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The Cost of Cancer Treatment in Canada

It’s human nature to avoid thinking about our health deteriorating, but it’s a sad reality that nearly one in two Canadians will get cancer at some point in their lives, according to a report by the Canadian Cancer Society. Smart financial planning involves preparing yourself for unexpected as well as expected expenses. You can save enough money to cover your expected cost of living during retirement, but you also need to be prepared for unexpected expenses, such as a cancer diagnosis.

So, how much does cancer treatment cost in Canada? The short answer is: more than you expect.

The cost of your cancer depends on many variables, such as:

  • the kind of cancer you have
  • how early you’ve been diagnosed
  • the kind of treatment you undergo
  • how much time you need to take off work, and whether anyone needs to take off time to care for you

Another variable is location. If you live far from the nearest cancer-care centre, your out-of-pocket costs – transportation, accommodation, meals – will be higher than if you live nearby. The location also matters when it comes to paying for chemotherapy. Here’s why: In the past, chemotherapy was almost always given intravenously in hospitals, so it was covered by government health plans, just like other hospital-administered medications. But today, many kinds of chemo are taken orally, at home – and not all provincial health plans fully cover them. Currently, only British Columbia, Alberta, Saskatchewan and Manitoba cover home-administered chemo.

There are ways to help cushion the cost. Government assistance may be available if your drug expenses exceed a certain percentage of your income, and there are special arrangements with some drug manufacturers. Applying for these programs can be complex and time-consuming, which is why cancer centres have social workers on staff to help you navigate the system.

Health insurance can also help you cover the cost of cancer treatment. Workplace health benefits like supplemental medical insurance will help you pay for medicines and equipment not covered by your provincial plan, and disability insurance will pay you part of your lost income while you’re off work. Both kinds of insurance come with deductibles and limits, and you’ll need to submit receipts to get your money back.

Critical illness insurance works a little differently. It can help you cover whatever expenses you incur while you’re fighting and recovering from one of the types of cancer that your policy covers, with no deductibles to pay and no receipts to submit. If you’re diagnosed with one of the serious illnesses covered by your policy, after the required waiting period (typically 30 days following diagnosis), your insurance company will pay you the entire amount of your policy, all at once, to spend on whatever you want. You could use the money to make up the difference between what your workplace health insurance covers and what you’ve had to spend on medicines. You could use it to cover the hotel bill that your spouse ran up while you were in an out-of-town hospital. You could pay someone to clean your house and look after your children, while you’re not feeling up to it. You could even use some of the money to go away for a weekend to rest and relax, once you’ve recovered your health.

How Much do These Types of Insurance Cost?

The younger and healthier you are when you buy your policy, the less you’ll pay each month. Usually, the longer the policy term (commonly 10 years, to age 75 or to age 100), the higher the cost. Policies that cover more illnesses cost more. And special features, such as getting back some of what you’ve paid if the policy expires or you die without making a claim, also cost more.

If you buy a 10-year-term critical illness insurance policy and renew it every 10 years, your cost will increase each time you renew. If you buy a non-renewable policy that expires at age 75 or age 100, your cost typically won’t increase as you get older. You can buy most critical illness insurance policies until you’re 65 and make a claim at any age during the policy term.

Make well-informed decisions with helpful advice from Nonmed Insurance Inc. today.

Factors to Consider When Opting for An Insurance Plan

Opting for the right health insurance plan is crucial as this will help you get the best treatment for yourself, your entire family as well as your four-legged family members. However, deciding which health insurance to choose isn’t an easy task! There are tons of insurance companies in every city these days that provide high-quality insurance plans. Nearly half of all employers with 250 or more employees offer more than one policy, all with different copayments, benefits, premiums and deductibles. But how do you go ahead and pick the right insurer? Here are a few things to keep in mind when selecting the best health insurance plans for your family –

Look at Out-Of-Pocket Costs

Focusing on the monthly premium is one thing, but keeping track of the deductible, copayments and co-insurance is also a key factor. These three elements are your maximum expenses. Under the Affordable Care Act, the maximum reimbursable expenses are $7,150 for a single person and $14,300 for a family policy.

Consider Your Life Stage

Let’s assume the next coming years turn out to be just like the past five. You go for regular medical checkups two to three times. Your partner is as healthy a horse (as long as he/she swallows his cholesterol pill every day). And your kids, well, let’s just say they have an average of one cast and 15 stitches a year. And therefore, choosing an appropriate insurance plan tailored to your individual needs is crucial.

While taking cheap health insurance plans, it is essential to consider your health, age and financial situation. Selecting a policy with a lower deductible and copayments is recommended if you’re suffering from one or more health problems that require ongoing care (such as heart disease or diabetes) or expecting a baby. Of course, you’ll be paying a higher premium, but your overall out-of-pocket costs may be lower. The insurance agent can help you make a better decision with your health insurance based on all of this information.

Number of Family Members

Are you taking health insurance or term insurance that covers all your family members? Along with the number of family members, their life stages matter too. The cover amount needs to be able to support everyone’s lifestyle and spending capacity in case of any unfortunate incident where the insurance will be used.

