What would you do if you were diagnosed with a critical illness?

I'm addressing critical illness, private healthcare, income protection and lasting power of attorney, with the aim that this conversation:

1. Prompts you to have a conversation with your loved ones about the future, if anything were to happen to you

2. Help you to review your finances and the insurances in place if anything were to happen to you

For many of us, we will hopefully never need critical illness cover, private health insurance or income protection, but this is the case with all insurance.

We wouldn’t buy a house without home insurance, and it’s illegal to drive without car insurance. Still, for many, insurance in this area may either be considered a luxury or simply not necessary when it comes to our health.

Even though I wholeheartedly believe in our NHS, the system is overwhelmed. There are also treatments not covered by the NHS.

Kelly Saunders, a Neuro Physio, responded to my poll where are asked both on LinkedIn and Twitter and here were the results;

Three weeks after returning from maternity leave, Kelly was diagnosed with blood cancer and her treatment is not covered by the NHS. Having critical illness cover would have supported her treatments and taken the financial pressure off her family.

My husband, a mortgage broker, had a client diagnosed with cancer return to him after a year to ask for details of his critical illness policy—my husband, who took extensive notes, shared with the client that he declined this cover.

The amazing Peter Mcleave, Founder of 10000donors.com, who you will meet on this week's Business of Healthcare podcast, was diagnosed with incurable blood cancer, myeloma. To extend his life and to help him live more comfortably, Pete needs a blood stem match that he is yet to find.

Whilst Pete has private medical insurance covered through his work, there is a chance this cover will be removed, and once again, his treatment is not covered on the NHS. Pete’s advice: make sure you have insurance independent of your employer.

I am writing this to remind you that:

• Your health and wellbeing is not a luxury.

• Your health is the most valuable asset in your life.

• Whatever your family situation, some people love and care about you and want the absolute best for you.

• The last thing you want to be worrying about when your health and wellbeing is in a difficult situation is money.

In the event that you need a fast appointment, diagnostics, to take time off work with the knowledge that your income is protected, and the cost of treatments 100% or partially paid for, private health care, critical illness, and income protection could provide you with the cover needed.

I also want to signpost you to the podcast episode I recorded with Clare Fuller, where we discussed Lasting Power of Attorney and the importance of turning difficult conversations about what happens to you in the event you lose your capacity to make decisions into important conversations.

Please listen to Peter's episode on the podcast here and if you want to know more about Lasting Power of Attorney for either yourself or your loved ones, I recommend speakformelpa.co.uk (I have used Clare myself).

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