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Quick points of note according to the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) :

There are more than 100 types of cancers; almost any part of the body can be affected
The five most frequent cancers (ranking defined by total number of cases) in India in men and women are breast, cervical, oral cavity, lung and colorectal
Cancer is the second most common cause of death in India (after cardiovascular disease)
Use of tobacco products (e.g. smoking cigarettes) are the single most preventable cause of death worldwide
More women in India die from cervical cancer than in any other country
Breast cancer is the most common cancer in women in India and accounts for about a quarter of all cancers in women in Indian cities
Cancers of major public health relevance such as breast , oral , cervical , gastric , lung and colorectal cancer can be cured if detected early and treated adequately.

Not only in India, but there is an alarming increase in the number of cancer cases across the world and given the lifestyles of the current generation, this is likely to keep on increasing. Even if diagnosed early, it is important to be aware that the treatment can be pretty expensive for any individual/family and the stress is physical, mental and financial. While the physical and mental stress and anxiety is something that each individual/family needs to be prepared for, the financial burden is one that can be planned for and this is where Cancer Insurance comes into the picture.

The Big C… The word itself still instils fear and anxiety in the minds of every Indian citizen, irrespective of age, sex and social strata. The key to be prepared for this illness, should it unfortunately target any individual is to be ready - physically, mentally and financially – to fight this deadly disease. Cancer can affect anyone at any time.

Different Stages of Cancer

There are different insurance policies that cater to the different stages of cancer. The four stages of cancer are mentioned below.

Carcinoma In Situ(CIS)
Early stage
Major stage
Critical stage

The main factor the people have to keep in mind while opting for an insurance plan is whether the plan covers pay-outs at all the stages. Taking into account of the benefits that are applicable stage wise is also a good option to compare policies. Cancer insurances are generally meant to cover the medical expense related to the treatment of cancer and often does not offer death benefit.

Cancer Insurance plans

Star Health

Sum Insured Type: Individual. Sum Insured Options: Rs.3,00,000 / Rs.5,00,000

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Care(formerly Religare)

This plan really does is to offer financial support to the insured at this important phase in their life and ensure they do not have to dip into their life savings for treating cancer.

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Apollo Munich

HDFC ERGO Women Cancer Plus Plan - cover you against cancer along with major illnesses.

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New India

This Policy is designed to give You, protection against unforeseen expenses towards treatment of Cancer.

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Raheja QBE

This product is designed for your financial assistance by taking care of costs associated with the treatment of cancer.

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Pramerica

Comprehensive coverage: Covers different stages of Cancer and Heart conditions.

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Some Statistic related to Cancer Prevalence in India

According to NICPR, the following are some telling statistics relating to Cancer in India:

Estimated number of people living with the disease in India (2018) : around 2.25 million (22.5 lacs) and increasing
Every year, new cancer patients registered: Over 11.57 lacs
Cancer-related deaths in 2018 : 7,84,821
- Men: 4,13,519
- Women: 3,71,302
Risk of developing cancer before the age of 75 years
- Male: 9.81%
- Female: 9.42%
Risk of dying from cancer before the age of 75 years is
- Males : 7.34%
- Females : 6.28%
One woman dies of cervical cancer every 8 minutes in India
For every 2 women newly diagnosed with breast cancer, one woman dies of it in India
Mortality due to tobacco use in India is estimated at upwards of 3500 persons every day
Tobacco (smoked and smokeless) use accounted for 3,17,928 deaths in men and women in 2018
Cancers of oral cavity and lungs account for over 25% of cancer deaths in males and cancer of breast and oral cavity account for 25% cancers in females
The top five cancers in men and women account for 47.2% of all cancers; these cancers can be prevented, screened for and/or detected early and treated at an early stage. This could significantly reduce the death rate from these cancers

Men	Women
Lip / Oral	Breast
Lung	Lip / Oral
Stomach	Cervix
Colorectal	Lung
Oesophagus	Gastric

The objective of putting up these statistics is not to scare the reader of this article, but to make everyone aware of the actual prevalence of Cancer in India and more importantly that while one can’t totally prevent cancer attacking, we can be better prepared in case of the an unfortunate eventuality.

