A critical illness plan is a fixed benefit plan. Under this plan, you are eligible for the prefixed sum assured once the diagnosis of the specified illness is confirmed. Since it is not an indemnity plan, the actual expenses incurred by the policyholder are irrelevant. However, a critical illness cover plan is not a substitute for a regular health plan. It is only a supplementary plan.
Three principal reasons are:
- First, critical illness insurance coverage is limited to the list of specified illnesses. This list could vary between 10 and 50. A few plans offer a higher list. Generally, the list is of rare illnesses. For instance, some plans cover diseases such as cancer, heart attack, kidney failure, renal failure, stroke, live disorders, and paralysis, etc. These illnesses do not cover regular surgeries or treatment. For example, viral fevers or relatively minor surgeries would not be covered. The plan will not provide you coverage for diseases due to lifestyle habits such as smoking, drinking, drugs and substance abuse. Other exclusions are HIV, pregnancy, childbirth issues or congenital disease death within 30 days of diagnosis. Sometimes, hospitalization costs could skyrocket even for non-critical illnesses. A regular plan provides adequate coverage in such cases.
- Second, in the case of a critical illness policy, the benefit expires after the payout. Often, such illnesses have relapses. In the case of a regular plan, the sum assured would get reinstated at policy renewal. This does not happen for critical illness plans. Also, in case you contract more than one of the critical illnesses, the payout is only made once, whereas the regular plan provides coverage for multiple illnesses.
- The third drawback is the nuance of coverage in a critical illness plan. For example, while cancer is covered in a critical illness plan, certain kinds of cancer and all early-stage cancers are excluded. Such illnesses can cost substantial money, and are covered under regular plans.
Additional information on critical illness cover:
A critical illness cover helps cover several out-of-pocket expenditures that are not covered in a regular health plan. It is also very useful for diseases where hospitalization may be minimal but the expenses are still high, for example strokes, Alzheimer’s or Parkinson’s. Also, critical illness plans provide support for reduction in income potential if a person is afflicted by critical illness. However, it is not a substitute for a regular health plan.
Additional Read : Buy Critical Illness Insurance online
About The Author
Mayank Sharma
MBA Finance
He is a professional who brings extensive knowledge and expertise to the field of group health insurance. He has dedicated 7years to helping individuals and businesses navigate the complexities of insurance. Having worked closely with numerous clients and insurance providers, he deeply understands the nuances of group health insurance policies. With a reputation for providing insightful and informative content, he leverages his industry experience to educate readers about the importance of group health insurance and its benefits. Through their articles, Mayank Sharma aims to empower individuals and businesses to make informed decisions about their healthcare coverage, ultimately promoting healthier and more secure communities.
