State-owned Jiban Bima Corporation has issued 14 directives setting tighter eligibility and verification requirements for riders attached to life-insurance policies.

The directives, issued on July 26, were sent to the corporation's regional, corporate, sales and branch offices for implementation.

A rider is an optional benefit purchased with additional premium alongside a main policy, rather than a separate insurance policy.

Jiban Bima Corporation offers riders that can include health coverage, major-disease cover and premium-waiver benefits.

Under the directives, applicants’ age, health status, medical history and occupational risk are to be considered before a rider is approved.

Applicants may be required to submit health information and medical-test results, including lipid-profile and serum-creatinine reports, while the corporation may request further tests, medical certificates or other health information.

The directives say riders will not apply to people with specified pre-existing serious illnesses, including cancer, heart disease, stroke, kidney failure, liver cirrhosis and paralysis.

They also list HIV/AIDS, serious congenital disease, complex long-term illness, and permanent or partial physical or mental disability among conditions excluded from these rider benefits.

A history of hospital admission or treatment for a serious illness during the previous two years requires medical evaluation before a rider can be approved.

The evidence differs on people in high-risk occupations or hazardous activities: one description states that they are ineligible for riders, while another allows for a decision following special risk assessment.

Applicants must disclose prior illnesses, treatment and medical advice accurately; the directives provide for rejection of a related rider claim if intentional concealment or false information is established.

A rider will end automatically if the main policy is cancelled, surrendered or lapses.

Sayed Qutub, who is performing the managing director’s duties, said the measures were introduced to address irregularities involving rider benefits.