Critical Illness

Here's what you need to know

What it does for you
Why it's important
When you can enroll

Critical Illness Insurance helps provide financial support if diagnosed with a covered critical illness.

If you’re diagnosed with a critical illness like a heart attack or stroke, your life can change quickly. In addition to the emotional and physical toll, there may be strain on your personal finances. That’s because while a major medical plan may pay for some of the costs associated with treatment, out-of-pocket expenses like co-pays and deductibles can still put a strain on your savings.

However, once you’re enrolled in Critical Illness Insurance, you’ll have additional financial protection if you have a covered critical illness. With this policy, you receive cash benefits paid directly to you (unless otherwise assigned) to use however you choose.

Provides a payment directly to you to use however you see fit
It can help pay out-of-pocket expenses related to medical care associated with covered illnesses
In addition to medical care, you may use it to pay for things like childcare, lodging, or over-the-counter medication

You can collect this benefit in addition to other coverage you have, including your employer’s major medical plan, any other type of medical coverage, disability insurance, or other benefits you may be eligible to collect. However, it is NOT health insurance and does not satisfy the requirement of minimum essential coverage under the Affordable Care Act.

Dealing with a critical illness can be costly to you in 2 ways:

Medical bills. It’s not unusual for a critical illness to result in out-of-pocket expenses. It starts with the usual, deductibles and copays, but it doesn’t end there. You might decide to go to a doctor or facility that’s “out of network.” You might decide to get a second opinion or type of treatment that isn’t covered at all. When your health is at stake, it's important to feel like you have control and choices.
Lost income. Treatment and focus on recovery may require extra time away from work. That can impact the paycheck your family may rely on to keep everything on track. Or you might discover you have added expenses because you need more help around the house, extra childcare, or additional lodging near treatment. These costs can subtract from your wages or savings.

The advantage of this insurance is simple: you can use your critical illness benefit any way you choose. You can use it to help pay for medical expenses like deductibles and copays, as well as any non-medical expenses. You can also use this money to help pay daily living expenses such as grocery bills, mortgage payments, childcare, and transportation – all of which can be an added worry if you lose income while you’re out of work.

Access to this benefit helps you have more control over your finances and ultimately your health care options, too. Less stress about money and added peace of mind are both great ways to support your recovery.

These are the periods when you are eligible to enroll for Critical Illness Insurance<:

Within your new hire enrollment period
If you have a qualifying life event (you get married, have a baby, etc.)
During your employer’s annual enrollment

Check with your employer’s human resources/benefits team for specifics about these timeframes.

Keep in mind: If you enroll during these timeframes, you have what is called "guaranteed issue," which means no medical questions or tests are required to enroll. Pre-existing condition limitations may apply.

Who is the provider?

Voya

Voya Financial, Inc. is a leading health, wealth and investment company that helps individuals be well planned, well invested and well protected. Voya has earned recognition as: one of the World’s Most Ethical Companies^® by Ethisphere; a member of the Bloomberg Gender-Equality Index; and a “Best Place to Work for Disability Inclusion” on the Disability Equality Index.

Critical Illness Insurance is underwritten by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN), a member of the Voya^® family of companies. Voya Employee Benefits is a division of ReliaStar Life Insurance Company.

When is a benefit paid under the plan?

On or after your coverage effective date, you may be eligible to receive benefits for a covered Critical Illness. These benefits vary by state and may have other limitations and exclusions that may affect what’s payable. See your disclosure statement or outline of coverage/disclosure document for full details on your coverage.

Who in my family is eligible for this program?
Members of your family who are considered eligible to enroll for this insurance include:
- You – if you are an active employee
- Your legal spouse
- Your eligible dependent children
You must be enrolled in coverage for members of your family to also enroll.

How much does coverage cost?

Do I have to answer health questions or take a medical exam?

What if my employment status changes?

Good news! If you leave or retire from your current employer, you can continue your Critical Illness Insurance without interruption (subject to applicable law and the policy’s terms and conditions). Although payroll deduction will no longer be available, you can opt for other payment methods such as direct bank account deduction, credit card billing or home billing.

When would my coverage start?

Am I really free to use the payment any way I choose?

Yes, you are! There are no restrictions or requirements about how you can use your critical illness cash benefit. When you’re facing a critical illness, you want to be able to focus your time and energy on treatment and recovery. This policy can help you do just that. You’re free to use your benefit on medical expenses and/or non-medical expenses. Having that kind of flexibility can help you feel more in control over your care and your finances at a very stressful time.

Legal Disclaimers

*The use of “spouse” means a person insured as a spouse as described in the certificate of insurance or rider. This may include domestic partners or civil union partners as defined by the group policy. Please contact your employer for more information.

This is a summary of benefits only. Please review your enrollment materials and any applicable brochures prior to enrolling in coverage. A complete description of benefits, limitations, exclusions and terminations of coverage will be provided in the certificate of insurance and riders. All coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of the group policy. If there is any discrepancy between this website and the group policy documents, the policy documents will govern. To keep coverage inforce, premiums are payable up to the date of coverage termination. Critical Illness Insurance is underwritten by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company, Minneapolis, MN, a member of the Voya^® family of companies. Compass Critical Illness Policy Form #: RL-CI3-POL-12. Form numbers, provisions and availability may vary by state.

If this is for CI2 - the disclosure / forms are as follows:

This is a summary of benefits only. A complete description of benefits, limitations, exclusions and termination of coverage will be provided in the certificate of insurance and riders. All coverage is subject to the terms and conditions of the group policy. If there is any discrepancy between this document and the group policy documents, the policy documents will govern. To keep coverage in force, premiums are payable up to the date of coverage termination. Critical Illness Insurance is underwritten by ReliaStar Life Insurance Company (Minneapolis, MN), a member of the Voya^® family of companies. Policy form #RL-CI4-POL-16; Certificate form #RL-CI4-CERT-16; Spouse Critical Illness Rider form #RL-CI4-SPR-16; Children's Critical Illness Rider form #RL-CI4-CHR-16; Wellness Benefit Rider form #RL-CI4-WELL-16; Waiver of Premium Rider form #RL-C14-WOP-16. Form numbers, provisions and availability may vary by state and employers plan.

1953590 – 02152022

Mercer's Role & Compensation

Critical Illness | Voya

Critical Illness Insurance

Helps you alleviate the expenses that comes with a covered critical illness.

Here's what you need to know

How It Works

Doctor's test results indicate a heart attack diagnosis.

Doctor's test results indicate a heart attack diagnosis.

That’s when Critical Illness Insurance comes in.

Frequently Asked Questions

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