Cancer insurance has become popular primarily due to the huge medical costs involved in treatment and the increasing rates of both incidents of the disease and survival rates with proper treatment.  Cancer insurance policies act to supplement existing health plans and can offer many different benefits as outlined below. It should be noted however that individual policies may differ greatly and benefits are ONLY paid in the event of an occurrence of this disease.

The facts are startling: 1 in 2 American men and 1 in 3 women will get cancer in their lifetimes*. Though you can take steps to lower your risk of developing cancer—eat healthy foods, exercise, wear sunscreen and stop smoking—cancer can still affect almost anyone.

Worse, your health insurance may not cover all of the costs of treating cancer. According to the American Cancer Society, approximately 65% of cancer related expenses aren’t covered by regular health insurance*. But you can still protect yourself and your assets from the cost of cancer with a supplemental cancer insurance policy.

Find out if you need this kind of coverage and how to get it.

Why cancer insurance?

The high incidence of cancer means that you or someone in your family may develop cancer at some point. And while your health insurance policy may cover a portion of physician, hospital, cancer therapy or prescription drug bills, it probably doesn’t cover them in full.

And your insurance isn’t likely to touch the other major costs of cancer, including loss of income, transportation, childcare, housekeeping and home nursing expenses. If you or another family member is unable to fulfill his or her usual responsibilities while ill, your family and your family’s finances could suffer greatly.

What it covers:

First Occurrence Benefit: AFLAC will pay $5,000 for the insured, $5,000 for the spouse, or $7,500 for children when a covered person is diagnosed with internal cancer. This is a one time only benefit and is paid in addition to other benefits listed in their policy. By "internal cancer" they are referring to melanomas classified as Clarks' Level III and higher, or a Breslow level greater then 1.5mm

Hospital Confinement Benefit: $300 per day when a covered person is confined to a hospital for treatment of cancer and is admitted to the hospital. After 31 days of confinement benefits increase to $600 per day.

Radiation and Chemo Benefit:  AFLAC will pay when someone receives one or more of the following treatments:

• Cytotoxic chemical substances and their administration

• Radiation therapy

• The insertion of interstitial or intracavitary application of radium or radioisotopes. (see policy for exclusions and limitations)

Experimental Treatment Benefit: AFLAC will pay $300 per day when someone receives one of the following experimental treatments:

• Treatment by a physician or medical personnel in a physicians office, clinic, or hospital

• Self-injected medications (limited to $300 daily treatment, subject to a monthly maximum of $2,400.

• Medications dispensed by a pump (limited to $300 for the initial prescription and $300 for each refill, subject to a monthly maximum of $1,200.

• Oral medications, regardless of where administered (Limited to $300 per prescription, subject to a monthly maximum of $1,200 for all prescriptions.)

Immunotherapy Benefit: AFLAC will pay $500 per calendar month during which a charge is incurred for a covered person who receives immunoglobulins or colony-stimulating factors as prescribed by a physician as part of a treatment regimen for internal cancer.

Nursing Services Benefit: Aflac will pay $150 per 24 day if, while confined in a hospital, a covered person requires and is charged for private nursing services and other then those regularly furnished by the hospital. Services must be required and authorized by the attending physician.

Antinausea Benefit: Aflac will pay $150 per month during which a charged is incurred for a covered person who receives antinausea medicine that are prescribed while receiving radiation or chemotherapy treatments.

Skin Cancer Surgery Benefit: Aflac will pay the indemnity ($100 to $600) listed when a surgical operation is performed on a covered person for the diagnosis of skin cancer and a charge is incurred for the specific procedure. This includes anesthesia services.

Surgical/Anethesia Benefit: Aflac will pay the indemnity ($100 to $5,000) listed in the Schedule of Operations when a surgical operation is performed on a covered person for a diagnosed internal cancer and a charge is incurred. If any operation for the treatment of cancer is performed other than those listed, Aflac will pay an amount comparable to the amount shown for the operation most similar in severity.

Outpatient Hospital Surgical Benefit: Aflac will pay $300 when a surgical operation is performed on a covered person for a diagnosed internal cancer and an operating room charge is incurred. Surgeries must be performed on an outpatient basis in a hospital, to include an ambulatory surgical center. Not payable in a physician's office or for skin cancer surgery. Payable once per day and in addition to the Surgical/Anesthesia Benefit. Not payable on the same day as the Hospital Confinement Benefit.   Call for more details....

You may not need cancer insurance, but you might want to consider this supplemental coverage. You should think about purchasing cancer insurance if:

• You have a family history of cancer. (Although, if you’ve already been diagnosed with cancer in the past, you probably won’t qualify for coverage.)           

• You don’t have enough in savings to pay medical bills your regular health insurance won’t cover.           

• You are your family’s sole wage earner.

• You are concerned about protecting your family’s financial assets.

What are the issue ages?

You must be 18-79 in most states. 

Are there waiting periods?

In most states there is a 30 day waiting period from the date of issue before any benefits will be payable.  This is common in cancer insurance policies

I currently have cancer or have had cancer in the past, will I still get coverage?

If you currently have cancer or have had cancer within the past 10 years, you will most likely be denied coverage.  If you have only had a minor skin cancer, you may still be able to get coverage.  Talk to us further about your situation and we will be able to let you know if coverage will be accepted.

I currently smoke, will that affect my price or coverage?

No.  There is no price difference if you smoke and you are eligible for coverage.

Do you offer Lump Sum Cancer Policies?

Yes, we offer both Lump Sum polices that pay large benefits upfront as well as indemnity policies that payout over the course of treatment.

I currently have health insurance will this affect my coverage?

Not at all.  Cancer insurance is designed to help supplement any medical coverage you currently have.  Whether you use the money to pay deductibles associated with your medical insurance or for expenses medical insurance does not cover such as the mortgage payment, the money you receive is yours to do whatever you see fit to make ends meet.