Cancer Patients Can Pay for Every-Day Life Expenses with Physicians Mutual's New Supplemental Cancer Insurance

—Policy Designed to Help Offset 62% of Cancer Costs Not Covered by Traditional Health Insurance Plans—

Omaha, Neb.—December 04, 2007/PR Newswire/—Physicians Mutual Insurance Company announces its new supplemental cancer insurance policy that can cover claims typically not covered by traditional, limited benefit or mini-med plans.

According to the National Institutes of Health, in 2006, 62% of the costs associated with cancer were not covered by traditional health insurance. The first year costs of cancer care average $4,800- $36,000, making the disease the second most expensive health condition in the United States.

"Cancer costs come from a variety of sources," says Melissa Crawford, senior vice president at Physicians Mutual. "What we typically see as an insurance company are the medical claims. It's the day-to-day costs we don't see that are more of a concern for many customers. Things like lost income due to time away from work, travel expenses for treatment, daycare expenses and health insurance deductibles. Physicians Mutual's cancer policy is designed to help off-set those out-of-pocket costs," says Crawford.

Retha Bierschank, a Physicians Mutual® policyowner from Oklahoma, says her policy did just that.

"When you hear your name and the word cancer said in the same sentence, your stress level skyrockets. But one thing we didn't have to feel stressful about was the financial end of it. Physicians Mutual definitely takes care of their end of the bargain," says Bierschank.

Regardless of coverage from traditional plans, benefit claims are paid directly to the patient to be spent however they wish - on medical treatments or every-day living expenses like mortgage payments, utilities, grocery bills or additional medical costs.

In addition, Crawford says unlike other supplemental cancer plans, there is no age limit for coverage and no reduction in benefits, no matter what your age.

Additional unique benefits can include:

Out-of-state treatment travel for the patient and a loved one
Coverage for treatments, including
- Radiation
- Chemotherapy
- Hormone therapy drugs
- Immunotherapy drugs
- Experimental treatments

"The number of cancer diagnoses continues to rise while businesses continue to cut back or eliminate health insurance benefits altogether," says Crawford. "There is a definite need for a product that simplifies the claims process, helps with major expenses, provides a way to help fill the gaps left by traditional plans and is attainable to people of all ages," Crawford says.

Crawford says supplemental cancer insurance is a product consumers should strongly consider regardless of current coverage. Physicians Mutual encourages insured and uninsured alike to research their options for supplemental cancer insurance.

"With the base insurance policy at only $27.55 a month for a healthy individual 50 years of age, the coverage can give cancer patients and their families the ability to focus on recovery, not paying the bills," Crawford says.

About Physicians Mutual

Physicians Mutual Insurance Company and Physicians Life Insurance Company, members of the Physicians Mutual family, provide a full portfolio of health and life insurance products, as well as financial products. The companies have total assets exceeding $2 billion.

Both Physicians Mutual and Physicians Life consistently receive high grades from independent insurance analysts. They have an A.M. Best rating of "A (Excellent)," based on financial strength. TheStreet.com Ratings gives Physicians Mutual an "A+ (Excellent)" and Physicians Life an "A- (Excellent)" based on financial security.

Founded in 1902, Physicians Mutual headquarters are in Omaha, Nebraska.

Policy not available in all states