Top 2nd and 4th Causes of Death Among Koreans: Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases... Prepare with Life Insurance Products

Cardiovascular and Cerebrovascular Diseases: Utilizing Life Insurance Products for
Emergency Treatment Costs and Income Supplementation

[Asia Economy Reporter Ki Ha-young] As winter approaches, the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases is increasing due to large temperature fluctuations and rising fine dust levels, highlighting the need for appropriate precautions.

According to the Life Insurance Association on the 17th, interest in life insurance products that cover medical expenses related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases is growing as the risk of these diseases increases due to fine dust and temperature drops causing large daily temperature differences.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases are among the leading causes of death in Koreans. According to the "2019 Cause of Death Statistics" released by Statistics Korea, heart disease ranked second and cerebrovascular disease ranked fourth among causes of death. In particular, severe daily temperature fluctuations in winter increase the risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases in the elderly due to sudden activation of the sympathetic nervous system, which burdens blood circulation in arteries.

Cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, which mainly occur in the elderly, are increasing medical expenses and socioeconomic costs due to population aging. Although a comprehensive government plan is in place to reduce the national burden, individual patients still need separate financial preparation for long-term treatment (including non-reimbursable items) such as income loss, rehabilitation, and caregiving.

For example, if a head of household in their 50s suffers a cerebral hemorrhage, assuming one month of hospitalization and three months of rehabilitation, the individual economic loss amounts to approximately 15.25 to 15.6 million KRW. This includes income loss of 2.75 million KRW per month for four months (assuming 60% of the average monthly salary of 4.59 million KRW for people in their 50s in 2019), surgery and hospitalization costs of 1.25 million KRW (covered portion), and rehabilitation and medication costs of about 1 million KRW per month for three months.

In this case, the Life Insurance Association explains that by subscribing to a life insurance product, one can receive insurance benefits related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases such as diagnosis fees, surgery fees, hospitalization fees, and living expenses, which can be used for emergency treatment costs, income supplementation, long-term treatment and caregiving funds, and family living expenses.

Life insurance products related to cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases can be selected in various forms according to consumer needs, such as renewable/non-renewable, general/low or no surrender value types, and DIY insurance. Insurance benefits are paid upon diagnosis of cerebrovascular diseases (such as cerebral hemorrhage, cerebral infarction) and cardiovascular diseases (such as ischemic heart disease, acute myocardial infarction), and surgery fees are also covered.

Additionally, healthcare programs that reduce the risk of disease occurrence, including cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases, are provided, offering services such as hospital appointment arrangements, nurse accompaniment, and health consultations in cooperation with hospitals.

A representative from the Life Insurance Association said, "The risk of cardiovascular and cerebrovascular diseases increases every winter due to rising fine dust and temperature fluctuations. Subscribing to life insurance products related to these diseases can help reduce personal financial burdens by covering emergency treatment costs and income supplementation."

This content was produced with the assistance of AI translation services.