10 Best Health Insurance for Cancer Patients 2024 in India and their Features

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The word ‘Cancer’ brings a dreadful feeling. Over the years, cancer has turned out to be one of the most fatal diseases taking thousands of lives every year. In this post, we are discussing the best health insurance plans/policies for cancer patients.

Globally, cancer has been a major cause of concern for patients as well as medical practitioners due to its fatality ratio. There are more than 200 different kinds of cancer that a patient can fall prey to. The body of a cancer patient goes through the uncontrolled growth of cells, which requires expensive treatment including diagnosis.

Further, be it any treatment – chemotherapy, surgery or radiation etc., the amount of money required for it is enough to make a family go through financial crisis. To make things worse, it is also important to know that a person cannot purchase a health insurance policy if they are already suffering from cancer. So, if one shows cancer as a pre-existing symptom, then it is never easy for him/her to get insured.

However, with the advancement in medical technology, the rate of recovery of cancer patients has gone high, which is great news. Also, with a good health insurance plan access to advanced treatment is feasible; as a result recovery for cancer patients is possible and it is evident from the story of many cancer survivors.

Also Read: Health Insurance Premium For Smokers And Non-Smokers

About the cancer insurance policy 

Cancer is a critical disease that is lethal. An insurance policy that is particularly designed to provide coverage against cancer is called a cancer insurance policy. Under this policy, the insured receives a lump sum amount as part of the payout in case the person is diagnosed with cancer. A cancer insurance policy will offer all-inclusive protection against a range of expenses starting from hospitalization, chemotherapy, radiation, and so on.

With health insurance for cancer patients, you not only have monetary security against the disease but also have peace of mind. This policy secures the insured against cancer at early as well as advanced stages. The coverage under such plans is provided as per the terms of the policy as well as the severity of the condition.

What Types of Cancers are Covered by Cancer Insurance Policies in India?

Generally, most insurance for cancer patients in India covers major cancer types like:

  • Breast cancer
  • Lung cancer
  • Prostate cancer
  • Ovarian cancer
  • Colon cancer
  • Bladder cancer
  • Pancreatic cancer. etc.

However, it depends on the particular policy and the insurer to cover the kind of cancer under a policy. You may discuss the same with your insurer before purchasing health insurance for cancer patients.

List of Best Cancer Insurance Plans, their Features & Waiting Period

Name of the plan Features  Entry age  Sun insured (INR) Survival period  Waiting period 
Care Cancer Mediclaim Policy Covers chemotherapy and radiotherapy 5 – 50 years 10 lakh – 2 crore
90 days
Bajaj Allianz Criti Care Insurance Covers early-stage cancers and specified severity cancers 3 months – 65 years Up to 1 lakh 0/7/15 days 120/180 days
Star Cancer Care Platinum Insurance Plan Covers existing cancer patients for all stages of cancer 5 months – 65 years 5/7/10 lakhs
30 days
Aditya Birla Activ Secure – Cancer Secure Covers expenses of cancer treatment at every stage 18 – 65 years 5 lakh – 1 crore 7 days Early stage – 180 days

Major & advanced stage – 90 days

Chola MS Critical Healthline Insurance Covers malignant tumors 5 – 65 years 3/5/10 years 30 days 90 days
Digit Cancer Insurance Policy Coverage for cancer and hospitalization costs during treatment 91 days onwards 1 lakh to 3crore 30 days
Edelweiss Platinum Health Insurance Plan Coverage for the first diagnosis of cancer 3 months onwards 5 lakh – 1 crore
90 days
IFFCO Tokio Family Health Protector Policy Coverage for cancer of specified severity 3 – 65 years 1 lakh – 1 crore 28 days 90 days
Kotak Critical Illness Plus Benefit Rider Coverage for first cancer diagnosis 18 – 65 years 5 – 10 lakhs 90 days
Future Generali Criticare Plan Covers cancer of specified severity 6 – 65 years 1 – 50 lakhs 28 days 90 days

Health Cover Against Critical Illness for Cancer Patients in India 

Cancer is covered in many health insurance policies offering coverage for critical illnesses. However, you will get coverage under fatal illnesses if you are not yet diagnosed with cancer or any such critical diseases at the time of buying a policy. If a person is already diagnosed with cancer, he/she is deprived of coverage against the disease as well as against the different medical situations arising out of the disease. Thus, there are not many companies offering insurance policies for existing cancer patients.

