The Empire Life Insurance Co. today announced new features to its critical illness product, Vital Link.

One added feature is a return of premium option on Vital Link 10. This means that clients are eligible to receive a 50% premium payback benefit at 10 years, growing to 100% at year 15 and thereafter. Empire says this is a very attractive feature for professional and business clients who purchase critical illness insurance for business purposes.

Other features include the addition of two new critical illness coverages, aorta surgery and heart valve replacement, bringing the total number of medical conditions covered by Vital Link to 23.

Also a new non life-threatening illness benefit allows clients to receive 25% of the face value of their policy (up to $25,000) if diagnosed with certain conditions, including ductal carcinoma in situ of the breast, stage A prostate cancer, HIV-related cancer or coronary angioplasty (one occurrence up to $10,000). A claim due to one of these non life-threatening conditions does not affect the total face amount of the contract.

Empire is also introducing Best Doctor Medical Assistance to new Vital Link policyholders at no additional charge. This service offers clients expert second opinions with top doctors and hospitals for care and help in accessing the best treatment available.

“We are quite passionate about the importance of critical illness insurance in the marketplace,” said Owen Rhoden, manager of individual life and health insurance marketing, in a release. “Our improved Vital Link fills the need to provide consumers with the means to maintain their standard of living when the reality of illness strikes. It’s about living, but more important it’s about living well.”

Empire’s enhanced critical illness product is on the market now. Rates for this product have increased by about 15% to 30% due to rising industry-wide rates charged by reinsurance companies.

Empire says the critical illness component of Trilogy, Empire’s universal life product, is not affected by these enhancements and rate changes at this time.