Questions like this, and the general level of benefits that are available under your health insurance plan are hugely important questions.
Anyone taking out health insurance wants to know that they have some sort of financial and emotional security blanket if they develop any major illness or disease, especially something like cancer.
Unfortunately it is impossible to give a specific answer to this question for a number of reasons. Firstly it depends on the type of insurance plan or policy that you have and the terms and conditions of that policy. Secondly it depends on your existing level of health, and thirdly can depend on whether or not the insurance plan excludes conditions that are generated from tobacco related illnesses.
There are many different types of health insurance plans and policies available, and it is probably fair to say that the industry is going through a fairly major upheaval at the moment, and where it will end up is anyone’s guess. This should not prevent anyone looking at the options available to them and see what is their best bet in terms of which health plan or policy is available.
There are a number of health plans available, including some that specifically cater to what the insurance companies refer to as critical illness.
An illness or disease such as cancer will be at the forefront of people’s minds as to whether or not they will receive treatment they will need in the timescale they need under their appropriate plan or policy.
Whilst there is no way for anyone to guarantee this, a policyholder can get a good idea of how the insurance plan or operate in terms of exclusions and conditions, and what level of complaints procedure there may be if the policyholder needs to challenge a ruling that the insurance company makes.
Insurance Companies
Insurance companies effectively have a veto on what type and level of medical care you receive under the policy by the use of two major policy conditions. These are known as prior authorisation and medically necessary.
The insurance company requires you to pre-notify them of any major medical or surgical work that is needed before they will agree payment for it. In addition it is ultimately their decision as to whether the treatment being proposed is medically necessary or not.
Sometimes a chat with the insurance company about their general attitude to some of these areas can be helpful, and you should not be afraid to question or quiz them about queries you may have about your policy.