Additionally, if the policy owner shows any signs of the disease within 90 days of getting the policy, the insurance company terminates the policy for the insured person. In case the insured person is diagnosed with cancer after the period of waiting, they still cannot claim for the disease unless it is in the later stages. This is because even in the case of policies offering critical illness coverage, cancer patients can claim compensation if their disease is at an advanced stage.

Most critical illness plans are available for purchase either as an individual plan or as a support with your health insurance or life insurance policies.

Also Read: Pre-Existing Disease in a Health Insurance Policy

Health Insurance Policy/Plan Specially Meant for Cancer Patients 

From the above information, it can be noted that even a critical illness cover doesn’t meet the specific needs of a patient suffering from cancer. And since for insurance companies offering coverage for fatal diseases like cancer is not a win-win situation, so they tend to pull their hands away from such coverage. Thus, there are limited options available in terms of buying health insurance for cancer patients in India, and so the only option they have is to buy a cancer specialist health policy, which is intended to meet the specific needs of a patient diagnosed with cancer.

However, even in this situation, the precondition for getting the cover remains the same as stated earlier, which means health insurance for existing cancer patients or people already showing conditions of cancer are not getting the coverage under this policy.

But if you buy such a policy for future sake, it will cover you against early and advanced stages of cancer. But sadly there are not many insurance companies that offer cancer coverage policies.

Also Read: 10 Factors to Consider Before Buying Cancer Health Insurance Policy

Why do I Need a Specialized Cancer Insurance Plan?

The utmost reason to buy a cancer insurance plan is that it is spreading widely all across the globe and is regarded as one of the deadliest diseases worldwide. The changing lifestyle of people has been the root cause of the enhanced risk of cancer and this makes it important for everyone to buy a cancer specific insurance plan to get coverage against it.

Having a regular health insurance plan may not suffice your needs in case of cancer diagnosis as it doesn’t cover the particular needs that a cancer plan would offer in terms of coverage and financial security.

Also Read: National Cancer Awareness Day – Theme, History, and Significance

Features Offered by Best and Specialized Cancer Insurance Plans 2024, India:

  • It provide protection against cancer in all stages of the disease
  • It allow dual benefit of providing lump sum amount as well as a regular income in the event of final stage diagnosis
  • Another benefit of a cancer specialized insurance plan is that it allow waiver of premiums in the event of diagnosis of cancer (minor or major stage), while providing coverage
  • The policy also give liberty to the insured to choose his/her preferred hospital and doctor for cancer treatment
  • The policy allow greater coverage at affordable premium

Also Read: 10 Cancer Hospitals In India For Free Cancer Treatment

How to Choose the Best Cancer Insurance Plan?

There are certain points to keep in mind while choosing the best cancer insurance plan so that you could secure yourself against cancer in the future.
Claim Settlement Ratio (CSR) – Make sure to check the number of claims that have been settled so far by the insurer whom you are planning to buy the policy from. Ensure that the CSR has been high overall of the company

  • Pay-Out Terms – Equally important is to consider the pay-out terms and conditions of the insurer as different companies/policies have different pay-out terms and you must opt for the policy with best pay-out terms
  • Policy Term – Policy term or tenure is another important thing to consider. Always prefer a plan that allow longer duration as they are financially favorable
  • Premium – Check for a policy offering better coverage at affordable premium
  • Solvency Ratio – Also, do check the solvency ratio of the company as per IRDA rules to ensure that the insurer is capable to pay your claims

Also Read: 10 Ways to Lower the Risks of Getting Cancer

Best Health Insurance Plans for Cancer Patients

Cancer-Specific Insurance Policy Description  Features
Aditya Birla Activ Secure – Cancer Secure     This insurance for cancer patients is designed specifically to cover patients in all three stages of the disease, including first, major and final stages Payment of stipulated sum is offered for all three stages

Offers 7-day survival time

Offers cumulative Bonus and tax benefits

Coverage for all members of family

Wellness coach choice etc.

