Thyroid Cancer Insurance

Cancer causes uncontrolled cell growth in an individual’s body. They are named after the location in the body where they first appear. Thyroid cancer is a type of cancer that starts in the thyroid gland.

Thyroid cancer arises from the thyroid. It's a small butterfly-shaped gland located at the base of an individual's neck. The gland secretes hormones that control an individual's metabolism. Thyroid hormones also aid in the regulation of body temperature, heart rate, and blood pressure. It's a form of endocrine cancer that is usually treatable and has an exceptional cure rate.

Thyroid cancer is basically a rare type of cancer, but it is gradually on the rise in India. It is most common in people who fall in the age group of 35 to 40, as well as in those aged 70 and up.

Women are two to three times more likely than men to develop thyroid cancer. It is unclear why this happens, but it could be due to hormonal changes linked with the female reproductive system. The ailment can affect children as well. The following are the thyroid cancer risk factors:

• Goitre (enlarged thyroid)
• There is a family history of thyroid cancer and thyroid disease.
• People with high body mass index
• Iodine deficiency
• Thyroiditis (thyroid gland inflammation)
• Radiation exposure from power plants or nuclear weapons
• Radiation therapy for throat cancer, particularly during childhood
• Endocrine diseases caused by gene changes (mutations), like multiple endocrine neoplasias (MEN2A or MEN2B)

Thyroid cancer is categorised according to the cell type from which it develops. The types of thyroid cancer are as follows:

• Papillary : Papillary thyroid cancer accounts for a maximum of 80% of all thyroid cancers. This cancer spreads slowly. Despite the fact that papillary thyroid cancer frequently spreads to lymph nodes in the neck, it responds very well to treatment. Thyroid cancer in papillary form is rarely fatal and highly curable.

• Follicular : Up to 15% of thyroid cancer diagnoses are due to follicular thyroid cancer. This cancer has a higher propensity to spread to organs (lungs) and bones. Treatment of metastatic cancer (one that spreads) can be more challenging.

• Medullary : Medullary thyroid cancer accounts for roughly 2% of every thyroid cancer. A quarter of patients suffering from medullary thyroid cancer have a family history of the disease. A defective gene (genetic mutation) could be to blame.

• Anaplastic : Anaplastic thyroid cancer is the most difficult to treat. It spreads rapidly and frequently into neighbouring tissues and other body parts. This uncommon cancer type accounts for approximately 2% of thyroid cancer treatment.

There are five thyroid cancer stages, each of which can be further divided into smaller stages. Examining the stage of thyroid cancer assists healthcare experts and doctors in curating an appropriate therapy plan. The following table demonstrates the concept:

A thyroid nodule, which is a growth or lump in an individual’s neck, may be felt by them or their healthcare provider. If they have a thyroid nodule, they shouldn't be alarmed. Most of the nodules aren't cancer (harmless). Just about 3 out of every 20 thyroid nodules are malignant (cancerous).

Thyroid cancer symptoms may also include —

• Difficulty in swallowing food
• Difficulty in breathing
• Swollen lymph nodes in the neck area
• Hoarseness (loss of voice)
• Coughing
• Neck and throat pain

However, based on the patient and the type of cancer, symptoms may manifest in a variety of ways. For instance, Medullary thyroid cancer can cause a variety of gastrointestinal symptoms such as constipation and diarrhoea.

Your doctor might prescribe one of these tests if you've any symptoms of thyroid cancer or an enlarged thyroid nodule:

• Blood Test: Thyroid blood tests measure hormone levels and check whether the patient's thyroid is functioning as it is supposed to be.

• Fine-Needle Aspiration Biopsy: During a fine-needle aspiration biopsy, a patient’s healthcare provider extracts cells from their thyroid to screen for cancer cells. A sentinel node biopsy is used to determine whether cancer cells have spread to lymph nodes. These biopsy procedures may be guided by ultrasound technology.

• Ultrasound: This technique employs sound waves to produce images of internal body structures. The ultrasound transducer is placed on the lower neck to produce a picture of an individual’s thyroid. The appearance of the thyroid on ultrasound allows the doctor to determine whether a thyroid nodule is noncancerous or benign, as well as the likelihood that it will become cancerous.

• Imaging Scans :CT (Computed Tomography), PET (Positron Emission Tomography), and MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging) tests are performed by healthcare providers to check the spread of thyroid cancer in an individual's body.

• Radioiodine Scan: A radioiodine scan can dig out and check the spread of the tumour. An individual swallows a tablet containing a safe amount of radioiodine (radioactive iodine). Over the time period, Iodine is absorbed by the thyroid gland. An individual's healthcare provider will use a special device to gauge the radiation amount in the gland. More testing is required to confirm and certify the presence of cancer in regions where there's less radiation.

