What happens to your child’s healthcare cover when they turn 16?
It's important to know that, when your child turns 16, they’ll have full control over their own medical care and information.
This means that, if they’re included on your healthcare plan, we won’t be allowed to share their medical information or claims details with you unless they give their permission.
If you use your online account, you’ll notice you won’t be able to see their details in there after they turn 16. This includes their medical history as well as any documents from previous or ongoing claims.
And, if you get in touch to make a claim on your child’s behalf, we’d need their consent before we could discuss anything with you.
We’ve made it as simple as possible for your child to give their permission. They just need to set up their own online account and fill out a Letter of Authority. Here’s everything you need to know…
If your child is included in your healthcare plan, they’ll have full ownership of their medical history once they turn 16, including details of any past or present claims. They’ll still be covered under your plan, but you won’t be able to make a claim on their behalf or access their details unless they give us written permission. If you use your online account, you’ll notice your child’s information isn’t there anymore after they turn 16.
These changes come into effect the moment your child turns 16, so control of their details passes to them as the clock strikes 12am on their 16th birthday. That’s also the time when their details stop being accessible via your online account.
Don’t worry. They haven’t been deleted! All your child’s medical details, and any claims information they may have accumulated, will be transferred to a separate online account. This will be dormant, ready for your child to register and set up an online profile if they wish to. They’ll link their account to yours by using your membership number, so they’ll remain covered under your plan, and your membership will not be affected.
It’s a legal thing. In a nutshell, the General Data Protection Regulation (GDPR) gives 16 and 17-year-olds ownership of their medical decisions, treatment and information. The bottom line is that, as soon as your child turns 16, we won’t be allowed to share their details or discuss any ongoing claims with you unless we have their written permission.
All they need to do is send us a signed Letter of Authority to confirm that they’re happy for us to share their medical details with you and talk to you about a claim. Once your child turns 16, they can set up their online account using their own email address and your AXA Health membership number. The Letter of Authority that we need will be available to download from the ‘Permissions’ section of their account, which can be found under ‘My Profile’ or ‘My Account’. They can fill it in digitally and upload it via their online account. This permission will remain in place until your child withdraws their consent.
Alternatively, they can download the Letter of Authority below, print it off and send it to us at the address on the form.
The most important thing to remember is that this won’t affect your child’s cover or any ongoing claims. This is just about how and where their information is accessed. Organising their healthcare cover probably won’t be at the top of your child’s to-do list just after they’ve turned 16, but we’ve made it as quick and painless as possible.
What’s in it for them?
While we can’t think of any reason why your 16-year-old wouldn’t jump at the chance of setting up an online account for their healthcare cover, here are a few added incentives if you need help encouraging them. With an online account, your child can:
- get 40% off a Hussle multi-gym membership
- claim for eligible private treatment
- give you permission to keep looking after their claims
- find an expert to talk to in confidence about things like travel vaccinations, sexual health and mental health.
Your child can access and register their online account via the links below. From there they’ll be able to download, complete and return their Letter of Authority.
If you have an AXA Health plan...
Your AXA Health membership number will either begin with AXA/ or it'll be seven numbers followed by a letter.
Need help?
Call us on 0800 302 9133 between 8am and 8pm Monday to Friday, or 9am to 5pm on Saturdays.
If you have a Health-on-Line plan...
All Health-on-Line membership numbers have HOL/ in front of them.
Need help?
Call us on 01202 544 444 between 8am and 6pm Monday to Friday.