Bajaj Allianz Critical Illness Insurance This policy offers coverage to you and your family against 10 dangerous diseases, which include cancer, heart attack, organ transplant, bypass surgery, kidney failure etc. Cover all family members

Offer coverage against 10 critical diseases

Give 30 days survival time

Comes with lifetime renewal offer

Allow tax benefits etc.

Bharti AXA SmartHealth Critical Illness Policy This policy from Bharti AXA offer coverage against 20 fatal diseases including cancer, and cover against all the charges that you have to pay for your treatment and the recovery afterwards Offer coverage against 20 critical diseases

Available for floater packages

Recovery benefit

Lifetime renew option

Additional benefits, tax benefits, etc.

Chola MS Critical Healthline Insurance This is a customized policy designed to cover against critical diseases like cancer. This plan comes in two types, standard type and advanced type, where standard type covers for 10 deadly diseases and advanced type covers 12 deadly diseases Cover for family

Survival period – 30 days

Lump sum pay

Tax benefits

Lifetime renewal offer

Digit Cancer Insurance Policy This policy covers all the medical expenses that you have to pay because of cancer. It includes the cost of diagnosis as well as treatment. This policy give coverage to six different types of cancer, such as, lung, larynx, stomach, prostate, breast, and ovarian Offers 10 years’ income benefit

Benefit of premium waiver

7-30 days’ survival period

Option between increasing sum insured and level sum insured

Edelweiss Platinum Health Insurance Plan This policy covers cancer and offers compensation for second medical opinion and recovery advantages. It also covers diseases like stroke, paralysis of limbs etc. Offer coverage to 8 members of family

Compensates for second opinion charges

ICU charges without cap

Lifetime renew option

IFFCO Tokio Family Health Protector Policy In this policy, you have to pay an additional premium of 30% for coverage against critical illness, such as cancer. It offers emergency assistance service as well Coverage for entire family

Cover against critical illness with extra premium

Tax benefits

Lifetime renewal option

Cumulative bonus

Kotak Critical Illness Plus Benefit Rider This policy allow treatment to the cancer patients without any financial stress as it pays lump sum amount being diagnosed with the disease Cover against 37 critical illnesses

100% lump sum pay

Tax benefits

Survival Period – 30 days

10 Best Health Insurance Plans For Cancer Patients with Features In India

1. Aditya Birla Activ Secure – Cancer Secure

Insurance Company~ Aditya Birla Health Insurance

This insurance plan for cancer patients is designed specifically to cover patients in all three stages of the disease, including the first, the major, and the final stages. If the insured is diagnosed with cancer, the policy pays 50% of the sum insured at the initial stage of the diagnosis. In case the diagnosis is detected at a major stage, a sum insured of 100% of paid while if the same gets detected at the final/advanced stage 150% of the sum insured is paid under the policy.

Features:

  • The policy provides a pay-out of a stipulated sum for all three stages of the disease
  • The plan comes with a short-duration survival period of 7-day
  • The plan also allows a 10% cumulative bonus for every claim-free year
  • It covers all members of a family
  • The option of a wellness coach is also there under the plan
  • You may also go for a second opinion option under this plan
  • Besides, you can avail of tax deductions

2. Bajaj Allianz Critical Illness Insurance

Insurance Company~ Bajaj Allianz Health Insurance

Cancer is a deadly disease that causes severe financial implications for a family. It makes people fall into the trap of debt. Hence, with Bajaj Allianz Criti Care, you can ensure the security of your family against the financial burden caused by the disease. Under this plan, 25% of the payout is offered to the insured if diagnosed with the disease at an early stage. Depending on the severity of the disease, it pays up to 100% of the sum assured.

