Health Insurance for Lung Cancer Patients

What is Lung Cancer?

Lung cancer is a disease that develops when abnormal cells in one or both lungs start to grow uncontrollably. It creates masses or tumors that obstruct the normal functioning of the lungs. It usually starts in the airways or air sacs, like bronchi, trachea, bronchioles or alveoli.

Lung cancer ranks the highest in the world for the number of new cancer cases yearly. In India, nearly 81,000 new incidents of lung cancer and 75,000 related deaths are reported yearly, making India the fourth largest country in the world for lung cancer. The cases are increasingly rising in metropolitan cities, and majorly affect people in the age group of 55-64 years.

People who actively smoke are at higher risk of lung cancer. Other factors like environmental pollution, inhaling industrial toxins, passive smoking, etc., can also cause lung cancer over a period of time.

Types of Lung Cancer

Lung cancer can be of two types: Small cell lung cancer and Non-small lung cancer.

Non-small cell lung cancer (NSCLC): It is the most common type of lung cancer, accounting for the majority of cases, usually 75-80%. Adenocarcinoma and squamous cell carcinoma are its common sub-types.
Small cell lung cancer (SCLC): It happens mostly in people who have been actively smoking for long years. However, it is usually less common than NSCLC, but it spreads faster.

Symptoms of Lung Cancer

Here are the most common symptoms of lung cancer:

Persistent cough
Blood while coughing or in mucus
Trouble breathing or shortness of breath
Chest pain
Consistent chest infections, such as bronchitis and pneumonia
Hoarseness of voice
Persistent weakness or fatigue
Unexplained weight loss
Loss of appetite
Pain in bones (especially back or hips)
Pale skin or yellowing of eyes (jaundice)
Swelling of lymph nodes in the face or neck
Dizziness, balance problems or seizures

Benefits of Health Insurance for Lung Cancer in India

Here are some reasons why people at high risk of lung cancer should buy health insurance:

Rapidly Increasing Lung Cancer Cases in India

Lung cancer is the fourth most common type of cancer in India, and comprises nearly 8.1% of all cancer-related deaths. It is estimated to affect approximately 73% males and 26% females. It is the largest type of cancer among Indian men and the fourth largest in women.

Since it usually starts after the age of 55 years, buying health insurance for parents or a critical illness plan can help to stay financially prepared.
High Treatment Costs

While lung cancer usually cannot be cured completely, modern treatments and targeted therapies can stop its advancement, helping patients better manage its symptoms and risks. However, from medications to diagnostic tests to medical procedures, the treatment cost can be very high.

The treatment cost for lung cancer can go as high as ₹25-30 lakh. Critical illness plans or cancer-specific health insurance plans can help you get financial coverage for the medical expenses incurred during the treatment.

Who Should Buy Health Insurance for Lung Cancer?

The following people should buy health insurance for lung cancer:

People who smoke actively
People who have a long history of smoking
People exposed to secondhand smoke
People with a family history of lung cancer
People regularly exposed to pollution and carcinogens
People with chronic lung diseases
Senior citizens

List of Health Insurance Plans for Lung Cancer

Check out the list of health insurance plans that provide coverage for lung cancer:

Health Insurance Plans	Entry Age	Sum Insured (₹)	Waiting Period	Survival Period
Aditya Birla Activ Cancer Secure Plan	18 to 65 years	5 lakh - 1 crore	For major and advanced stages - 90 days For the early stage - 180 days	7 days
Bajaj Allianz Criti Care Insurance Plan	91 days to 65 years	1 lakh - 2 crore	120/180 days	7/15 days
Care Cancer Mediclaim Plan	5 to 50 years	10 lakh - 2 crore	90 days	-
Cholamandalam Critical Healthline Insurance Plan	5 to 65 years	1 lakh -10 lakh	90 days	30 days
Digit Cancer Health Insurance Plan	20 to 65 years	10 lakh - 50 lakh	60 to 180 days	7 to 30 days
Generali Central Criticare Plan	6 to 65 years	1 lakh - 50 lakh	90 days	28 days
HDFC ERGO iCan Plan	5 to 65 years	5 lakh - 50 lakh	120 days	-
ICICI Lombard SmartHealth Critical Illness Plan	3 months to 55 years	2 lakh - 5 lakh	60 days	30 days
IFFCO Tokio Critical Illness Insurance Plan	3 to 65 years	1 lakh - 1 crore	30 days	28 days
IndusInd Critical Illness Insurance Plan	18 to 65 years	5 lakh, 7 lakh, 10 lakh	3 months	30/60 days
Liberty Critical Illness Insurance Plan	5 to 65 years	1 lakh to 1 crore	90 days	30 days
Magma HDI OneHealth Insurance Plan	5 to 65 years	2 lakh - 1 crore	90 days	-
ManipalCigna Lifestyle Protection Critical Care Plan	18 to 65 years	1 lakh - 25 crore	90 days	30 days
National Critical Illness Policy	18 to 65 years	1 lakh - 75 lakh	3 months	30 days
New India Assurance Cancer Guard Plan	3 months to 65 years	5 lakh - 50 lakh	90 days	-
Niva Bupa Criticare Health Insurance Plan	2 to 65 years	5 lakh to 5 crore	90 days	-
Oriental Cancer Protect Plan	3 months to 65 years	5 lakh - 50 lakh	75 days	-
Raheja QBE Cancer Insurance Plan	1 day to 70 years	1 lakh - 10 lakh	30 days	-
Royal Sundaram Critical Illness Lumpsum Plan	91 days to 65 years	25,000 - 25 lakh	-	-
SBI Critical Illness Insurance Policy	18 to 65 years	2 lakh - 50 lakh	90 days	-
Star Cancer Care Gold Insurance Plan	5 months to 65 years	3 lakh, 5 lakh	30 months	-
Tata AIG Criti Medicare Insurance Plan	18 to 65 years	2.5 lakh - 15 lakh	90 days	30 days
United India UNI Criticare Insurance Plan	21 to 65 years	1 lakh, 3 lakh, 5 lakh, 10 lakh	90 days	30 days
Universal Sompo Critical Illness Insurance Policy	5 to 65 years	2.5 lakh - 20 lakh	90 days	30 days
Zuno (Formerly Edelweiss) Health Insurance Plan	3 months onwards	1 lakh - 1 crore	90 days	-
Zurich Kotak Secure Shield Plan	18 to 65 years	5 lakh to 10 lakh	90 days	-

