What it is
Critical illness insurance pays a one-time or per-category lump sum when you're diagnosed with a covered condition after any waiting period. You choose the benefit amount when you apply, and you can use the money however you need: medical bills, travel for treatment, lost income, or household costs.
Plans come in different shapes. Some cover cancer only, some cover heart attack and stroke only, some combine cancer and heart/stroke, and some offer a broader list of critical conditions. A few carriers also offer a critical illness benefit as an add-on to a term life policy, which advances part of the death benefit while you're living.
Benefits are paid regardless of your other insurance, which is why critical illness coverage is often paired with a high-deductible health plan.
Who it's often a fit for
- Primary earners who would feel the loss of income during treatment
- People with a family history of cancer or heart disease who want a cash cushion
- People with high-deductible health plans
- Anyone who wants lump-sum protection alongside their main coverage
How it works
- Choose a plan type: cancer, heart/stroke, both, or a broader critical illness list.
- Choose a lump-sum benefit amount.
- After a covered diagnosis following any waiting period, submit a claim.
- The plan pays the benefit for that category, up to its maximum.
Quote and enroll online: compare prices from UnitedHealthcare, Pivot Health, and Allstate
Get your own quote, compare plans side by side, and enroll directly on the carrier's site when you're ready.
UnitedHealthcare
Individual plans through UnitedHealthcare's UHOne site, underwritten by Golden Rule Insurance Company.
See UnitedHealthcare prices & enroll (opens in a new tab) ↗Pivot Health
Short term medical, fixed-benefit, dental and vision, and supplemental plans.
See Pivot Health prices & enroll (opens in a new tab) ↗Allstate
Allstate Health Solutions short term medical, accident, critical illness, hospital indemnity, dental, and term life plans.
See Allstate prices & enroll (opens in a new tab) ↗Each carrier's site shows its own prices and plans, and may ask for basic information again. Plans and availability vary by state. Prefer a hand? Hollen will also follow up with you personally, and you can always request a free quote or book a call.
Carriers you can quote online
Online quotes for critical illness, cancer & heart/stroke are available from UnitedHealthcare, Pivot Health, and Allstate. Each carrier designs its own plans, so benefit amounts, waiting periods, riders, and eligibility ages differ. Hollen can line them up side by side and explain the differences, and plan availability varies by state.
What affects the cost
There's no single price. These factors usually matter most:
- Your age
- The benefit amount
- The plan type (cancer only, heart/stroke, combined, or full critical illness)
- Tobacco use and health answers, where underwritten
- Optional riders
Limits to understand
- Only listed conditions are covered, and definitions matter.
- Waiting periods typically apply after the effective date.
- Pre-existing condition limits often apply.
- It doesn't replace health insurance.
How Hollen helps
Hollen is an independent broker, so she can compare plans from several carriers instead of just one. She'll help you decide whether a supplemental plan makes sense alongside your main coverage, check what's offered in your state, and explain the fine print before you buy. You can enroll online yourself or have Hollen walk you through it.
Frequently asked questions
What's the difference between a cancer plan and a critical illness plan?
A cancer plan pays only for a covered cancer diagnosis. A critical illness plan covers a broader list of conditions, which may include heart attack, stroke, and others. Combined cancer and heart/stroke plans sit in between.
Can I use the money for anything?
Yes. The lump sum is paid to you, and you decide how to use it.
Is there a waiting period?
Most plans have a waiting period after the effective date before a diagnosis qualifies. Check the specific plan.
What is a term life critical illness benefit?
Some term life policies offer an optional critical illness benefit that pays part of the death benefit early after a qualifying diagnosis. Any amount paid reduces the life insurance benefit.
Will it pay if I have other insurance?
Yes. Critical illness benefits are generally paid regardless of other coverage.
Related coverage
All short-term & supplemental plans · Short Term Medical · ACA Plans · Licensed states
Ready to compare Critical Illness, Cancer & Heart/Stroke options?
Get a free quote or book a time to talk it through with Hollen. “I work for you, not the insurance companies.”
THIS IS A LIMITED-BENEFIT PLAN. It is a supplement to health insurance, not a substitute for major medical coverage or the minimum essential coverage required by the Affordable Care Act. Plans may be medically underwritten, and benefits are generally not paid for pre-existing conditions during any limitation period. Availability, benefits, and rules vary by carrier and state. This page is general educational information, not a guarantee of coverage, eligibility, or cost.