Features: 

  • Over 42 critical conditions are covered under this plan
  • The plan allows coverage to all the members of a family
  • The plan provides coverage against reconstructive surgery due to cancer
  • It comes with the option of lifetime renewability
  • 7-15 days of survival period is also there under the plan
  • Besides, you can avail of tax deductions

3. Bharti AXA SmartHealth Critical Illness Policy

Insurance Company~ Bharti AXA Health Insurance

This policy from Bharti AXA offers coverage against 20 fatal diseases including cancer. It covers the insured against all the expenses paid for the treatment as well as the expenses during recovery. The plan allows timely compensation for your claims at the time of an emergency and saves you from the financial burden.

Features:

  • The plan allows coverage against 20 critical diseases
  • The plan is available as a family floater package
  • It covers the expenses of recovery under the recovery benefit facility
  • The plan comes with a lifetime renewability option
  • You also receive additional benefits and tax benefits under the plan

4. Chola MS Critical Healthline Insurance

Insurance Company~ Chola MS Health Insurance

This is a customized policy designed to cover critical diseases like cancer. This plan comes in two types, standard type and advanced type. Here, the standard type covers 10 deadly diseases whereas the advanced type covers 12 deadly diseases.

Features:

  • The plan covers the entire family under one policy
  • It allows a survival period of 30 days
  • The insured is provided a lump sum pay if diagnosed with a critical disease
  • You may avail of tax benefits under the plan
  • Lifetime renewability option is also there

5. Digit Cancer Insurance Policy

Insurance Company~ Go Digit Health Insurance

The Digit cancer plan covers all the medical expenses of the insured against cancer. It includes the cost of diagnosis as well as treatment. This policy gives coverage to six different types of cancer including lung, larynx, stomach, prostate, breast, and ovarian.

Features:

  • The plans provide income benefits of over 10 years for the insured
  • It also comes with the benefit of a premium waiver
  • The plan offers 7 – 30 days survival period
  • The plan provides the insured with the option of increasing sum insured as well as the level sum insured

6. Edelweiss Platinum Health Insurance Plan

Insurance Company~ Edelweiss Tokio Health Insurance

This critical illness insurance plan covers different critical illnesses including cancer. The claim amount under the policy is paid if the insured is diagnosed with cancer. The plan is available in two variants such as the Gold and the Platinum variant.

Besides cancer, it also covers several other critical illnesses like stroke, open chest CABG, permanent paralysis of limbs, and so on. The policy also offers a second medical opinion and recovery advantages.

Features:

  • 8 members of a family can get coverage under the plan
  • It allows compensation for a second medical opinion
  • ICU charges are compensated without a cap under the plan
  • It comes with a lifetime renewal option

7. IFFCO Tokio Family Health Protector Policy

Insurance Company~ IFFCO Tokio Health Insurance

In this policy, you have to pay an additional premium of 30% for coverage against critical illnesses, such as cancer. It also covers emergency assistance services. Under this plan, the insurer pays a lump sum amount to the insured in case the person is diagnosed with cancer.

Features:

  • The plan covers the entire family on a floater basis
  • Cover for critical illness with extra premium
  • Tax benefits can also be availed under the plan
  • Lifetime renewability option is available
  • Cumulative bonus can also be availed under this plan

8. Kotak Critical Illness Plus Benefit Rider

Insurance Company~ Kotak Health Insurance

This policy allows treatment to the cancer patient without any stress of finances by paying a lump sum amount for diagnosis. It covers cancer of a specified severity. As many as 37 critical diseases including cancer are covered under the plan.

