Are Food Allergies a Pre-existing Condition?

If you’re not already familiar with insurance jargons, ‘pre-existing conditions’ refer to health conditions you have prior to securing a health insurance plan. Unsurprisingly, insurers are less willing to cover individuals with pre-existing conditions, as there’s a higher likelihood of claims.

So, where does that leave those with food allergies? In this Pacific Prime Hong Kong article, we’ll tell you everything you need to know about food allergies and whether it’s a pre-existing condition. We’ll also give you information about securing health insurance if you’ve got a food allergy.

Understanding Food Allergies

Allergies are when an otherwise harmless substance (allergens) causes the immune system to react inappropriately (allergic reaction). Food allergies are only one type of allergy, with the eight most common food allergens being milk, egg, fish, shellfish, peanut, tree nuts, soy, and wheat/gluten.

Typically, the symptoms of allergic reactions can include mouth swelling, itchy skin, rashes, diarrhea, vomiting, breathlessness, cough, or even fatalities such as difficulty in breathing and a rapid drop in blood pressure.

In more serious cases, anaphylaxis can occur, which is a life-threatening reaction that causes the body to go into shock.

Individuals may experience allergic reactions in only a couple of minutes, half an hour, a day, a week, or even two weeks. What’s more, the amount of allergen that causes a reaction can also vary. For the most sensitive individuals, the smell of the allergen is enough to trigger symptoms.

The Situation in Hong Kong and Beyond

A 2012 study reveals that the prevalence of food allergy in children aged 14 and below in Hong Kong was 4.8%, based on a survey of 7,393 children. The study found that the most common allergens are:

• Shellfish (accounts for more than a third of all reactions)
• Hen’s egg (14.5%)
• Dairy products (10.8%)
• Peanuts (8.5%)
• Combined fruits (8.5%)

The rate of anaphylaxis was also high, as 15.6% of those suffering from adverse reactions had it.

Note: When it comes to adults in Hong Kong, there is very little data on the prevalence of allergies. As only a minority of children will grow out of their allergic diseases, the problem will likely persist into adulthood.

Nowadays, around 1-3% of adults and 4-6% of children have some form of food allergies around the world. Experts pointed out a concerning issue that indicates that food allergies are becoming more common.

Tests to Diagnose Food Allergies

So, how can individuals find out if they’ve got a food allergy? If an individual has a suspected case of food allergy, the doctor will take into account the symptoms, family history of food allergies, and conduct a physical examination in order to exclude other medical problems.

The following tests can also be taken to identify the food allergen:

• Skin test: A small amount of the suspected food is placed on your skin, which is pricked with a needle to allow a tiny amount of the substance beneath your skin. If you develop a raised bump or a reaction, then you’re most likely allergic to the substance.

• Blood test: A sample of your blood is taken and sent to the lab for testing. The test checks your blood for allergy-related antibodies known as immunoglobulin E (IgE) to measure your immune system’s responses to particular foods.

• Elimination diet: You may be asked to eliminate suspected food for a week or two, before adding the food items back into your diet one at a time. This process can help link symptoms back to the food, though it isn’t a foolproof method.

Note: Elimination diet can’t differentiate between food allergy and food sensitivity. If you’ve had a severe reaction in the past, an elimination diet may not be safe.

• Oral food challenge: In the doctor’s office, you may be given small amounts of suspected foods to consume. If you don’t develop an allergic reaction during the test, you may be able to include this food in your diet again.

Managing Food Allergies

Currently, there are no cures for a food allergy. To manage the food allergy, individuals are urged to avoid the food as a precautionary measure. If the food is consumed accidentally, antihistamines can help treat mild symptoms such as itching and hives.

For severe symptoms or breathing difficulties (like throat swelling or wheezing), an epinephrine injection and/or hospitalization will be required.

Pre-existing Conditions and Food Allergies

So, are food allergies considered a pre-existing condition? If the condition has been unstable in the look-back period (a certain period before the effective date of the policy), then it is likely to be a pre-existing condition. This includes having a change in treatment, advice, or prescription.

On the other hand, if the condition has remained stable, then the food allergy isn’t likely to be considered a pre-existing condition.

Pre-existing Conditions Insurance

Furthermore, while insurers are typically wary of pre-existing conditions, it’s possible to find plans with pre-existing coverage.

Most of the time, they’ll attach a waiting period, which means the policyholder will need to wait a specific period of time before being eligible for coverage. It’s also likely that insurers may charge a higher premium than usual.

Note: Given this, parents are advised to secure health insurance for their children early on, in case they develop an allergy. If you have a maternity insurance plan, you can also benefit from newborn coverage.

Need to Secure a Health Insurance Plan? Get in Touch with Pacific Prime Hong Kong

Comparing and selecting health insurance is no easy feat – a task made even more difficult if you’ve got a pre-existing condition. Fortunately, health insurance brokers like Pacific Prime Hong Kong can help.

With over two decades of experience in the insurance industry, we partner with the top insurers in the region to bring you vetted plans. Whether you’re looking for an individual, family, maternity, or any other health insurance plan in Hong Kong, you can reach out to us.

Our friendly and knowledgeable experts keep in mind your needs and budgets, providing you with an impartial consultation, health insurance comparison, and no-obligation quote!

Contact us today!

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Martin Lee

Content Creator at Pacific Prime Hong Kong

Martin is a writer and translator with over 10 years of experience. He writes articles and blog posts, creates infographics and videos, translates between Chinese and English, and more. Skilled at explaining complicated concepts in layman’s terms, Martin believes the gold standard of translation is attained when the translated text is not only accurate, but also reads like an original text. Martin holds a degree in Economics from the University of London, UK.

Since joining Pacific Prime, Martin has become even more aware of the gap between the true value of insurance products and most people’s appreciation of it, and developed a passion for demystifying and simplifying matters, so that more people get the protection they need at a cost they can easily afford.

In his free time, Martin attends concerts of various genres, and plays the violin with piano accompaniment he pre-recorded himself or played live by his niece.

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