--- title: Do You Really Know the Cost of Being Seriously Ill? description: When you are faced with a critical illness, your health insurance - though important - could still leave you with coverage gaps that can leave you financially vulnerable. image: https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/February%202020/February_2020_Week_4_Critical_Illness.png --- - [800-880-8181](tel:800-880-8181) - [CONTACT US](https://www.tmait.org/contact) - [SELF-SERVICE PORTAL](https://tmait.aebsys.com/#/) [![](https://www.tmait.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/logo.png?width=197&name=logo.png)](https://www.tmait.org/) Topics All Accident Insurance Accidental Death and Dismemberment Auto & Home Insurance Auto Insurance Business of Medicine Business Overhead Expense Insurance Comparing Insurance Providers COVID-19 FAQs Critical Illness Insurance Dental Insurance Disability Insurance Employed Physicians Family Featured Financial Advice Group Benefits Group Coverage Health Insurance Homeowners Insurance HSA Independent Contractor Independent Physician Individual Coverage Insurance For Good Insurance for Women Insurance Review Key Person Insurance Life Events Life Insurance Locum Tenens Medevac Insurance Medical Insurance Medical Practice Medicare Medicare Part D Medicare Supplement Medigap Nearing Retirement Office Overhead Expense Insurance Open Enrollment Personal Umbrella Insurance Pet Insurance Practice Management Practice Managers Practice Owners Prescription Drug Coverage Renters Insurance Residents Retired Physicians Retirement Short Term Disability Short-Term Medical Insurance Supplemental Hospital Indemnity Insurance Term Life Insurance Travel Insurance Vision Insurance Women Physicians Young Physicans Young Physicians ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/February%202020/February_2020_Week_4_Critical_Illness.png) [Critical Illness Insurance](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/critical-illness-insurance) # Do You Really Know the Cost of Being Seriously Ill? 22 February 2020 As a physician, you understand how important it is to carry comprehensive health insurance. But when you are faced with a critical illness, your health insurance - though important - could still leave you with coverage gaps that may leave you financially vulnerable. ## The Cost of Being Critically Ill There are many expenses associated with being seriously ill. These, of course, include your deductibles and copays. But when your recovery becomes the most important thing in your life, there are other medical and non-medical costs that can pile up. These include lost wages from work; costs for child care, transportation, hotel stays, and so much more. Take a closer look at some common expenses associated with a critical illness and how quickly they can add up: **Pursuing Out-of-Network Treatments** When illness or injury isn’t serious, it’s easy to stay within the parameters of your health insurance network. There are plenty of qualified physicians from which to choose who can treat pneumonia, set a broken wrist, or perform an appendectomy. But when your life is truly on the line, you may want to pursue experimental treatments or consult with a highly qualified specialist who is not in your network. This is where costs for medical treatment can really skyrocket. According to one major insurer, a single visit to an out-of-network physician instead of one that is in your network could take your out-of-pocket medical costs from $140 to $645.¹ And that is just for the visit - this doesn’t include testing or treatment. What about diagnostic imaging? The American College of Radiology states that the average copayment for out-of-network advanced imaging is $630.² **Prescription Costs Add Up** When a patient is faced with an illness like invasive cancer, to say that treatment is “expensive” is a gross understatement. According to the National Cancer Institute, *prices higher than $10,000 per month ****for individual drugs and biologic agents**** are common.³* These oral cancer drug-based treatments are frequently covered under patient pharmacy benefits’ speciality tier, which requires high coinsurance that patients pay out-of-pocket.³ In 2017, 88% of prescription plans were multi-tiered, in which specialty drugs had the highest cost sharing.³ **Sustained Costs After Recovery** After a serious illness like cancer, increased costs often continue for years. The National Cancer Institute states that cancer survivors (1) have higher out-of-pocket medical costs for years, (2) are more likely to be unable to work because of their health, and (3) have more missed work days because of poor health.³ [![We're here to help - CLICK HERE or call today](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/400074/f1028049-dc7a-4f66-bc55-4d7e534d3cd2.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/400074/f1028049-dc7a-4f66-bc55-4d7e534d3cd2)***[800-880-8181](tel:800-880-8181) 8:00 – 5:00 CST Monday – Friday*** ## How Critical Illness Insurance Can Help TMA Member Critical Illness insurance offers a full benefit for:  - heart attack, - invasive cancer, - stroke, - Alzheimer’s disease, - kidney and all major organ failure.  