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Healthcare costs for cancer can be significant, and supplemental cancer insurance can help cover additional costs that are not covered by primary insurance. Aflac offers cancer insurance that can help by providing you with financial protection in case of a diagnosis. However, you can’t get cancer insurance after a diagnosis, making it more important to obtain this type of policy before you’re diagnosed.2
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Cancer insurance is a type of supplemental health insurance that pays cash benefits to help you cover the costs of cancer treatment. Aflac cancer insurance can help alleviate the financial burden you may face by helping you cover expenses such as:
Aflac pays you cash benefits before, during, and after a cancer diagnosis. Most policies include a waiting period during which you are ineligible to submit a claim. Aflac cancer insurance has a 30-day waiting period in most states.
Don’t wait until it’s too late. Help cover yourself and your family with coverage from Aflac.
Get StartedYou generally can’t get cancer insurance after a cancer diagnosis. Most insurers will deny supplemental cancer insurance applications if you already have cancer or are discovered to have had cancer when you purchased the policy, even if you weren’t aware.2 Cancer insurance policies are meant to supplement your primary healthcare, which is legally required to provide some coverage for cancer treatments.3
It's important to get cancer insurance before a diagnosis to help ensure you have the financial support you need during treatment. Aflac cancer insurance offers enhanced coverage that can fit your budget and provide added peace of mind that you’re prepared for treatment.
Here are some potential alternatives to getting cancer insurance that can also help provide financial support:
Critical illness insurance is another type of supplemental health insurance that pays cash benefits after a diagnosis. Sometimes, cancer is excluded from these policies, and you typically cannot get a policy after a diagnosis.4 However, if you find a policy that includes cancer, it can provide more enhanced supplemental coverage.
Like other types of supplemental insurance, disability insurance does not usually offer coverage for a pre-existing cancer diagnosis.5 However, many employers offer group disability insurance for employees, so it's possible you had a plan in place before your diagnosis. If that's the case, disability insurance can help replace your income if you're unable to work.5
Certain individuals may also qualify for Social Security Disability Insurance (SSDI), which can provide additional financial protection. You may be eligible if:6
Life insurance pays a death benefit to beneficiaries after you pass away, but some policies may also have living benefits. These benefits are typically reserved for permanent life insurance policies and allow you to access the value of your life insurance policy by withdrawing from it or taking a loan against it.7
In addition to the federal government’s SSDI program, there are many government-sponsored programs and community organizations dedicated to helping cancer patients afford the care they need. You can view a list of resources at CancerCare.org.
A cancer diagnosis can be frightening, as well as financially challenging. While you most likely can't get cancer insurance after a diagnosis, you can explore other options, such as government-backed or community financial aid programs. If you haven't been diagnosed yet but have a family history of cancer, Aflac cancer insurance may be able to provide some peace of mind. To learn more about coverage and get a quote so you understand the cost of cancer insurance, contact Aflac today.
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Get Started
Lump-sum cancer insurance can protect you financially if you’re diagnosed with cancer. Learn how a lump-sum cancer insurance policy works and what it covers.
Cancer insurance can give you extra financial security in case you get a cancer diagnosis. Learn how cancer insurance works and the pros and cons.
Lump-sum cancer insurance can protect you financially if you’re diagnosed with cancer. Learn how a lump-sum cancer insurance policy works and what it covers.
Cancer insurance can give you extra financial security in case you get a cancer diagnosis. Learn how cancer insurance works and the pros and cons.
1 American Cancer Society – Lifetime Risk of Developing or Dying From Cancer. Updated January 30, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/risk-prevention/understanding-cancer-risk/lifetime-probability-of-developing-or-dying-from-cancer.html. Accessed July 17, 2025
2 American Cancer Society – Other Types of Health Coverage. Updated September 30, 2023. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/financial-insurance-matters/understanding-health-insurance/other-types-of-health-coverage.html. Accessed July 17, 2025.
