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What is Critical Illness: Meaning & List of Critical Illnesses Explained

Due to lifestyle changes and various other factors, the instances of critical illnesses are on the rise. They can strike unexpectedly, causing not only physical and emotional turmoil but also substantial financial strain.

These diseases or disorders can severely affect a person’s way of life and become lethal if medical treatment is not taken in time. In such challenging times, having the right insurance policy can be a lifeline. Most health insurance plans cover critical illnesses as per their list.

Let’s read on to know more about critical illnesses and how health insurance that covers these can offer essential protection and peace of mind.

What is Critical Illness?

Critical illness is a severe and life-threatening health condition that can have a profound impact on an individual's health and well-being. Their severity can increase if proper medical help is not taken on time and can even lead to death. However, for the purpose of insurance, it must fall into the predetermined list as per the insurance provider.

These conditions often include heart attacks, strokes, certain types of cancer, organ transplants, and more. Critical illnesses typically result in a significant disruption to one's life and may require expensive medical treatments, prolonged recovery periods, or lifestyle adjustments.

List of Critical Illnesses

Here is a list of some most common critical illnesses based on their rate of occurrence:

High Occurrence Critical Illnesses and Disease

These are some of the critical illnesses that have a high rate of occurrence:

1. Heart attack

A heart attack is one of the most commonly occurring critical illnesses. It occurs when there is an obstruction in the blood flow to the organ due to the building up of cholesterol, fat, or other substances.

In case of a heart attack, emergency medical attention is mandatory to save the patient’s life.  

2. Cancer

In today’s generation, cases of cancer have also seen a massive rise. It is a medical condition in which cells of the human body grow abnormally and form tumours.

These tumours can infect nearby tissues and even spread to different parts of the human body. Carcinoma, Sarcoma, Leukaemia and Lymphoma are some of the most commonly occurring types.

If the diagnosis takes place at an early stage, this disease is treatable. However, complications can severely increase if there is a delay in medical treatment.

3. Stroke

A stroke or brain attack is a medical condition in which the blood supply to a specific part of the brain gets blocked. It can also occur if one of the brain's blood vessels gets ruptured leading to life-long disabilities, brain damage and even death.

Typically, there are two types of strokes - Ischemic stroke and Haemorrhagic stroke. The long-term effect that this condition can have on an individual’s health solely depends on its severity. However, immediate medical attention is critical for preventing further complications.

4. Kidney Failure

Kidney or renal failure is a condition in which one or both kidneys of a person are unable to function properly on their own. This medical condition can be temporary, acute or chronic and lead to severe complications and even permanent kidney failure.

Under such circumstances, there may be a need for dialysis or even a kidney transplant.

5. AIDS

Acquired immunodeficiency syndrome (AIDS) is a disease caused by the human immunodeficiency virus (HIV). It is a chronic, life-threatening medical condition which damages an individual’s immune system.

It is a sexually transmitted disease that can also spread from sharing needles, receiving infected blood during a transfusion, etc. Moreover, it can also affect a child during breastfeeding, childbirth or even pregnancy in case the mother suffers from AIDS.

Currently, there is no cure for AIDS, but medicines are available to control its infection and progression to a severe stage within the human body. 

6. Coma

Coma is a prolonged state of unconsciousness that can occur due to numerous factors like stroke, brain tumour, trauma due to a severe head injury, etc. It is a medical emergency that needs quick action to save the patient’s life and brain functioning.

Typically, a coma does not last for more than a few weeks. However, in prolonged cases, the individual can transition to a vegetative state, which is also known as brain death. 

Other or Low Occurrence Critical Illnesses and Diseases

In this list of critical illnesses, you will find diseases that have a low occurrence:

Bacterial Meningitis
Brain Tumour
Alzheimer’s disease or other degenerative brain disorders
Multiple Sclerosis
Parkinson’s Disease
Paralysis or Paraplegia
Encephalitis
Poliomyelitis
Fulminant Viral Hepatitis or massive Necrosis of the Liver
Partial or Permanent Blindness
Partial or Permanent Deafness
Motor Neuron Disease
Anaemia
Muscular Dystrophy
Universal Necrosis or Apallic syndrome of the Brain Cortex

There may not be a permanent cure for some of the diseases present in these lists. But, due to the advancement of medical science, there are ways to treat and reduce their impact on the human body.

However, the medical expenses associated with the treatment of these critical illnesses are very high. Thus, purchasing a health insurance policy that comes with a critical illness benefit is crucial. It is an effective way to gain financial coverage in case you or your family suffers from a critical illness and ensure timely medical treatment.

While purchasing a health insurance policy, make sure to check the list of critical illnesses covered in your policy. Furthermore, if there is any hereditary disease in your family history, do check whether the insurance provider covers it.

Frequently Asked Questions

What are the Eligibility Criteria for Purchasing Insurance with Critical Illness Coverage?

You need to be at least 18 years old to purchase insurance with a critical illness rider. You must also have a basic insurance policy to which you can add this rider. Furthermore, you must pass the medical tests mentioned by the insurance company to be eligible for getting this rider.

Can I Have More Than One Critical Illness Cover?

Yes, you can purchase multiple critical illness policies. You can claim them both in case you are diagnosed with one of the diseases mentioned in the policy contract.

Are There Waiting Periods for Critical Illness Coverage?

Yes, there is typically a waiting period in health insurance, often 30 days, before you can make a claim for a critical illness diagnosis. This varies by insurance provider.

What Factors Affect the Cost of Critical Illness Insurance?

Premium for critical illness insurance depends on factors like your age, health condition, the coverage amount, the number of illnesses covered, and the policy duration.

If someone dies after buying a term insurance, how exactly does the family get the money?

When a policyholder dies, the nominee needs to inform the insurance company, submit the death certificate, claim form, and some basic documents. For term insurance especially, the process is pretty direct i.e., after verification, the company releases the claim payout to the nominee’s account.

Do all life insurance companies in India offer critical illness coverage?

Not all, but most leading life insurance companies in India offer critical illness riders or standalone critical illness policies. It’s best to check with the insurer or compare policies before buying.

Can I add critical illness cover to my existing term insurance plan?

In many cases, yes, you can add a critical illness rider to your existing term plan, but it depends on your insurer’s rules. Some term insurance companies in India allow you to add the rider at policy renewal or through endorsement. However, in some cases, you may need to buy a separate critical illness policy if the rider wasn’t selected at the time of purchase.