Check the Drug List

All insurance plans generally provide a detailed medication list and copayment covered. So, be sure to buy an insurance plan that offers a prescription drug benefit high enough to cover all your needs. If your drug isn’t on the list of medications covered, you may have to pay 100% of the cost. It is also an excellent idea to check whether your insurance plan includes a mail-in prescription option; it can save you some bucks on your regular prescriptions.

The benefit should typically cover at least $1,000 per year. With only a few prescriptions, you can easily reach this amount, especially if your doctor prescribes a medicine with no generic substitutes.

Go Over the List of Benefits

Usually, all individual and small business plans should cover prescription drugs, hospitalization, emergency services, mental health and addiction treatment, preventative services and rehabilitation services, maternity and newborn care, pediatric services (including vision and dental care), laboratory tests and out-patient care. However, the specifications of the plans available through your employer may vary, so make sure to read the plan’s Evidence of Coverage.

Also, don’t forget to double-check your prescription coverage each year when re-enrolling in your insurance plan. Many insurance brokers tend to amend their policies and drug coverage frequently. So, it is wise to look for another insurance provider if your daily medications are abruptly withdrawn from your coverage.

Maximum Age Renewal Option

Although you don’t really use your health insurance when you are young, as you get older, health care costs increase and you will have a greater need for health insurance coverage. So, make sure to check whether your health insurance plan features a more comprehensive renewal option with the best pricing. Opt for lifetime plans with renewability options available beyond age 65 – it will pay off in the long run for you and your family.

Choose the Right Insurer Too

While you’re reviewing all these policies and benefits, it’s also wise to choose the right insurer. Look for insurance companies with higher stakes settlement rates (so you don’t have to fight over your claims). Are you looking for a trusted insurance agent or an insurance quote in Florida? Get in touch with BREVARD INSURANCE & MARKETING – they are experts in the protection of your possessions and those of your family.

When shopping for the best insurance policy, you’ll surely be spoilt for choice. Therefore, if you want to pick the crème de la crème, simply do your homework! Hopefully, these smart tips can help simplify your selection process.

Top Reasons to Purchase No Medical Life Insurance

Life is full of surprises over which we have no control…and life insurance has got to be a part of your plan, whether you like it or not. For many people, medical exam is one of the most headache-inducing parts of the life insurance application process. Sure, those pesky medical exams may seem to stand in the way, but did you know that even though you’re hard to insure or have been declined, there is still coverage available to you? Yes, you read it right! Some insurance doesn’t need medical exams! Here’s what you need to know…

But What Is No Medical Exam Insurance?

Before I dive into the reasons why you should consider a no medical exam life insurance, let’s start with the basics. Most people purchase life insurance to secure the financial stability of their loved ones after their death. However, buying an insurance plan can be very challenging for several reasons!

Many insurance companies would want to assess the risks involved in insuring you through strict medical exams. The good news is that some insurance companies also provide life insurance policies without the need to go through all the medical exam stuff to qualify (ideal for those scared of doctors, needles and anything doctor-ish). But how do these policies differ from those that require a medical exam?

Get Rid of Useless Stress

Without a doubt, obtaining life insurance by bypassing medical examinations and medical history checks can be a real solace. You no longer have to bother scheduling a visit with a nurse, fasting for 12 straight hours and trying to have a healthy diet in the days leading up to the exam (oh yes, you can use these tips to ace your medical test if you decide to go that route).

And who says no medical checks says no needle to suck up your blood (doctors won’t steal your blood), no need to provide a urine specimen, no scale to take your weight (your weight can be kept a secret) and no blood pressure meter thing on your arm! However, no medical exam policies still ask your health history and look at your public reports.

You Are Fully Covered Without Any Fuss

Whether you are suffering from depression, life-threatening cancer (or any other illnesses) or you are overweight or a heavy smoker or simply happen to have a risky job; you might have a hard time finding an insurance plan that uses a comprehensive underwriting process! Why? Based on your family’s medical history, age and physical and mental health, insurance brokers often assume that there is a higher chance you will die during the term of your life policy. They might charge higher monthly premiums, or worse, your insurance request can get rejected. (Yes, unfortunately, insurance can be harsh and ruthless!).

Thankfully with No Medical Insurance, you can benefit an insurance plan anytime! From leaving your loved ones a financial legacy, paying off lawyer’s fees, taxes and outstanding loans to covering final expenses (such as funerals or cremation costs), you are fully covered without any fuss! However, if these circumstances don’t apply to you and you want to cover more than just the final expenses, then medical exam life insurance is probably not for you. Young, healthy people with families generally need enough life insurance to pay off debts and provide some income support for their spouses and children.

Protecting Your Little Ones’ Future

Purchasing No Medical Child Insurance guarantees your kids’ future and insure them against unforeseen events, even beyond your lifetime. It offers financial security, flexibility and a head start for any financial need in life, whether it’s education, buying a home or starting a business.

