The difference between acute and chronic conditions

When it comes to insurance, the Association of British Insurers (ABI) define a chronic condition as a disease, illness or injury which has one of more of the following characteristics: ^{Footnote [1]}

• it needs ongoing or long-term monitoring through consultations, examinations, check-ups and/or tests
• it needs ongoing or long-term control or relief of symptoms
• it requires your rehabilitation or for you to be specially trained to cope with it
• it continues indefinitely
• it has no known cure
• it comes back or is likely to come back

Common examples of chronic health conditions include:

• Diabetes, a condition that causes a person’s blood sugar to become too high
• Coronary heart disease or heart disease, where the heart’s blood supply is blocked or interrupted by a build-up of fatty substances in the coronary 
• Chronic respiratory conditions, like asthma or chronic obstructive pulmonary disease (COPD), which can cause breathing difficulties
• Osteoarthritis , which causes joint pain and stiffness
• Chronic neurological conditions like multiple sclerosis or myasthenia gravis

Mental health disorders such as depression and anxiety can also be chronic, if they require long-term treatment and management.

Yes, cancer is generally considered a chronic health condition because it often needs long-term treatment, monitoring, and ongoing management. While some cancers can be treated successfully and may go into remission, others can persist or return, making lifelong follow-up care necessary. Modern advances in medicine have allowed many people with cancer to live longer, sometimes managing the disease as a chronic condition rather than facing it as an immediately life-threatening illness.   Treatments such as chemotherapy, radiation, immunotherapy, and targeted drugs can help control cancer over a long period.

However, we approach cancer differently than other chronic conditions when it comes to health insurance.

Aviva Health insurance doesn’t cover chronic conditions in general, such as arthritis and diabetes. However, Aviva Health insurance does cover cancer as standard.

An acute condition is defined by the ABI as a disease, illness or injury that’s likely to respond quickly to treatment which aims to return you to the state of health you were in immediately before suffering the disease, illness or injury, or which leads to your full recovery. ^{Footnote [1]}

Usually this means it’s a health issue that develops suddenly and lasts for a fairly short time, often getting better within days or weeks when treated properly. Acute conditions can range from things like the flu, tonsilitis, or pneumonia to a broken bone, kidney stones, or appendicitis.

Yes, our health insurance covers treatment for short-term illnesses or injuries that respond quickly to treatment. We also cover for cancer diagnosis, treatment and aftercare as standard.