What are the Critical Illness Benefits in Health Insurance?

A Critical Illness cover is a health insurance benefit included in your health insurance plan or made available through an add-on cover, depending on your insurer and type of health insurance plan chosen.

The same covers you against specific critical illness diseases; the most common ones being Cancer, Lung or Liver Failure, Paralysis of Limbs and many other critical illnesses. At Digit, a Critical Illness benefit is currently included by default in all our health insurance plans, with zero additional cost.

What do you mean by Critical Illnesses?

Critical Illnesses are serious medical conditions that deeply affect an individual’s health, lifestyle and finances on a crucial level. Some examples are illnesses such as Cancer, Sclerosis, Coma, Heart Attacks, Paralysis, etc.

Unfortunately, it’s not uncommon now that we often read and learn about cases of cancer, that are only increasing with time. Whether it is someone you know, or an article or post you’ve read about in the paper, or the internet; Critical Illnesses like Cancer and many others such as serious heart conditions, liver failures, lung failures, et al have become a sad part and parcel of the lives of many.

This not only affects one’s health and wellbeing but also affects one’s finances. Fortunately, though, a health insurance today can help in managing these expenses in a cost-effective manner so you or your loved ones can ensure better health and wellbeing, with ease.

A Critical Illness benefit is a healthcare benefit that helps cover for medical expenses when you or your loved one is diagnosed and being treated for a Critical Illness.

In a health insurance, this benefit is largely provided as an add-on that can be opted for while buying a health insurance policy, with an additional cost.

However, in the case of a health insurance by Digit, we provide this benefit as an inclusive benefit in all our health insurance plans. After all, illnesses come unannounced and we’d like to have your back whenever they do!

What is covered in a Critical Illness Benefit?

A Critical Illness benefit in your health insurance would ideally cover for all pre and post hospitalization expenses; this includes everything from diagnosis, treatment to post hospitalization expenses.

The simple, straightforward answer to this is, to protect your hard-earned savings from hefty medical expenses that could arise in the case of any critical illness. While you are dealing with the sudden turn of events, finance remains a major stumbling block.

For instance, take the cancer drug Herceptin, used for breast cancer treatments. It could at least cost you Rs 75,000- Rs 1 lakh for a vial, and a patient needs 6 to 17 vials for treatment. While surgery costs can go into a daunting six-figures, pre and post hospitalization, medicines costs, together add to the huge hole in your pocket. A critical illness benefit with enough coverage will come in handy in such situations.

Other things to know about Critical Illness Benefit by Digit?

We believe in transparency, and that’s why we’d like for you to know everything about a Critical Illness benefit right from the start. Here are some of the conditions with respect to Digit’s Critical Illness benefit: 

• Any critical illness or a surgical procedure required for it will be covered if it is happening to you for the first time in life.
• There is a waiting period in health insurance of 30 days from the start date of the policy, for any benefit including your Critical Illness benefit cover to be activated. 
• The critical illness should not be a consequence arising out of a pre-existing condition or disease.
• Any illness that is because of the intake of alcohol, tobacco and drugs will not be covered.
• Any illness that is because of war, terrorism or military operations will not be covered.
• HIV/AIDS is not covered under this benefit. 

Ending Note

You may never know what the future has in store for you. But you can always act at the right time to secure it. Like a wise man once said, ‘A stitch in time saves nine’.