The threat of cancer has seen many households seek cancer insurance. The types of medical cover related to cancer are supplemental health insurance and critical illness insurance. The policy taken by each individual depends on the type of cancer they are predisposed to and if they are already diagnosed, the stage of cancer they are in. The benefits that are relevant to each individual are what should be looked at when taking up cancer insurance. A lot of research has gone into cancer treatment and cancer demographics. Also a lot of sensitization has led to slight lifestyle changes with more caution and better safety standards against other causes of cancer. These together with guidelines from the state policy makers are taken into consideration by insurers and are reflected in their cancer insurance policies.

Statistically, chances of developing cancer increases with age with over 77% of cases occurring to those over the age of 55. Also, it is more prevalent in men with a chance of 1 in 2 as compared to 1 in 3 for women. This makes cancer insurance premiums higher in those brackets but with the ongoing sensitization we hope to see a change in the statistics in coming years pushing the ages of prevalence further down. Having cancer insurance seems to be related early detection or screening such as mammograms. Twice as many people who have been screened have insurance. Poor access to cancer insurance has also been noted to be caused by racial disparity. Not having insurance means increased risk of death within 5 years by 1.6 times more than those who are insured. The insurance premium figures change yearly and even with the budgetary constraints in the wake of the recovering economy cancer insurance policies are being outlined more and more in favor of cancer victims.

Due to the exhausting nature of cancer treatment, it is in the best interest of cancer patients to apply for supplemental health insurance. The benefits of supplemental health insurance are deductibles and loss of income compensation. They are applicable during cancer treatment and cover transportation, car and utility, lodging, household assistance and childcare. The treatment charges themselves are out of pocket for the patients or paid through other cancer insurance taken.

Recognized as a major health problem; cancer is known to progress at an accelerated rate if it is not detected in time. The community has responded by organizing watch groups with nationwide coordination such as the American Cancer Society. The exchange between stakeholders in the fight against cancer has led to the compilation of resource centers that are regularly updated providing key information on issues such as cancer insurance among others. The government is also not only involved in funding cutting edge research through its National Institutes of Health but also giving policies on cancer insurance. Critical illness insurance is taken by those diagnosed with critical illnesses like cancer. However they should only apply for the cover 30 days after diagnosis since critical health insurance stipulates this as the necessary survival period.


Lisa Murphy is the author of this article on supplemental health insurance. Find more information, about critical illness insurance here