What are Critical Illnesses, and Which Diseases are Not Covered?

January 30, 2025

5 minutes

Nowadays, critical illnesses have become an increasingly common health concern. Whether it be cancer, heart disease, or vascular diseases, these conditions not only affect health but also come with high treatment expenses. Therefore, having critical illness insurance is a good option for preparing to face these risks. However, not every critical illness is covered by health insurance or critical illness insurance, as there are certain cases or diseases that are not included in the coverage.

If it’s too long, you can choose a topic to read:

1. What is a critical illness?

2. What critical illnesses are common among Thai people?

3. How to take care of your health to reduce the risk of critical illnesses?

4. What diseases are not covered by insurance?

1. What is a critical illness?

A critical illness

refers to a disease that has a severe impact on a patient’s life and health, potentially leading to significant changes in daily living. These diseases often require continuous medical treatment and sometimes come with extremely high costs that can affect financial stability due to the high treatment expenses.

Common critical illnesses include cancer, ischemic heart disease, stroke, severe lung disease, and chronic kidney failure. These conditions not only affect the body but also cause distress to patients, their families, and those close to them.

Causes of critical illness

Most critical illnesses result from multiple contributing factors, such as lifestyle habits, an unbalanced diet, lack of exercise, accumulated stress, genetics, and environmental factors that may trigger disease development.

Why is it important to pay attention to critical illnesses?

Although critical illnesses may seem like a distant concern, the reality is that these risks can affect anyone. Being prepared, whether through maintaining good health or planning finances with insurance, can significantly reduce the impact of these diseases.

2. What critical illnesses are common among Thai people?

Critical illnesses that are increasingly common among Thai people include:

Cancer:

This is a group of diseases caused by abnormalities in body cells. These cells grow and divide uncontrollably, forming masses known as "tumors," which may be malignant and capable of spreading to other organs such as the lungs, liver, and intestines. The main causes of cancer include age, genetics, hormonal imbalances, and risky behaviors such as smoking, alcohol consumption, eating carcinogenic foods, and exposure to chemicals.

Coronary artery disease:

This condition occurs when the arteries supplying blood to the heart muscle harden or develop fatty deposits along their walls, causing the arteries to narrow. As a result, blood flow decreases, leading to ischemic heart conditions. If the arteries become completely blocked, the heart muscle may be deprived of oxygen, leading to a heart attack.

Diabetes:

Even those who do not consume a lot of sugar can still develop diabetes. This chronic condition results from abnormalities in insulin function, a hormone responsible for regulating blood sugar levels. Insulin helps transfer sugar from the bloodstream into cells for energy use. However, if the body produces insufficient insulin or is unable to use it effectively, blood sugar levels can rise continuously, leading to severe complications.

Hypertension:

Known as a silent threat, hypertension is a dangerous condition that, if left untreated, increases the risk of severe illnesses such as ischemic heart disease, kidney failure, and stroke. Despite its prevalence, many people overlook it and remain unaware of their condition until complications arise. Therefore, maintaining normal blood pressure levels is essential for effectively reducing the risk of various diseases.

Heart disease:

This disease affects the functioning of the heart, including conditions related to the coronary arteries, heart valves, congenital heart defects, or arrhythmias. Risk factors include increasing age, gender, genetics, diabetes, hypertension, high cholesterol, obesity, a diet high in fat, regular alcohol consumption, and lack of exercise. Symptoms may include chest pain, rapid heartbeat, shortness of breath, fatigue, and nausea.

All the serious diseases mentioned fall under the category of non-communicable diseases (NCDs). These diseases primarily stem from risk factors related to lifestyle habits, such as poor diet, lack of exercise, as well as external factors like pollution, particulate matters, and daily life stress.

3. How to take care of your health to reduce the risk of critical illnesses?

Critical illnesses and non-communicable diseases (NCDs) such as heart disease, diabetes, and cancer are silent threats that significantly impact health and treatment costs. Prevention and risk reduction are essential and should not be overlooked. You can start taking care of your health simply by adjusting risky behaviors as follows:

Eat a nutritious diet: Consume a balanced diet with all five food groups, focusing on vegetables and fruits while avoiding excessive sugar, salt, and high-fat foods.
Exercise regularly: Engage in physical activity for at least 30 minutes per session, five times a week, to improve overall health.
Avoid risky behaviors: Stop smoking, refrain from alcohol consumption, and avoid exposure to second-hand smoke.
Maintain a healthy weight: Keep your weight within the standard range by following a proper diet and exercising regularly.
Get enough rest: Sleep for 7–8 hours a day to allow the body and mind to recover.
Manage stress: Find ways to relax, such as meditation, engaging in hobbies, or travelling.
Have annual health check-ups: Get routine check-ups to detect risks early and prevent diseases in a timely manner.

4. What diseases are not covered by insurance?

Certain diseases or health conditions may not be covered by an insurance policy due to specific exclusions stated in the contract. These may include pre-existing conditions (conditions that exist before purchasing insurance) or illnesses resulting from risky behaviors, such as:

Pre-existing conditions: Such as diabetes or hypertension.
Diseases requiring a waiting period: Illnesses occurring within the first 90, 120, or 180 days after purchasing insurance.
Certain chronic diseases specified as not covered in the policy, such as heart disease or chronic kidney disease.
Mental health disorders or psychiatric conditions.
Injuries from risky behaviors: Such as accidents from extreme sports or substance abuse.
Genetic disorders or diseases caused by genetic abnormalities

Note: The list of excluded diseases or coverage limitations may vary depending on the insurance provider and insurance plan. It is important to review the policy details to ensure coverage meets your needs.

Fully disclose your health information: Providing accurate and complete health information allows insurance companies to assess risks correctly and ensures appropriate coverage.
Read the policy carefully: Before purchasing insurance, review the benefits and exclusions, as each insurer may have different exclusions.
Compare insurance plans to find one that best suits your needs and budget.
Consult an expert: If you have any doubts, seek advice from an insurance agent or financial advisor, or visit the Muang Thai Life Assurance website for more information.

Ultimately, understanding the conditions of your policy is just as important. This ensures that you receive the protection that best fits your needs.

Preparing in advance with insurance is one way to help you cope with potential illnesses in the future, especially diseases with high treatment costs. However, some diseases may be excluded, based on the conditions stated in the policy. Therefore, carefully reviewing the details and selecting an insurance plan that suits you is essential to ensure you receive coverage that meets your needs. Additionally, taking care of your health and modifying risky behaviors will help you live happily without worrying about your lifestyle. With lump sum health insurance, securing coverage while you are in good health ensures full protection. You can choose coverage amount ranging from 200,000 to 100,000,000 Baht.

For more information:

☑️ Tel.1766, available 24/7

☑️ Contact life insurance agents.