3 American Cancer Society – The Affordable Care Act: How It Helps People With Cancer and Their Families. Updated June 3, 2025. https://www.cancer.org/cancer/financial-insurance-matters/health-insurance-laws/the-health-care-law.html. Accessed July 17, 2025
4 LifeSearch – Critical illness cover for cancer survivors. Updated July 31, 2024. https://www.lifesearch.com/critical-illness-cover/critical-illness-cover-articles-and-guides/critical-illness-cover-for-cancer-survivors. Accessed July 17, 2025
5 Policygenius – Disability insurance & cancer. Updated October 17, 2023 https://www.policygenius.com/disability-insurance/disability-insurance-and-cancer/. Accessed July 17, 2025
6 American Cancer Society – Social Security Disability Insurance for People with Cancer. Updated September 30, 2023 https://www.cancer.org/cancer/financial-insurance-matters/managing-health-insurance/social-security-disability-income-for-people-with-cancer.html. Accessed July 17, 2025
7 Nerdwallet – What Are Life Insurance Living Benefits? Updated May 20, 2025. https://www.nerdwallet.com/article/insurance/living-benefits-life-insurance. Accessed July 17, 2025
The plans advertised herein offer supplemental insurance coverage and are not major medical insurance plans.
Cancer insurance is also known as Specified-Disease insurance in some states.
Coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of Columbus. In New York, coverage is underwritten by American Family Life Assurance Company of New York.
Cancer: In Arkansas, Policies B70100AR, B70200AR, B70300AR, B7010EPAR, B7020EPAR. In Delaware, Policies B70100DE, B70200DE & B70300DE. In Idaho, Policies B70100ID, B70200ID, B70300ID, B7010EPID, B7020EPID. In Oklahoma, Policies B70100OK, B70200OK, B70300OK, B7010EPOK, B7020EPOK. In Oregon, Policies B70100OR, B70200OR, B70300OR, B7010EPOR, B7020EPOR. In Texas, Policies B70100TX, B70200TX, B70300TX, B7010EPTX, B7020EPTX. In New York, Policies, NY78100–NY78400. A76000 series: In Pennsylvania, Policy A76100PA. A75000 series: In Virginia, policies A75100VA–A75300VA. CRITICAL ILLNESS INSURANCE – T71000 SERIES. In Arkansas, Policy T71100ARR. In Delaware, Policy T71000. In Oklahoma, Policy T71000OK. In Oregon, Policy T71000OR. In Pennsylvania, Policies T71100PA - T71400PA. In Texas, Policy T71000TXR. In Virginia, Policy T71100VA. Not available in Idaho, New Jersey or New York. Disability: In Arkansas, Policies A57600AR & A57600LBAR. In Delaware, Policies A57600DE & A57600LB. In Idaho, Policy A57600IDR. In New York, Policy NY57600. In Oklahoma, Policies A57600OK &A57600LBOK. In Oregon, Policies A57600OR & A57600LBOR. In Pennsylvania, Policies A57600PAR &A57600LBPA. In Texas, Policies A57600TX &A57600LBTX. Not available in PR & RI. Life (A68000 series): Term Life Policies: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368200, ICC1368300, ICC1368400. In Delaware, Policies A68200, A68300 & A68400. In New York, Policies NY68200, NY68300 and NY68400. Whole Life Policies: In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas, Pennsylvania & Virginia, Policies: ICC1368100. In Delaware, Policy A68100. In New York, Policy NYR68100.
Juvenile Life (B65000 series): In Arkansas, Idaho, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Texas, & Virginia, Policies: ICC18B61JWO & ICC18B61JTO. In Delaware, Policies B61JWO, B61JTO.
Coverage underwritten by Tier One Insurance Company:
Cancer/Specified-Disease: In Delaware, Policy T70000. In Idaho, Policy T70000ID. In Oklahoma, Policy T70000OK. In Virginia, policies T70000VA & T70000GVA.
Coverage may not be available in all states, including but not limited to DE, ID, NJ, NM, NY or VA. Benefits/premium rates may vary based on state and plan levels. Optional riders may be available at an additional cost. Policies and riders may also contain a waiting period. Refer to the exact policy and rider forms for benefit details, definitions, limitations and exclusions.
Content within this article is provided for general informational purposes and is not provided as tax, legal, health, or financial advice for any person or for any specific situation. Employers, employees, and other individuals should contact their own advisers about their situations. For complete details, including availability and costs of Aflac insurance, please contact your local Aflac agent.
Aflac WWHQ | Tier One Insurance Company | 1932 Wynnton Road | Columbus, GA 31999
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