See More Plans

Inclusions of Health Insurance for Lung Cancer

Health insurance for lung cancer includes the following coverage:

In-patient hospitalization
Chemotherapy
Immunotherapy
Pre-hospitalization expenses
Post-hospitalization expenses
Day care procedures
AYUSH treatments
Home care treatment
Ambulance charges
Modern Treatments
Annual health check-ups
OPD coverage
Consumables cover

Exclusions of Health Insurance for Lung Cancer

The following are usually excluded in health insurance for lung cancer:

Treatment due to alcoholism or drugs
Unproven medical treatments
Obesity and weight management procedures
External aids and devices
Rehabilitation, rest cure and respite care

Tips to Prevent Lung Cancer

Here are some tips to prevent lung cancer:

Quit smoking
Avoid passive or secondhand smoking
Eat a diet rich in antioxidants
Exercise regularly
Limit exposure to polluted environments
Get regular checkups if you are at high risks
Avoid exposure to industrial toxins (diesel exhaust, silica dust, chemical solvents, etc.)

Health Insurance for Lung Cancer: FAQs

Q1. Does health insurance cover lung cancer?

Ans: Yes, health insurance policies in India cover lung cancer treatment. The extent of coverage and waiting period varies from insurer to insurer.
Q2. Does health insurance cover chemotherapy for lung cancer?

Ans: Yes, chemotherapy is mostly covered under health insurance for lung cancer.
Q3. Is lung cancer considered a pre-existing condition in health insurance?

Ans: Whether lung cancer is a pre-existing condition depends on if its symptoms were prevalent before or after buying the mediclaim policy. If it has been diagnosed before, it will be treated as a pre-existing condition and may have a waiting period of up to 3 years.
Q4. Can a lung cancer patient buy health insurance?

Ans: Yes, lung cancer patients can buy health insurance. However, it may be challenging to obtain coverage after diagnosis. It often involves waiting periods, higher premiums or stricter underwriting.
Q5. Can smokers buy health insurance?

Ans: Yes, smokers can buy health insurance. However, they may be charged a higher premium or loading due to increased health risks. Also, they must honestly disclose their smoking habits to ensure there is no rejection based on non-disclosure.
Q6. Is immunotherapy covered under health insurance for lung cancer?

Ans: Yes, immunotherapy is covered under most health insurance plans. However, some policies may have sub-limits on coverage amount or specific conditions. Hence, you must check policy terms thoroughly before buying health insurance for lung cancer treatment.
Q7. Can I buy health insurance after being diagnosed with lung cancer?

Ans: Yes, you can buy health insurance after being diagnosed with lung cancer. However, you may have limited options with higher premiums and more limitations. You can buy cancer-specific plans for better coverage of the disease.
Q8. What type of health insurance is best for a lung cancer patient?

Ans: While a comprehensive health insurance plan is good for covering hospitalization costs, cancer-specific plans or critical illness plans provide a lump sum amount. A combination of both can help you get wider financial protection.

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Disclaimer: The list mentioned is according to the alphabetical order of the insurance companies. Policybazaar does not endorse, rate or recommend any particular insurer or insurance product offered by any insurer. For complete list of insurers in India refer to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India website www.irdai.gov.in