Cancer Insurance is a specialised type of a health insurance policy designed to offer financial assistance to those diagnosed with the disease post the free look and mandatory waiting period as per the policy’s terms and conditions. A cancer-specific policy offers cover for associated costs related to cancer diagnosis and treatment, including hospitalization, chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, etc. Most policies are designed to release monies at various stages of the diagnosis process and this being a fixed benefit policy, these benefit payments are not related to the actual expenses incurred by the insured for treatment during these stages.

To qualify for cancer insurance, the insured cannot be suffering from pre-existing cancer conditions. Also, those previously diagnosed and treated for cancer are ineligible for cancer insurance. Some plans however allow for coverage if one has been treated and recovered completely and has served the designated waiting period afresh. The most obvious reason for one to invest in a cancer insurance policy is to prepare oneself for the financial impact of this disease should it strike oneself or anyone in the family.

Benefits under Cancer Insurance Plans

Benefits for Cancer insurance as offered by various insurers differ from one to another…some of the benefits offered under these plans include:

In-Patient Hospitalization
Conventional treatment
- Chemotherapy
- Radiotherapy
- Organ transplantation, as part of Cancer treatment
- Surgeries for excision of cancerous tissue or removal of organs/ tissues (Onco-surgery)
Day Care Treatment
OPD Expenses
Chemotherapy & Radiotherapy Cover
Organ Donor Cover
Alternative Treatments
Pre Hospitalization & Post Hospitalization – 30 / 60 days
No Claim Bonus - If there are no claims during the year, the sum assured increases by a pre-specified percentage
Annual Health Checkup
Quick Recovery Counselling
Doctor On Call
International Second Opinion
Room Rent Modification
Air Ambulance
Ambulance Cover
Premium waiver is available under certain conditions like early stage cancer diagnosis
Insurance cover is not ceased after first diagnosis
Tax benefits under section 80D of the Income Tax Act

These plans cover expenses at multiple stages of cancer and a lumpsum is paid out on cancer diagnosis.

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Why Does One Need a Cancer Insurance Plan?

Like any other insurance plan, there is always the question which arises on the need for investing in such a cover. While many are reasonably convinced relating to a more common and regular Indemnity based Health insurance plan, a specialised plan like Cancer insurance still needs some convincing. But some of the reasons as to why one should invest in a cancer insurance policy are :

Rising prevalence of various types of Cancer among the Indian population
Astronomical cost of treatment at various stages of cancer influenced also by rising medical inflation – this could have damaging impact on the finances of a family once diagnosed. Important to be financially safeguarded against exorbitant expenditures of medical treatments like radiotherapy, chemotherapy and surgery, in case such a need arises.
Have a history of cancer related illnesses among close family members
Extensive Coverage - Cancer insurance policies cover a wide range of cancers, and are currently available at an affordable premium
Lump Sum Payment - Cancer insurance policies offer a guaranteed lump sum payout in case of an early diagnosis of the illness. This payout generally ranges between 20% and 25% of the pre-decided sum assured, and varies among health insurance companies. This provides financial succour to the family
Waiver of Premium (WoP) Benefit – Some life insurance companies offer this benefit where the insured can stop paying premium, but the coverage will continue
70-80% of Cancers are caused by environmental factors as opposed to the belief that cancer is due to genetical factors – if one is exposed to such environments (such as radiation etc), it is advisable to invest in this plan
Tax Benefits - Policyholders of cancer insurance plans are eligible for tax deductions of up to Rs. 25,000 as per Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Senior citizens may be able to avail a higher tax deduction.

Factors to Consider Before Buying Cancer Insurance Plan

Most of us rarely spend much time in comparing health insurance plans prior to deciding on one, like we would spend on something like a television or refrigerator etc…It is advisable to evaluate options before taking a cancer insurance plan. Below are some of the factors that need to be considered before making a decision to go for a specific cancer insurance plan:

Sufficient Sum Assured – With double digit medical inflation, it is important to keep in mind rising costs of medical treatment while deciding on the sum insured that one want to have under their policy. Cancer treatment takes time and it costly, so it is advisable to opt for a cancer insurance plan with high sum assured. This will provide satisfactory financial support when the illness strikes.

Family History – Given that genetic factors / family history is one of the reasons for cancer to attack an individual, it may be prudent to keep this in mind while deciding to first go in for a cancer related plan and then arriving at a suitable coverage plan.

