Article illness can loom the foundation of a happy family. Cancer is one such disease that not only drains one mentally but also financially. It appears that this illness is all-time high throughout the world owing to numerous causes, which is why several insurance companies have introduced specialised Cancer Care Plans to lessen the burden of high treatment cost on their clients.
1. Rising Cost of Cancer Treatment
The cost of treating cancer is skyrocketing at an alarming rate. A single chemotherapy cycle can cost between ₹ 65,000 to ₹ 90,000, in top Indian hospitals. More so, upon early detection, treatment costs can range between ₹ 3-4 lakhs, provided the individual can continue with his/her job. Furthermore, based on the severity and other factors, treatment costs can rise as high as ₹ 20-50 lakhs, leading to borrowing or selling off assets.
2. Fight the Battle Against Cancer with A Cancer Care Plan
Given the expensive cancer treatment, a standalone cancer insurance plan can be a practical weapon in the battle against this deadly disease. Not only can it equip one with the necessary funds to seek the best treatment, but it can likewise keep the savings from being wiped out.
Despite insurance companies offering cancer care plans, numerous only cover advanced stages of cancer, which isn't the ideal solution when there are large number of expenses to shoulder, right from diagnosis. An ideal cancer insurance plan must cover cancer at various stages and in various forms, including carcinoma in situ.
3. What is Carcinoma in Situ?
Carcinoma in situ is a cancer designation stating that abnormal cells have not spread beyond where they initially formed. The words ‘in situ’ literally translate to ‘in its original place’. However, these cells can wind up cancerous and spread to nearby locations. Different names for carcinoma in situ are ‘stage 0 cancer’, ‘pre-invasive cancer’ or non-invasive cancer. Carcinoma in situ is usually removed by performing surgery, however, the type of surgery depends on the location.
4. Carcinoma in Situ- Cancer Care Plan
It is a comprehensive cancer insurance product covering most forms of cancer, at minor and major stages, including carcinoma in situ. Some of the common types of cancer covered by this insurance plan include lung cancer, stomach cancer, breast cancer, hypo larynx cancer and ovary cancer. However, carcinoma in situ of the skin and early-stage prostate are excluded.
5. How Does A Cancer Care Plans Work?
When a person is diagnosed with cancer of defined severity, a percentage of the sum assured is paid in lump sum. Usually, to pay the cancer benefit, 25 percent of sum assured is paid if cancer is detected at minor stages, which includes, carcinoma in situ and early-stage cancer. Whereas on major or advanced stage detection, 100 percent of the sum assured is paid. Put simply, the lump sum payout depends on the stage of cancer and claims previously admitted under the cancer care plan.
6. Benefits of Cancer Insurance
- Waiver of premium for next three years or till the end of the policy period, if cancer is diagnosed in the minor stage
- Monthly income up to a specific number of years, precisely, five years, if cancer is diagnosed in the major stage
- The lump sum amount received can be used to pay for cancer treatment and even to cover non-medical expenses such as rent, travel, food, mortgage etc.
Let’s understand the benefits of Future Generali’s Cancer Protect Plan with the help of an illustration:
Hemant, a 27-year-old individual, has purchased Cancer Cover Plan with sum assured of ₹ 10 lakhs and policy term of 10 years. His premium amounts to ₹ 217 every month. In case, he is diagnosed with a carcinoma in situ which is covered in this plan, he will get the following benefits:
- ₹ 2.5 lakhs as a lump sum amount, which is 25 percent of the sum assured
- The premiums for next three years will be waived off
- ₹ 20,000 monthly income for the next five years
Now if Hemant’s carcinoma in situ later develops into a major stage cancer, his benefits under the plan would be:
- ₹ 7.5 lakhs as a lump sum, as 25 percent of sum assured is already paid earlier
Conclusion
Cancer insurance provides you with what you need - a lump sum amount to tackle your treatment cost to enable a quick recovery. This insurance is there to help you overcome the emotional, physical and financial stress that accompanies a cancer diagnosis.
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