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The word ‘cancer’ itself is enough to strike fear and remorse in the hearts of many. This disease is one that has claimed the lives of countless human souls through millennia and is one of the few medical conditions that we still have no definite cure for. 

Thankfully, technological and medical advancements have made it possible for humanity to fight cancer and even beat it in many instances. Yet, cancer is still one of the leading causes of death globally. Over 10 million people die of cancer each year. Those that survive have to live a different life as the fight against cancer is never truly over. 

Is Cancer A Disability In Canada?

Yes, cancer is considered a long-term disability in Canada. As such, this makes you eligible for long-term disability benefits through your insurance provider. In order to qualify, you must provide evidence that the severity of your cancer and related treatments are interfering with your ability to work. If proven, you will be granted disability benefits for income replacement.

Cancer & Long-Term Disability Claims In Canada

A cancer diagnosis is by far one of the most challenging times in any individual’s life. The sheer physical, mental and emotional trauma is enough to leave even the bravest and most optimistic side of us defeated. Everything becomes a challenge. Even daily activities that we all take for granted become difficult and excruciatingly painful. 

However, through proper resolve, determination, patience, and planning one can overcome cancer. No matter what type of cancer it may be. It’s not easy but you need to remember you are not alone. There are many sources available at your disposal to help you along the way. 

Your family, your friends, and the Canadian government are all there with you helping you win that fight!

One way that you can receive help from the government is by applying for long-term disability benefits. This is applicable to you if you have been diagnosed with cancer and are unable to work as a result. The long-term disability benefits plan is provided through your employer’s group benefits plan or any other individual plan you have purchased. 

With so many things on your plate, these plans will at the very least provide income replacement allowing you to take the time you need to treat yourself and recover without having to go through even more financial stress. As you may well be aware, cancer treatment isn’t cheap by any means. Not being able to work during your treatment period can put monumental stress on your personal finances. Having that part taken care of through long-term disability benefits is a tremendous relief.

Can You Be Denied Disability Claims For Cancer? 

Even though cancer is considered a long-term disability in Canada, there are instances when your disability claims for cancer can be denied. These situations are rare but not unheard of.

Not Enough Evidence To Support Your Claims

According to the long-term disability policy, benefits can only be granted to those individuals that cannot work due to their illness or disability. If your doctor feels that you can work while undergoing treatment you cannot apply for long-term disability. Only if your doctor confirms that your illness is preventing you from working can you claim this policy.

You Have A Pre-Existing Medical Condition

Always make sure to check your insurance policy for its pre-existing conditions clause. This will usually be an extensive section of your policy and can in many ways invalidate certain claims if you are not careful. For example, claims can be denied based on the fact that the cancer was detected earlier than the beginning of the enrolment period for your current benefits plan. 

3 Tips To Improve Your Chances Of Getting Benefits Approved

Finding out that you or a loved one has been diagnosed with cancer is a hard pill to swallow. Not having your disability benefits approved by your insurance provider – is harder still!

To help make your case as fool-proof as possible here are some handy tips to help bolster your chances.

Keep Records Of All Medical Tests, Hospital Bills, Specialist Visits, Medical Prescriptions, & Other Treatment Expenses

The more complete and detailed your objective medical evidence is the higher the chances of you getting the claim approved as quickly as possible. Keep records of everything. Your diagnostic test results, MRIs, CT scans, doctor visits, treatment reports, list of prescription medications, and more are all vital in expediting your application.

Provide Supporting Evidence Of All Your Disabling Symptoms

Often, it is not cancer itself that prevents you from working but rather the side effects of the treatments you are undergoing. As a result of medication and cancer-related treatments, patients can experience side effects such as nausea, pain, fatigue, dizziness, and inflammation. Making note of how these side effects are preventing you from working is equally as important as you proving you have cancer. Make sure your doctor records these symptoms and side effects to help you build your case.

Present Your Case As A Narrative Of Your Illness

The more detailed your evidence proves to be, the easier the process becomes. Apart from the doctor’s statement (that offers an account of your diagnosis, treatments undergone, and its impact), you should also include a personal statement detailing how cancer has affected you personally. You can use this statement to illustrate the extent of the difficulties you are facing, both physical and mental, that are hindering you from working.

Filing For Disability In Canada

Are you seeking to file for disability benefits through your insurance provider? Or worse, has your long-term disability benefit claim been denied? In either case, you should get in touch with McIver Insurance before making your next move. 

Based out of Halifax, NS, McIver Insurance understands all there is to disability claims and can offer in-depth advice as to how to best pursue your case given your current situation. If you are unable to work as a result of your cancer treatments contact us immediately. 

We can help you make all the right decisions when it comes to filing for long-term disability and deal with your insurance providers on your behalf. The last thing anyone wants is a drawn-out legal battle with an insurance company. Let us handle that while you deal with what’s important; your personal health.  

From the point of view of an insurance company, life insurance premiums are evaluated based on the risk an applicant poses based on different demographic factors. Insurance companies specifically question the risk of potential policyholders that suffer from cancer. Thus, insurance underwriters structure policies based on statistical data from the Canadian Cancer Society.

