ZhongAn Insurance Launches China's First Colorectal Cancer Prevention Insurance 'Chang Ming Bai Sui'

On June 15, ZhongAn Insurance launched China’s first insurance product for colorectal cancer prevention, “Changming Baisui” (Longevity of the Colon). Developed in collaboration with New Horizon Health, the policy includes early colorectal cancer screening tests provided by New Horizon Health.

It is understood that this product integrates professional early screening technologies for colorectal cancer, medical diagnostic methods, and corresponding assurance services, linking colorectal cancer early screening with subsequent diagnostic and therapeutic interventions through insurance coverage. After purchasing the policy via ZhongAn Insurance’s Tmall flagship store or mobile official website, users will receive an early screening sampling kit within three business days. They can perform painless sample collection at home in accordance with the product instructions, then mail the sample free of charge to the New Horizon Health Testing Center. The test report will be delivered within ten business days.

New Horizon Health offers a non-invasive colorectal cancer screening service that employs differential DNA analysis technology to detect the presence of abnormal DNA, identify DNA alterations associated with colorectal cancer or precancerous lesions, and enable the early detection of early-stage colorectal tumors larger than 1 cm in diameter. Each day, a portion of intestinal epithelial cells naturally sheds. In colons and recta affected by cancer or precancerous lesions, abnormal cells are shed into the intestinal lumen alongside normal cells. Based on the principles of early screening, as feces pass through the colon and rectum, these shed cells are incorporated into the stool. By collecting fecal samples containing these exfoliated cells, DNA comparison and analysis can be performed.

Based on varying test results, ZhongAn Insurance provides tailored follow-up coverage services. For positive test results, ZhongAn Insurance covers RMB 3,000 for colonoscopy diagnosis and treatment expenses (including registration fees, consultation fees, anesthesia fees, pathological examination fees, medication costs, and other charges related to the colonoscopy). This enables patients to eliminate potential health risks by surgically removing adenomas, precancerous lesions, or carcinoma in situ via colonoscopy. For negative results, ZhongAn Insurance provides colorectal cancer insurance with a coverage amount of RMB 100,000, ensuring sufficient treatment funds if colorectal cancer is diagnosed within one year. Ultimately, this forms a comprehensive, closed-loop disease protection chain integrating “early screening, professional diagnosis and treatment, and insurance coverage.”

Li Zhe, a product manager at ZhongAn Insurance, introduced that the newly launched “Chang Ming Bai Sui” (Longevity Gut) insurance policy features two main highlights: First, it extends the role of insurance from passive compensation at the back end to proactive prevention at the front end, transforming health insurance from passive cancer treatment to active cancer prevention. Second, as an internet-based insurance product, it fully digitizes the entire process, including underwriting, testing, reporting, and claims settlement.

Regarding this collaboration, Zhu Yeqing, CEO of New Horizon Health, stated, “ZhongAn Insurance’s ‘Changming Baisui’ marks the first time that fragmented early screening tests, diagnostic and treatment services, and insurance coverage have been truly integrated, enabling users to access a comprehensive suite of services in a one-stop manner. The widespread adoption of such health insurance products will help reduce cancer incidence rates and save more lives.”

According to the "Annual Report of Cancer Registration in China," approximately 191,100 patients died from colorectal cancer in China in 2015, with an annual growth rate of about 4.2%, far exceeding the international average of 2%. Medical experts point out that the five-year survival rate for Stage I colon cancer is over 90%, while it drops significantly for Stage IV disease. Early detection of colorectal cancer is of great significance for improving patient prognosis. Data released by the Union for International Cancer Control on World Cancer Day 2015 shows that early screening accounts for the highest proportion (53%) among the three major approaches to cancer control.

It is reported that in 2015, ZhongAn Insurance partnered with Xiaomi Sports and the Ledongli APP to launch China’s first health management plan integrating voice-enabled wearable devices and sports big data, known as “Bu Bu Bao.” It also collaborated with Tencent and DXY to customize the “Tang Xiao Bei” insurance product covering diabetic complications for the Tang Daifu glucose meter. Furthermore, it worked with BGI Genomics to introduce China’s first internet-based genetic testing insurance plan, “Zhi Yin Bao: Breast Cancer Genetic Testing Insurance.”

Health insurance refers to insurance under which insurers pay benefits for losses caused by health-related reasons through disease insurance, medical insurance, disability income loss insurance, and long-term care insurance. In 2015, the Chinese government introduced relevant policies to encourage commercial health insurance. On June 12, at the 2016 Lujiazui Forum, Xiang Junbo, Chairman of the China Insurance Regulatory Commission (CIRC), stated in his speech: “We should strive to optimize the supply of insurance products, vigorously develop commercial health insurance and high-end medical insurance, and promote the transformation of the insurance industry from mere reimbursement toward comprehensive health protection management covering pre-disease, during-disease, and post-disease stages.” Currently, the function of commercial health insurance has shifted from basic compensation for medical expenses to integrated health management encompassing prevention, treatment, and rehabilitation. The application of internet technologies and big data will bring about new business models and reshape the landscape of the commercial health insurance industry.