MY FAMILY HAS A HISTORY OF CANCER

WHAT SHOULD I BE CONSIDERING TO PROVIDE THE BEST PROTECTION?

Planning your private healthcare with a family history of cancer involves a two-pronged approach: consulting with medical professionals to assess your risk and then selecting the right insurance coverage to meet your proactive health needs. 

Step 1: Medical Risk Assessment

The first step is understanding your specific risk through professional medical advice.

• Consult your GP: Share your detailed family health history, including which relatives had cancer, the type of cancer, and their age at diagnosis. This information helps your doctor determine if you have a higher risk.

• Seek Specialist Referral: Your GP may refer you to a cancer family history clinic or a clinical genetics service for further assessment.

• Consider Genetic Testing: A specialist or genetic counselor can help you decide if genetic testing is appropriate. Finding a gene mutation indicates an increased risk, which guides preventative measures and screening schedules. 

  
  

Step 2: Choosing the Right Private Healthcare Plan

When selecting a private health insurance plan, your family history is a crucial factor for the insurer, and it will impact your coverage options and premiums. 

• Be Transparent About History: You must disclose all relevant family medical history during the application process. Insurers cannot ask about genetic test results, but they will ask about family medical history.

• Choose Underwriting Carefully:

  • Full Medical Underwriting: You complete a full health questionnaire, and the insurer explicitly lists any exclusions. This can provide clarity on what is and isn't covered from the start.

  • Moratorium Underwriting: This type has fewer initial questions, but the insurer won't cover conditions you've had symptoms for in the last five years. This might be an easier entry point if you are currently healthy.

• Look for Specific Cancer Coverage Features:

  • Comprehensive Cancer Cover: Standard policies cover acute conditions, but dedicated cancer cover or a specific critical illness insurance policy offers more tailored and extensive protection, including potential lump-sum payouts upon diagnosis to cover a wide range of costs.

  • Screening and Early Detection: Ensure the policy covers regular screenings, diagnostic tests (like PET/CT scans and blood tests), and potentially genetic testing if referred by a specialist.

  • Treatment Options: Check for coverage of various treatments, including chemotherapy, radiation, surgery, and clinical trials. Some plans, like those from DKV SEGUROS, offer comprehensive cancer promises with no time or cost limits on eligible treatments.

  • Income Protection: Some comprehensive plans offer provisions for income replacement if you are unable to work during treatment.

  
  

• SPANISH MEDICAL PLAN:

• LINK: I have pre-existing medical conditions. What does that mean for me?

  
  

• LINK: Pitfalls of choosing a policy by price? Read more.