List of Health Insurance Plans for Cancer Patients

Critical Illness Cover for Cancer Patients

A critical illness insurance plan provides coverage for almost all types of cancer. The policy pays a lump sum amount equivalent to the sum insured amount on the diagnosis of the disease. A critical illness cover can be bought as an individual plan or as a rider with your regular health insurance policy.

Though cancer is covered under all critical illness plans, here's the catch. The coverage under a critical illness plan is available only to those who are not yet diagnosed with cancer. If you are already a cancer patient, you will be denied coverage not just for cancer but also for any complications arising due to cancer.

Besides, most critical illness insurance plans provide coverage after a waiting period of 90 days. If any symptom relevant to cancer occurs within 90 days of the commencement of the policy, no coverage will be offered. Even if you are diagnosed after this waiting period is over, your insurer will not pay the claim amount until your cancer is in the advanced stage. This is because critical illness plans do not cover cancer in an early stage.

Moreover, when it comes to giving normal health coverage to cancer patients, most insurers pull away their hands. The reason is obvious - offering coverage to cancer patients is a lose-lose proposition for the insurers.

In such a scenario, the only option left is to get a cancer-specific health insurance plan.

Cancer Insurance Policy

A cancer insurance policy is designed to provide medical coverage and meet the specific insurance needs of a cancer patient. A cancer care policy ideally covers you against cancer - both at early and advanced stages.

Just like a critical illness insurance plan, most cancer insurance plans also do not offer coverage to patients who have a pre-existing cancer condition. However, a couple of cancer-specific plans also cover existing cancer patients after a small waiting period.

List of Cancer Insurance Plans

Take a look at the cancer insurance plans available in the market:

*Disclaimer: The list mentioned is according to the alphabetical order of the insurance companies. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. This list of plans listed here comprise of insurance products offered by all the insurance partners of Policybazaar. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in.

1. Aditya Birla Activ Secure - Cancer Secure

   Aditya Birla Activ Secure – Cancer Secure is a health insurance policy designed to provide financial protection to cancer patients. The plan covers all three cancer stages i.e. early, major and advanced. Under this plan, 50% of the sum insured is paid at the early stage, an additional 100% at the major stage or a total 150% of the sum insured on detection of the advanced stage.

   Features:

   • Lump sum payment for all three stages of cancer
   • Short survival period of 7 days
   • Wellness coach option available
   • 10% cumulative bonus for every claim-free year
   • Tax benefits
   • Second e-opinion option available
   • Coverage for the entire family

2. Bajaj Allianz Criti Care

   Bajaj Allianz Criti Care plan protects you and your family from the financial implications of cancer at an early stage, specified severity and carcinoma-in-situ. The plan pays 25% of the sum insured on the diagnosis of carcinoma-in-situ and early-stage cancer. However, 100% of the sum insured is paid on the cancer diagnosis of specified severity. The plan also offers coverage for 42 other critical illnesses and allows up to 2 claims.

   Features:

   • Coverage for cancer and 42 other critical illnesses
   • Covers the entire family
   • 7/15 days of survival period may be applicable
   • Coverage for cancer reconstructive surgery available
   • Lifetime renewability
   • Tax benefits under sec 80D

3. Care Cancer Mediclaim Policy

   Care Cancer Mediclaim policy is an extensive policy that provides financial protection to cancer patients. It covers expenses involved in cancer diagnosis as well as treatment, such as OPD cost, hospitalization cost, chemotherapy charges, etc. The policy offers global coverage and covers the cost of a second opinion taken outside India.

   Features:

   • Covers all stages of cancer
   • Cashless cancer treatment at network hospitals
   • No pre-policy health check-up required
   • Lifelong renewability
   • No ICU charges limit
   • AYUSH treatment covered
   • Doctor on call
   • Quick recovery counselling
   • Annual health check-up facility after 1 year
   • No claim bonus

4. CholamandalamCritical Healthline Insurance

   Chola MS Critical Healthline Insurance is a customized policy designed to cover the treatment cost of 12 critical illnesses, including cancer of specified severity. It compensates for treatment costs, income loss, educational expenses, mortgage repayments, etc. This plan comes in two variants – standard plan and advanced plan. While the standard plan covers 10 critical illnesses, advanced plans provide coverage for 12 critical diseases along with ambulance cover.

