Recovering from a severe illness can take a lot of time, energy and money. Fortunately, there are options and resources to help you.
Has anyone close to you ever had cancer or another serious illness? Do you know anyone who has tested positive for COVID-19?
When a person is diagnosed with a severe illness, they often feel fear and pain. And this, both physical and mental. Fortunately, provincial health insurance saved him from worrying about the cost of care. Not quite.
There are a lot of preconceived ideas about coping with a severe illness. One of the most tenacious is that provincial health insurance covers all costs. But when you look closer, the reality is surprising.
What do provincial health insurance plans cover?
What is covered Under the Canada Health Act, provincial and territorial governments must provide their citizens with essential medical and emergency services. In most cases, this includes:
consultations with doctors or specialists;
basic costs for crucial medical procedures.
What is not covered Some common treatments and services are not covered by all provincial plans – or are only partially covered. Here are some examples :
alternative treatments and experimental drugs;
travel and accommodation for treatment received outside the locality where you reside;
changes to your home or vehicle to suit your condition;
home nursing;
wigs, unique makeup;
new clothes due to weight loss or gain;
a hospital bed or other equipment required for the home;
physiotherapy treatments (maybe partially covered);
treatments and surgeries abroad.
Learn more about your provincial health insurance plan
What about the employer’s group insurance?
Do your benefits include a group insurance plan? Most disability insurance pays around 60-70% of your income. But you must continue to pay 100% of your monthly expenses. Also, your costs may be higher during your recovery.
Your situation should not be neglected in the equation either. For example, do you have a spouse who can care for you if you are sick or injured? To do this, he may have to take time off work. If so, your family income may be further reduced.
Caring for a seriously injured or ill person
Caring for a sick person properly is not easy. This often requires a lot of time, energy and money. Suppose you are seriously ill or injured. You will need help with a host of daily tasks during your recovery:
wash and dress;
do your hair and makeup;
travel by car;
grocery shopping;
preparing meals, cleaning and laundry;
maintaining your garden and lawn, shovelling snow;
take care of the children and drive them to school and their activities.
So much the better if someone close to you can help you with these tasks. But if you have to hire someone to do it, it can get expensive. In any case, this prospect is not very encouraging. The good news is that there are options and resources to help you. Here’s what you can do first.
- Check if the plan offered by your employer is sufficient
Does your employer provide long-term disability or extended health insurance? Check the extent of coverage offered and the exact amounts. You can then determine if it is necessary to improve your protection.
Do you have financial protection in the event of an accident or illness?
Here are some other options to consider:
Long-term care insurance can cover the cost of care in a facility or at home.
Five things to know about long-term care insurance
Critical Illness Insurance (CII) – provides a one-time payment if you have one of the acute illnesses covered by your plan. Please note: AMG does not cover COVID-19. It does, however, cover Clients who suffer from a crucial covered illness after contracting COVID-19.
Here is a list of illnesses covered by critical illness insurance.
Is critical illness insurance right for you? Here’s how to find out.
See how critical illness could affect your finances with the Critical Illness Insurance Calculator.
- Get help from nonprofits
Some nonprofit organizations offer direct or online help. They
