Working as a medical professional can mean taking on risks that are different to those encountered by other occupations. Needle-stick cover is there to protect doctors, nurses, surgeons and paramedics working with a heightened risk of coming into contact with infection and disease.
A needle-stick injury occurs when a used needle accidentally punctures the skin, and potentially infects the insured with dirty blood. Most policies also take into account splash injuries, but this can vary.
Splash injuries occur when medical professionals undertaking a surgery or procedure come into contact with infected blood, or are injured by inhaling blood or bone dust.
The Medical Technology Association of Australia says there are about 30 needlestick injuries per 100 beds each year. It says about 18,000 medical professionals suffer a NSI each year. That makes them "one of the most common causes of physical, pathological and psychological hazards for many healthcare workers".
Unfortunately, needlestick injuries can cause lifelong issues. This is because needlestick injuries can expose doctors to bloodborne pathogens including HIV and hepatitis. Fortunatly, income protection policies often have specific benefits that cover needlesticks.
| Response | Male | Female |
|---|---|---|
| None of the above | 3.34% | 1.93% |
| Having a baby | 2.6% | 1.41% |
| Buying a home | 1.67% | 1.41% |
| Getting older (but not retiring) | 1.67% | 0.88% |
| Starting a new job | 1.11% | 1.58% |
| Getting married | 1.11% | 0.88% |
| Starting my own business | 0.56% | 0.53% |
| Buying a car | 0.19% | |
| Moving home | 0.19% | 0.18% |
| Retirement | 0.19% |
Here are some insurers on finder.com.au that offer income protection policies with needle-stick benefits.
| Adviser brands | Maximum Benefit Amount | Apply |
|---|---|---|
 | $1,000,000 | Go to Site |
 | $1,000,000 | |
 | $1,000,000 | |
 (includes St. George and Westpac) | $1,000,000 | |
 | $1,000,000 | |
 | $1,000,000 | |
 | $1,000,000 |
Data taken from brand product disclosure statements on January 2022. Benefits, conditions and amounts are subject to change at anytime.
Needle-stick cover policies generally provide compensation for the following life-threatening blood diseases.
Needle-stick cover normally tops out at a $1 million lump sum. Some life insurance companies may also allow a monthly benefit option.
Insurers will normally use the following ways to determine your lump sum benefit.
When you sustain a needle-stick injury, you risk losing your income as your capacity to work can diminish while you are on the road to recovery, or you may be unable to ever maintain normal working commitments.
Here’s a list of how such an injury could leave medical workers with an uncertain income going forward.
Insurers offering needle-stick cover require you to meet the following criteria and provide the requested documents.
It’s vital to remember that life insurance companies do differ in terms of their policies. A common curve ball you could face is having a blood test before you are compensated.
Insurers may also request independent blood samples aimed at testing for sero-conversion (detection of specific antibodies to micro-organisms in the blood serum as a result of infection from one of the covered conditions).
Before your life insurance is granted, you’ll be asked to reveal personal details about who you are, and your past and present medical conditions. This includes anything that could impact your life needle-stick benefit, like your current employment, and normal activities.
Common details you might be asked to provide:
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