Should I Buy a Separate Critical Illness Plan Along With My Health Policy?

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If you are wondering whether to add a critical illness plan to your health insurance, the answer is yes. Standard health insurance covers hospital bills, but it might not be enough to handle your life-threatening diseases. A critical illness plan provides a lump-sum payout upon diagnosis, helping with non-medical costs, advanced treatments, and income loss.


It also helps with non-medical costs, such as home modifications and caregiver fees, and supports advanced treatments and income loss due to illness. Discover why you should consider adding a critical illness plan to your policy.


Why Should I Buy a Separate Critical Illness Plan with My Health Policy?


A critical illness plan ensures that every family member gets cashless treatment during a medical emergency without any financial burden.


1. Growing Threat of Critical Diseases


India faces a significant burden of critical diseases like cancer and diabetes. Cancer cases are expected to reach 1.57 million by 2025, with 75,000 lung cancer cases annually. According to the Economic Times, diabetes affects 101 million people, with 136 million pre-diabetics, increasing the risk of kidney, liver, and cardiovascular disorders.


Buying a separate critical illness policy can provide financial protection, including cashless treatment.


2. Treatment Affordability and Accessibility


Critical illness cover makes expensive treatments more affordable with flexible premium options and direct settlement of hospital bills. It covers lifelong conditions like paralysis, coma, and organ transplants, reducing financial burden.


3. Cashless Treatment and Hassle-Free Billing


Hospital bills for critical illnesses can be overwhelming. With critical illness cover, diagnosis and treatment expenses are covered, allowing you to focus on recovery. Must admit to a network hospital for cashless treatment and hassle-free claims.


4. Comprehensive Coverage for Your Family


Critical illness insurance provides financial assistance for serious illnesses that require long recovery and extensive treatment. A single critical illness rider with a sum insured of ₹5-25 lakh covers hospital bills and diagnostic costs for your entire family without financial stress.


5. Additional Healthcare Services and Support


Critical illness cover provides additional benefits like ambulance charges, nursing and doctor fees, and 24/7 telehealth services, ensuring seamless experiences and quick claim settlement.


What Types of Critical Illnesses are Covered in Policy?



  1. Primary Pulmonary Hypertension

  2. Open Heart Repair or Replacement

  3. Heart Transplantation

  4. Bone Marrow Transplantation

  5. Cancer

  6. Anaemia

  7. Coronary Artery Diseases

  8. Coma (Specific Severity)

  9. Stroke

  10. Sclerosis

  11. Alzheimer

  12. Head Trauma

  13. Brain Surgery Paralysis

  14. Benign Brain Tumour

  15. Neuron Diseases

  16. Liver, Kidney or Pancreas Transplantation

  17. Dialysis or Kidney Failure

  18. Blindness

  19. Lung Failure


Who Needs a Critical Illness Policy?



  1. If you are over 40 years of age, you are more susceptible to life-threatening diseases.

  2. In case you have a family history of critical illness or health conditions, buy a critical illness plan and have peace of mind.

  3. If you are the only earning person of your family, it is imperative to secure your family's health and finances with a critical illness policy.


Final Words


A critical illness cover provides financial protection and clinical support for chronic diseases and specialist visits, minimising out-of-pocket expenses. This is particularly important in India, where the incidence of critical diseases is rising alarmingly.