Ask the Doctor
March 4, 2014
Does it make sense paying for cancer insurance?

I had health insurance for the past five years that covers cancers only. I had no reason to make a claim and when I look at it, that was real money down the drain. I think I am about to stop the payments.{{more}}

Doc

My advice to you is that you would be best served by having a health policy that covers general health rather than specifically giving you coverage for cancer only. Cancer is only one category of illness that you are exposed to and predicting that that is all you need coverage for is not spreading your risk coverage properly.

Insurance companies take risk on the persons that they sell insurance to with the reasoning that a group of persons will claim far less than they collectively pay to the company. It means, therefore, that if everyone claimed more than they paid in it will be impossible for all to receive the benefits offered. If the company knew that you would definitely be developing a cancer, they will most likely not sell you insurance, and likewise, if you definitely knew that you would not develop cancer you would not purchase insurance. The reality is that both parties collectively are taking unknown risks.

Private insurance coverage is a very important protection that individuals can and are encouraged to purchase, even in a system which offers some level of public care.

SVG Cancer Society,

P.O. Box 709, Kingstown.

Email: svgsocietycancer@gmail.com

Phone:526-7036