Photo: Public domain
Some people with Chronic Fatigue Syndrome say they are being denied personal insurance because insurers deem it to be a mental health issue, not a biomedical issue.
Myalgic encephalomyelitis/chronic fatigue syndrome - or ME/CFS - is a post viral condition, causing mild symptoms in some, while leaving others unable to work and even confined to their beds.
The ME Society, which represents people with the condition, says it knows of at least three cases where insurers have denied cover, on the basis there was a mental health component.
Otago University Emeritus Professor Warren Tate says there is 'overwhelming evidence' that ME/CFS is not a psychological issue - but is post-viral. He is working on having it reclassified as a biomedical illness that involves an immune system dysfunction. More recently, he and other researchers are focusing on the similarities between ME/CFS, and another potentially debilitating post viral condition - long covid.
Kathryn speaks with Professor Tate and a person with ME/CFS whose insurance claim has been denied.
