during which time there has been no sign of improvement. All psychiatric related causes are specifically excluded.
 
Parkinson's Disease

Means a definitive diagnosis by a specialist of primary idiopathic Parkinson's Disease, which is characterized by a minimum of two or more of the following clinical manifestations: muscle rigidity, tremor, or bradykinesis (abnormal slowness of movement, sluggishness of physical and mental responses). The insured must require substantial physical assistance from another adult to perform 2 or more of 6 Activities of Daily Living (bathing, dressing, toileting, bladder and bowel continence, transferring, feeding).  

All other types of Parkinsonism are specifically excluded.

Progressive Supranuclear Palsy

Means confirmation by a Consultant Neurologist of a definite diagnosis of progressive supranuclear palsy. There must be permanent clinical impairment of motor function, eye movement disorder and postural instability.

 
Primary Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension

Means primary pulmonary hypertension with substantial right ventricular enlargement established by investigations including cardiac catheterization, resulting in permanent irreversible physical impairment to the degree of at least Class 3 of the New York Heart Association Classification of cardiac impairment, and resulting in the life assured being unable to perform his/her usual occupation.
 
Severe Crohn's Disease

Means a definite diagnosis by a Consultant Gastroenterologist of Crohn's disease with symptoms that have not responded to optimal therapy while under the supervision of the Consultant. There must also be evidence of continued inflammation with all of the following:

• Stricture formation causing intestinal obstruction requiring admission to hospital;
• Fistula formation between loops of bowel or bowel to another organ;
• At least one resection of a segment of small bowel.

Stroke

Means the unequivocal diagnosis of the death of brain tissue caused by thrombosis, haemorrhage or embolism. The diagnosis must be based on all of the following: 

• Regular blood product transfusion
• Marrow stimulating agents
• Immunosuppressive agents
• Bone marrow transplantation
• Sudden onset of new neurological symptoms
• New objective neurological deficits on clinical examination persisting continuously for at least thirty(30) days following the diagnosis of the stroke

New findings on CT scan or MRI, if done, consistent with the clinical diagnosis.
Transient ischemic attacks (TIA's) are specifically excluded. 

Traumatic Brain Injury

Means death of brain tissue due to traumatic injury, resulting in permanent neurological deficit with persisting clinical symptoms.