Waiting Period and Survival Period - It is important to check on the waiting period (normally mandatory waiting period is 30 days and cancer related waiting period is 90 days) i.e the amount of time you will have to wait before the policy will start coverage and survival period, which is the time after cancer diagnosis the policy holder has to be alive in order to claim benefits of the policy.

Exclusions under the Plan – While it is important to be aware of what’s covered, it is equally important to be aware of what’s excluded under such plans…go through the exclusion list prior to making a decision on the optimum plan for your requirements.

Duration - A policy having a long duration is beneficial to the applicant to ensure protection for a longer duration. Also with waiting periods to be considered, the full effect of the coverage will be available after crossing the waiting period. Another important factory is since there is lifelong renewability, one should invest early in this coverage and remain insured, because as the data suggests, there is a 10% possibility of men/women contracting cancer before the age of 75 years, and getting a coverage in the alter years will be an issue with other pre existing medical conditions.

Existing Health Insurance Coverage - Having a comprehensive health insurance policy plus a separate cancer insurance plan does not necessarily mean that one gets double the benefits. Most insurance policies come with a ‘coordination of benefits’ clause, stating that one plan will not cover expenses that the other plan does.

Claim Settlement Under a Cancer Plan – An ideal plan should offer coverage for all stages of cancer. A Cancer care plan will make payment of 25-30% on early stage diagnosis and remaining 70-75% on major stage or the entire on major stage whichever is earlier.

Premium Payment Options - The premium payment option for the Cancer Insurance Plan would vary from one insurer to another. Typically, the premiums can be paid either annually, quarterly or monthly basis.

How You Can Prevent Cancer

One can reduce the risk of getting cancer with simple, lifestyle changes that include maintaining a healthy weight, eating foods that prevent cancer, getting immunized and getting regular cancer screening tests. Important actionables include:

Quit Smoking
Get Regular Exercise
Use Sunscreen when moving around in the sun
Eat Fruits, Vegetables, Whole Grains and Beans Daily
Maintain a Healthy Weight though dietary control and remaining active
Get Hepatitis B & HPV Vaccines
Do Regular Self-Exams & Get Cancer Screenings

Exclusions in a Cancer Insurance Plan

Some of the general exclusions under this plan are as follows. This is not an exhaustive list, please go through the same in the policy wordings available with your policy kit :

Skin cancer
Any kind of cancer directly or indirectly caused by or contributed to by sexually transmitted diseases, HIV, or AIDS
Cancer resulting from any congenital condition, pre-existing condition; biological, nuclear, or chemical contamination; contact with radiation or radioactivity from any non-diagnostic or therapeutic source
Convalescence, general debility, run-down condition or rest cure, Nutritional deficiency states.
Psychiatric, mental and behavioral disorders
Intentional self injury
Use of intoxicating substances, substance abuse, drugs / alcohol, smoking and tobacco chewing
Venereal Disease and Sexually Transmitted Diseases,
All expenses arising out of any condition directly or indirectly caused due to or associated with Human T-cell Lympho Trophic Virus type III (HTLV- III) or Lymphadenopathy Associated Virus (LAV) or HIV/AIDS
Treatment arising from or traceable to pregnancy, childbirth, family planning, miscarriage, abortion and complications of any of these (other than ectopic pregnancy)
Treatment for Sub-Fertility, Assisted Conception and or other related complications of the same.
Expenses incurred on weight control services including surgical procedures such as Bariatric Surgery and /or medical treatment of obesity
Treatment of Sleep apnea, treatment for genetic and endocrine disorders
Expenses incurred on High Intensity Focused Ultra Sound, Uterine Fibroid Embolisation, Balloon Sinoplasty, Enhanced External Counter
Charges incurred on diagnostics that are not consistent with the treatment for which the insured is admitted in the hospital / nursing home
Naturopathy, Unconventional, Untested, Unproven, Experimental therapies.

Documents Required for Cancer Insurance Claims

The important documents to be submitted to the insurance company at the time of filing a claim under Cancer insurance include :

Accurately filled Claim form
Identity Proof
Age Proof
All Medical and diagnostic test reports that indicate the stage of the disease and treatment required and carried out
Treating physician’s reports
Any other document that the insurance company may ask for while processing the claim made against cancer insurance.

