After Cancer Health Insurance For Less Post-Cancer Stress
Cancer is the third leading cause of death today, contributing to about 13% of all deaths. During 2007, it is estimated that 7.6 million people died from cancer around the world.
Studies have shown that the lack of adequate health insurance coverage is associated with reduced access to care and poorer outcomes for cancer patients. That is why it is very important to secure health insurance for individuals. Having adequate health insurance can help cover the cost of cancer treatment. However, most health insurance policies do not cover all costs, and some do not even cover the treatments at all.
There are thousands of people diagnosed with cancer thare are uninsured, underinsured and uninsurable individuals. Obtaining health insurance coverage after a cancer diagnosis can be difficult. A pre existing condition as serious as cancer can cause people to be declined for health coverage.
There are several health insurance alternatives available to people diagnosed with cancer. The best alternative for individuals diagnosed with cancer is getting into an employer-sponsored group health plan. Since individuals diagnosed with cancer has limited work options due to their failing health, this option may not be available for most. However, employer-sponsored group health plan sometimes can be available to spouses of employees.
Another alternative but probably less well known would be joining a professional organization. Professional organizations like the Chamber of Commerce or real estate brokers sometimes have a group health insurance plan available to members as a fringe benefit. This health insurance plan can be comprehensive and cover preexisting conditions such as cancer.
Due to the high costs involved, individual health insurance may not be feasible to most individuals. In addition, most private individual health insurance companies decline coverage of people diagnosed with cancer due to costs involved. If they ever grant health insurance coverage for people with cancer, the policy would sometimes strictly limit coverage and the premiums charged is unaffordable for most people. However, having a limited and expensive insurance would be better than having none at all due to excalating health care costs.
Some states also offer high risk pools that provide comprehensive insurance coverage for the uninsured. There are several disadvantages to this alternative as premiums charged by these state risk pools are very expensive, sometimes costing as much as twice than an individual health insurance. In addition, some state risk pools are closed to new enrollees or has a long waiting list of people wanting comprehensive health insurance coverage.
In order to lower costs associated with health care, individuals with cancer should also study the advantages of availing discount health cards. These may not provide health insurance coverage but they do offer discounts on health care costs and services.
Another alternative that individuals should explore is guaranteed issue health insurance. They provide health insurance coverage even for major pre existing conditions like cancer. They cover pre exisiting conditions only after 12 month of coverage. However, guranteed issue health insurance should be viewed only as a supplement to your basic health insurance as they provide only limited indemnity coverage.
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