CriticalGuard Critical Illness Insurance
A cancer diagnosis. A heart attack. A stroke. In that moment, the last thing you should be worrying about is money. CriticalGuard pays a one-time lump sum directly to you — and you use it however you need.
- Licensed Medicare Agent
- 9 States Served
- No Pressure
- Free Consultations
The Financial Side of a Diagnosis No One Talks About
When someone is diagnosed with cancer, the average out-of-pocket cost in the first year exceeds $16,000 — even with insurance. For heart attacks and strokes, the numbers are similar. And that only accounts for the medical bills.
What about traveling to a specialist three hours away? What about the months you or your spouse can’t work? What about keeping up with the mortgage, the car payment, the utilities — all while fighting for your life?
CriticalGuard exists because Medicare covers your medical care, not your life. This plan pays a single lump-sum cash payment upon diagnosis of a qualifying condition. No restrictions on how you use it. Medical bills, mortgage payments, experimental treatments, a family vacation to make memories — the choice is entirely yours.
Four Plan Options — Choose the Coverage That Fits
You can focus on the risk that concerns you most, or cover all critical conditions under one plan.
Cancer Only
From ~$13/mo- ✓Life-threatening cancer (100%)
- ✓Cancer in situ (25%)
- ✓Benign brain tumor (25%)
- ✓Skin cancer ($500 flat)
Heart / Stroke Only
From ~$17/mo- ✓Heart attack (100%)
- ✓Stroke — 96+ hour deficit (100%)
- ✓Heart illness requiring surgery (25%)
Cancer + Heart / Stroke
From ~$26/mo- ✓All cancer events
- ✓All heart/stroke events
- ✓Combined protection — one policy
Critical Illness (Full Suite)
From ~$30/mo- ✓All cancer + heart/stroke events
- ✓Advanced Alzheimer's (100%)
- ✓ALS (100%)
- ✓Coma — 7+ days (100%)
- ✓End-stage renal failure (100%)
- ✓Loss of independent living (50%)
- ✓Major organ transplant (100%)
Premiums shown are approximate for a $5,000 GI benefit, age 65, non-smoker. Actual premiums vary by benefit amount, age, state, and tobacco status.
How Much Coverage Can You Get?
Benefit amounts depend on your age and whether you qualify for guaranteed issue or simplified issue enrollment.
| Age Range | Guaranteed Issue Max | Simplified Issue Max |
|---|---|---|
| 18–49 | $10,000 | $100,000 |
| 50–64 | $10,000 | $75,000 |
| 65–74 | $5,000 | $50,000 |
| 75–90 | $5,000 | $25,000 |
What’s the Difference?
Guaranteed Issue means zero health questions — you qualify automatically if you meet the age requirement. Simplified Issue requires a short health questionnaire (about 5 questions) and allows higher benefit amounts. If you have a clean health history, SI lets you get significantly more protection.
Benefits Most People Don’t Know About
COVID-19 ICU Benefit
All plan types include a $10,000 benefit for COVID-19 with 7+ days in ICU — included at no extra cost.
Pregnancy Benefit
If a qualifying event occurs during pregnancy, you receive an additional 50% of your face amount on top of the standard benefit.
Children Covered Free
Dependent children under 26 (or any age if disabled) are covered at 50% of your benefit amount at no additional premium.
Optum Cancer Resources
Free access to support counselors, treatment decision tools, and clinical trial matching through Optum.
Optum Perks Rx Discounts
Prescription discount card offering up to 80% savings at participating pharmacies — included with every plan.
Optional Riders
Wellness exam ($75/year), Outpatient Rx ($15 generic / $50 brand), and Telemedicine ($0 copay) riders available.
Important Details to Know
30-Day Waiting Period
All benefits have a 30-day waiting period from your coverage effective date. Events diagnosed within the first 30 days are not covered. This ensures the plan covers future diagnoses, not pre-existing conditions in progress.
Preexisting Condition Exclusion
Conditions for which you received treatment, advice, or diagnosis within 12 months before your effective date are excluded for the first 12 months of coverage. After 12 months, all conditions are covered equally.
Recurrence Rules
If the same qualifying event recurs, there must be at least 12 months between payments. Each event category has its own lifetime maximum.
Benefit Reduction at Age 75
If your policy was originally issued before age 75, your benefit amount reduces to 50% of the face amount when you turn 75. Policies issued at age 75 or older are not affected.
No Network Restrictions
Any licensed physician, hospital, or treatment center. No referrals, no prior authorization, no network limitations.
Guaranteed Renewable
Your policy cannot be cancelled as long as premiums are paid. Premiums may change for the entire policy class, but not based on your individual health or claims.
Available in 44+ States
Available: AL, AK, AZ, AR, CO, CT, DC, DE, FL, GA, HI, ID, IL, IN, IA, KS, KY, LA, ME, MD, MI, MN, MS, MO, MT, NE, NV, NH, NC, ND, OH, OK, OR, PA, RI, SC, SD, TN, TX, UT, VA, WA, WV, WI, WY
Not currently available in CA, MA, NJ, NM, NY, or VT. Some benefits vary by state (e.g., cancer in situ pays 100% in FL, MN, ND). Availability may change — check during enrollment.
Protect Yourself Before You Need To
The best time to get critical illness coverage is when you’re healthy enough to qualify. Once a diagnosis happens, it’s too late.
Enroll Now
Choose from Cancer Only, Heart/Stroke Only, Cancer + Heart/Stroke, or the Full Critical Illness suite. Select your benefit amount and see your exact premium before committing.
Important: CriticalGuard covers future diagnoses only. There is a 30-day waiting period before coverage begins, and conditions diagnosed or treated within 12 months before enrollment are excluded for the first 12 months. This plan does not cover conditions you currently have or are being treated for. It is a fixed indemnity plan — not Medicare Supplement or major medical insurance. Benefits vary by state.
You’ll be taken to UnitedHealthOne’s secure enrollment site. Compare all four plan types and see your exact premium before committing.
Guaranteed Issue Enrollment
Even if you have existing health conditions, you can qualify for CriticalGuard at $5,000 (ages 18–74) or $10,000 (ages 18–64) with absolutely no health questions asked.
Guaranteed Issue means no health questions — but coverage does have a 30-day waiting period and a 12-month preexisting condition exclusion. Conditions you’re currently being treated for will not be covered during the first 12 months. This plan is designed for future protection — it cannot cover a diagnosis you’re currently facing or a treatment you’re currently undergoing.
Not Sure Which Plan Type Is Right for You?
A licensed agent can help you choose between Cancer Only, Heart/Stroke, the combined plan, or the full Critical Illness suite — based on your family history, health goals, and budget.
Get Your Free CriticalGuard Consultation
We'll help you choose the right plan type and benefit amount — no pressure, no obligation.