Why You Need Dread Disease Cover  

Nobody wants to think about disease and death but it is a reality that anybody, without exception can be struck with a dread disease or condition at any time. Not a single person can confidently state that he or she is exempt from heart attacks, cancer, strokes, and unexpected circumstances that result in a need for an organ transplant. Accidents can cause blindness or the loss of limbs, rendering the person concerned unable to earn aliving.  

Very few medical aid schemes will cover the cost of prolonged treatment and if the member is permanently disabled the cost of living can become prohibitive. It is vital to consider steps that will pay for the cost of treatment and the maintenance of a lifestyle when a dread disease strikes. One of the best possible precautions would be to purchase special insurance that will cover the many expenses that may result from contracting a dread disease or suffering a serious accident. 

What is a dread disease? 

Officially, there are four particular conditions that are defined as dread diseases. They are heart attacks, cancer, strokes and multiple sclerosis. Medical science has made rapid progress and in many cases it is possible to manage the disease. The problem is the cost. Specialist medical treatment is very expensive and many medical aid schemes will not pay for it.  

The onset of a dread disease can normally be ascribed to either lifestyle factors or genetic make-up. In many cases, such as in Leukemia, for example, experts simply do not know what the cause is. 

What are the expenses involved? 

When considering appropriate insurance, you should keep in mind that the policy should make provision for at least the following expenses: 

• Provision should be made for the payment of essential expenses such as a home loan and car payments. There should be provision for long treatment periods and even for a long convalescence.
• Many people are unable to obtain further insurance once they contract a dread disease or suffer a serious impairment in an accident. The policy should make provision for such difficulties.
• In many instances the affected person will not be able to work for a long time; in some cases never again. The policy should make provision for this loss of income.
• A dread disease holds the terrifying possibility that the sufferer will not survive for long. The cover should therefore make provision for allowing the sufferer a better lifestyle and the ability to spend more time with loved ones without having to worry about money.
• Expenses such as for higher education for children should be covered in full.
• In some instances the afflicted person may need specialized care and the policy should make provision for home care and the services of appropriate specialists.
• People with a dread disease may have to travel for treatment purposes and they may need to pay for the travel costs of family and loved ones. This should be taken into account when purchasing dread disease cover.
• People with dread disease must also make sure that they have adequate life cover. This will ensure that the family receives a lump sum when the sufferer dies. In some cases it is possible to combine a lump sum with a monthly pension. © Medical Aid Plan

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NOTES:

Your medical aid quote will include options to suit your pocket. Please ensure that the cover you select is exactly what you need and that you understand exactly what insurance you are buying. Do not hesitate to ask questions about the medical aid or hospital cover you choose.