Long Covid Support Calls for Review of Mental Health Exclusions in Insurance Claims

Long Covid Support Aotearoa is calling for an investigation into the use of mental health exclusions in Long Covid insurance claims, noting that patients who are too sick to work should have fair financial protection. Tales Azevedo Alves, a Long Covid patient and software engineer, had his income protection claim with Partners Life declined in August. The insurer relied on a mental health exclusion that included “fatigue-related disorders” following an earlier ADHD diagnosis.

The situation raises questions about how insurers assess disabling physical illnesses, such as Long Covid, when claims are denied based on mental health criteria. A similar case involved Nicola Coombe, whose claim for total and permanent disability was also declined.