Sensory Loss Conditions
Blindness
Full Critical Illness Benefit Criteria
An unequivocal diagnosis by an appropriate specialist of irreversible loss of sight in both eyes caused by an illness or injury.
Loss of sight means one of the following:
- Visual acuity less than 6/60 in both eyes after correction
- A field of vision constricted to 20 degrees or less of arc in both eyes
- A combination of visual defects causing the same amount of impairment as either of the above
Diagnosis Benefit Criteria
An unequivocal diagnosis by an appropriate specialist that either:
- The Full Critical Illness Benefit criteria for blindness is likely to be met within the next 12 months
- An illness or injury caused the irreversible loss of sight in one eye
Loss of sight means one of the following:
- Visual acuity less than 6/60 in one eye after correction
- A field of vision constricted to 20 degrees or less of arc in one eye
- A combination of visual defects causing the same amount of impairment as either of the above
Loss of Hearing
Full Critical Illness Benefit Criteria
An unequivocal diagnosis by an appropriate specialist of permanent and profound loss of hearing in both ears caused by an illness or injury.
Profound loss of hearing is having an average hearing threshold of 91dB or greater, measured at frequencies 500, 1000 and 1500 Hz.
Diagnosis Criteria
Loss of hearing requires one of the following to apply:
- An unequivocal diagnosis by an appropriate specialist of permanent and profound loss of hearing in one ear caused by an illness or injury
- An appropriate specialist considers that all hearing in both ears is likely to be lost within the next 12 months
Loss of Speech
Full Critical Illness Benefit Criteria
The unequivocal diagnosis by an appropriate specialist of total and irreversible loss of speech caused by an illness or injury.
Diagnosis Benefit Criteria
An appropriate specialist considers that all speech will be lost within the next 12 months.
Loss of Limb and Sight
Full Critical Illness Benefit Criteria
Total and permanent loss of both of the following:
- Use of a whole hand or whole foot
- Sight in one eye
Loss of sight means one of the following:
- Visual acuity less than 6/60 in one eye after correction
- A field of vision constricted to 20 degrees or less of arc in one eye
- A combination of visual defects causing the same amount of impairment as either of the above
Loss of Limbs
Full Critical Illness Benefit Criteria
Total and permanent loss of use of two or more limbs caused by an illness or injury. In this case, limb is a whole hand or whole foot.