Why is it worth while to get critical illness insurance from Manulife Financial?

It's worth it to get Manulife Financial's low cost critical illness insurance plan because built in the health insurance policy is a free, no extra cost feature that will better help you manage and cope with your critical illness should it arise. This feature, called Health Service Navigator will enable policyholders to access health newsletters with critical and current tips and tools about the following:

• Finding a family doctor or specialist

• Locating resources to address mental health concerns

• Learning how to build your health care and support team

• Resources for seniors

• Information on children's health

• Determining expenses covered by your provincial health plan

• Education on safe medication use

• Maintaining your health record

• Accessing tips for patient advocacy

• Understanding your illness

• \Managing chronic disease

• Dealing with cancer

• Coping better with disability

• Provincial health guides

• Chronic conditions centre

• Health and drug library

Individuals with Manulife Financial's critical illness insurance plan will also have Web and call center telephone access to discuss medical condition information and help on how to navigate the Canadian health care system, such as:

• Finding a family doctor

• Finding a specialist

• The best way to communicate with your doctor

• Locating hospitals

• Checking procedure wait times

Manulife Financial's low cost health insurance will also enable policyholders access to world-class doctors for expert medical second opinions when anyone covered AND any eligible dependents has a serious health concern:

• Second opinion service provided by expert world class doctors include consultation services from leading teaching and research medical institutions in North America including: Children’s Hospital Boston, Duke Medicine, Mayo Clinic,  Partners Health Care affiliated with Bringham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, UCLA Healthcare.

• Find a health care provider, health care facility and community support groups

• Arrange appointments

• Coordinate support for specialized transportation needs

• Coordinate hospital discharge and return home if you decide to travel to the United States for treatment

Using Manulife Financial's policy or certificate number as identification, policyholders (and eligible dependents) can access any of the Health Service Navigator services, including the medical second opinion service, 24/7 with the click of a mouse at www.manulifehealth.ca or Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 8pm (nationally) by calling 1-877-455-3554. The Health Service Navigator benefit is not dependent upon making a claim – it is available immediately and anytime for them to use. No referral is necessary. The policyholder will establish a password on first sign in. There are clear instructions and password reminder request buttons at www.manulifehealth.ca if you need help.

Click here to view the Health Service Navigator® brochure.

Click here to get a free critical illness insurance quote.

Why is it worth while to get critical illness insurance from Manulife Financial?

It's worth it to get Manulife Financial's low cost critical illness insurance plan because built in the health insurance policy is a free, no extra cost feature that will better help you manage and cope with your critical illness should it arise. This feature, called Health Service Navigator will enable policyholders to access health newsletters with critical and current tips and tools about the following:

• Finding a family doctor or specialist

• Locating resources to address mental health concerns

• Learning how to build your health care and support team

• Resources for seniors

• Information on children's health

• Determining expenses covered by your provincial health plan

• Education on safe medication use

• Maintaining your health record

• Accessing tips for patient advocacy

• Understanding your illness

• \Managing chronic disease

• Dealing with cancer

• Coping better with disability

• Provincial health guides

• Chronic conditions centre

• Health and drug library

Individuals with Manulife Financial's critical illness insurance plan will also have Web and call center telephone access to discuss medical condition information and help on how to navigate the Canadian health care system, such as:

• Finding a family doctor

• Finding a specialist

• The best way to communicate with your doctor

• Locating hospitals

• Checking procedure wait times

Manulife Financial's low cost health insurance will also enable policyholders access to world-class doctors for expert medical second opinions when anyone covered AND any eligible dependents has a serious health concern:

• Second opinion service provided by expert world class doctors include consultation services from leading teaching and research medical institutions in North America including: Children’s Hospital Boston, Duke Medicine, Mayo Clinic,  Partners Health Care affiliated with Bringham and Women’s Hospital and Massachusetts General Hospital, UCLA Healthcare.

• Find a health care provider, health care facility and community support groups

• Arrange appointments

• Coordinate support for specialized transportation needs

• Coordinate hospital discharge and return home if you decide to travel to the United States for treatment

Using Manulife Financial's policy or certificate number as identification, policyholders (and eligible dependents) can access any of the Health Service Navigator services, including the medical second opinion service, 24/7 with the click of a mouse at www.manulifehealth.ca or Monday through Friday between the hours of 8am and 8pm (nationally) by calling 1-877-455-3554. The Health Service Navigator benefit is not dependent upon making a claim – it is available immediately and anytime for them to use. No referral is necessary. The policyholder will establish a password on first sign in. There are clear instructions and password reminder request buttons at www.manulifehealth.ca if you need help.