In this article, we will explore different life insurance policies and their advantages with a specific focus on policies that pertain to applications that suffer from cancer.

Key Findings Of Cancer Statistics – Canadian Cancer Society

Cancer is the leading cause of death in Canada. A staggering 2 out of 5 deaths (~ 43% of all deaths) are due to cancer. There will be 229,200 new cancer cases in 2021, in contrast to 225,800 new cancer cases in 2020 in Canada. From the number of new instances, approximately 84,600 Canadians will die due to cancer in 2021 alone. 

Statistical data also shows that there is a higher likelihood of developing cancer for Canadians aged 50 and above. However, that does not mean it can not occur at a younger age. 

Canadian males have a slightly higher chance (556 per 100,000) of being diagnosed with cancer against Canadian females (485 per 100,000). The most common cancer in Canadian men is prostate cancer, while Canadian women are most likely to develop breast cancer. 

The statistics are a cause of concern for insurance providers, especially in instances when someone recently diagnosed with cancer or a cancer survivor is seeking life insurance. Let’s look at some frequently asked questions about life insurance and cancer.

Does Life Insurance Cover Cancer?

Applications for conventional life insurance plans include a detailed questionnaire containing questions related to cancer.

A simplified life insurance application will have a few questions related to cancer risks. A guaranteed issue life insurance application, however, in most cases does not have a questionnaire because it comes with a two-year waiting period. 

Therefore, a guaranteed life insurance policy is often the best option for individuals who are diagnosed with cancer but have a positive prognosis and a good chance of beating cancer. 

These individuals are denied a traditional or simplified life insurance policy, but they can avail of a guaranteed issue life insurance policy regardless of their state of health.

Instead of compensation for a life insurance claim, premiums are reimbursed to beneficiaries if the policyholder becomes seriously ill in the first two years and passes away. 

Do not hesitate to ask your life insurance provider to give answers in writing about your life insurance policy and the cancer treatments covered including post-recovery.

Can You Get Life Insurance With Cancer?

Yes, you have the potential to get approved for life insurance when diagnosed with cancer. Several customized life insurance policies are available for cancer patients both in the early or later stages of diagnosis. 

Some life insurance policies are convenient for less critical cancer patients who have been diagnosed at earlier stages and demonstrate a relatively stable condition. However, cancer patients with more severe symptoms can also get a life insurance policy. 

Each life insurance application assessment is unique, and the following are guidelines for life insurance policies for individuals with cancer.

Less Than 2 Years Since A Cancer Diagnosis:

Apply for a simplified or guaranteed life insurance policy. There are no medical exams or medical questionnaires for a guaranteed life insurance policy, but it is the most expensive policy with the least coverage. 

There is a two-year waiting period for the insurance policy to become fully active so the beneficiaries can process a life insurance claim. If the policyholder dies within two years, beneficiaries only get the cash amount of premiums paid for the policy.

2 To 5 Years From A Cancer Diagnosis:

People with a stable health condition and prevalent cancer for the last 2 to 5 years can potentially opt for a rated traditional or simplified life insurance plan based on the entire medical evidence provided. Simplified insurance comes at a higher cost with lower coverage limits, but the applicant needs to answer a short questionnaire. 

5 To 10 Years From A Cancer Diagnosis

There is a possibility of getting a traditional life insurance plan if you currently have a stable condition since the cancer diagnosis and all medical evidence disclosed. The traditional life insurance policy will be a rated policy which means that you will pay a higher insurance rate, but you can still take advantage of other factors. 

For example, you might be able to get high coverage limits without any waiting period.

More Than 10 Years From A Cancer Diagnosis

People who survive more than ten years after a cancer diagnosis have the potential to get a traditional life insurance policy with standard rates based on all medical evidence disclosed. The rates will be competitive with applicants who do not have any significant health concerns.

Applying For Life Insurance With Cancer

Applying for life insurance with cancer is not very different from getting life insurance without cancer. Consider cancer as a health pre-condition that limits your insurance options. In most cases, insurance providers will ask you the following questions: 

• Do you have a family history of cancer?
• When was your cancer diagnosis?
• How is your health since the diagnosis?
• What stage is your cancer, and what type is it?
• Do you have other health concerns (diabetes, blood pressure, obesity, and so on)?
• Are you getting chemotherapy or any medical cancer treatment?

Insurance providers ask these questions to provide you with up-to-date market competitive rates. Insurance providers are also concerned with the mortality rates associated with some types of cancer. For example, applicants with skin cancer might pose a higher risk of insurance in comparison to someone with breast cancer or colon cancer. 

Getting An Expert Opinion

The professionals at McIver Insurance, in Nova Scotia, Canada, can help you select the right policy based on your current medical condition. Their experienced specialists can provide you with guidance based on your particular case and assist in helping you find life insurance that not only makes financial sense but also safeguards your family and loved ones in case of an untimely death. 

One can request a free life insurance quote to comprehend the costs and exclusions based on your specific conditions. Simply pick up the phone and talk to one of our expert customer service representatives about your health conditions. They will help you get the best-personalized assistance based on your life insurance requirements.

** All traditional insurance providers underwrite differently and each specific case is unique based on the applicant’s entire medical history ***