The Hidden Cost of Getting Sick Health insurance is essential, but it doesn’ t always cover everything that happens after a diagnosis. There may be deductibles and copays, time away from work, extra childcare, or travel to see a specialist. One study found that around 42 % of cancer patients 4 depleted their life savings within two years of diagnosis. And a single heart attack hospitalization can cost around $ 22,000 5 for the first 90 days of care alone. That kind of financial strain can make a hard season even harder.
That’ s where extra protection like Critical Advantage insurance can play an important role. It’ s designed to help bridge the gap between what your health plan pays and what life actually costs when you’ re facing a serious illness.
How Critical Advantage Coverage Works BetterLife has partnered with Mutual of Omaha to offer access to the Critical Advantage SM6 portfolio, policies that pay a one-time, lump-sum benefit if you’ re diagnosed with a covered condition such as cancer, heart attack, stroke, or other listed critical illnesses.
Unlike health insurance, this benefit is paid directly to you, not to a hospital or clinic. You decide how to use it. That flexibility means the coverage can complement your existing health and disability insurance rather than replace it.
Critical Advantage coverage can be tailored for individuals, single parents, or families, with a range of benefit amounts to fit different budgets.
Your BetterLife agent can walk you through the details and help you decide what makes sense for your situation.
Turning a Frightening Diagnosis Into a Financial Safety Net Because the benefit is paid in cash, families often use it to:
• Replace lost income while you or your spouse take time off from work
• Keep up with everyday expenses like the mortgage, utilities, and groceries
• Cover health insurance deductibles and copays
• Arrange childcare or in-home help during treatment or recovery
• Travel to treatment centers or stay near a hospital away from home
In other words, Critical Advantage coverage is designed with your recovery in mind. Instead of wondering which bill you can afford to pay, you have a dedicated pool of funds to help you focus on healing and being present with the people you love.
Support From a Community That Puts Members First As a member-owned, community-focused life insurance company, BetterLife exists to put members and their families first. By partnering with Mutual of Omaha, BetterLife can offer this added layer of protection alongside your existing life insurance solutions and member benefits.
Is Critical Advantage Coverage Right for You? Nobody wants to imagine facing cancer, a heart attack, or a stroke. But planning ahead is one of the most caring things you can do for your family. If you’ d like the added peace of mind that a serious diagnosis won’ t derail your long-term financial plans, Critical Advantage insurance may be worth a conversation.
A BetterLife agent can help you review your current coverage, talk through your“ what if” concerns, and see whether adding Critical Advantage fits your needs and budget. See our ad on the back cover of this magazine for information on how to contact a BetterLife agent. You can’ t control when life takes an unexpected turn, but you can take steps today to protect your family if it does.
For more information, please call the BetterLife sales support team at( 608) 820-3992.
1. American Cancer Society. Cancer Facts & Figures 2025. Atlanta: American Cancer Society; 2025. 2.“ Heart disease remains leading cause of death as key health risk factors continue to rise.” American Heart Association. January 27, 2025. 3. Board of Governors of the Federal Reserve System. Report on the Economic Well-Being of U. S. Households. Last updated May 28, 2025. 4. Thom, B., & Benedict, C.“ The Impact of Financial Toxicity on Psychological Well- Being, Coping Self-Efficacy, and Cost-Coping Behaviors in Young Adults with Cancer.” J Adolesc Young Adult Oncol. 2019 Jun 4; 8( 3): 236 – 242. doi: 10.1089 / jayao. 2018.0143. 5. Allen, K. B., Alexander, J. E., Liberman, J. N., & Gabriel, S.( 2022, November).“ Implications of Payment for Acute Myocardial Infarctions as a 90-Day Bundled Single Episode of Care: A Cost of Illness Analysis.” Pharmacoecon. 2022 Feb 28; 6( 6): 799 – 809. doi: 10.1007 / s41669-022-00328-4. 6. Mutual of Omaha. Critical Illness Insurance.“ Our Solution for Critical Illness Insurance.”( n. d.).
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