Some of the Cancer Insurance plans available in the market are below:

Star Cancer care gold	Religare Cancer mediclaim	HDFC ERGO Women Cancer Plus	New India Cancer Guard	Raheja QBE Cancer
Policy Term
1 year	1/2/3 years	Upto 3 years	1 year	1 year
Eligibility Criteria
Persons between the age of 5 months and 65 years, who have already been diagnosed with Cancer (Stage 1 or Stage 2) can avail this insurance.	5 years to 50 Years on Individual Basis	18 to 65 years	3 months to 65 years	1 day to 70 years can opt for this insurance cover
Sum Insured (SI)
Rs.3,00,000/- and Rs.5,00,000/-	10 Lakh \| 25 Lakh \| 50 Lakh \| 1 Crore \| 2 Crore	3 Lakhs to 1 Crore	5 Lakh \| 10 Lakh \| 15 Lakh \| 25 Lakh \| 50 Lakh	Rs.1 Lakh and in multiples thereof subject to a maximum of Rs.10 Lakhs
Pre-hospitalization
Up to 30 days prior to the date of admission	30 days	-	Relevant medical expenses, towards treatment of Cancer, incurred before admission inthe Hospital for a period of THIRTY (30) days prior to the date of admission under Pre Hospitalisation Medical Expenses	-
Post-hospitalization
Up to 60 days prior to the date of admission	60 days	-	Those incurred after Discharge from the Hospital for a period of SIXTY (60) days after the date of discharge are payable are payable under Post Hospital Medical Expenses	-
Day care Procedures
All day care treatments	Listed as per the Plan, Up to Sum Insured	-	58 daycare procedures are covered	-
Ambulance cover
Emergency Ambulance charges for transporting the Insured person to the hospital up to a sum of Rs.1500/- per hospitalization and Rs.2000/- per policy period.	Up to Rs. 3000 per hospitalization	-	Up to Rs. 3000 per hospitalization	-
Renewal
Lifelong Renewability	Lifelong Renewability	Lifelong Renewability	Your Policy can be renewed, as long as You pay the Renewal Premium before the dateof expiry of the Policy or within grace period	On every claim free Renewal, No claim bonus( NCB) of 5 % ( Max upto 25%)
General waiting period
Section 1: 30 months waiting period : Treatment must have commenced only after waiting period for an admissible claim under this section Section 2 and Section 3: 30 days waiting period ( Not applicable for accidents) 24 months waiting period for specified illness/diseases/treatments 48 months waiting period for pre existing diseases.	Initial Waiting Period: 90 days Specific ailment Waiting Period: Not Applicable Pre-existing diseases Waiting Period: 4 years	90 days and 180 days as per the illness specified in policy wordings 1 year for Pregnancy and Newborn Complications. 4 Years for all Pre-existing Conditions declared and/or accepted at the time of applying first policy with us.	90 days	-
Co-pay
10% co-pay shall be applicable on each and every claim under Section 2 and 3 if you are aged above 60 years during first inception of this policy. Such co-payment shall be applicable for renewal also. If your age is upto 60 years during first inception of this policy then co-payment condition shall not be applicable	Up to SI; only for SI >=1Cr (Limited to In-Patient Care and Day Care treatment) with a Co-payment of 10% per Claim	-	-	-
Claims procedure
For Section 1: a) Certificate from the Treating Doctor confirming the recurrence/metastasis / second malignancy of Cancer b) Clinical, radiological, histological, pathological, histopathological and laboratory reports in support. For Section 2 and Section 3: · Call the 24 hour help-line for assistance-1800 425 2255/ 1800 102 4477. Inform the ID/Policy number for easy reference · In case of planned hospitalization, inform 24 hours prior to admission in the hospital · In case of emergency hospitalization, information to be given within 24 hours of hospitalization · Cashless facility can be availed in all network hospitals wherever possible · In non-network hospitals payment, must be made up-front and then reimbursement will be effected on submission of documents if claim is found admissible	No Claims Bonus - 50%/25%/25%-Corresponding increase in SI* for 1st, 2nd and 3rd continuous claim-free Policy Years respectively, Max up to 100% of SI*	-	-	50% of Sum Insured or Rs. 2,50,000 whichever is less as lump sum amount on acceptance of claim.
Advantages
1) No Third Party Administrator, direct in-house claims settlement. 2) Faster and hassle – free claim settlement. 3) Cashless facility wherever possible in network hospitals.	1)Pre and post hospitalization medical expenses covered 2)Chemotherapy & Radiotherapy Cover 3)No specific ailment waiting period	Cancer Cover, Carcinoma in Situ, Major Illnesses Covered, Minor Illnesses Covered	Chemotherapy Radiotherapy Organ transplant, as part of Cancer treatment Onco-surgery (Surgeries for excision of cancerous tissue or removal of organs/ tissues) Proton Treatment Personalised & Targeted therapy Hormonal Therapy or Endocrine manipulation Immunotherapy including immunology agents Stem cell transplantation Bone marrow transplantation	Covers all types of Cancer (except Cancer caused in presence of HIV & Kaposi Sarcoma which is one of the many forms of skin cancer) Covers very early stage forms as well ( regardless of location and spread of cancer)
Useful Links
Brochure	Brochure	Brochure	Brochure	Brochure

