Money Matters by ARLEN MACASPAC: Surviving critical illness, financially

==== This high cost of treatment on critical illness does not only give a victim the financial burden but also mental stress to all the members of the family====

Have you ever heard people closed to your heart survive a critical illness without spending or almost draining their family savings?
Have you ever talked to someone blaming himself why he never had the chance to save for critical illness?
Have you ever met someone complaining that they can no longer send their kids to school?
Have you ever known someone who never completed his dream for his family because of critical illness?
Have you ever realized that you too can be the next carrier of the critical illness?
Statistics have shown different results but only lead to one unavoidable reality--everyone above 40 years old can be a possible victim of critical illness before reaching age 65.
There is good news though.
Statistics have also shown the probability of surviving is twice that of dying. In fact, more than 10 million people alive today worldwide have a history of cancer. More than 80 percent of heart attack victims under the age 65 are able to return to their work.
A person wanting to recover from critical illness most of the time will always experience financial hardships due to the cost involved on his treatment. This is the reason why Pioneer Life has launched a new stand alone Critical Rescue Insurance for the Filipinos to be secured should they become a victim of critical illnesses. Critical illness is an insurance product designed so that a person with this illness can avail a lump sum cash once diagnosed with any of the 35 types of critical illness: Treatment on the diseases of the heart like a bypass surgery will cost anywhere between P500, 000 to P700,000; On disease of the vascular system or stroke, an aortal surgery will cost between P500,000 to P800,000; A kidney transplant with donor will cost you over P1 million pesos and without a donor will cost P1.5 million; On cancer of breast, a surgery will cost P100,000, while chemotherapy will cost P480,000; Surgery of a stage IV colon cancer will cost you P1 million and chemotherapy up to P2 million.
This high cost of treatment on critical illness does not only give a victim the financial burden but also mental stress to all the members of the family. What if the income in your family is only enough to sustain your basic household expense? How would you send your children to school when the saving you set aside for their education will be diverted to someone diagnosed with critical illness in your family? What if you, as the provider, will be the victim of the critical illness, how will you survive earning for your family?
Your objective when stroked with critical illness is to survive and live a normal life. Being prepared for any possibilities including proper financial planning on your health related concerns should be given equal priority on your financial goal setting. It is also wiser to avail your critical illness program while you are younger and still healthy. Most people realize the significance of this health insurance program only when they themselves or their loved ones become the casualty of the critical illness.
The Critical Rescue Platinum provided by Pioneer Life is unique as it is the only stand alone critical illness product in the market as of today. It can be availed up to a maximum of P4 million offered to ages 18 years old and above. Don’t be surprised that this program gives you a maturity benefit, giving back your money with interest at age 65.
For comments and suggestions, you may email me at engrmac@grand-holdings.com or visit my website at www.grand-holdings.com