Features:

  • This rider benefit allows coverage against 37 critical illnesses
  • The plan pays a 100% lump sum in case the patient is diagnosed with cancer
  • The plan allows the insured to enjoy tax benefits
  • It also comes with a survival period of 30 days

9. Care Cancer Mediclaim Policy

Insurance Company~ Care Insurance 

This is a policy that provides financial protection to cancer patients. It covers expenses against diagnosis and treatment of cancer including OPD charges, cost of hospitalization, chemotherapy charges, and more. This plan compensated for a second opinion outside India under its global coverage option.

Features:

  • The plans provide coverage against all stages of cancer
  • It allows cashless cancer treatment at network hospitals
  • There is no health check-up needed before opting for the policy
  • Lifelong renewability is available under the plan
  • The plan also has no limit on the expenses of ICU charges
  • It covers AYUSH treatment
  • The plan allows a doctor-on-call facility and annual health check-up facility

10. Star Cancer Care Platinum Insurance Plan

Insurance company~ Star Health Insurance 

The exclusive policy covers first-time cancer victims as well as patients who are already suffering from cancer. The plan covers the treatment cost as well as the risk of a second malignancy.

Features:

  • The plan offers a 50% lump sum amount if there is a second malignancy appears
  • It offers coverage against cancer rehabilitation
  • No pre-policy screening is required
  • A second medical opinion is also available
  • Free health check-up facility is available after every claim-free year
  • Allows the insured to avail of tax benefits
  • Lifelong renewability option is also there

Also Read: Advantages of Family Health Insurance

Few Other Insurance Companies in India Offering Health Policies or Coverage against Cancer Disease

In addition to the above, there are few other insurance companies offering policies or coverage against cancer. They are namely:

  1. ManipalCigna Lifestyle Protection – Critical Care Plan
  2. National Critical Illness Policy
  3. New India Assurance Cancer Medical Expn –  Individual Plan
  4. Raheja Cancer Insurance
  5. Reliance Critical Illness Insurance
  6. Religare Cancer Insurance Plan
  7. Royal Lifeline Elite Health Insurance Plan
  8. SBI Critical Illnesses Insurance Policy
  9. Star Cancer Care Gold Insurance Policy
  10. Tata AIG Critical Illness Policy
  11. United India Criticare Policy
  12. Universal Sompo Critical Illness Insurance Policy
  13. Future Generali Cancer Protect Plan
  14. Niva Bupa Critical Insurance Plan

Popular Health Insurance Companies

Conclusion 

Since precaution is always better than cure, so having a health insurance policy against critical diseases is definitely a better idea. Moreover, with cancer spreading widely, it is always advisable to buy health insurance for existing cancer patients in India, covering important features. Further, it is also better to adopt a healthy lifestyle to stay away from such deadly diseases.

Also Read: Incurred Claim Ratio And Claim Settlement Ratio In Health Insurance

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FAQs on Best Health Insurance Plans for Cancer Patients 2024

Which health insurance is best for cancer patients?

Some of the best cancer policies available in India are, namely:

1. HDFC Life Cancer Care Plan
2. ICICI Prudential Heart/Cancer Protect
3. PNB Metlife Mera Cancer Care
4. Max Life Cancer Insurance Plan
5. Aegon Life iCancer Insurance Plan

Is there any health insurance policy for cancer patients?

Yes, there are many good cancer specific insurance policies available in India. Also, you can buy regular health insurance policies offering coverage against cancer or buy a rider to cover cancer under your health plan.

Can cancer patients get insurance after the diagnosis?

Procuring an insurance plan by an individual after being diagnosed with cancer is very difficult. However, if you have an existing term plan you may acquire a critical illness cover with that already existing plan.

Which insurance company covers cancer treatment?

# Aditya Birla
# IFFCO Tokio
# HDFC Life
# PNB Metlife
# Aegon Life
# ICICI Prudential etc.

What payment can you get if you have cancer?

If a policyholder is diagnosed with cancer and can't work because of the illness, there are some specialized cancer plans that provide the patient with certain monetary aid to survive.

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Feb 10, 2022
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