* - subject to underwriting approval
** - upto Sum Insured of 20 lacs and Age of 55 years. Above this PPC is required
*** - upto 50 years of Age. Above this PPC is required
And more than 70-80% is caused due to environmental factors as opposed to the belief that cancer is due to genetical factors.

Compare Cancer health insurance

Insurance buyers can review and compare the Cancer benefits provided by different Indian mediclaim insurance products.

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FAQ’s on Cancer Insurance

What is the entry age to take a cancer insurance policy?

The minimum and maximum age eligibility for purchasing cancer insurance differs between insurance companies, but the average age is between 5 months and 65 years. Also the policy allows lifetime renewability.

How does a cancer policy work?

Cancer insurance policies may be purchased individually or as a supplement with your health insurance. You would not be eligible for a cancer insurance policy if you already have been diagnosed with cancer. Cancer insurance usually pays a lump sum amount on the diagnosis of the illness which is towards medical or treatment expenditures and the rest at ongoing stages of treatment.

Is there a waiting period under cancer insurance plans?

Yes, normally there is a waiting period of 30 days is applicable for cancer insurance policies.

What are the tax implication for a Cancer Plan?

One can claim a tax exemption on the premium paid. Also no tax is paid on the claims settlement received if there is a claim filed with the insurer. Cancer insurance plans are eligible for tax deductions of up to ₹25,000 as per Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961. Senior citizens may be eligible for higher tax benefits.

Can cancer insurance be purchased with an existing health insurance policy?

Yes, since the coverage is complimentary to an indemnity based health insurance plan, one can buy this plan along with your existing health insurance plan to have extra coverage against this disease.

Are requests accepted from insured having a family history of cancer?

Health insurance companies may offer cancer insurance to individuals with a family history of cancer, but generally at a higher premium. Such applicants have a higher scope of being diagnosed of the disease, thus, making insurers quote a higher premium.

What is the minimum and maximum sum assured for cancer insurance plans?

The minimum and maximum sum assured for cancer insurance varies between insurance companies and cancer insurance plans but varies within the ranges of ₹1 lac upto ₹50 lacs. Check the same with your insurance company before purchasing a cancer insurance policy.

Do cancer care policies cover pre-existing illnesses?

No, cancer policy does not cover pre-existing illness. There is a waiting period (normally 24 months) before these diseases get covered.

Can smokers and consumers of alcohol apply for cancer insurance policy?

Yes, smokers and drinkers can apply for cancer insurance plans. However, they will be offered a comparatively higher premium rates by insurers.

Is cancer covered in insurance?

Yes, most your regular health insurance plan may offer coverage for cancer and its related treatment expenses.

Resourceful Indian health insurance links

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India Cancer health insurance plans

Compare India Health insurance quotes

Quick points of note according to the National Institute of Cancer Prevention and Research (NICPR) :

Different Stages of Cancer

Cancer Insurance plans

Some Statistic related to Cancer Prevalence in India

Benefits under Cancer Insurance Plans

Compare Indian health insurance policies

Why Does One Need a Cancer Insurance Plan?

Factors to Consider Before Buying Cancer Insurance Plan

How You Can Prevent Cancer

Exclusions in a Cancer Insurance Plan

Documents Required for Cancer Insurance Claims

Some of the Cancer Insurance plans available in the market are below:

Compare Cancer health insurance

FAQ’s on Cancer Insurance

Resourceful Indian health insurance links

Why should we buy India health insurance?

Indian mediclaim insurance benefits

Mediclaim insurance factors

Compare and buy mediclaim insurance India!

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