Mental Health accounts for 29% of LV= Income Protection claims

Figures from protection specialist LV= reveal claims for mental health account for 29% of income protection claims.

As part of Mental Health Awareness Week (18-24 May), LV= is highlighting the support services available for members struggling with mental health issues.

The theme for Mental Health Awareness Week 2020 is ‘Kindness’, fostering a sense of community and openness for those living with mental health problems. According to the Global Web Index, 54% of UK adults said that their mental health has worsened during the Covid-19 crisis. This concern is widespread, as the biggest fear for 30% of people is their mental health deteriorating during the epidemic(1).

Some 7% of adults in the UK sought mental health support through telehealth services(2). But a Mind survey found that one in four said they had trouble contacting a GP or community mental health team as face-to-face appointments stopped in recent weeks(3).

LV= provides additional support services for members without the need to make a claim. LV= Doctor Services includes medical advice from a UK GP available remotely through the Square Health app or over the phone, while the Remote GP service has been extended to provide 24-hour support for people struggling to get appointments with a medical expert. During March and April 2020, there was a 16% rise in the number of members under the age of 40 using Remote GP services.

LV= helps those struggling with mental health by arranging counselling and back to work services with rehabilitation partners Innovate Healthcare. In 2019, 33% of rehab referrals were to request mental health support.

LV= is the only provider to include automatic reviewable exclusions for Income Protection customers, allowing those with pre-existing conditions to remove them after a certain time. Mental illness is the most common condition to have an automatic reviewable exclusion, can be removed after up to three years of no further issues.