New messages from Aflac | View Notifications opens a dialog Close X dismisses the notification alert

Pros and Cons of Cancer Insurance

Thanks to reductions in smoking, early detection, and improved treatments, more patients are surviving cancer each year.1 However, treatment can be costly. The average cost of medical care and drugs to treat cancer is more than $42,000 in the year after getting a diagnosis.2 Cancer insurance can help alleviate some financial burdens if you receive a cancer diagnosis. Let’s discuss what cancer insurance covers, then review its benefits and drawbacks.

3 Min Read

Table of Contents

Key Takeaways

  • Cancer insurance is a supplemental policy that helps reduce out-of-pocket costs for medical and non-medical expenses that occur during treatment, such as co-pays, deductibles, surgeries, and loss of income.
  • Cancer treatment can be costly. Medical expenses can cost an average of $42,000 in the first year after a cancer diagnosis, which can make insurance coverage beneficial.
  • Getting cancer insurance from Aflac before a diagnosis can provide you with financial protection and peace of mind, especially if you have a family history of cancer.

How cancer insurance works

Cancer insurance is a supplemental insurance policy that helps cover the costs of diagnosing and treating cancer. Supplemental insurance is an extra layer of coverage designed to help with expenses that your primary health insurance may not fully cover. There are several types of cancer insurance policies, such as:3

  • Expense-incurred cancer insurance policy: These pay a specific percentage of treatment costs up to a defined limit.
  • Indemnity cancer insurance policy: These policies cover expenses for approved treatments, up to a set limit. The maximum payout may be lower than the actual costs of care.
  • Lump-sum cancer insurance policy: Lump sum policies pay a fixed amount of money after a cancer diagnosis. You can use the payout for any costs you want.

The first two policy types, like health insurance, can come with deductibles, copays, and other stipulations. Lump-sum cash benefit policies may pay you a benefit directly (unless assigned otherwise), letting you use the funds as you need. Covering the cost of cancer treatment without insurance can be challenging. A cancer insurance policy from Aflac can help you prepare for these circumstances and manage the cost of treatment much more easily.

Covering the cost of cancer treatment without insurance can be challenging. A cancer insurance policy from Aflac can help you prepare for these circumstances and manage the cost of treatment much more easily.

Aflac duck with wings out

Peace of mind doesn't have to break the bank

Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.

Get Started

What does cancer insurance cover?

Each cancer insurance policy is unique. However, Aflac offers cancer insurance that can help with medical and non-medical expenses, such as:

  • Co-pays
  • Deductibles
  • Lab tests
  • Surgeries
  • Extended hospital stays
  • Prescription medications
  • Loss of income
  • Child-care expenses
  • Transportation and lodging
  • Household bills

Pros of cancer insurance

Having a cancer insurance policy can offer many benefits, such as:

Affordable premiums

Cancer insurance premiums are generally affordable. Many plans cost $10 to $50 per month, although your premiums can vary based on many factors.3 Regardless, these premiums can be well worth the cost of cancer and other expenses you must cover during treatment.

Use the payout for any expenses

Many use cancer insurance payouts to help cover treatment and medication costs. However, you can use the payout for nearly anything.3 For example, your benefit can help pay for travel to cancer facilities or help cover some of your living expenses.

Be prepared for anything

Cancer insurance can help you prepare for the unexpected. Even if you are never diagnosed with cancer, having a cancer insurance policy can help give you peace of mind throughout your life. It also can ensure your loved ones are not financially strained when helping you pay for treatment if you do get a diagnosis.

Cons of cancer insurance

Cancer insurance can offer plenty of benefits, but there are a few downsides to consider:

Premiums are higher for older individuals

The risk of cancer increases as we age.4 This can cause premiums to be higher for older individuals when applying for a policy. Luckily, having a policy while younger can help you lock in lower premiums. That way, you can keep paying affordable premiums for the rest of your life.

Many policies don’t cover non-melanoma skin cancer

Cancer insurance typically doesn’t cover costs associated with non-melanoma skin cancer.5 As a result, you may pay premiums for a cancer insurance policy that can’t help you cover treatment costs if you get this type of diagnosis.

Is cancer insurance right for me?

Consider the following factors when deciding if cancer insurance is worth getting:

  • Family and personal health history: Investing in a cancer insurance policy can help provide peace of mind and prepare you if you have a family history of cancer.
  • Financial situation: You should weigh the cost of premiums against the costs of cancer treatment. Individuals with more financial resources may skip cancer insurance, whereas those who may need financial help should consider having a policy.
  • Future financial goals and obligations: Cancer insurance may be worth having if you have future financial goals or responsibilities, such as buying a home or paying for your children’s college education.
  • Healthcare access: The cancer insurance payout can help cover the cost of specialized cancer centers or health providers if you get cancer and need to visit one of these.
  • Lifestyle and occupation: Certain lifestyle choices, like smoking, could increase the risk of getting cancer. Similarly, some occupations, such as those that expose workers to chemicals and toxins, may increase cancer risks. Getting a policy could help protect you in these and similar situations.

Get a cancer insurance quote

Nobody knows what the future holds, but you can take steps to be prepared. Cancer insurance can help provide you and your loved ones with peace of mind throughout life and offer financial relief if you receive a diagnosis. If you’d like the financial safety net that can come with cancer insurance, speak with an Aflac agent about your options today.

Get Started

Learn more about Aflac products for Individuals & Families: