Did you know that every year, India sees 12 lakh new cancer cases?¹ Some reports say that lung cancer in non-smokers has quadrupled in the last 15 years². Even heart disease is on the rise, with India reporting approximately 30 crore heart patients³. With these numbers constantly increasing, it has become more important than ever to properly safeguard yourself against such medical conditions. Hence, health insurance plans have become a must-have to guard against such life-threatening illnesses.

It is to be noted that the average cover availed in the case of a health plan/mediclaim is around 2 lakhs⁴ in India , but the treatment costs for diseases like cancer and heart attack can be much larger. For example, the total cost for cancer treatment can go upto a whopping ` 23 lakhs, and it points to the inadequacy of protection one might experience when faced with such a situation. It is in this context that health plans which provide financial protection in the case of diseases like cancer and heart ailments become important. Heart/Cancer Protect by ICICI Pru is such a plan, and let’s look at how it stands apart from a normal health insurance plan in its features.

Now that you know the differences, you can see for yourself why having a targeted critical illness plan is valuable for your health and finances. However, it is important to understand that while the two plans are separate, you don’t have to choose between them. A targeted critical illness policy can complement a health insurance plan and give you the added protection you need in times of emergencies, at an affordable price.