Click here to view the Health Service Navigator® brochure.

Click here to get a free critical illness insurance quote.

Mark's Story - The art of slowing down

I am a 45 year old father of three young children all under the age of ten and I've owned a restaurant business for the last 17 years of my life. Being the main breadwinner of the family, many times I thought, what if my business were to go down? When business was slow I would think how will I manage to save for my children's university funds?

From a practical and business standpoint it made total sense to get critical illness insurance. Getting critical illness insurance gave me peace of mind and made perfect sense to me but deep down I thought "I'll never need to use it because I am perfectly healthy".  Then one day I experienced an intense heartburn like sensation in my chest. I casually ignored it and continued to serve customers. It wasn't a throbbing pain, I just felt uneasy, a little clammy and sweaty so I continued with my day.

But as the day progressed, the discomfort spread to my left arm. At that point my wife Marisa advised me to go to the hospital. Never in my wildest dreams did I anticipate what was to come. I was diagnosed with a heart attack. Later, an angiplasty revealed that I needed quadruple bypass surgery. The news really affected me and scared the wits out of me.

I have no family history of heart disease, so I thought, "how could this be". My family doctor suggested that the ongoing stress from my restaurant business played a significant role in my heart attack. I used to work long hours and all weekend and if something went wrong I would take it personally.

I can't imagine what i would have done without the critical illness insurance. The insurance company responded to my needs quickly and efficiently.  After thirty days I received a nice sum of money which I would not have had otherwise. This money enabled me to pay for physical therapy and medication that I was prescribed in the weeks after my surgery.

After four months, when I went back to work, I wasn't motivated to work with the staff and serve customers. I became depressed (which research has linked with heart attacks). The money from the insurance enabled me to see a therapist without having to worry about the expenses. Eventually I returned to work and became a lot more relaxed. Now I make sure not to work on Sundays and I am confident that the existing staff have the ability to carry on without me being there. I pay more attention to my stress level and eating habits and spend more time with my family. This lifestyle change has allowed me to enjoy life more than ever before. 

I am very fortunate that I am a heart attack survivor and that I eventually listened to my body and my wife and went to the hospital before it was too late. I am also fortunate to have bought critical illness insurance. I can't imagine what I would have done without it.

Is disability insurance the same as critical illness insurance?

No, there are several differences between disability insurance and critical illness insurance.

For one, disability insurance, also known as “income replacement” insurance, provides a monthly income replacement benefit if you become disabled and are no longer able to perform the normal duties of your work. Generally speaking, the disability benefit is limited to a percentage of your regular income and you stop receiving it once you earn an income or if you no longer meet the definition of disability in the contract. For instance, if your illness is cured before the waiting period, no payment is made.  Disability insurance is only in effect as long as you are an employee. Also, if you switch jobs, the policy may not be portable.

With critical illness insurance, on the other hand, your benefits are not dependent on your income. Instead, you receive the level of coverage that you want which may range from $25,000 to $2 million, depending on the plan that you sign up for.  

Also, unlike disability benefits, critical illness benefits are not affected by other income you receive or by your full recovery from the illness. You also don't have to be an employee to reap the benefits of this insurance. You could be a homemaker, seasonal worker, entrepreneur, self-employed. With critical illness benefits, the insurance company cannot take the policy away from you, unless of course you choose to cancel it.  

With critical illness insurance, a tax-free lump-sum benefit payment will be made to you typically 30 days after the claim had been approved.  There are also no restrictions to how you use the money and you are entitled to collect the entire benefit even if you make a full recovery.

We are happy to answer any questions that you may have about the differences between disability and critical illness insurance and which coverage is more suitable for you and your family when coping with an illness. Please call us today at  1.888.223.1011 or send us an email at info@critical-illness-insurance.ca

Who said: "I can repair a man physically, but only insurers can repair a patient's finances"?

Marius Barnard, a South African cardiac surgeon.

Bernard along with his brother Christiann Barnard, where among the surgeons who performed the world's first human-to-human heart transplantation in 1967.

When Barnard repeatedly saw his patients suffer financial hardships after he had treated their critical illnesses, he convinced insurance companies to develop a new type of insurance to cover critical illnesses. The first critical illness insurance policy was launched on August 6,1983.

Check out a video about why Marius Bernard invented Critical Illness Insurance here.

