In a significant and groundbreaking development, cancer survivors in the Czech Republic will now have the opportunity to obtain life insurance and access other long-term financial products on par with individuals who have not experienced cancer. This transformative change comes after years of insurance companies hesitating to enter into contracts with cancer survivors or raising the prices of their products due to the individuals’ past illness. On Monday, the Ministry of Health, in collaboration with the Czech Association of Insurers, reached an agreement to rectify this practice.

Minister of Health Vlastimil Válek (TOP 09) emphasized the difficulties faced by individuals undergoing or recovering from cancer treatment when trying to secure life insurance and other financial products. Insurance companies have traditionally been reluctant to engage with them or have imposed higher premiums, even if the patients have successfully completed their treatment and are now in good health.

Under the newly introduced “Right to be Forgotten,” oncology patients will benefit from a change in how insurance companies view their health status. After a specific period from the conclusion of their treatment, they will be treated as if they had never been afflicted by the disease, thus making them eligible for insurance under standard conditions.

In this endeavor, the Ministry of Health has worked in collaboration with the Institute of Health Information and Statistics (ÚZIS) to provide insurers with relevant information to assess the risk posed by oncology patients.

According to Jan Matoušek, the director of the Czech Insurance Bureau, this collaborative effort has led to the issuance of a recommendation to disregard most oncological diagnoses in terms of previous illnesses when evaluating insurance applications. This vital shift in policy will offer a level playing field for cancer survivors to access life insurance and other long-term financial products.

Patient representatives have warmly welcomed this pivotal change. Michaela Tůmová, a member of the Committee of the Voice of Oncology Patients, expressed their satisfaction and noted that this right is being achieved without the need for legislative changes. The initiative reflects a more inclusive and equitable approach to healthcare and insurance, ensuring that cancer survivors are not unduly burdened by their past medical history when seeking long-term financial security. This change is poised to positively impact the lives and financial well-being of many cancer survivors in the Czech Republic.

Article by Prague Forum