Though major medical and catastrophic insurance covers immediatehealth care treatment and hospital stays for those sufferingcritical illnesses such as heart attacks, strokes and cancer,uncovered medical expenses remain a problem. Expenses such asgroceries, mortgages, deductibles, rehabilitation and even travelto and from treatment centers can eat up life savings and creditcards.

According to Colonial Life & Accident Insurance Co., this iswhere voluntary critical illness insurance plans become helpful.The idea behind voluntary critical insurance is that when someoneis diagnosed with a critical illness, benefits are paid directly tothe insured, and can be used for nonmedical expenses ranging fromout-of-pocket deductibles to paying the electric bill.

Colonial Life claims statistics noted that heart attacks, strokeand coronary artery bypass surgery made up 58 percent of criticalillness claims in 2010, with cancer accounting for another 35percent. Kidney failure and transplants, and other conditions, wereresponsible for the remaining claims.

“A critical illness plan is for survivors,” commented RandyFinn, assistant vice president, product development, for ColonialLife. “Some people may never be able to return to their oldlifestyle, go back to the same jobs or return to work at all.Instead, they’ll face a new way of life focused on recuperation,recovery and rehabilitation. Benefits from a critical illness plancan help ease financial worries so they can focus on getting wellinstead of paying the bills.”