Recovering from a severe illness will require all of your energy and attention. The good news is that there are options and resources to help you.
You may know someone who has had cancer or another severe illness. You have seen this person grappling with fear and pain, struggling with fatigue and nausea. 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? According to 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 therapies and experimental drugs
Travel and accommodation for treatments received outside the locality where you reside
Changes to your home or vehicle to suit your condition
Home nursing
Wigs, special makeup
New clothes due to weight loss or gain
A hospital bed or other equipment is 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
Your loved ones may be able to help you, but you may also need to hire a caregiver, which can be expensive. In any case, these are not very encouraging prospects. 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.
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 – provides a one-time payment if you have one of the acute illnesses covered by your plan.
Is critical illness insurance right for you? Here’s how to find out.
See how critical illness could affect your finances with this essential illness insurance calculator.
- Get help from nonprofits
Some nonprofits offer direct or online help and can put you in touch with a support group. Here are some points to remember.
