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Critical illness insurance for your financial health

We work with IHC Specialty Benefits and Aflac to offer plans to help protect your financial health.

To discuss your options, call a licensed sales agent.

Explore plans for critical illness insurance plans

Call 855-330-6618

For TTY devices, dial 711

Hours of operation for IHC Specialty Benefits

Monday to Friday
7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Note: Days and times may vary.

What’s critical illness insurance?

It’s coverage that can provide a lump-sum payment when you’re diagnosed with specific critical conditions such as heart attack, stroke and organ failure.

This can let you focus on recovery instead of worrying about medical bills. You won’t need a medical exam after you apply for coverage.

When the illness is cancer

Depending on your plan, you may have coverage for skin cancer and cancers that don’t spread. For other types, consider for more information about cancer insurance.

Who it can help

You may want to consider critical illness insurance if:

  • You have a family history of heart attacks or strokes.
  • You have risk factors like high blood pressure or high cholesterol.
  • You’re the primary source of income for your household.
  • You have a high-deductible health plan.

What does critical illness insurance cover?

Depending on the plan you choose, you can get coverage for a variety of health-related events.

Illnesses

  • Heart attacks and strokes
  • Organ transplants
  • Skin cancer
  • Paralysis and comas

Other events

  • Surgery
  • Continuing care
  • Transportation to specialists
  • Hospital stays and doctor visits

Why get insurance through USAA?

With Aflac, we’ve chosen plans specifically for our members.

We also work closely with companies like IHC Specialty Benefits to make sure they give you the same service you’d get from us.

Explore plans for critical illness insurance plans

Some ways it can help

Get up to $30,000 right away.

With coverage through USAA, you can get a lump-sum payout of up to $30,000 after a heart attack, stroke or diagnosis of a covered illness.

Get more help for recurring illness.

You’ll get another lump-sum payout of up to $15,000 if the illness recurs or you get diagnosed with a new covered illness.

Pay medical bills and more.

Because the plan pays you directly, you can use the money how you want. It can help cover lost wages and expenses like rent or groceries.

Cover your family too.

You can also add your spouse and children to your coverage for more financial protection.

Is critical illness insurance worth it?

Medical bills are the leading cause of bankruptcy in the U.S., according to a study by the American Bankruptcy Institute. Knowing you’re prepared for a major health issue can help give you some peace of mind.


Based on your age and location, you can apply for a critical illness insurance plan for as little as $18.40 a month.‍ ‍ See note 1

How does critical illness insurance work?

Steps to complete How does critical illness insurance work?

  1. You have a medical emergency.

    You’re rushed to the hospital for treatment.

  2. Your plan steps in to help.

    You get paid up to between $10,000 and $30,000 to use the way you want to.

  3. You can focus on getting better.

    Don’t worry about the bills because this plan can help cover you.

Critical illness insurance FAQ

Yes, but your premium will be higher.

You can, but there may be limitations. For example, coverage may not be available if you’ve had treatment for the illness within the last 5 years.
Certain preexisting conditions may also affect the amount of your lump-sum payout.

Aflac will pay you directly if your claim is approved.

When Aflac approves your claim, they’ll pay you directly. For a faster claim payment, you can set up direct deposit.

We work closely with companies like IHC Specialty Benefits and Aflac to help you find the right policy to fit your needs.

Aflac has been offering policies for critical illnesses since 1957. They know how to help patients with the financial challenges of illness.

These companies also provide the same level of service you’d get from us.

Other insurance resources

Guide to supplemental health insurance

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Read article Guide to supplemental health insurance

A guide to life insurance for cancer patients and cancer survivors

Article: 5 minutes

Read article: A guide to life insurance for cancer patients and cancer survivors

Need primary health insurance?

Your wallet is better protected when you have both a primary policy and supplemental health gap insurance.

Start with a primary plan that meets your specific needs.

Explore plans for individual and family plans

Learn more for more information on primary health insurance

Other plans to keep you healthy

Cancer Insurance

Get financial assistance that may help you focus on recovery instead of worrying about medical bills.


Learn about cancer insurance for more information about cancer insurance

Accidental Injury

Make sure you’re prepared for medical expenses resulting from unexpected accidents.


Learn about accidental injury for more information about accidental injury insurance

Vision

Get access to the largest network of doctors through VSP® Individual Vision Plans.


Learn about vision insurance for more information about vision insurance

Help ease the financial impact of a critical illness.

To discuss your plan options, call a licensed sales agent.

Explore plans

Call 855-330-6618

For TTY devices, dial 711

Hours of operation for IHC Specialty Benefits

Monday to Friday
7:30 a.m. to 7 p.m. CT
Saturday
Closed
Sunday
Closed

Note: Days and times may vary.

Related footnotes:

  1. Rate shown is for individual coverage for a 43 year old with a 10K face amount non-smoker critical illness plan in the state of Texas. Rates can vary by age and state.

Related footnotes:

  1. Health Insurance Solutions provided through USAA Life General Agency (LGA) known in CA and NY as USAA Health and Life Insurance Agency, working with select insurance companies to provide products to our members. LGA receives compensation from these companies, based on the total quantity and quality of insurance coverage purchased. Plans are not available in all states. Coverage is underwritten by the respective insurance company. Each company has sole financial responsibility for its products.

