Method of managing a life insurance policy with a related medical scheme

• US 20050240449A1
• Filed: 03/08/2005
• Published: 10/27/2005
• Est. Priority Date: 04/16/2004
• Status: Abandoned Application

• Current Assignee: Discovery Life Limited (Discovery Limited)
• Original Assignee: Discovery Life Limited (Discovery Limited)
• Inventors: Gore, Adrian, Mayers, Herschel Phillip, Rabson, Kenneth Steven
• Application Number:
  US11/074,453
• Publication Number:
  US 20050240449A1
• Time in Patent Office: Days
• US Class Current: 705/4
• CPC Class Codes: G06Q 40/08 Insurance

Abstract

A method of managing the business of a life insurance scheme of the kind in which a life insurer receives life insurance premiums from an insured life and pays a predetermined sum to the insured life on the occurrence of an insured event. The life insurance scheme is linked to a medical scheme of the kind in which the provider of such medical scheme undertakes liability in return for a premium or contribution, the insured life being a member of the medical scheme. A portion of the life insurance premiums paid by the insured life during a predetermined period are allocated to a fund according to predetermined criteria related to the status of the insured life with the medical scheme. An amount is deducted from the balance of the fund related to life insurance claims made by the member during the predetermined period and at predetermined intervals, the balance in the fund is paid to the insured life.

Claims

1. A method of managing the business of a life insurance scheme of the kind in which a life insurer receives life insurance premiums from an insured life, the life insurer paying a predetermined sum assured to the insured life or a beneficiary nominated by the insured life on the occurrence of an insured event, the method comprising:

linking the life insurance scheme to a medical scheme of the kind in which the provider of such medical scheme undertakes liability in return for a premium or contribution, and provides to members who pay such premiums, or make such contributions, relevant health services and/or assistance in defraying expenses occurred in connection with rendering such relevant health services, the insured life being a member of the medical scheme;

allocating a portion of the life insurance premiums paid by the insured life during a predetermined period to a fund according to predetermined criteria related to the status of the insured life with the medical scheme during said predetermined period; and

at predetermined intervals, paying the balance in the fund to the insured life or a beneficiary nominated by the insured life.

2. A method according to claim 1 including deducting from the balance of the fund an amount related to life insurance claims made by the member during the predetermined period

3. A method according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined criteria in terms of which a portion of the premiums paid by the insured life are allocated to the fund include one or more of the following:

the specific medical plan chosen by the insured life;

the number of dependents of the insured life;

the level of claims made on the medical scheme by the insured life and his/her dependents during the predetermined period; and

the status of the insured life in a reward program associated with the medical plan.

4. A method according to claim 1 wherein the predetermined period is at least one year.

5. A method according to claim 4 wherein the predetermined period is a five-year period.

6. A method according to claim 1 wherein the allocation of a portion of the premiums paid to the fund is made annually.

7. A method according to claim 1 wherein the payment is made into an account that the insured life or nominated beneficiary has with a financial institution.

8. A method according to claim 1 wherein the payment is made into a medical savings account that the insured life has with the medical scheme or into a credit or debit card of the insured life, which credit or debit card is associated with the life insurance scheme or medical scheme.