Heart & Stroke Infographic
How expensive is it to be in the 75%?
Medical research has significantly increased the survival rate from a heart attack or stroke. Although survival rates are rising, unfortunately so too is the rate of heart failure. 50,000 Canadians are diagnosed with heart failure each year,1 and more young people are being affected.2 With better outcomes and younger survivors, there is an increasing need for employee benefit programs that include living benefits like Critical Illness insurance. Having a heart attack or heart surgery will likely require time off from work, as typical rehabilitation programs are 3 to 6 months long,3 making it difficult to manage day-to-day household expenses.
Here's a look at the type of costs that can add up when a person suffers a heart attack or stroke:
Rehabilitative programs and prescription drugs (not all are covered by the government)
Personal care and support workers
Gym membership or exercise program
Transportation to and from appointments (i.e. cost of gas, taxi or car rental)
Parking for follow up appointments
Child care during regular appointments
As a result, the tax-free lump sum benefit provided by a Critical Illness policy can be an integral part of an employee's road to recovery and add significant value to an employer's benefit plan.
To learn more about the benefits of Critical Illness coverage, please contact Chris Carr at 416.307.5622.
1 Heart & Stroke Foundation (2017). The Burden of Heart Failure.
2 Capital Gazette (2018). Why more young people are having heart attacks.
3 Heart & Stroke Foundation (2018). Ms.Understood, Heart & Stroke 2018 Heart Report.