   Features:

   • Cover the entire family
   • 30 days of survival period
   • Lump sum payouts on the diagnosis of cancer
   • No medical check-up for up to 55 years
   • Tax benefits
   • Lifetime renewability

5. Digit Health Care Plus Policy

   Digit Health Care Plus policy provides coverage for cancer of specified severity along with hospitalization expenses arising out of cancer. The policy pays compensation for the first diagnosis of the disease. However, the policy cannot be purchased by existing cancer patients.

   Features:

   • Coverage for malignant tumours
   • Survival period of 30 days
   • Cumulative bonus granted for every claim-free year
   • Option to choose between cancer hospitalization or cancer benefit policy
   • Availability of cumulative bonus protective cover and network hospital co-payment optional covers

6. Future Generali Criticare Plan
   
   

   Future Generali Criticare plan helps to financially support cancer patients and their family members through the treatment. The policy pays a fixed lump sum on the diagnosis of a malignant tumour. It includes leukaemia, sarcoma and lymphoma.

   Features:

   • Coverage for malignant tumours
   • No pre-policy check-up required for up to 45 years
   • Covers the entire family
   • Both individual and floater coverage available
   • Tax benefits under Sec 80D
   • Lifelong renewals

7. HDFC ERGO iCan Plan

   Features:

   It is a health insurance plan especially designed to cover diagnosis and treatment costs of cancer. The plan offers a wide range of sum insured options, allowing you to opt for the one that suits your requirements perfectly. 

8. ICICI Lombard SmartHealth Critical Illness Plan

   Features:

   The ICICI Lombard SmartHealth Critical Illness plan provides coverage for cancer treatment costs. Individuals aged between 3 months to 55 years are eligible for this health insurance plan. 

9. IFFCO Tokio Critical Illness Benefit Policy

   IFFCO Tokio Critical Illness Benefit is a health insurance policy that will cover you in case you are diagnosed with cancer. The insurance company pays a lump sum amount to the insured if he/she is diagnosed with cancer for the first time.

   Features:

   • Coverage for cancer and 24 other critical illnesses
   • Covers the entire family
   • Critical illness arising out of an act of terrorism is covered
   • No pre-policy medical check-up for up to 50 years
   • Tax benefits under sec 80D
   • Lifelong renewability

10. Liberty Critical Connect Policy

    Liberty Critical Connect policy provides coverage for cancer treatment under Plan B’s Cancer Protect cover. The policy covers cancer of specified severity along with early-stage cancers and carcinoma in-situ. However, there is no waiting period between two cancer claims.

    Features:

    • Multiple claims for minor and major stages of cancer accepted
    • Coverage for a second medical opinion
    • Free health check-up after every 2 claim-free years
    • Option to waive off 30-day survival period
    • Lifelong renewals
    • Health 360° benefit available

11. Magma HDI OneHealth Insurance Policy

    The Magma HDI OneHealth Insurance policy offers coverage for cancer under its Critical Illness add-on cover. It pays a lump sum amount to the policyholder on the first diagnosis of cancer of specified severity.

    Features:

    • Coverage for cancer of advanced stage
    • E-opinion for cancer available
    • Compassionate visit cover for cancer available
    • Cumulative bonus granted for every claim-free year
    • Free health check-up facility available every year
    • Lifelong renewability

12. ManipalCigna Lifestyle Protection – Critical Care

    ManipalCigna Lifestyle Protection – Critical Care helps to provide cancer patients with the required financial support while obtaining treatment. It is available in two variants – Basic and Enhanced. The policy provides the option of a 100% lump sum payment or 25% lump sum along with 75% staggered equal payment plus 10% extra for 60 months. It also provides coverage in case you want to obtain a second opinion.

    Features:

    • Up to 30 critical illnesses covered, including cancer
    • Second opinion available
    • Global coverage
    • Customized wellness program
    • Tax benefits
    • 10% family discount for insuring more than 2 family members
    • Long-term policy discounts available
    • Lifetime renewability

13. National Critical Illness Policy

    National Critical Illness policy has been designed to cover the expenses incurred on the treatment of critical illnesses, including cancer. It comes with two types of plans – Plan A and Plan B. While Plan A covers 11 critical illnesses, Plan B covers 37 of them.

