List of 36 Critical Illnesses Covered Under Your Insurance Policy

A critical illness insurance list includes diseases like cancer, heart attack, stroke, organ failure, and more. It provides financial protection against high treatment costs for severe health conditions.
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3 min
31-March-2025

Critical illnesses can have a profound impact on an individual's health, finances, and quality of life. Recognising this, health insurance providers offer critical illness insurance policies that cover specific life-threatening diseases. These policies are designed to provide financial support during severe health crises. In this article, we will explore the critical illness disease list, the importance of critical illness coverage in health insurance, and key considerations when adding this cover to your policy.

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What are considered as critical illnesses under a health insurance policy?

Critical illnesses refer to severe, life-threatening diseases that require extensive medical treatment and result in significant financial burden. Health insurance policies covering critical illnesses typically provide a lump sum payment upon diagnosis, which can be used for treatment, recovery, or any other purpose. The diseases covered under these policies are carefully selected based on their severity and the high cost of treatment associated with them.

Critical illness disease list

The critical illness disease list can vary slightly depending on the insurance provider and the specific policy. However, there are common illnesses that are typically included in most policies.

List of 36 critical illnesses diseases covered by insurance:

  • Heart Attack (Myocardial Infarction)
  • Stroke
  • Cancer
  • Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery
  • Kidney Failure
  • Major Organ Transplant (Heart, Lung, Liver, Pancreas)
  • Multiple Sclerosis
  • Parkinson's Disease
  • Alzheimer's Disease
  • Paralysis
  • Loss of Limbs
  • Blindness
  • Deafness
  • Third-Degree Burns
  • Coma
  • Aplastic Anemia
  • Benign Brain Tumor
  • Motor Neurone Disease
  • Primary Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
  • Bacterial Meningitis
  • Encephalitis
  • Muscular Dystrophy
  • Systemic Lupus Erythematosus (SLE)
  • Major Head Trauma
  • Advanced Stage Cancer
  • Liver Cirrhosis
  • Cardiomyopathy
  • Brain Surgery
  • Severe Rheumatoid Arthritis
  • Loss of Speech
  • Terminal Illness
  • Aortic Surgery
  • Heart Valve Replacement or Repair
  • Chronic Lung Disease
  • Hepatitis (Fulminant Viral Hepatitis)
  • Pneumonectomy
  • Severe Crohn's Disease
  • Angioplasty and Other Invasive Treatments for Coronary Artery
  • Advanced HIV Infection
  • Permanent Paralysis of Limbs

Also, check: Exclusions under health insurance policies

Importance of critical illness coverage in health insurance

Critical illness coverage in health insurance is crucial for several reasons:

  • Financial security: Provides a lump sum payout upon diagnosis, which can be used to cover medical expenses, household bills, and other financial commitments.
  • Focus on recovery: Eases the financial stress, allowing patients to focus on their recovery without worrying about medical costs.
  • Comprehensive protection: Complements basic health insurance by covering diseases that typically result in high medical expenses.

Why is a critical illness insurance list important?

A well-defined critical illness insurance list is crucial for policyholders to understand their coverage and make informed decisions. It provides transparency, simplifies claims, and ensures the right protection.

Key reasons why it is important:

  • Clarity on coverage – Clearly outlines which illnesses are included, reducing confusion.
  • Better policy selection – Helps individuals choose coverage that fits their health risks.
  • Hassle-free claims – Simplifies claim approvals by defining eligibility upfront.
  • Easy comparison – Enables policyholders to compare different plans for better benefits.

Key considerations while adding critical illness disease cover

When considering adding critical illness coverage to your health insurance policy, keep the following points in mind:

  • Understand the coverage: Know which illnesses are covered and any specific conditions or exclusions that apply.
  • Claim process: Familiarise yourself with the claim process to ensure smooth and timely payouts.
  • Policy terms and conditions: Read the fine print to understand the terms and conditions, including waiting periods and survival periods.
  • Premium costs: Consider the additional premium costs and ensure they fit within your budget.
  • Sum assured: Choose an adequate sum assured that covers potential medical expenses and other financial needs during recovery.

Conclusion

Critical illness insurance is an essential component of a comprehensive health insurance plan. It provides financial protection against severe and life-threatening diseases, ensuring that policyholders can focus on recovery without the added stress of medical expenses. Understanding the critical illness disease list and the importance of this coverage can help individuals make informed decisions about their health insurance needs. When adding critical illness cover, consider the coverage details, claim process, policy terms, and premium costs to select the suitable plan for your requirements. With the right critical illness insurance, you can secure your financial future and protect your health and well-being.

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Also check

Exclusions under health insurance policies

Health problems in India

Types of abdominal surgery

Frequently asked questions

What diseases are included in the critical illness disease list?
The critical illness disease list typically includes heart attack, stroke, cancer, coronary artery bypass surgery, kidney failure, major organ transplants, multiple sclerosis, Parkinson's disease, Alzheimer's disease, paralysis, blindness, deafness, third-degree burns, coma, benign brain tumor, and major head trauma, among others. These diseases are covered due to their severe impact on health and the significant treatment costs involved.
How does the critical illness disease list impact insurance premiums?
The critical illness disease list impacts insurance premiums by increasing them, as covering a wide range of severe illnesses poses a higher financial risk for insurers. More comprehensive lists with numerous diseases lead to higher premiums to cover potential claims for expensive treatments and care.
Is cancer covered under the critical illness disease list?
Yes, cancer is typically covered under the critical illness disease list. Most critical illness insurance policies include coverage for various types of cancer, recognising it as a severe, life-threatening condition that requires extensive and costly treatment.
Can pre-existing conditions be covered under the critical illness disease list?
Pre-existing conditions are generally not covered under the critical illness disease list in most insurance policies. However, specific coverage terms vary by insurer, so it's essential to review the policy details and consult with the insurance provider.
What falls under critical illness insurance?

Critical illness insurance provides a lump-sum payment upon diagnosis of a covered condition, such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, or kidney failure.

How does critical illness insurance differ from regular health insurance?

Critical illness insurance provides a lump sum payout upon diagnosis of serious diseases like cancer or heart attack, whereas regular health insurance covers hospitalization and medical expenses through reimbursements or cashless treatment.

Are heart-related diseases covered under the critical illness insurance list?

Yes, most critical illness insurance policies cover major heart-related diseases like heart attacks, coronary artery bypass surgery, and heart valve replacement, depending on the insurer’s specified list of covered illnesses.

What is the claim process for a critical illness insurance policy?

To claim, submit a duly filled claim form, medical reports confirming the diagnosis, policy documents, and ID proof. After verification, the insurer disburses a lump sum amount as per policy terms.

Can I add more illnesses to my critical illness insurance coverage?

Some insurers allow add-ons or riders to extend coverage for additional illnesses. Check with your insurer for available options to enhance your critical illness insurance policy.

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