Choosing Corporate Health Insurance for Cancer

If you are an employee you may be considering health insurance. If you are considering it or already have a policy for your employees look into the level of cancer insurance they cover.

Cancer is very prevalent in the UK and 90,000 people of working age are diagnosed with it every year. Many companies offer their employees health care insurance. However many are not aware of the level of cancer cover that they have.

The most important thing is to be informed when you are making purchasing decisions and to be aware that not all health insurance for cancer is the same.

Some of the cheapest health insurance policies offer scant cover and few offer a comprehensive policy that protects your employees at all stages of their cancer. Most private medical insurance policies have limits.

There are various questions that you need to ask:

• Is cancer covered?
• Is there a time limit on the policy?
• Can we extend the cancer cover?
• Can employees extend their cover individually?
• Are any treatments excluded?
• If an employee has had cancer already, will they be excluded from the policy?
• Where would employees with cancer be treated?
• Does the policy provide additional benefits, for example counselling, complementary therapies, anti-nausea and steroid medication, wig provision, ?

All health insurance policies should have a specific section which explain their cancer cover. As an employer you need to have an understanding of what is covered and what is not.

The Association of British Insurers (ABI) requires each provider to show an example of a cancer scenario to help explain their cover. This is a useful tool in understanding what is covered and what is not. Ask the insurer to show you their example.

Above all inform yourself of the best options for you and your employees and have a comprehensive understanding of the policy that you choose.