I have recently had some friends that have experienced unsettling news. One friend in particular was returning from family vacation and was experiencing dizziness with a inability to focus. She believed she may be experiencing a stroke and went to the hospital immediately. However, it was not a stroke. The doctors discovered 3 tumors in her brain that had began in her lungs. This journey began more difficult than necessary because the specific medical access she needed was extremely limited. 

Broaden Your Options

Unfortunately, limited access to much-needed medical care that is specific to cancer is an all-too-common story. As sad as it is, a good cancer policy can literally mean the difference between life and death. Advancements in science and medicine have made it possible for the cancer survival rate to grow each year, however these advances do not come without a price, and it may be difficult to maintain treatment costs despite having medical insurance. The best thing you can do is to make sure that you have a health insurance policy in place that can help cover any necessary cancer treatments with no gap in coverage. However, if this is not possible, you may need to consider a cancer-specific policy.

What Cancer Insurance Policies Typically Cover

It is extremely important to check with your specific provider about what your policy covers, but here are some basics that are typical (not a comprehensive list):

• Deductibles and co-pays
• Out-of-network treatment
• Various tests, treatments and procedures
• Childcare
• Dietary assistance
• Travel, lodging and meals during treatment if needed

Where Can I Get a Policy?

If you or a family member were to be diagnosed with cancer, would your current insurance cover all the costs? I can help you look into it. Because I represent several companies, I can help you determine what is in YOUR best interest. These companies even allow a five-year look back, which means you can still get a policy if you have had cancer in the past, as long as it was more than 5 years ago! They even pay cash payments upon diagnosis with benefit amounts up to $75,000, helping you focus on your wellness over whether or not your bills are paid.

My friend mentioned earlier wanted to go to MD Anderson, which her insurance did not cover. Luckily she had a cancer policy and was able to get the care she needed and she was able to use the funds to assist her with her living expenses. Cancer is something we all hope never happens, but in case it does, this is a great example of the benefit of having one in place. Feel free to reach out with any questions about your current policy or to see if you may need to add a cancer-specific one to your health care portfolio.

Brenda Gilliam
Extra Help Coordinator
Phone: 423-276-5807
Email: brenda@gilliaminsuranceadvisor.com

* Not affiliated with any government agency.

*Image by Steve Buissinne from Pixabay