Critical Illness Insurance Information from Colonial Life

Author: Colonial Life
Published: 2011/02/17 - Updated: 2021/04/23
Topic: Disability Insurance - Publications List

Page Content: Synopsis - Introduction - Main

Synopsis: Critical illness insurance pays an amount when diagnosed with heart attacks, cancer, strokes, coronary artery bypass surgery, major organ failure, transplants or other specified major medical conditions. According to Colonial Life claims statistics, heart attacks, stroke and coronary artery bypass surgery together made up 58 percent of critical illness claims

Introduction

Critical Illness Insurance Gets to Heart of the Matter - Heart-related conditions top claims on critical illness policies.

Main Item

Heart and vascular conditions account for more than half of all claims paid on Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Company's critical illness insurance policies.

Critical illness insurance pays a set amount to insured people when they're diagnosed with, or suffer heart attacks, cancer, strokes, coronary artery bypass surgery, major organ failure, transplants or other specified major medical conditions.

According to Colonial Life claims statistics, heart attacks, stroke and coronary artery bypass surgery together made up 58 percent of critical illness claims in 2010. Cancer accounted for another 35 percent. Other conditions, including kidney failure and transplants, were responsible for the remaining claims.

"National Heart Month in February is a perfect reminder to think about whether you have enough insurance protection for a critical illness such as a heart attack," says Randy Finn, assistant vice president, product development for Colonial Life.

"Not only can these illnesses can be extremely expensive to treat, there are often significant non-medical expenses, so even employees with good major medical coverage may be left with large bills unpaid."

Voluntary critical illness plans pay benefits directly to the insured individuals, unless they specify otherwise. They can then use the money for non-medical expenses "such as mortgages, groceries, electric bills, child care, or travel to and from a treatment center "or for uncovered medical expenses, including deductibles, treatment bills, rehabilitation or home health care expenses.

Without adequate protection, people who suffer a heart attack or stroke, or undergo coronary artery bypass surgery, might have to use their savings or rely on the financial aid of family members to cover their expenses. In fact, nearly a third of Americans report their family has had problems paying medical bills, with 18 percent reporting bills in excess of $1,000.(1)

"A critical illness plan is for survivors," Finn says. "Some people may never be able to return to their old lifestyle, go back to the same jobs or return to work at all. Instead, they'll face a new way of life focused on recuperation, recovery and rehabilitation. Benefits from a critical illness plan can help ease financial worries so they can focus on getting well instead of paying the bills."

Life Insurance Calculator: Calculate Amount You Should be Insured For : Free online life insurance calculator provides the amount you should be insured for in event of your death accident or disability.

(1) Kaiser Tracking Poll, 2008, Kaiser Family Foundation.

Attribution/Source(s): This quality-reviewed publication was selected for publishing by the editors of Disabled World (DW) due to its relevance to the disability community. Originally authored by Colonial Life and published on 2011/02/17, this content may have been edited for style, clarity, or brevity. For further details or clarifications, Colonial Life can be contacted at coloniallife.com NOTE: Disabled World does not provide any warranties or endorsements related to this article.