Four plans, side by side: Cancer, Heart/Stroke, Cancer + Heart/Stroke, and the full Critical Illness plan. CriticalGuard pays you a lump sum of cash when you're diagnosed with a covered illness, to use however you need: medical bills, your deductible, rent, or time off work. Benefits are per covered person.
Based on UHC's August 2026 CriticalGuard brochure · Updated September 2026
CriticalGuard is sold in 45 states and DC. The waiting period, pre-existing condition rules, and optional add-ons vary by state.
Alabama, Alaska, Arizona, Arkansas, California, Colorado, Connecticut, Delaware, District of Columbia, Florida, Georgia, Hawaii, Idaho, Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Kansas, Kentucky, Louisiana, Maine, Maryland, Michigan, Minnesota, Mississippi, Missouri, Montana, Nebraska, Nevada, New Hampshire, North Carolina, North Dakota, Ohio, Oklahoma, Oregon, Pennsylvania, Rhode Island, South Carolina, South Dakota, Tennessee, Texas, Utah, Virginia, Washington, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Wyoming
Massachusetts, New Jersey, New Mexico, New York, Vermont
California, Oregon, and Washington have their own brochures. Don't see your state? Reach out. I can help you find other options.
A good fit if cancer is your biggest worry, especially if it runs in your family.
A good fit if heart disease or stroke is your biggest worry.
A good fit if you want protection from the two most common serious illnesses.
A good fit if you want the broadest protection, or a smaller, lower-cost benefit at any age.
Good to know: the only plan offering $5,000 or $10,000 with no health questions before age 65.
You pick a lifetime benefit amount in $5,000 steps. On combined plans, each category (cancer, heart and stroke, other critical conditions) gets that full amount. The range depends on your age when you apply.
| Age when you apply | Cancer | Heart/Stroke | Cancer + Heart/Stroke | Critical Illness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 18–49 | $50,000–$100,000 | $50,000–$100,000 | $50,000–$100,000 | $5,000–$100,000$5,000 or $10,000: no health questions |
| 50–64 | $10,000–$100,000$10,000: no health questions | $10,000–$100,000$10,000: no health questions | $10,000–$100,000$10,000: no health questions | $5,000–$100,000$5,000 or $10,000: no health questions |
| 65–74 | $5,000–$75,000$5,000: no health questions | $5,000–$75,000$5,000: no health questions | $5,000–$75,000$5,000: no health questions | $5,000–$75,000$5,000: no health questions |
| 75–79 | $5,000–$50,000$5,000: no health questions | $5,000–$50,000$5,000: no health questions | $5,000–$50,000$5,000: no health questions | $5,000–$50,000$5,000: no health questions |
| 80–90 | $5,000–$50,000 | $5,000–$50,000 | $5,000–$50,000 | $5,000–$50,000 |
"No health questions" means guaranteed issue. Other amounts ask a few medical questions. In California, plans are for ages 18–64, and Critical Illness starts at $10,000.
Illustrations using example benefit amounts. Each assumes the diagnosis comes after the 30-day waiting period and isn't limited by a pre-existing condition.
Diagnosed with life-threatening cancer.
Paid to you in cash, on top of anything your health insurance pays.
First diagnosed with early-stage (in situ) cancer. Years later, life-threatening cancer.
Each category has its own full benefit.
Every plan pays 50% more if a covered diagnosis happens while you're pregnant.
Rotate your phone for a better view of this table.
| Benefit | Cancer | Heart/Stroke | Cancer + Heart/Stroke | Critical Illness |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Covers | Cancer | Heart & stroke | Both | Full suite |
Straight answers about how CriticalGuard works. Tap a question to open it.
If you're diagnosed with a covered illness, the plan pays you a lump sum of cash. It's paid to you, not your doctor, and it doesn't matter what other insurance you have. You can use it for anything: your health plan's deductible, treatment costs, travel to a specialist, or everyday bills while you recover.