Well, thyroid cancer treatment is generally determined by the size of the tumour and whether it has spread. Thyroid cancer treatment options include the following:

• Surgery: A thyroid cancer surgery is the most preferred and trusted option by doctors and surgeons. Based on the location and size of the tumour, an individual's surgeon may eradicate a portion of the lobectomy (thyroid gland) or the thyroidectomy (entire gland). In addition, an individual's surgeon also eradicates any nearby lymph nodes where cancer cells have spread.

• Radiation Therapy: Well, radiation helps kill cancer cells and prevents their growth. External radiation therapy employs the use of a machine to direct powerful beams of energy directly to the tumour site. Brachytherapy or internal radiation therapy entails implanting radioactive seeds within or near the tumour.

• Radioiodine Therapy :It involves swallowing liquid or a pill containing a higher dose of radioiodine than is used in a diagnostic radioiodine scan. The radioactive iodine shrinks and completely destroys the patient's thyroid gland as well as cancer cells. Individuals should not be alarmed since this therapy is completely safe. The thyroid gland fully absorbs almost all of the radioactive iodine. The rest of the patient's body has been exposed to very little radiation.

• Hormone Therapy:This very therapy prevents the release of hormones that may cause cancer to come back or spread.

• Chemotherapy:Oral or intravenous chemotherapy kills cancer cells and halts tumour growth. Thyroid cancer is rarely treated with chemotherapy. It is, however, occasionally given to individuals diagnosed with anaplastic thyroid cancer.

Because many people develop thyroid cancer for unknown reasons, prevention is difficult. However, if an individual is aware that they are at risk for thyroid cancer, they may be able to take the following precautionary measures:

• **Preventive Measures for High-Risk Individuals **

Children and adults who have an inherited gene mutation are more likely to develop medullary thyroid cancer. Thyroid surgery may be used to prevent cancer. Speak with a genetic counsellor to learn more about cancer risk and treatment options.

• Preventive Measures for People Residing Near Nuclear Power Plants

People living near nuclear power plants are given potassium iodide medication. It’s also used to treat accidents at nuclear power plants. If an individual lives near a nuclear power plant, they must contact their local or state emergency management department and express their concern.

If you already have a medical insurance policy, you might be wondering if you need a thyroid cancer insurance policy. After all, when you're healthy and young, the chances of developing cancer, be it thyroid, throat, liver, or breast, seem remote, don't they? Of course, this is understandable.

However, cancer doesn't discriminate against an individual based on income level, gender, or age. Looking at the sedentary lifestyle today, people are more vulnerable to cancers such as melanoma, thyroid, lymphoma, throat, and even brain tumours. Thus, having cancer insurance cover, together with your health insurance plan, makes excellent financial sense.

Well, there are several other reasons to buy this type of cover. Take a look at them:

• Cover for Thyroid Cancer : You can supplement the coverage provided by your present medical insurance plan by procuring a thyroid cancer cover. Consequently, if you are ever diagnosed with thyroid cancer, you won't have to pay the treatment expenses out of your own purse.

• Financial Backing for Your Income and Savings : Assume you don't have a medical insurance plan that covers thyroid cancer. In such a case, you will be forced to shoulder the financial burden of hefty medical expenses induced as a consequence of such diagnosis and treatment. You could lose all of your assets or be forced to declare bankruptcy. Well, none of them provides future-proof financial security. And this is where a plan like this can come in handy.

Tata AIG offers one of the most comprehensive thyroid cancer insurance policies in India. Our plans offer a number of advantages that make them the best choice for you. The following are some of the benefits of Tata AIG thyroid cancer insurance:

• Financial Assistance: You can eliminate your financial concerns during treatment by selecting a Tata AIG medical policy with thyroid cancer coverage. We provide a lump sum payout of your entire sum covered under our health insurance with cancer cover packages.

• Medical Second Opinion : This is a service that allows our policyholders to get a second opinion on their thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment plans from another doctor. If this happens, you can walk with confidence since your medical plan with cancer cover will cover the total expenses incurred.

• Comprehensive Coverage : With a Tata AIG medical policy with a thyroid cancer cover plan, you will be protected comprehensively. This plan covers every stage of your thyroid cancer, be it early or advanced. This level of comprehensive coverage also comes at pocket-friendly premium rates.

• High Protection at Affordable Premiums : Are you concerned that this cover will be prohibitively expensive for you? Tata AIG's health insurance plan with cancer cover can put your mind at ease because it provides comprehensive coverage at extremely affordable premium rates. The rates may slightly vary depending on your age, and the amount of coverage, but let us tell you, the plan is extremely affordable.

• Income Benefit:A thyroid cancer diagnosis can have an impact on a person's livelihood in addition to the financial burden of treatment. Because of the illness, they may be unable to work a regular job. And this could have an impact on their family's sustenance. Tata AIG’s optional income benefit can assist you in this situation.

