What is critical illness insurance?

Critical illness insurance, also called catastrophic illness insurance, is a type of coverage that works alongside your health insurance policy to help you afford the costs of a serious or life-changing illness or disease. While policies vary, most policies cover heart attack, stroke, coronary bypass, organ transplant and various cancers. You may also be able to get coverage for other conditions like kidney failure, paralysis and progressive diseases like cystic fibrosis, muscular dystrophy, Alzheimer's disease and Parkinson's disease.

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What can critical illness insurance be used for?

If you are diagnosed with a medical condition covered by your policy, you'll receive benefits as specified in your plan. These benefits are often paid out as a lump sum, but can also be paid out on a monthly or per-treatment basis. You are free to use your critical illness insurance benefit however you see fit, including to cover:

Medical expenses

Critical illness insurance can help you cover out-of-pocket costs for your medical treatments, including your deductible, out-of-network care, therapy and rehabilitation or other treatments your policy may not have covered.

Transportation expenses

If your condition requires you to travel—potentially across state lines—to receive treatment, critical illness insurance can help you cover travel costs. Likewise, your benefit could be used to make your home and vehicle more accessible.

Living expenses

Out of work while you receive treatment or recover? Your benefit can be used to cover general living expenses: groceries, utilities, childcare, mortgage payments and other financial obligations that you may have.

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