CRITICAL ILLNESS
A lump sum in cash when the diagnosis is
cancer, heart attack, or stroke
Recovery from a major diagnosis often takes months, not weeks.
Covering bills and everyday expenses should not be one more thing to worry about along the way.
Lump sum
Cash to the employee
Real recovery time
What Critical Illness Coverage Actually Is
Pays a cash benefit directly to the employee after a diagnosis of cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
Not tied to hospital stays or specific medical bills,
the cash can be used for anything,
rent, groceries, a mortgage payment, or medical costs group health does not cover.
Why It Matters
Nearly 75 percent of cancer patients miss work during treatment (American Cancer Society)
About 66 percent miss more than a full month of work
About 60 percent of working-age cancer survivors report long-term financial hardship
A major heart attack requiring surgery often means 6 to 12 weeks away from work,
with full medical clearance for physically demanding jobs often taking 3 to 4 months
(Cleveland Clinic, American Heart Association)
A moderate stroke typically requires 3 to 6 months of recovery, a severe stroke 6 to 12 months or more (American Heart Association, Johns Hopkins Medicine)
83 percent of employers offer dental and 80 percent offer vision, only 27 percent offer critical illness coverage (EBRI)
You can be different!
Pros and Cons
Pros
Pays cash directly to the employee, usable for any purpose, not only medical bills
Covers three of the highest-cost, highest-lost-income diagnoses, cancer, heart attack, and stroke
Affordable relative to the financial exposure it protects against
Employee-paid, no direct cost to the employer
Cons
Only pays out for a covered diagnosis, does not cover other serious illnesses or injuries
A lump sum benefit, not ongoing income replacement the way disability coverage is
Employees must actively enroll and pay for it, coverage is not automatic
FAQ
Q: What does critical illness insurance cover?
A: Pays a cash lump sum directly to the employee
after a diagnosis of cancer, heart attack, or stroke.
Q: How is this different from Medical Balance Protection™?
A: Medical Balance Protection™ pays the medical provider for what group health does not cover.
Critical illness pays cash directly to the employee,
usable for anything, not only medical bills.
Q: How is this different from accident coverage?
A: Accident coverage pays for a covered accident, urgent care, an ER visit, or a hospital stay.
Critical illness pays for a specific diagnosis, cancer, heart attack, or stroke,
regardless of how it was discovered.
Q: Does this cost the employer anything?
A: No. Employees pay for this through payroll deduction.
Most see it simply as a benefit their employer made available.
Not sure if critical illness coverage fits your team?
Let's talk.
General Disclaimers/Disclosures to Satisfy the Attorneys/Legal Dept
I am a licensed Insurance Agent in any state I do business in
I am not an attorney, I do not give legal advice but I know some if you need one
I am not an accountant, I do not give tax advice but will direct you to talk to one and have some I can introduce
I am not a doctor, I do not give medical advice but I can help look up doctors in your network
I represent multiple carriers so I have more options for you
I mainly do virtual appointments, I live on top of a mountain in the middle of nowhere (about 45 minute to Crossville...you know, the BIG CITY ;)
And an hour north of Chattanooga TN
Some policies are guaranteed issue, some require underwriting
Your privacy is important to me, if you are referred to me by someone, I might tell them "Thank you for the referral" but will not use your name or discuss our conversation
Not all products are available in all states
We do not offer every plan available in your area. Currently we represent 4 organizations which offer 26 products in your area. Please contact Medicare.gov, 1-800-MEDICARE, or your local State Health Insurance Program (SHIP) to get information on all of your options
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Updated 08/23/2026
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