Interested in critical illness insurance? You’ll find a range of options available with UnitedHealthcare branded critical illness plans, underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company. These plans provide a cash benefit to help cover expenses related to a serious illness or condition. Let’s take a closer look to see how these plans can offer help in hard times.
Critical illness insurance plans are also called critical care insurance or critical illness coverage. These plans provide a lump- sum cash benefit to help cover expenses related to a qualifying serious illness.
A critical illness can happen to anyone — and at any time, without warning. Whether it’s happened to a family member or a friend, most of us are probably familiar with the hardships a serious illness can bring. Unfortunately, a serious illness can also cause financial strain. A person may be unable to work for a time. Plus, medical bills and other unexpected expenses can add up. A medical health insurance plan may cover some health care costs. But often, it won’t cover it all. That’s where a critical illness plan can help.
With a critical illness insurance plan, you can use your cash-benefit funds as you see fit. This includes paying everyday living expenses while out of work and more, including:
With critical illness insurance, a lump sum is paid by your Golden Rule Insurance Company critical illness plan, up to the maximum lifetime benefit. This cash benefit payment is paid directly to you for expenses related to: 1
Heart attack Life-threatening cancerCritical conditions covered will vary by plan — and plan design and availability vary by state. As you're shopping for a plan, review the details carefully to understand what may be covered by the plan you choose.
Get the advantage of a cash benefit payment that’s typically not taxable 3
Apply by answering yes or no questions
Use the money the way you want
Choose your amount, up to $100,000 for some plans if you qualify 4
Explore these common questions to learn how critical illness insurance may give you some of the financial protection you need if a serious illness happens.
You may want to consider your situation to decide what’s best for you. Often, you may find that you’d benefit from a critical illness plan if you:
A critical illness plan provides an emergency fund to help cover financial needs when a serious illness happens. For example, if a person chooses a critical illness policy with a $30,000 Maximum Lifetime Benefit, here’s how it would work. (The person and event depicted here is fictional and does not represent an actual case.)
Most American households are savings limited. That means they can replace less than one month of their income through liquid savings. Critical illness coverage can give families financial help in hard times.
To decide on the amount, think about your specific needs and situation. As a guide, in 2021, according to a General Re Life Corporation market research survey, the average benefit amount for each new critical illness insurance policy was just over $28,000. 5
No. Critical illness coverage is not the same as catastrophic coverage.
Critical illness plans offer a lump sum payment in the event you have a specific covered illness or condition. Critical illness plans do not include coverage for an injury like an accident insurance plan or catastrophic health insurance would. Critical illness plans cover a specific amount for a specific illness or condition based on the plan you choose.
Yes, there is a 30-day waiting period on critical illness benefits in most states. The first diagnosis must be made at least 30 days after the effective date for your plan.
View more plans, like dental, vision and other cash-benefit plans, that offer coverage for expenses not covered by a medical plan.
Answer a few questions to see which insurance options may be available for you.
No individual applying for health coverage through the individual Marketplace will be discouraged from applying for benefits, turned down for coverage, or charged more premium because of health status, medical condition, mental illness claims experience, medical history, genetic information or health disability. In addition, no individual will be denied coverage based on race, color, religion, national origin, sex, sexual orientation, marital status, personal appearance, political affiliation or source of income.
References to UnitedHealthcare pertain to each individual company or other UnitedHealthcare affiliated companies.
Each company is a separate entity and is not responsible for another’s financial or contractual obligations.
Administrative services are provided by United HealthCare Services, Inc. or their affiliates.
Products and services offered are underwritten by All Savers Insurance Company, Golden Rule Insurance Company, Health Plan of Nevada, Inc., Oxford Health Plans (NJ), Inc., UnitedHealthcare Benefits Plan of California, UnitedHealthcare Community Plan, Inc., UnitedHealthcare Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare Life Insurance Company, UnitedHealthcare of Colorado, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Alabama, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Arkansas, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Florida, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Georgia, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Kentucky, LTD., UnitedHealthcare of Louisiana, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Mid-Atlantic, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Midlands, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of the Midwest, UnitedHealthcare of Mississippi, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New England, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of New York, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of North Carolina, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Ohio, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Oklahoma, Inc., UnitedHealthcare of Pennsylvania, Inc., Unitedhealthcare of Washington, Inc. In New Mexico, products and services offered are only underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company.
This policy is subject to various exclusions and limitations. For costs and complete details of the coverage, call (or write) your insurance agent or the company (whichever is applicable).
