Life Insurances for People taking PrEP
Good News for Australians taking PrEP medication for HIV prevention.
People taking PrEP are now eligible for the full range of Life Insurance products stigma-free from Sapience Financial
This means people using PrEP can get a full range of insurance covers through Sapiene Financial including;
So what is PrEP?
PrEP is a medical breakthrough that's already playing a vital role in the efforts to End HIV by 2020. Now the medication is listed on the PBS (Pharmaceutical Benefits Scheme), just about anyone can now get on it. Taking PrEP is a highly effective medication for preventing exposure to HIV.
- PrEP is an acronym that stands for pre-exposure prophylaxis. It involves HIV-negative people taking antiretroviral drugs to protect themselves and prevent HIV infection – in just one tablet a day.
- PrEP is, as the name implies, a pre-exposure strategy, unlike post-exposure prophylaxis (PEP), which is taken after potential exposure to HIV has occurred.
Real Life statistics
- In Australia, approximately 30 needlestick injuries (NSI's) per 100 beds occur per year.
- At least 18,000 healthcare professionals suffer from an NSI every year.
- And 80% of reported NSI's involve a contaminated needle. The Alliance for Sharps Safety and Needlestick Prevention in Healthcare
Research shows that the medication used for PrEP is highly effective at preventing HIV transmission among these population groups.
Who is taking PrEP?
There are many people using PrEP to prevent themselves from being exposed to HIV and take control of their sexual health and future well-being.
- Studies show PrEP is effective but the uptake of PrEP has been slow with research showing that's partly due to Stigma and Discrimination concerns - something the team at Sapience Financial understands and provides a complete solution for, when you need to apply for Life Insurances or Income Protection with absolute privacy and discretion.
In Australia, lots of people use PrEP for lots of reasons
- Medical Professionals
- Emergency Services personnel including Police, Fire, Ambulance and Emergency Services Workers are all at higher risk of occupational exposure to blood-borne viruses through sharps and needlestick injury.
- People who wish to protect themselves from exposure to the HIV virus.
- People with an HIV-positive partner who doesn't have an undetectable viral load, are part of the population groups at higher risk.
What's the issue with PrEP and getting Life Insurance?
Up until now, Australians taking PrEP have faced uncertainty, stigma and discrimination from Life Insurance companies towards the use of PrEP (and routinely find they also have to be the educator about PrEP to inexperienced advisors).
- People applying for insurance through online comparison websites report completing the application with full lifestyle and medical disclosures, only to feel insulted when a formal decline is issued due to 'lifestyle considerations'
- People applying for insurance in their Superannuation fund report being routinely knocked back (and usually after having to disclose a full medical and lifestyle history) as the insurance provider doesn't 'deal with PrEP users'.
Most insurance companies and super funds simply do not provide supportive underwriting for people with unusual occupations, hobbies, pastimes or lifestyles – if you get what we mean.
How we can help
We believe PrEP is good news for the Australian community and is an important part of managing a person's health.
- Australians using PrEP and who need Life Insurance or Income Protection, now have a clear pathway to getting their cover sorted - stigma and discrimination-free – through Sapience Financial
Contact us for a confidential chat about your needs.
