• Critical illness insurance is a limited form of health insurance that pays a lump sum if a specified insured person is diagnosed with one of the specific life-threatening conditions identified in the policy. Critical illness insurance is sometimes combined with life insurance, in which the insurance policy pays out if the insured is diagnosed with a listed critical illness or when the insured dies, whichever comes first. Most critical illness policies cover advanced cases of cancer, severe heart attack, and stroke that result in irreversible symptoms. The Comprehensive Critical Illness Policy covers additional diseases such as Parkinson’s disease, multiple sclerosis, severe burns, bypass surgery, kidney failure, Alzheimer’s disease, angioplasty, vision loss, permanent hearing loss, and organ transplants. Some critical illness policies provide coverage for the loss of a limb. Most critical illness policies do not cover claims filed as a result of self-inflicted injury or alcohol or drug abuse.