Which Types of Cancer Illness are covered in Cancer Health Insurance?

Cancer is a collection of a large group of diseases, which can be found in almost any organ or tissue of the body. It starts to develop with excessive and uncontrolled growth of abnormal cells. When these cells go beyond their boundaries and spread in other organs or tissues in uncontrollable manner, that is when cancer is said to strike. The other names of Cancer are neoplasm and malignant tumor. 

According to the WHO report 2018, Cancer is the second leading cause of death in the world after cardiac ailments. As per this global report, cancer is a cause of one in six deaths. In males, lung, prostate, colorectal, stomach, and liver cancer are common types. Whereas, breast cancer, colorectal, lung, cervical, and thyroid cancer are common among females. 

Cancer not only causes harm to human health, but it also causes strain that can be physical, emotional and financial. This has its impact on individuals, families, communities, and the health system. Most of the lower and middle-income families are not adequately prepared to manage this strain and they are not aware of cancer-related insurance plans. That is the reason that many people do not get timely quality diagnosis and treatment for this disease. In this article, you will get details about cancer health insurance plans. 

WHAT IS CANCER HEALTH INSURANCE?

These days cancer disease has become quite common among most classes of society. The cost of cancer treatment is very expensive and can create a huge financial burden on the family’s savings pool. Here cancer policy can play a vital role. The health insurance policy for cancer is designed to offer financial assistance to you if you are diagnosed with the disease after the free-look period mentioned in the terms and conditions of the policy. 

These policies offer to cover costs linked with cancer diagnosis and treatment, which includes the cost of hospitalization, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, etc. These policies cover some specific cancer types such as lung, breast, ovarian, stomach, hypopharynx, and prostate cancer. But it normally excludes skin cancer from this list. 

SOME COMMON INCLUSIONS TO CANCER INSURANCE PLAN

1. They cover the entire lifespan of the disease: 

• Many insurance providers give you a cover for the entire cost of treatment, right after the time of diagnosis. While in some cases, you as a policyholder get a lump sum cover that is in the form of fixed payouts. 

• If you are diagnosed with cancer at a minor stage but in case, if you reach its major stage, then you could be eligible either for premiums to be waived off for the next three years or until the end of the policy term. 

SOME COMMON EXCLUSIONS TO CANCER INSURANCE PLAN

1. The first case is if you are diagnosed with major cancer or you are at the early stage of it or you get cancer directly or indirectly from sexually transmitted diseases (mainly HIV-AIDs). In such cases, you will not get insurance cover. And this is a common exclusion that is considered by most insurance providers.

2. If you are suffering from any other serious disease that may cause cancer then you will also not get benefits under the cancer insurance plan (in most cases). Whether you are diagnosed with cancer at a minor or major stage, this exclusion is regardless of that. 

3. You will not get insurance cover if the cancer is caused due to intoxication from alcohol or any drugs that have not been prescribed by a registered medical practitioner or the use of any specific psychotropic substances.

4. If the cancer is caused directly or indirectly due to contamination by nuclear, biological, or chemical sources. Then whether you are diagnosed in the minor or major stage, you will not get insurance coverage. 

5. Last but not least, Skin Cancer is not included in the cancer insurance plan and this is a common thread across most insurance companies.

Now, as a policyholder, you have to be aware of these exclusions mentioned under your cancer insurance plan. The insurance company provides you with a ‘Free Look Cancellation’ period of 15 or 30 days. During this period, you have to review all inclusions and exclusions of your policy and you can cancel your policy if you need. After this period, the policy provider ensures that you are fully aware of the benefits that you will receive. 

WHY DO YOU NEED A CANCER INSURANCE COVER?

1. Cancer Health Insurance plans cover almost all types of cancer:

You will fail to get a cancer insurance policy in case of a pre-existing condition. But in some cases, the insurance provider provides income for a specific period to financially assist your family. If you are deciding to buy a cancer insurance policy, then it is a big aid that saves you from the financial breakdown in case you are diagnosed with a disease. Here before you will go to buy a cancer insurance plan you have to note that it is not in place of a health insurance plan. 

2. Useful in case if you have insufficient financial backup:

If your financial condition is not that sound then it will affect you adversely in case of emergencies. But if you keep a cancer insurance policy as your backup plan, then it will not only cover the cost of your treatment but also make you financially stable. In such policies, the company will give you a lump-sum amount if you are diagnosed with cancer. You can use this amount for your traveling expenses to meet your doctor anywhere in the country. This amount can also cover the cost of home care, pay for your day-to-day bills.

3. Cancer patient in your family history:

If someone in your family was having a cancer history then it increases the risk of getting diagnosed with cancer in the future. In such a case, it’s favorable for you to buy any cancer insurance policy. But before purchasing a policy, you must be aware that any pre-existing cancer conditions are not covered under the cancer insurance plan.

LIST OF SOME CANCER INSURANCE PLANS IN INDIA

1. ICICI PRU CANCER PROTECT: 

Under this plan, you can get coverage from the beginning of diagnosis. People from 18 years to 65 years are eligible for this. And the range of coverage lies from Rs. 2lakh to Rs. 50lakh. This policy includes chemotherapy cost, PET-CT scans, free cancer screening, medications, hospitalization cost, recovery, and living expenses. 

2. HDFC LIFE CANCER CARE:

This policy will provide you financial security for both minor and major stages of cancer. Under this plan, the premiums are waived off for the next 3 policy years. People from age of 18-65 are eligible for this plan. You can get the minimum sum assured of Rs.10 lakh and a maximum of Rs.40 lakh. This policy comes in three options: Silver, Gold, and Platinum that differ in benefits. 

3. MAX LIFE CANCER INSURANCE PLAN:

This policy offers you comprehensive protection against all cancer stages. If you are diagnosed with cancer at the minor stage, then you will get 20% of the cover and all future premiums are waived off. While you are detected at a major stage, then you will get a full coverage amount plus an additional 10% income for the next 5 years. People from the age of 25-65 years can apply for this policy. You will get coverage from Rs. 10 lakh to 50 lakh.  

4. ADITYA BIRLA SUN LIFE CANCER SHIELD PLAN:

Under this policy, you will get coverage for stages of cancer. It aims to keep your family financially secure. If you are lying from age 18 years to 65 years, then you can go for this plan. In return, you will get a minimum sum assured of Rs 10 lakh to a maximum sum assured of Rs 50 lakh. 

Apart from all these benefits, you will get tax benefits as per Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961 as per current tax laws in all insurance policies. The limits are defined in the Act but these are liable to change from time to time.

Wrapping Up

Most cancer patients consider cancer health insurance as the much-desired financial support. If you are investing in the best cancer insurance policy, then it does not mean, you or your family is physically, emotionally, and financially drained. You must remember one thing always, even the world’s best policy won’t cover all your cancer-related costs. If it does, then there would be numerous conditions for coverage at various stages. So, it should be your priority to keep yourself and other family members physically and mentally healthy.