Benefits can also be paid for a diagnosis of: - non-invasive cancer (other than skin cancer), - multiple sclerosis, - occupational HIV infection, - Parkinson’s disease, - severe coronary artery disease, and - terminal illness. If you are afflicted with a serious illness, the benefit is paid directly to you, upon diagnosis. You can use the funds as you see fit: offset your high deductibles, copays, and any out-of-pocket medical costs once your insurance reaches the maximum limits. You can even use the benefits to help with non-medical expenses like hotel stays near specialized medical facilities, airfare, and replacing lost wages. **Features of TMA Member Critical Illness Insurance** - Get $20,000 of coverage with guaranteed acceptance if you’re a TMA member under age 65, as well as $10,000 coverage for your spouse or partner under age 65. - No physical exam or questions to answer. *You cannot be turned down.* - This insurance pays a lump sum benefit directly to you when diagnosed with a covered illness, regardless of any other insurance you may have. - As a TMA member, you can apply for a total of $250,000 of coverage. ## Right Now, You Can’t Be Turned Down Until March 31, TMA Insurance Trust is offering members ***guaranteed acceptance *****for $20,000 coverage of t****he TMA Member Critical Illness Insurance i**ssued by **The Prudential Insurance Company of America. **If you are a TMA member under age 65, you can take advantage of this guaranteed acceptance offer. When you enroll, you won’t be asked medical questions, and there is no underwriting. You’ll get coverage quickly that helps fill a gap that your health insurance leaves. So act now. Getting coverage has never been easier. Click the button below to get a quote and enroll. [![ENROLL EASILY NOW](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/400074/062ebca3-7fa2-4477-9a0a-77bfe332c036.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/400074/062ebca3-7fa2-4477-9a0a-77bfe332c036)   [![New Call-to-action](https://no-cache.hubspot.com/cta/default/400074/0002c54b-d442-4272-b587-fabb93e28c71.png)](https://cta-redirect.hubspot.com/cta/redirect/400074/0002c54b-d442-4272-b587-fabb93e28c71) For over 60 years, TMA Insurance Trust advisors have been serving Texas physicians, their families and staff. TMA Insurance Trust prides itself on offering unbiased information and strategies to members, along with exclusive group rates on a range of the highest-rated plans in the industry. ** [ Critical Illness Insurance ](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/critical-illness-insurance) ** [**Previous Entries](https://www.tmait.org/blog/get-year-round-help-for-group-benefits-health-insurance) [Next Entries**](https://www.tmait.org/blog/your-career-comes-in-stages-your-disability-insurance-should-work-for-all-of-them) ## Recommended Posts ### [Avoiding The High Cost of Silent Illnesses](https://www.tmait.org/blog/avoiding-the-high-cost-of-silent-illnesses-critical-illness) ### [A View from the Other Side of the Stethoscope](https://www.tmait.org/blog/a-view-from-the-other-side-of-the-stethoscope-critical-illness) ### [When a High-Deductible Health Plan Meets Critical Illness](https://www.tmait.org/blog/when-a-high-deductible-health-plan-meets-critical-illness) ### [You Treat Illness, But Can You Afford It? Secure Your $20K Benefit](https://www.tmait.org/blog/you-treat-illness-but-can-you-afford-it-secure-your-20k-benefit) ### [Critical Illness Protection: Your TMA Member Plan Explained](https://www.tmait.org/blog/critical-illness-protection-your-tma-member-plan-explained) ### [$20,000 in Critical Illness Coverage: Don't Miss this Valuable Membership Benefit](https://www.tmait.org/blog/20000-in-critical-illness-coverage-dont-miss-this-valuable-membership-benefit) ### [Two Powerful Guarantees: Critical Illness Coverage Designed for Texas Physicians](https://www.tmait.org/blog/two-powerful-guarantees-critical-illness-coverage-designed-for-texas-physicians) ### [Secure $20,000 of Critical Illness Coverage for You, $10,000 for Your Partner](https://www.tmait.org/blog/secure-20000-of-critical-illness-coverage-for-you-10000-for-your-partner) ## Speak with a TMA Insurance Trust Advisor: ¹ Aetna Insurance, Cost of Out-of-Network Doctors & Hospitals, January 2020 ² Journal of the American College of Radiology, Out-of-Pocket Costs for Advanced Imaging Across the US Private Insurance Marketplace, April 2018 ³ National Cancer Institute, Financial Toxicity and Cancer Treatment - Health Professional Version, September 2019   **This coverage is not health insurance coverage (often referred to as “major medical coverage”)**.   **This type of plan is NOT considered “minimum essential coverage” under the Affordable Care Act and therefore does NOT satisfy the individual mandate that you have health insurance coverage.