  2. IHC Specialty Benefits, Inc. (IHC SB), 5353 Wayzata Blvd, Ste 300, St. Louis Park, MN 55416, CA Lic. 0I32310 is a licensed insurance agency that works with producers, affinity groups, membership associations, and consumers to provide the technology, knowledge, and support they need to navigate the health insurance landscape.

  3. Critical Illness insurance pays a cash benefit upon diagnosis or treatment of certain covered illnesses. There will be a limit on how much a policy will pay each year. Critical Illness insurance is not comprehensive health insurance. Critical illness insurance may not be available in all states. Benefits and premiums will vary based on plan selected. Coverage may have a waiting period following enrollment. Refer to a policy for complete benefit details, definitions, limitations, and exclusions.

  4. Cancer insurance pays a lump sum upon diagnosis or treatment of certain covered illnesses. There will be a limit on how much a policy will pay each year. Cancer insurance is not comprehensive health insurance. Cancer insurance may not be available in all states. Benefits and premiums will vary based on plan selected. Coverage may have a waiting period following enrollment. Refer to a policy for complete benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions.

  5. These products are supplement to health insurance and are not a substitute for major medical coverage. They are not intended to satisfy the requirement of essential health benefits or minimum essential coverage as defined in federal law.

  6. Accident insurance pays a lump sum upon diagnosis or treatment of certain covered illnesses. There will be a limit on how much a policy will pay each year. Accident insurance is not comprehensive health insurance. Accident insurance premiums, coverage, and benefits will vary by state. Please carefully review the details. Refer to a policy for complete benefit details, definitions, limitations, and exclusions.

  7. ©2024 Vision Service Plan. All rights reserved. VSP is a registered trademark, and VSP Individual Vision Plans is a trademark of Vision Service Plan. All other brands or marks are the property of their respective owners.

  8. Critical Illness Insurance - T71000 Series

    In Arkansas, Policy T71100ARR. In Delaware, Policy T71000. In Oklahoma, Policy T71000OK. In Oregon, Policy T71000OR. In Pennsylvania, Policies T71100PA - T71400PA. In Texas, Policy T71000TXR. In Virginia, Policy T71100VA. Not available in Idaho, New Jersey or New York.

    This is a brief product overview only. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on plan selected. Optional riders may be available for an additional premium cost. The policies may contain a waiting period. The policy/rider has limitations and exclusions that may affect benefits payable. Refer to outline of coverage and/or policy for complete benefit details, definitions, limitations, and exclusions.

    These policies are a supplement to health insurance and are not substitutes for major medical coverage. Lack of major medical coverage (or other minimum essential coverage) may result in an additional payment with your taxes.

  9. "Limitations & Exclusions for Virginia: Tier One will not pay benefits for any Loss that is caused by a Pre-existing Condition, unless it begins more than 12 months after the Effective Date of coverage. Benefits are payable for only one covered Loss at a time per Covered Person. Tier One will not pay benefits for any Loss that is diagnosed or treated outside the territorial limits of the United States, its possessions, or the countries of Canada and Mexico. This insurance does not apply to the extent that trade or economic sanctions or other laws or regulations prohibit us from providing insurance, including, but not limited to, the payment of claims. For any benefit to be payable, the Onset Date of the Loss must occur on or after the Effective Date of coverage and while coverage is in force. If more than one Loss occurs on the same day, only the highest eligible benefit will be paid. Tier One will not pay benefits whenever fraud is committed in making a claim under this coverage, subject to the Time Limit on Certain Defenses provision. Tier One will not pay benefits without a completed investigation into the validity of your claim. We may interview any Covered Person, while not in the presence of any other Covered Person about any matter relating to this insurance or the claim, including a Covered Person's books and records. In the event of an interview, a Covered Person's answers must be signed. This policy does not cover Loss caused by or resulting from: Participating in, or attempting to participate in, an illegal activity that is defined as a felony("felony" is as defined by the law of the jurisdiction in which the activity takes place); Intentionally self-inflicting a bodily injury or committing or attempting suicide, while sane or insane; Being exposed to war or any act of war, declared or undeclared; Actively serving in any of the armed forces or units auxiliary thereto, including the National Guard or Reserve (Tier One will upon receipt of written notice of military service, refund all premiums as is applicable to such persons on a pro rata basis.); Having cosmetic surgery or other elective procedures that are not Medically Necessary; (cosmetic surgery shall not include reconstructive surgery when such service is incidental to or follows surgery resulting from trauma, infection or other diseases of the involved part, and reconstructive surgery because of congenital disease or anomaly of a covered dependent child which has resulted in a functional defect); or Having dental treatment except as a result of Injury. Aflac's family of insurers include Aflac, Aflac New York, Continental American Insurance Company, and Tier One Insurance Company. Coverage is underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company. In California, Tier One Insurance Company does business as Tier One Life Insurance Company (Tier One NAIC 92908). Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999."

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