Customers who buy such a policy are rewarded with a lot of benefits. Some of the benefits of health insurance with a thyroid cancer cover plan include:

• Provides Financial Support in Medical Emergencies:

It's not just the number of cancer cases that's on the rise. Cancer treatment costs are rising as well. As modern lifestyle habits increase the risk of developing cancer, it is critical to have a safety net in place to alleviate the financial burden associated with cancer treatment. A health insurance plan with thyroid cancer cover can be extremely beneficial in this situation. Its financial benefits can assist in meeting the rising costs of cancer diagnosis, medications, and treatments.

• It Protects Your Other Life Goals and Ambitions :

Even if you have a sizable financial cushion, thyroid cancer treatment could deplete your savings as well as set you back by lakhs of rupees. This, in turn, may have an impact on your other life goals and ambitions. You might have to wait longer to purchase or build your dream home, or you might not be able to afford a good education for your kids. A health insurance policy with cancer cover can assist you to ward off this stumbling block and safeguard your life goals.

• It Compensates for Income Loss

People undergoing thyroid cancer treatment might need to take a long break from their jobs. Based on the thyroid cancer stage and type, they might also find it difficult to return to work for a period of time after treatment is completed. It could result in the patient's family losing regular cash flow and income. Luckily, a health insurance policy with cancer cover and income benefits may help you get through these difficult times.

• Covers Every Process or Thyroid Cancer Treatment

Our thyroid cancer plan covers every aspect of your treatment. Consequently, you are able to obtain comprehensive coverage for chemotherapy, radiation, biopsy, and several other procedures through a single medical insurance plan. Hence, you will not have to spend your entire savings and monthly salary to begin thyroid cancer diagnosis and treatment.

• Tax Benefits

Since a thyroid cancer insurance cover is a health insurance policy, it provides tax benefits under the 1961 Income Tax Act (Section 80D). Each fiscal year, the premiums you pay for your medical plan are deductible from your entire taxable income. This dedication is available whether you buy for yourself, your children, your parents, or your spouse.

At Tata AIG, we put forward the best health insurance plans to our customers. If you want to buy health insurance online together with a thyroid cancer cover, let us tell you that, it's a very simple and straightforward process. All you need to do is carefully follow these simple steps penned below:

• Go to our website and select for who you want to buy the health insurance. You have the option to buy health insurance for yourself, your spouse, your children, and your parents.
• Once you determine the insured, click on ‘Get Plan’.
• Furnish the required information and Tata AIG will suggest the best plans for you.
• On the next page, select the sum insured from the drop-down to see the premium amount.
• You can compare the plans to see what suits you best.
• Select the plan you want to go ahead with, and click on ‘Buy Now’.
• Our experts will reach out to you for further assistance.

In order to check whether you are suffering from thyroid cancer or not, look for thyroid cancer signs and symptoms all by yourself. If you have difficulty breathing or swallowing food, experience a lump in the neck area, hoarseness, or have pain in the neck and throat, you must consult a physician and keenly follow their advice.

Before you choose a thyroid cancer cover, you should be aware of the Tata AIG medical policy's inclusions and exclusions. A Tata AIG cancer cover's inclusions and exclusions are as follows:

• Inclusions

• Detection Phase : Did you know that thyroid cancer may cause swelling and pain in your neck? This condition causes malignant cells to form in the thyroid gland. If you are experiencing such things, you need to consult a specialist. They prescribe specific tests to examine and confirm whether it's thyroid cancer or not. Several tests like blood tests, fine-needle aspiration biopsy, Radiation therapy, radioiodine therapy, etc. are performed. The costs of these tests are covered by the plan.

• Second Opinion Benefits : If your doctor's diagnosis of thyroid cancer does not sit well with you, you should seek a second opinion. Any expenses incurred during this time period will be covered by the health plan.

• Consumable Expenses : The plan also covers several other expenditures associated with the thyroid cancer treatment like pre and post-hospitalisation fees, daycare procedures, medical bills, domiciliary hospitalisation, ambulance fees, etc.

• Exclusions

• Gleason score if it is less than 6 for prostate tumours

• Bladder's microcarcinoma

• If the thyroid cancer signs existed before the insurance policy date or arose during the first 3 months of the insurance policy's issuance, your claim will be refused.

• Skin cancer (invasive malignant melanoma - special case)

• Chronic lymphocytic leukaemia (only if it's less than Stage 3)

• Thyroid papillary microcarcinoma (if the size is less than 1 centimetres)

• Any illness caused by a physical or mental condition that existed during the policy issuance time or the commencement date of the insurance, won't be covered.

• Self-inflicted injuries like suicide, STDs (sexually transmitted diseases), and so on. It also includes any form of harm caused by adventure sports like skydiving or paragliding.

• Any comorbidities that were not disclosed during the medical insurance application process.