**   Group Critical Illness Insurance coverage is a limited benefit policy issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, a Prudential Financial company, Newark, NJ. Prudential’s Critical Illness Insurance is not a substitute for medical coverage that provides benefits for medical treatment, including hospital, surgical and medical expenses and does not provide reimbursement for such expenses. The Booklet-Certificate contains all details, including any policy exclusions, limitations, and restrictions which may apply. If there is a discrepancy between this document and the Booklet-Certificate/Group Contract issued by The Prudential Insurance Company of America, the Group Contract will govern. A more detailed description of the benefits, limitations, exclusions applicable are contained in the Outline of Coverage provided at time of enrollment. Please contact Prudential for more information. Contract provisions may vary by state. Contract Series: 114774. 1061679-00001-00 ### Latest Post ![A New Alternative for Group Health Insurance](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/July%202026/July%202026%20Week%201%20-%20Group%20Health.png) ### [A New Alternative for Group Health Insurance](https://www.tmait.org/blog/a-new-alternative-for-group-health-insurance-group-benefits) Jul. 04 2026 ![Why Going It Alone on Group Health Coverage Costs Your Practice](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/June%202026/June%202026%20Week%204%20-%20Group%20Health.png) ### [Why Going It Alone on Group Health Coverage Costs Your Practice](https://www.tmait.org/blog/why-going-it-alone-on-group-health-coverage-costs-your-practice-group-benefits) Jun. 27 2026 ![Dental Insurance and the Habits It Helps Shape](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/June%202026/June%202026%20Week%203%20-%20Dental.png) ### [Dental Insurance and the Habits It Helps Shape](https://www.tmait.org/blog/dental-insurance-and-the-habits-it-helps-shape) Jun. 20 2026 ![Unexpected Doesn't Have to Mean Unprepared This Summer](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/June%202026/June%202026%20Week%202%20-%20Accident.png) ### [Unexpected Doesn't Have to Mean Unprepared This Summer](https://www.tmait.org/blog/unexpected-doesnt-have-to-mean-unprepared-this-summer) Jun. 13 2026 ### POPULAR TOPICS - [Practice Owners (218)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/practice-owners) - [Women Physicians (182)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/women-physicians) - [Independent Physician (175)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/independent-physician) - [Young Physicians (163)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/young-physicians) - [Insurance for Women (162)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/insurance-for-women) - [Employed Physicians (155)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/employed-physicians) - [Locum Tenens (136)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/locum-tenens) - [Residents (134)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/residents) - [Disability Insurance (128)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/disability-insurance) - [Health Insurance (127)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/health-insurance) - [Practice Managers (94)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/practice-managers) - [Life Insurance (86)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/life-insurance) - [Independent Contractor (84)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/independent-contractor) - [Open Enrollment (73)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/open-enrollment) - [Group Benefits (65)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/group-benefits) - [Group Coverage (61)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/group-coverage) - [Retired Physicians (59)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/retired-physicians) - [Individual Coverage (58)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/individual-coverage) - [Nearing Retirement (57)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/nearing-retirement) - [Family (52)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/family) - [Medicare (43)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/medicare) - [Medical Practice (39)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/medical-practice) - [Business Overhead Expense Insurance (35)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/business-overhead-expense-insurance) - [Practice Management (35)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/practice-management) - [Critical Illness Insurance (33)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/critical-illness-insurance) - [Medicare Part D (31)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/medicare-part-d) - [Dental Insurance (30)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/dental-insurance) - [Medicare Supplement (29)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/medicare-supplement) - [Life Events (28)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/life-events) - [Insurance For Good (26)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/insurance-for-good) - [Business of Medicine (25)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/business-of-medicine) - [Auto Insurance (21)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/auto-insurance) - [Accident Insurance (20)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/accident-insurance) - [Homeowners