To learn more about this coverage and how critical illness insurance could help you and your family cope with a critical illness, call us today at 1.888.223.1011 or send us an email at info@critical-illness-insurance.ca

Why is Critical Illness Insurance Important and What Can it be Used For?

Why is critical illness insurance important?

Critical illness insurance helps cover the unexpected costs and potential loss of income associated with a serious illness. From the costs of medicine and treatment, to travel, specialist and home accommodations, treating and recovering from an illness can have a devastating financial impact. Plus, if you’re unable to work during your recovery, the impact is even greater.

What can this insurance be used for?

With critical illness insurance, if you become sick with one of the covered conditions covered by your policy and survive the waiting period, you receive a cash benefit. Benefit amounts available: $25,000, $50,000, $75,000. It provides one lump sum, tax-free cash benefit to the insured if a covered condition is diagnosed.

You can then use the funds as you wish!

What conditions are covered?

Covers 5 critical illnesses: Cancer (life-threatening), Heart Attack, Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident), Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery, and Aortic Surgery. 

How do I apply to for this Insurance?

With the Lifecheque^® Basic critical illness plan, you don’t have to complete a medical questionnaire; all that’s needed is a declaration of your good health. Best of all, once covered, you can keep Lifecheque Basic for up to age 75, regardless of any changes in your health or occupation. 

Contact your advisor for more information

Who is Lifecheque Basic ideal for?

• individuals looking for a simple application process with no medical checks
• mortgage or debt protection
• supplementing gaps in disability insurance protection
• for small businesses, available guaranteed issue solution for employers looking to enhance an existing employee benefits package. Minimum of 25 lives. Policy is portable should an employee leave the employer.

View brochure here 

view a contract here

1.888.223.1011

Canada's best kept insurance secret to preparing for your future...revealed!

Cancer, heart attacks and strokes are the three most common critical illnesses in Canada, occurring across all ages.  The unfortunate truth is that you or someone that you know will most likely become a victim of one of these life-threatening illness or conditions¹. Thankfully, due to medical advances the odds of surviving a critical illness are better than ever. 

Canada's best kept insurance secret to preparing for your future...revealed!

Surviving a critical illness can be financially challenging and emotionally draining. The great news is Canada has a simple, affordable and accessible product called Lifecheque® Basic critical illness insurance which could help you have fewer financial worries and enable you to focus on what really matters - making a full and speedy recovery.

What are the benefits of this product?

·         You will receive a one time lump sum benefit, paid directly to you, 30 days following a diagnosis of cancer, heart attack or stroke, or coronary bypass or aortic surgery.

·         You could spend the money anyway you wish! For example, you could spend the money on health care services, special drugs and supplements, home care expenses that are not covered by your provincial health care insurance or group, alleviate debt, modify your home or vehicle, travel, etc...

·         There are three levels of coverage that you may choose from - $25,000, $50,000, and $75,000.

·         At no extra cost, you and your eligible family members will quickly and easily get access to support and services and  answers to pressing questions.  One simple call to a toll-free number and you will be connected to Health Service Navigator where you can receive information, medical coordination services and resources on how to navigate the Canadian health care system. Also, if you want a second opinion from a world-class hospital, Health Service Navigator will help you get it.

·         If you are between 18 and 55 years of age, you can add the Return of Premium Option to your policy and Manulife Financial will provide a full refund of all premiums paid – up to 100% of your benefit amount – when you reach your 75^th birthday and if no claim has been made.  This means that you could receive up to $25,000, $50,000, or $75,000 depending on the coverage you select.

Am I a eligible?
- Resident of Canada
-Termination age: 75 years
-Coverage amounts: $25,000 issue ages 18-65, $50,000 issue ages 18-60, and $75,000 issue ages 18-
55.

How do I apply?
-Applying for coverage is easy
-Approval for coverage for cancer, stroke, heart attack, coronary bypass surgery and aortic surgery 
is subject to signed/confirmed declaration of good health and providing Manulife Financial with
payment information.

-No medical questionnaire is required and no family history
-For more information, please contact your advisor or call 1-888-223-1011 and one of our friendly and
helpful advisors will be happy to assist you.

Important Notice
This is not a contract. Actual terms and conditions are detailed in the policy issued 
by Manulife Financial upon final application approval. It contains important details concerning exclusions,
conditions and limitations. Please review it carefully upon receipt.

¹ Source: Canadian Cancer Society, 2007