It depends on your age and the amount you choose. Some amounts are guaranteed issue, with no health questions at all: $5,000 or $10,000 on the Critical Illness plan before age 65, $10,000 on the other plans at ages 50 to 64, and $5,000 on any plan at ages 65 to 79. Other amounts ask a few medical questions.
Yes. A diagnosis in the first 30 days after your plan starts isn't covered. After that, you're covered. Maryland has no waiting period. The optional telemedicine benefit works right away.
If you were treated for, got advice about, or had symptoms of a condition in the 12 months before your plan starts, the plan won't pay for an illness caused by it during your first 12 months. After 12 months, it's covered like anything else. Some states are shorter or different. Pick your state above to see yours.
In most states, a diagnosis only counts if it's the first time in your life you've had that illness. For example, if you had a heart attack years ago, a new heart attack wouldn't be covered. Indiana, Mississippi, Pennsylvania, Utah, and Virginia use a looser rule. Pick your state above to see yours.
Yes, up to your benefit amount in each category. If you're paid 25% for early-stage cancer, the other 75% is still there for a later cancer diagnosis. On combined plans, cancer, heart and stroke, and other critical conditions each have their own full amount. Some smaller benefits, like skin cancer and heart illness, pay once per lifetime. In Georgia, the combined plans pay up to $250,000 per person in total.
For extra premium, you can add up to three benefits when you apply. They cover everyone on the policy and don't reduce your main benefit:
Wellness: $75 for one checkup or screening a year, like a physical, vaccine, mammogram, or colonoscopy. Outpatient prescriptions: $15 per generic fill and $50 per brand-name fill, up to $600 a year. Telemedicine: unlimited $0 doctor visits by phone or video through HealthiestYou (behavioral health and dermatology visits cost extra). Some states don't offer all three.
Every plan includes Optum Perks, a prescription discount card that can save 30% to 80%. Plans that cover cancer include access to an Optum oncology nurse, who can help you find top cancer centers and second opinions. Plans that cover heart and stroke include Optum's heart disease management program. These are services, not insurance.
Every plan pays $10,000 one time if you're admitted to intensive care with COVID (not in Indiana). And if a covered diagnosis happens while you're pregnant, the plan pays an extra 50%. Neither reduces your main benefit.
Let UHC know within 30 days of your diagnosis, or as soon as you reasonably can. Print a claim form from the UHC Member Hub, fill it out, and send it in with the requested records. The money is paid directly to you. Here's my step-by-step Member Hub guide.
Yes. You can add your spouse or domestic partner, and children under 26 (in Florida, unmarried children without other coverage until their 31st birthday). Each covered person has their own benefit amount. The person applying must be 18 to 90.
It's guaranteed renewable for life, as long as you pay your premium and haven't used up all of your benefits. Your rate is based partly on your age when the plan starts. Rates can change for everyone with your plan, with at least 31 days' notice, but never because of your claims or your health.
You have 10 days after your policy is issued to return it for a full refund of the premium you paid (30 days in Connecticut, Indiana, Iowa, Louisiana, New Hampshire, Oklahoma, South Carolina, and Utah).
I'm Hamon R. Burkhardt, a licensed Health & Life insurance broker. I'll help you pick the plan and benefit amount that fits your family history and budget, and show how it works alongside your health insurance. No pressure, no fine print.
This is a summary. The policy lists all exclusions and limitations, and some don't apply in certain states.
Other state variations may apply.
This guide summarizes UHC's August 2026 CriticalGuard brochure from Golden Rule Insurance Company, a UnitedHealthcare company, which underwrites these plans. It was prepared by Hamon R. Burkhardt, licensed Health & Life insurance broker (NPN 16713594), and is not an official Golden Rule or UnitedHealthcare document. It is not a contract. The policy's terms decide what is covered. This is a limited-benefit supplement to health insurance and isn't Minimum Essential Coverage under the Affordable Care Act. Plan availability varies by state and eligibility. © 2026 helpmehamon!