Insurance (19)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/homeowners-insurance) - [Retirement (15)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/retirement) - [Short Term Disability (15)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/short-term-disability) - [Young Physicans (15)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/young-physicans) - [Medical Insurance (12)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/medical-insurance) - [Featured (11)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/featured) - [Medigap (11)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/medigap) - [Accidental Death and Dismemberment (10)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/accidental-death-and-dismemberment) - [HSA (10)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/hsa) - [Personal Umbrella Insurance (10)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/personal-umbrella-insurance) - [Insurance Review (9)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/insurance-review) - [Renters Insurance (9)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/renters-insurance) - [Term Life Insurance (9)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/term-life-insurance) - [Auto & Home Insurance (8)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/auto-home-insurance) - [Supplemental Hospital Indemnity Insurance (6)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/supplemental-hospital-indemnity-insurance) - [Travel Insurance (6)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/travel-insurance) - [Comparing Insurance Providers (3)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/comparing-insurance-providers) - [Pet Insurance (3)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/pet-insurance) - [Short-Term Medical Insurance (3)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/short-term-medical-insurance) - [Medevac Insurance (2)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/medevac-insurance) - [Office Overhead Expense Insurance (2)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/office-overhead-expense-insurance) - [Vision Insurance (2)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/vision-insurance) - [COVID-19 FAQs (1)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/covid-19-faqs) - [Financial Advice (1)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/financial-advice) - [Key Person Insurance (1)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/key-person-insurance) - [Prescription Drug Coverage (1)](https://www.tmait.org/blog/topic/prescription-drug-coverage) [See all](https://www.tmait.org/blog/do-you-really-know-the-cost-of-being-seriously-ill-critical-illness#) ### Newsletter signup to receive our monthly newsletter [* * Request a Quote](https://www.tmait.org/blog/do-you-really-know-the-cost-of-being-seriously-ill-critical-illness#bott-scroll) ![border](https://www.tmait.org/hs-fs/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/border.png?width=1200&height=44&name=border.png "border") ### Quick Links - ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/double-arrow.png) [Home](https://www.tmait.org/) - ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/double-arrow.png) [Testimonials](https://www.tmait.org/testimonials) - ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/double-arrow.png) [About](https://www.tmait.org/about) - ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/double-arrow.png) [Privacy Policy](https://www.tmait.org/privacy-policy) - ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/double-arrow.png) [Contact](https://www.tmait.org/contact) - ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/double-arrow.png) [Resources](https://www.tmait.org/resources) - ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/double-arrow.png) [Our Blog](https://www.tmait.org/blog) - ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/double-arrow.png) [Self-Service Portal](https://tmait.aebsys.com/#/) - ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/double-arrow.png) [Insurance For Good](https://www.tmait.org/blog/insurance-for-good) - ![](https://www.tmait.org/hubfs/TMA%20Insurance%20March%202019/Image/double-arrow.png) [Anticipate Joy](https://www.tmait.org/anticipate-joy) ### Connect With Us - [* *](https://www.facebook.com/TMAInsuranceTrust) - [* *](https://twitter.com/TMAIT) - [* *](https://www.youtube.com/user/TMAInsuranceTrust) We were created and are exclusively endorsed by the [Texas Medical Association](https://www.texmed.org/) © 2026 TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION INSURANCE TRUST © 2026 TEXAS MEDICAL ASSOCIATION INSURANCE TRUST ![](https://googleads.g.doubleclick.net/pagead/viewthroughconversion/956622860/?value=0&guid=ON&script=0) ![](https://analytics.twitter.com/i/adsct?txn_id=l5yi3&p_id=Twitter&tw_sale_amount=0&tw_order_quantity=0) ![](https://t.co/i/adsct?txn_id=l5yi3&p_id=Twitter&tw_sale_amount=0&tw_order_quantity=0) ![](https://analytics.twitter.com/i/adsct?txn_id=nukif&p_id=Twitter&tw_sale_amount=0&tw_order_quantity=0) ![](https://t.co/i/adsct?txn_id=nukif&p_id=Twitter&tw_sale_amount=0&tw_order_quantity=0)