Although we never want to believe that we could become severely ill, as a physician, you know that it happens to the best of people. A serious illness can leave the patient and their family reeling; not just emotionally, but also financially.

If you should become seriously ill, Critical Illness insurance can help relieve the financial burden and support your healing. Because our mission is to help protect Texas physicians, TMA Insurance Trust is providing members with Guaranteed Acceptance for $20,000 of TMA Member Critical Illness insurance, now through March 12.*

How many times have you heard it said: In life there are few guarantees.

As a physician you know this is especially true when it comes to our health. Like everyone else, we all face the possibility that one day we may have to confront a serious illness in our own life.

If you were diagnosed with a critical illness, you know that decisions would have to be made with a high degree of urgency.

At that time, you would not be thinking about the financial implications of your condition. You would likely use all the resources at your command to establish a treatment plan for the best possible outcome.

But soon it would be clear that you could face a staggering amount of expenses – both medical and non-medical. That is when the value of critical illness insurance can be most appreciated.

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.

Even for those who have health insurance, a serious illness can bring serious financial problems, as the following statistic shows:

The message is clear: health insurance can leave a serious coverage gap. How can you help protect your finances? Let us help you find one way: starting February 1, TMA Insurance Trust is offering members under age 65 guaranteed acceptance for $20,000 coverage of TMA Member Critical Illness Insurance.

Physicians are like everyone else in at least one respect – no one is immune to the possibility of a serious illness.

Every year, 720,000 Americans have a heart attack.¹ Every 40 seconds a stroke occurs.² And in the United States, the risk of developing cancer is 1 in 3 for both men and women.³

And here is another sobering thought: With the higher deductibles, copays and coverage limits of many of today’s health insurance plans, it’s very likely that your primary health insurance will not cover all the expenses related to a prolonged serious illness.

That is why we are offering TMA members guaranteed acceptance for $20,000 of critical illness insurance.

Most physicians carry health and disability insurance. But if a serious, potentially life-threatening illness were to strike, will your finances be adequately protected? Health insurance will cover some medical costs, and a disability policy will cover some of your lost salary. How could Critical Illness insurance help you in these circumstances? By paying a lump sum benefit of up to $250,000 when you're diagnosed with a serious, life-altering condition. Find out more about this coverage and how it can help you.

Surviving a serious illness can be one of the biggest challenges of our life. It can consume most of our physical, mental and emotional strength. If we are lucky, we have support systems in place – with friends, colleagues and family members – to help us through.

But what about financial support? Have you thought about what might happen to your finances in the event of a serious illness? Have you given any thought to critical illness insurance?