Risky business: insuring adults with congenital heart disease.
Accurate prognostication in congenital heart disease is vital for purposes of obtaining insurance, yet can be problematic for patients, physicians and insurers. This article discusses the scope of the problem, and describes the process of evaluating life insurance. Mortality data as well as predictors of adverse outcomes for individual congenital heart lesions are reviewed. Practical tips for patients and their physicians are given to aid in successful application for insurance. To expand the possibility of future patients obtaining insurance coverage, the ongoing reporting and constant updating of very long-term survival data in congenital heart disease is emphasized.
Vonder Muhll
Isabelle
I
Adult Congenital Heart Unit, The Royal Brompton & Harefield NHS Trust, Sydney Street, London SW3 6NP, UK.
Cumming
Gordon
G
Gatzoulis
Michael A
MA
D000328:Adult; D005260:Female; D006330:Heart Defects, Congenital / Q000401:mortality; D006801:Humans; D015273:Insurance Selection Bias; D007352:Insurance, Life; D011379:Prognosis; D018570:Risk Assessment; D012307:Risk Factors; D016019:Survival Analysis