Critical Illness Insurance Plans

Critical illness insurance covers what the name says – critical illnesses. Typical illnesses this type of insurance covers include cancer, heart attack, stroke, and certain other illnesses that may vary based on the policy.

Because of the nature of this type of policy, which is designed to only cover serious illnesses, you will still have to pay out of pocket for treatment of any condition that is not described as a covered condition in the insurance policy. This means that any preventative care – such as regular doctor check-ups – or even urgent care treatment is not covered, and you will be responsible for paying out of pocket for the entirety of the cost.

Critical illness insurance may be a good option for you if:

1. You don’t expect to go to the doctor much, if at all. Since they cover only critical illness, monthly premiums are typically lower than traditional plans. But, keep in mind that critical illness plans only cover certain conditions, so be prepared to pay expensive out-of-pocket costs if you do need medical attention.
2. It’s outside Open Enrollment and you don’t qualify for Special Enrollment. Critical illness can help bridge the gap between coverage when you can’t enroll in a traditional plan, in the case that you are diagnosed with a covered condition.
3. You don’t qualify for a government subsidy. Critical illness plans don’t meet minimum ACA requirements, so you won’t get any government help paying your plan premiums or out-of-pocket costs with this type of plan. If you’re eligible for government assistance, be sure to calculate that amount into your costs for both types of plans and weigh your options.