Oh-So-Convenient!

If you can’t have fully purchased life insurance but need coverage over $55,000, term life insurance without a medical exam is the best option for you! This insurance policy offers a maximum term of 30 years and can generally be purchased up until you turn 75, although some insurers limit the term based on your age. What’s more convenient than that?

Available Riders

Most life insurance policies without a medical examination include built-in riders. These riders are frequently described as “living benefits.” This means that having life insurance with a living benefit allows you to kind of speed up your death benefit while still alive. In other words, death is not necessary for life insurance to payout (which is a tremendous advantage). Thanks to modern medical technology, you could survive a heart attack, but could you afford it?

Secure the Policy You Need in A Jiffy

Life insurance policies without a medical examination tend to be processed more quickly. Numerous policies can be instantly issued or within 48 hours, and thus, you can say goodbye to the long and tedious waiting hours and days for your lab results to come back!

Are you looking for no medical and simplified issue life Insurance in the surrounding of Toronto and the GTA? Contact Nonmed Insurance Inc. to have your own personal plan!

Insurance 101: Insurance I Need to Get and Those I Don’t

Why do I need to get insurance?

Insurance is essentially preparing for the eventuality of a disaster striking. And while some disasters can be predicted, such as floods or storms, others give little to no warning. Since calamities can happen at any time of the year and on different scales, you may find all your savings being drained because you didn’t make any prior arrangements to safeguard you from a catastrophe.

Hence, getting insurance well ahead of time protects you during these situations, gives you peace of mind and covers your family if ever something happens to you. It can also help you own a home and car, maintain your standard of living if ever you are the victim of an accident and become disabled, or have a critical illness. You can also rely on it to pay for medical bills or to provide for your family in the event of a death. That’s why we recommend being proactive and taking out insurance to protect yourself, your loved ones and your assets.

To help you in the process of choosing the most appropriate insurance for your needs, we’ve put together a list of insurance policies that you should consider taking and those we believe you can do without.

Life Insurance: Get it.

There are two types of life insurance: whole life insurance and term life insurance. The term ‘whole life insurance’ is pretty self-explanatory: it covers you for your entire life. Usually, the cash-out at death is fixed, which means you have a guaranteed premium, interest rate, and death benefit. You can also borrow loans against this type of policy.

Term life insurance, on the other hand, is exactly what it sounds like—the life insurance covers only a specific term, which can last anywhere from five to thirty years. In this category though, the policy pays a death benefit to your beneficiaries only if you pass away within that time period. It is generally the most affordable type of life insurance.

Extended Warranties: Not a priority.

An extended warranty is a type of insurance that is meant to cover a host of appliances and electronics. However, this type of insurance is rarely used by customers. This is mostly because reputable products tend to work as advertised. The warranty you paid for will, therefore, most likely be unnecessary.

Health Insurance: Most definitely!

Statistically and historically, the main reason people in some countries file for bankruptcy is because of medical issues. Health insurance can offer the financial protection you may need both for unexpected health needs and for extras such as regular trips to the dentist or the need for glasses. Since medical insurance can help protect you from high medical costs, choosing to get one reduces the risk of going bankrupt.

Car Rental Insurance: Only in some cases.

Car rental insurance can be an overkill if you already have health insurance. Additionally, if you already have a car insurance policy that covers rental, you’ll be paying for the same thing twice. So, check the policies you already have, including homeowners’ or renters’ insurance.

You can consider getting this type of policy if you don’t have any policy that already covers you, if you are traveling abroad or if you are traveling for business and your company doesn’t cover rental insurance.

Automobile Insurance: This is a must.

As mentioned above, car insurance can also cover you for car rental. While in some countries getting automobile insurance is required by law, you should consider getting one even if it is not the case where you live. This policy will cover you if you are subject to a lawsuit for an accident you have been involved in and where someone got hurt or where their property was damaged.

This is the type of policy you do not want to skimp on. Accidents can happen at any time and anywhere and can end up costing quite a lot.

Flight Insurance? No!

Unless you are traveling somewhere that requires you to be covered by one, skip it. Despite what the media will have you believe it is extremely rare for airplanes to be involved in accidents.

Besides, the life insurance policy you’ve got will provide necessary coverage in the event of a catastrophe. In almost all cases, flight insurance coverages are completely redundant.

Homeowner’s Insurance: Don’t think twice about it, go buy one.

Because buying a new house or repairing one are expensive options, consider getting a policy that makes the repairs process less difficult. This form of property insurance usually provides coverage for the following: loss or damage of personal assets, interior damage, exterior damage, and injury that arises while on the property.

Contact an expert to get an accurate estimate of how much it will cost to repair or replace the house.

Unemployment Insurance: Not worth it.

While this coverage will partly pay some of your bills if you are out of work, there’s also the possibility of you never being out of work and hence never using that money. It would be a better idea to create a savings plan and an emergency fund instead. If you are unemployed for some time, you can draw from that fund to sustain you during that time. Otherwise, the money stays in your bank account and you can always use whenever you need it.

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