Motor neurone disease: Will critical illness insurance cover it?
When a person insured with critical illness insurance is diagnosed with motor neurone disease, that person will receive the full amount of the sum insured. But the claim will only be payable if the motor neurone disease is contracted before a certain age. In most cases, the insured is only eligible if the disease is diagnosed before the age of 60.
What is Motor Neurone Disease?
Also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease or amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, this disease is marked by the worsening of the condition and functions of the motor neurones. Motor neurones are nerve cells that control the body’s movements. They can be found not just in the brain, but also in the spinal cord and the brain stem.
Motor neuron disease causes the person to lose control of his muscles. This loss of muscle control will usually start with the loss of fine motor skills or from the legs and then will start attacking the upper body. Eventually, the patient will find it hard to perform daily functions such as eating, going to the bathroom, speaking and even breathing. The patient also exhibits an uncontrolled twitching, his muscles also weaken and waste away.
The disease will be painful (both physically and emotionally) and the patient will need the support of his loved ones.
The disease tends to act quickly, and can take some three to four years from inception to thoroughly cause severe disability and death. Although this disease cannot be cured, its symptoms can be alleviated and therapy can help slow the progression of the disease. That is why it is important to know the symptoms so that when it is recognized, the patient can go to the doctor as soon as possible. Although the progression of the disease cannot be stopped, there are some who are inflicted that live longer, with the help of treatment.
Motor neuron disease can hit not just people of ages above 60. In fact, the disease can afflict people from all age groups. The disease can also be genetic and the symptoms may even show at birth or when the toddler is of the age when he should learn how to walk. In adults, the symptoms can appear at 40 years of age.
How Critical Illness Insurance Can Help
With the proceeds from the critical illness insurance, the patient can afford to pay for:
- Adaptive equipment in the home
- Devices such as wheelchairs, orthotics or braces and speech synthesizers
- Supportive therapy (including speech, physical and occupational therapy)
Recommended useful information to read:
- Are you at risk? Critical Illnesses you may be susceptible to
- Things to consider before getting a critical illness insurance policy
- What you should know about Your Critical Illness Cover: The exclusions to your policy
- Save Up on Premiums: factors that affect Your Critical Illness Insurance premiums
- Dos and Don’ts When Making Critical Illness Insurance Claims
