Manulife opens doors to kids with special needs

It’s not easy getting an insurance policy, especially in the Philippines where millions of families are barely able to make ends meet every month. But even those who prioritize financial protection find themselves unable to get insurance when the candidate isn’t “normal.”

This is what families of kids with special needs discover when they inquire about getting insurance for their children. Unless the child is diagnosed as “high-functioning,” the rejection is almost automatic the moment the agent finds out that the child is neurodivergent. 

Mito, a child with Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), Attention-Deficit/Hyperactivity Disorder (ADHD), and Intellectual Disability (what used to be called retardation) has always been turned down — even on exploratory conversations. “They said that applications of people with special needs always get rejected, so they don’t even try anymore,” said Mito’s father, Mark David.

But the industry is showing signs of change. John Paul Sarmiento, Manulife Philippines Financial Advisor and Insurance Agent, decided to take on their cause and fight for Mito. Instead of just submitting the usual application, Sarmiento worked with the family to best present their case to the company.

The agent painstakingly detailed how Mito had non-stop intervention starting from a young age. He emphasized the child’s numerous therapy sessions (occupational therapy, speech therapy, physical therapy, and Applied Behavior Analysis) per week and even the family’s attempts at stem-cell therapy in Panama and Malaysia. But the biggest factor for the change, Sarmiento realized, was the superb special-education class that the child gets at his school, The Vanguard Academy. 

“The ultra-comprehensive, multi-disciplinary team report from The Vanguard Academy helped a lot,” Sarmiento admitted. “They had a team of speech and language pathologists, occupational and physical therapists, a Developmental Psychologist, and a Developmental-Behavioral Pediatrician create a 38-page Individualized Education Program for Mito and it showed that the child is getting the best possible support anyone can ask for.”

This, Sarmiento recognized, would be critical in convincing insurance companies to open their doors.  “We need to show that the limitations of what the child is capable of today say nothing about what they could achieve in the future.” 

The effort paid off. In a breakthrough case, Sarmiento was able to secure Critical Illness coverage with Early Stage, Recovery, 2^nd Critical Illness, and Male Cancer Benefit for Mito with Manulife Philippines. The policy provides coverage up to 99 years of age, which gives a measure of peace to parents, knowing that their children are covered even when they’re no longer around.

It started with one case, but Sarmiento believes this could provide the impetus for larger, more inclusive changes in the insurance industry. “Hopefully, this is just the start. My aim is that more families with kids with special needs get a little more peace of mind through insurance coverage and protection. No one should be left behind –— especially those that need help the most.”

In a post in Autism Community Philippines, a 60,000-strong Facebook group, members expressed their elation at this news. Parents of kids with special needs wished that all insurance companies would be more open to their situation.