    Features:

    • Pays a lump sum amount on cancer diagnosis
    • Covers the entire family
    • 30 days of survival period
    • Early entry discount for people up to the age of 42 years
    • No pre-policy health check-up for up to 45 years and below Rs 25 lakh sum insured
    • 10% family discount
    • Lifetime renewability

14. New India Assurance Cancer Guard Policy

    The New India Assurance Cancer Guard policy is designed to provide financial support to cancer patients during treatment. This policy will pay for the diagnosis, treatment cost as well as rehabilitation of the cancer patient. It also pays a cancer care benefit if the insured is diagnosed with cancer for the first time at Stage IV.

    Features:

    • Coverage for conventional and advanced cancer treatments available
    • Comes with the reconstruction of affected body parts and post-treatment follow-up cover
    • Second opinion for surgery and organ transplant cover available
    • Covers the entire family
    • Cumulative bonus
    • No pre-policy medical check-up required

15. Niva Bupa (Formerly known as Max Bupa) CritiCare Insurance Plan

    Niva Bupa (Formerly known as Max Bupa) CritiCare Insurance plan is a critical illness insurance policy that safeguards you and your family against 20 critical diseases, including cancer. It provides individual as well as floater cover and gives you the option to choose a 100% lump sum payment with or without a staggered payout.

    Features:

    • 100% lump sum payout on cancer diagnosis
    • Cashless claim settlement within 30 minutes
    • Long-term policy discounts
    • Lifetime renewability
    • Tax benefits under Sec 80D
    • Worldwide coverage

16. Oriental Cancer Protect

    Oriental Cancer Protect offers financial assistance to cover the treatment cost of cancer patients. It provides coverage for both advanced and conventional treatments of cancer, including chemotherapy and radiotherapy. The policy also offers a cancer care benefit in case the insured is first-time diagnosed with cancer at Stage IV.

    Features:

    • Covers the cost of reconstruction of affected body part post cancer surgery
    • No pre-policy medical check-up required
    • In-patient hospitalization, OPD, day care and organ donor cover available
    • Pre & post-hospitalization expenses and follow-up medical expenses are covered
    • Both road and air ambulance charges covered
    • Coverage for emergency medical evacuation and second medical opinion available
    • Sum insured enhancement to next slap after every 3 claim-free years
    • 5% cumulative bonus given on every claim-free year

17. Raheja QBE Cancer Insurance Policy

    The Raheja QBE Cancer Insurance policy is a comprehensive policy that covers the treatment cost involved at all stages of cancer. Under this policy, a lump sum amount will be paid on the detection of the disease. In addition, it will also pay for the reasonable medical expenses incurred on the diagnostic investigation for the treatment of cancer.

    Features:

    • Lump sum payout on the diagnosis of cancer
    • No pre-policy check-up for up to 50 years
    • Tax benefits under Sec 80D
    • 5% cumulative bonus granted on every claim-free year

18. Reliance Critical Illness Insurance Policy

    The Reliance Critical Illness insurance policy enables cancer patients to get the best treatment by covering their treatment and recovery expenses. This policy offers coverage for cancer of specified severity under Category 1.

    Features:

    • Lump sum payout on cancer diagnosis
    • 30 days of survival period
    • No pre-policy health check-ups for up to 45 years
    • 5% discount for every claim-free renewal
    • Tax benefits under Sec 80D
    • Lifelong renewability

19. Royal Sundaram Critical Illness Lumpsum Plan

    The Royal Sundaram Critical Illness Lumpsum plan is a comprehensive policy that covers the treatment cost of 9 critical diseases, including cancer. The policy pays a lump sum amount on the diagnosis of cancer of specified severity.

    Features:

    • Coverage for malignant tumours
    • Policy available on an individual sum insured basis
    • No pre-policy medical check-ups for up to 30 years
    • Cashless treatment facility available
    • Lifelong renewability
    • Tax benefits available under sec 80D

20. SBI Critical Illness Insurance Policy

    The SBI Critical Illness Insurance policy provides financial coverage to people diagnosed with cancer. It will pay the policyholder a fixed amount of money on the diagnosis of cancer of specified severity. The policy comes with the option of 1-year and 3-year policy tenure.