• Any extra therapy or diagnostic that's unrelated to thyroid cancer.

If you want the insurance claim settlement process to go in a plain-sailing way, you must submit all necessary documents on time. You must have all of the necessary documentation to file a thyroid cancer insurance claim. Take a look at the following documents that are required when it comes to filing an insurance claim for your thyroid cancer diagnosis:

• Insurance Claim Application Form :The medical insurance application form must be completed and signed. This is simple to do using our web portal. Following these steps, you will be able to monitor as well as check the progress of your thyroid cancer insurance claim. Within 30 days of receiving thyroid cancer treatment or release from the hospital, you must notify Tata AIG and complete this application form.

• Necessary Documents : After receiving your thyroid cancer insurance claim application, Tata AIG will request the following documents from you or whoever is filing the claim on your behalf:

• Hospital discharge summary, case history, and medical record

• A thorough and accurate diagnosis of thyroid cancer

• Any other documents requested by our in-house claim specialists for the claim procedure.

Tata AIG will investigate and authenticate the documents you provided in support of your thyroid cancer health insurance claim. And we'll start working on it within 15 days of your thyroid cancer treatment or hospital discharge. If we approve your claim form, you can expect to be reimbursed within 30 days of receiving all necessary documents.

So you now understand why health insurance with a cancer cover is necessary and how to use the payouts. However, before you make your purchase, you should be aware of the key factors to consider when selecting such a plan.

There are many options available in the insurance market today, and here's what you should look into before making a purchase decision to determine which plan is best for your needs.

• Wide Array of Network Hospitals

Insurance companies typically enter into agreements with leading and renowned hospital chains or hospitals in order for these network hospitals to offer cashless treatments to individuals insured by the firm. As a result, if you choose to receive treatment for thyroid cancer at a network hospital, your costs will be covered directly by the insurance carrier. Before purchasing such a plan, review the list of network hospitals that work with your insurance provider in order to make sure that you have access to the finest healthcare providers.

• Waiting Period

Medical insurance plans with cancer cover usually have a waiting period. Only after this time period, you'll be able to enjoy the plan's benefits. As a result, if you are diagnosed with thyroid cancer before 180 days have passed, the plan's coverage will not kick in. Before you buy a plan, you should be well acquainted with the waiting period clause.

• Weigh the Risk Factors

For those with a family history of cancer, purchasing a medical insurance policy with cancer cover makes a lot of sense. Examine your present health plan and learn how a cancer cover can supplement it. It is also important to remember that such a plan will only pay out if the policyholder is diagnosed with thyroid cancer. It will not pay out for any other chronic ailment.

• Coverage of Cancer Stages and Types

A health insurance policy clubbed with thyroid cancer cover provides all stages of the ailment. But, it is good if you verify the plan in order to understand which stages and types of thyroid cancer are covered. Some plans may include a waiting period before providing the full range of benefits.

• Nature of Costs Covered

Not every health plan with cancer insurance covers the same costs. Some of them cover basic expenses such as hospitalisation and radiation or chemotherapy. If you wish to have more extensive coverage, you should check to see if your policy covers other costs, such as pre and post-hospitalisation costs, diagnostic expenses, and ambulance costs. Bear into account that the premium will rise slightly as the scope of coverage expands.

So, when looking for a medical policy with a cancer cover plan, make sure to consider these factors and confirm that you are capable of paying the premium charged on time. If you fail to pay your premiums on time, your policy will lapse, and you will lose all of the benefits provided by your policy.

According to the 1961 Income Tax Act (under Section 80D), the premiums you pay for a thyroid cancer cover are tax-free. But, your tax savings will be determined by your age group.

The following is a summary of the tax benefits of thyroid cancer coverage:

• “It's convenient to purchase a health insurance policy from the comfort of your own home. I purchased critical illness insurance from Tata AIG through the firm's official web portal. The customer service representatives were always available to help assist me at any time. I'm pleased and excited to purchase additional coverage for my health insurance plan through Tata AIG in the future. Their online platform is completely reliable and easy to use. Keep up the good work!”

~ Prateik Singhania

• “I purchased a medical insurance plan online from Tata AIG last year. Well, a year ago I was impressed when I purchased the policy from their website, and now I am astounded by their clear-cut renewal policy. The firm assisted me in renewing my medical insurance plan with minimal effort via the online mode. Indeed, the firm's service has impressed me.”

~ Shriya Malhotra

• “I'm pleased to announce that my spouse is now covered by a comprehensive health insurance policy, thanks to Tata AIG. While browsing their official website, I discovered a wide range of pocket-friendly health insurance policies. I purchase a policy by learning about the inclusions and exclusions. All of them were clearly written, which made me buy the policy without any second thought and hassle. I highly recommend them to anyone looking to purchase medical insurance for them or their loved ones.”

~ Naina Bansal