Manulife Financial

Lifecheque® Basic  Critical Illness Insurance

Summary of coverage  |  Critical Illnesses covered   |   Exclusions  |   Rates  |   Application  |  Brochure

With the simple, accessible and affordable protection offered by Lifecheque* Basic critical illness insurance, you'll have the security of knowing that in 30 days following a diagnosis of a covered critical illness, you’ll receive a lump-sum payment of the amount you chose. How you spend it is entirely up to you.

This insurance covers five of the most common critical illnesses and conditions: cancer, heart attack, stroke, coronary artery bypass surgery and aortic surgery.

Residents of Canada between the ages of 18 and 65 years at time of application are eligible to apply for Lifecheque Basic Critical Illness Insurance.

You choose the level of coverage
The Lifecheque Basic critical illness plan offers three benefit amounts - $25,000, $50,000 and $75,000 - so that you may choose the level of coverage that suits your needs, life stage and your budget.

Anyone between the ages of 18 to 55, inclusive, can choose from three coverage amounts: $25,000, $50,000 and $75,000. Coverage is also available to other age groups:

Ages 56-60: $25,000 or $50,000

Ages 61-65: $25,000

It's easy to apply

If you can sign a declaration of your good health, your coverage becomes effective on the first of the month after the insure  receives your application and premium payment. It’s that simple.

The declaration requires you to confirm that you are in good health and  have not experienced signs or symptoms, consulted your doctor or had abnormal tests related to the covered critical illnesses. No information about your family history is required.

Affordable Premiums

The Lifecheque Basic critical illness insurance monthly premiums are based on your age, gender and smoking status, so the younger you are when you apply, the lower your premiums will be. Healthy savings for non-smokers: non-smokers enjoy up to 50% savings on their premiums, compared to smokers.

Guaranteed Renewable

The coverage is guaranteed renewable until the policy anniversary date following the insured's 75th birthday, at which time the policy will terminate.

And because your premiums are guaranteed not to increase for the first five years, this coverage is easy to plan for. At the end of the first five years, and every five years thereafter, as long as your policy remains current, your coverage will be renewed at your new age-based rate - without any medical questions asked. Of course, you can choose to cancel this protection at any time.

Return of Premium Option
This coverage also offers a Return of Premium Option. With the Lifecheque Basic critical illness insurance Return of Premium Option, when you reach your 75th birthday and you have not made a claim, Manulife Financial will reimburse all the premiums you paid - up to 100% of the benefit amount you selected!

If you are between 18 and 55 years of age, and a Canadian resident, you are eligible to apply for this Return of Premium Option. Please note, however, that this option is only available at the time of initial application.

Health Service Navigator

Health Service Navigator included at NO EXTRA COST: With Health Service Navigator, you and your eligible family members can quickly and easily get answers to your questions and access to support services. One simple call to a dedicated toll-free line and you will be connected to Health Service Navigator where you can receive information, medical coordination services and resources on how to navigate the Canadian health care system. And, if you want a second opinion from a world-class hospital, Health Service Navigator will help you get it. Learn more>>

* As Health Service Navigator is a service provided by a third party. Manulife cannot guarantee its continuing availability and reserves the right to replace the service provider or discontinue the service at any time.

Covered Critical Illnesses

Cancer (Life-Threatening): A definite diagnosis of a tumour characterized by the uncontrolled growth and spread of malignant cells and the invasion of tissue. The diagnosis of cancer must be made by a specialist.

Heart Attack: A definite diagnosis of the death of heart muscle due to obstruction of blood flow, that results in a rise and fall of biochemical cardiac markers to levels considered diagnostic of myocardia infarction, with at least one of the following:
• heart attack symptoms
• new electrocardiogram (ECG) changes consistent with a heart attack, or
• development of new Q waves during or immediately following an intra-arterial cardiac procedure including, but not limited to, coronary angiography and coronary angioplasty.
The diagnosis of heart attack must be made by a specialist.

Stroke (Cerebrovascular Accident): A definite diagnosis of an acute cerebrovascular event caused by intra-cranial thrombosis or hemorrhage, or embolism from an extra-cranial source, with:
• acute onset of new neurological symptoms, and
• new objective neurological deficits on clinical examination, persisting for more than 30 days following the date of diagnosis. These new symptoms and deficits must be corroborated by diagnostic imaging testing. The diagnosis of stroke must be made by a specialist.

Coronary Artery Bypass Surgery: The undergoing of heart surgery to correct narrowing or blockage of one or more coronary arteries with bypass graft(s). The surgery must be determined to be medically necessary by a specialist.

Aortic surgery: The undergoing of surgery for disease of the aorta requiring excision and surgical replacement of the diseased aorta with a graft. Aorta refers to the thoracic and abdominal aorta but not its branches. The surgery must be determined to be medically necessary by a specialist.

Conditions, Exclusions and Limitations

A complete listing of all applicable exclusions and limitations is detailed in the policy issued by Manulife Financial upon final approval of your application. Please read it carefully. If you are not satisfied with this coverage, you can cancel the policy within 30 days of receiving it and all premiums paid will be refunded (30-day money-back guarantee).

NOTE: This is a brief overview of the Benefits, providing some key definitions, exclusions and limitations. Please refer to the policy booklet for complete details. In the event of any inconsistencies between this overview and the policy booklet wordings, the actual policy booklet wording will prevail.