Why Do I Need Critical Illness Insurance?

< Critical Illness

Health Statistics to Consider

 While advances in medical science have significantly improved your chances of surviving a heart  attack, cancer, strokes or other critical illness, the fact remains that 75% of healthy individuals over age 40 will become critically ill at some time in the future.

On the one hand, consider these statistics: 
  • Every 29 seconds, an American will suffer a coronary event.
  • On average, an American suffers a stroke every 53 seconds.
  • Men have a one-in-two lifetime risk of developing some form of cancer. For women, the risk is one in three.
  • One in six men and one in eight women age 45 and older have had a heart attack or stroke.

 There is also good news:
  • For those suffering a critical illness prior to age 65, the probability of surviving is almost twice that of dying.
  • 12.4 million people alive today have a history of heart attack, angina pectoris (chest pains) or both.
  • 4.5 million stroke survivors are alive today.
  • 8.4 million people alive today have a history of cancer.
  • 50 to 70 percent of stroke survivors regain functional independence.
  • 88 percent of heart attack victims under the age of 65 are able to return to their usual work.


Sources: 2000 Heart and Stroke Statistical Update, American Heart Association; 2000 Cancer Facts and Figures, American Cancer Society.

Achieve Greater Financial Security and Peace of Mind

Recovery from a critical illness, however, often is lengthy and expensive - involving the loss of personal wages and your ability to pay for care and treatment. Many critical illness survivors experience "financial death" because of the indirect costs associated with their illnesses. Fifty percent of bankruptcies in the United States are due to medical problems, according to Norton Bankruptcy Law Advisor 2000. If you suffer a critical illness, would you be able to handle the extra expenses associated with your recovery?

Traditional health insurance may not provide the coverage you need to survive a critical illness and lead a normal life. In fact, the American Cancer Society estimates that 66 percent of the cost of cancer treatment is not covered by traditional health insurance. Expenses that generally are not covered include: 
  • Out-of-network medical treatment
  • Experimental treatment
  • Home and/or automobile modifications (e.g., wheelchair ramps)
  • Rehabilitation
  • Insurance co-payments and deductibles
  • Home health care
  • Uncovered or additional prescription drugs
  • Travel to receive special treatment
  • Second medical opinions

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