Last November the provider introduced ‘actively at work’ conditions excluding cover for employees off sick at the time cover commences.
The provider says it will now ask employers which employees have had four or more weeks off work in a single stretch.
Ellipse chief executive John Ritchie says: “We hold our hands up – the change we made in November wasn’t popular. Our motive was to get rid of the uncertainty and potential gaps in cover that exist when ‘actively at work’ conditions are applied.
“At the same time we changed the absence definition for disclosure on new and switching schemes.
“We still think actively at work exclusions as a protection for the insurer should be consigned to the past as the effect can be to leave risk – even if only temporarily – with the small business and their employees who are in no position to carry it.
“We have come up with a new disclosure requirement that asks for details current absentees with the length of absence varying by size of scheme.
“We tested this definition with our key distributors. If you make the same mistake twice expect the “feedback” to become unequivocal criticism “