    Features:

    • Coverage for the first diagnosis of a malignant tumour
    • 12 other critical illnesses covered
    • 28 days of survival period
    • Tax benefits available under Sec 80D
    • No medical health check-up for up to 45 years

21. Star Cancer Care Platinum Insurance Policy

    The Star Cancer Care Platinum Insurance policy provides health insurance coverage to people diagnosed with cancer for the first time as well as existing cancer patients. It not only covers the cost of cancer treatment but also covers the risk of metastasis, recurrence and unrelated second malignancy. It also comes with the Lumpsum Cancer cover option that can be bought on payment of an additional premium.

    Features:

    • 50% lump sum payment on recurrence/ second malignancy/ metastasis
    • Coverage for pain management and cancer rehabilitation
    • No pre-acceptance medical screening required
    • Hospice care and second medical opinion benefits available
    • Free health check-up facility available after every claim-free year
    • Tax benefits available under Sec 80D
    • Lifelong renewability

22. Tata AIG Criti-Medicare

    Tata AIG Criti-Medicare is a medical insurance policy that offers coverage for cancer under its Cancer 360 Degree – Indemnity Cover. The insurer will pay for the medical expenses incurred on the treatment of cancer, including in-situ cancer and any pre-cancerous lesions. Moreover, this policy offers coverage for home cancer care as well as across the globe.

    Features:

    • Chemotherapy and radiotherapy cover available
    • Coverage for palliative cancer care
    • Coverage for advanced cancer treatments and high-end diagnostics available
    • Both hospitalization and OPD expenses covered
    • Psychiatric counselling and a second medical opinion covered
    • Cost of preventive health check-up covered after every claim-free year
    • Tax benefits available under Sec 80D
    • No pre-policy medical check-ups required up to 45 years
    • Lifelong renewability

23. United India UNI Criticare Policy

    UNI Criticare policy by United India Insurance Company is designed to provide coverage against 11 critical diseases, including cancer. As soon as cancer is detected, a lump sum payment is made to the policyholder for the treatment. The policy also covers 10 other critical illnesses apart from cancer.

    Features:

    • Covers cancer of specified severity
    • 30 days of survival period
    • Lump sum payments on cancer diagnosis
    • Covers the entire family
    • Tax benefits available under Sec 80D
    • Lifetime renewability
    • No prior medical check-up below 45 years

24. Universal Sompo Critical Illness Insurance Policy

    The Universal Sompo Critical Illness Insurance policy is a customized policy designed to enable cancer patients to get the best treatments without worrying about the money. It pays a lump sum amount to the insured on the first-time diagnosis of cancer. This policy also covers 10 other critical illnesses besides cancer, such as multiple sclerosis, first heart attack, etc.

    Features:

    • Coverage for cancer of specified severity
    • Covers the entire family
    • No pre-policy health check-ups for up to 55 years
    • 30 days of survival period
    • Tax benefits under Sec 80D
    • Long-term policy discount
    • Cashless claims at network hospitals

25. Zuno (Formerly Edelweiss) Health Insurance Policy

    The Edelweiss Health Insurance policy provides coverage for critical illnesses, including cancer. The policy pays the claim amount on the first diagnosis of cancer. However, this cover is only available under the Gold and Platinum variants. Apart from cancer, this policy also covers other critical diseases, such as stroke, open chest CABG, permanent paralysis of limbs, etc.

    Features:

    • Coverage for cancer of specified severity
    • Covers up to 8 family members
    • Second opinion available
    • No pre-policy medical screening for up to 50 years
    • Lifelong renewability
    • Health check-up after every claim-free year

26. Zurich Kotak Secure Shield Policy

    Zurich Kotak Secure Shield allows cancer patients to get the best treatment without any financial stress. It provides a lump sum payment to the insured on the first diagnosis of cancer. The policy also offers coverage for 17 other critical illnesses.

    Features:

    • Critical illness benefit available for cancer
    • 100% lump sum payout
    • Tax benefits
    • Lifelong renewals

Summing It Up

As we all know, prevention is better than cure. This quote very well applies to cancer as taking precautions to prevent the occurrence of cancer is the most viable cure for cancer. While adopting a healthy lifestyle, being proactive and getting an early detection done are important, you must also stay prepared for the worst by covering yourself under a cancer insurance policy.