Health risk assessment

Health risk assessment

Abstract

The purpose of this paper is to assess an individual’s health and lifestyle to determine the risk and premium cost for a private insurance company in Saudi Arabia. The researchers conducted a survey using a questionnaire. Respondents were expected to fill the questionnaire truthfully and to the best of their ability. Part A of the survey consisted of questions intended to find out the medical history of the client. Respondents were to reveal their past medical issues and diseases they might have suffered. This section is important because the insurer can evaluate the risks of insuring the client, depending on whether the illnesses that affected the client are chronic or not. If the diseases are deemed chronic or deadly, then the insurer is expected to charge higher premiums because treatment may be expensive if they arise. It also helps in approximating how long the potential client may survive, and this in turn, determines how long the insurer will receive premiums from the client. If the client is healthy and has not suffered from any severe illnesses before, then the premiums charged may be lower.

Part B mainly dealt with social history. This section sought to find out the social practices of the clients. Respondents were expected to explain their habits, especially the ones that directly affected their health. For example, if one is a smoker, then they are likely to be infected with lung-related problems. The insurer should charge higher premiums because the client is at a high risk of getting sick. The issue of the types of foods eaten by the client also affects the amount of dividends to be paid. Exercise was also another issue because it is healthy to exercise and therefore clients found to be exercising have a lower risk of getting sick. The insurer should charge lower premiums, if this is the case.

Part C focused mainly on the family of the respondent. The potential clients were required to reveal whether any of their close kin had suffered from selected diseases, for example, heart disease, high blood pressure and others. The selected diseases are considered to be hereditary and may be passed on to different relatives. If a client was found to have a relative with any of the disease then it is likely that it runs in the family and hence the client is at a high risk of also contracting it. In this case, the insurer would be forced to charge higher premiums.

Part D sought to find out if the respondent had been hospitalized or undergone surgery in their life. If the client has been hospitalized before or undergone surgery, then the probability of this occurring again is very high, and the insurer should charge higher premiums. This is to shield the insurer from incurring losses in case this happens.

Part E intended to determine the doctors that treat the respondent. This was important because the insurer may obtain additional information regarding the medical history of the client from these doctors.

Part F mainly handled the medicines and supplements used by the respondent. These medicines would be used by the insurer to determine if the respondent might have other hidden diseases.

Part G mainly sought to find out about safety and functional ability. Respondents were required to state whether they could handle themselves properly without help. Part H dealt with the mental health of the clients. They were required to state whether they felt depressed lately. If a client is feeling depressed then they are likely to do harmful things. If an insurer finds this out, then they should charge higher premiums to avoid losses.

1. Medical history: Please indicate which of the following diseases you’ve had and the approximate time

1. SOCIAL HISTORY: Please answer the following questions
2. Do you exercise regularly? __yes __no. if so how regular and what type of exercises? ____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Describe your home environment __private home __assisted living __other.
4. If it is a private home, do you depend on a spouse /family for assistance? __yes __no, if so who? _________________________________________________
5. Do you smoke? __yes __no. If so how many packs/day? ____. For how many years? _________________________
6. Do you drink alcoholic beverages? __yes __no. if so how often? _______________________________________________________
7. Do you take recreational drugs? Which ones? ____________________________________________________________
8. Do you eat a balanced diet? ___________________________________________
9. Rate your general health. __good __fair __poor

1. Family history: please indicate if any of your relatives have any of the following diseases.

1. Hospitalization/surgery history: Please indicate your hospitalization/surgery history.

1. Patient’s medical provider: list the doctors who have treated you before.

1. Current medical supplements: list the medication that you are currently using.

1. Functional ability/safety screening
2. Do you feel unsteady when you walk? __yes __no
3. Do you need help with getting dressed, grooming, bathing, walking or using the toilet? __yes __no.
4. Does your home have rugs in the hallways, grab bars in the bathroom, hand rails on the stairs and proper lighting? __yes __no
5. Have you noticed vision impairment? __yes __no

1. Depression: Have you been bothered by any of the following problems recently?

References

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Awwad, F. A., & Ali Ismail, E. A. (2018). Evaluation of the degree of policyholder’s risk for the individual’s health insurance coverage. Cogent Business & Management, 5(1), 1477499.

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Wuyu, S., & Cerna, P. (2019). Risk Assessment Predictive Modelling in Ethiopian Insurance Industry Using Data Mining. Software Engineering, 6(4), 121.