As a health partner for its customers, AXA Hong Kong is committed to putting its customers at the forefront, therefore introducing the innovative insurance initiative “BetterMe by AXA”. This covers three areas including breakthroughs in underwriting approach, inclusiveness of protection and all-round health management. It aims to protect customers in every possible way whilst supporting them to live a longer and healthier life. The first-in-Hong Kong “Quit Smoking Incentive” programme announced today is one of the programmes under “BetterMe by AXA”, together with others:

• Breakthrough in underwriting approach – The current approach will extend medical coverage to the three most common diseases including Diabetes Mellitus Type 2, Asthma and Anaemia to fill the protection gap, so that people who were not covered before will get a chance to be protected.
• Inclusiveness of protection – AXA Hong Kong has always been supporting diversity and inclusion in the community. As society evolves, we have been addressing the changing needs of customers and has not imposed restrictions on the beneficiary naming by policyholders so as to enable more individuals and families to get protected, including grandparents, grandchildren, stepchildren, and de-facto and same-sex couples, amongst others.
• All-round health management - (1) The upcoming exclusive health management plan will help improve the health status of early-stage patients and reduce the risk of deterioration by using sustainable methods. (2) Health age calculator – According to the AXA Stability and Prosperity Index 2017 survey results, all respondents claimed that they perceived their health condition age to be older than their actual age. To enhance the health awareness of customers, AXA Hong Kong will soon launch the Health Age Calculator to help people better understand their health status. The Health Age Calculator will also provide health tips, so customers’ habits can be changed for better health.

Mr Kevin Chor, Chief Life Product and Proposition Officer of AXA Hong Kong, said, “Smoking affects not only smokers, but also the health of smokers’ families and friends deeply as they are exposed to second- or third-hand smoking. A recent survey of students’ smoking patterns¹ found that the current rates of smoking and using electronic cigarettes amongsecondary school students were 2.5% and 8.7% respectively, while the corresponding rates for primary school students were 0.1% and 1.4% respectively. It shows that e-cigarettes have become a trend among young people. Therefore, as a responsible health partner for our customers, AXA Hong Kong is committed to putting customers at the forefront by providing a full range of health management solutions leading them to a healthier lifestyle with their families. AXA Hong Kong is also pleased to partner with Pok Oi Chinese Medicine Services to promote quit smoking and a healthy lifestyle.”

The "Quit Smoking Incentive" programme covers a wide range of designated health and protection insurance basic plans as well as designated insurance supplements. Anyone who wishes to participate in the programme must first make a pledge to quit smoking when purchasing a new designated insurance basic plan and its designated insurance supplements. It requires customers to quit smoking successfully within 18 months after purchase. Before the second renewal date of the plans, customers will be notified and are required to take a nicotine test from designated laboratories (cost of the test will be paid by AXA Hong Kong). If the test results prove that the customer has successfully quit smoking, the customer will be charged a non-smoker premium thereafter, and will receive the premium difference between smoker and non-smoker status that the customer has paid in the 1st and 2nd policy years as a reward.

In addition, AXA Hong Kong will share tips for smoking cessation with participating customers regularly, including using acupuncture, Chinese medicines and diet, among others.