Coverage for the costs your health plan leaves behind.
Ryan learned this one the hard way. A diagnosis brings bills a health plan never sees: travel, time off work, the mortgage. These policies pay you directly. They supplement a health plan and never replace one.
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01Accident.
A set cash amount after a covered injury: fractures, ER visits, hospital stays.
Active families, kids in sports, anyone on a high-deductible plan.
02Critical illness.
A lump sum after a covered diagnosis, often heart attack, stroke or certain cancers.
Households without much savings, or a family history that worries you.
03Cancer.
Benefits only for a cancer diagnosis or treatment, as a lump sum or per treatment.
Strong family history, or a deductible you could not cover alongside lost income.
04Dental and vision.
Cleanings, fillings, exams, lenses. Adult dental and vision are not built into most health plans.
Almost every adult who wants routine care covered.
Important. These are limited-benefit policies. They are not major medical coverage, do not have to cover the ACA’s essential health benefits, and cannot be bought with premium tax credits. Benefits, waiting periods and exclusions vary by policy.
When we tell people to skip it.
If your health plan has a low out-of-pocket maximum, or you have savings that could cover it, a supplemental policy may not earn its premium. Enrolled tribal members with zero cost-sharing often fall in this group.
We would rather you spend that money on a better health plan. When a gap is real, we show you two or three policies side by side and point out the definitions and exclusions that matter.
Compare supplemental coverage.
All guides →- Supplemental coverageHospital indemnity insurance: what it pays, what it costs, and who needs it.
- Supplemental coverageAccident insurance: what it covers and when it is worth having.
- Supplemental coverageCritical illness insurance: how the lump sum works and what it covers.
- Supplemental coverageCancer insurance: how specified disease policies work, and how they differ from critical illness.
- Supplemental coverageDental and vision insurance in Texas and Oklahoma: stand-alone plans vs Marketplace dental.
Common questions.
All questions →Do accident, critical illness, or cancer policies replace health insurance?
No. Accident, critical illness, cancer, and similar policies are limited-benefit supplements that pay set amounts for specific events or diagnoses. They are not major medical insurance, do not have to cover the ACA's essential health benefits, and cannot be bought with premium tax credits. As the Texas Department of Insurance explains, these policies carry disclosures saying they supplement, and do not replace, major medical coverage. They work best on top of an ACA or employer plan.
Sources. tdi.texas.gov, tdi.texas.gov
What does accident insurance cover?
Accident insurance pays a cash benefit when you are hurt in a covered accident, such as a fracture, dislocation, emergency room visit, or hospital stay, based on the schedule in the policy. The money usually goes to you, not the doctor, so you can use it for your deductible, lost income, or travel. It does not pay for illnesses. It can be useful for active families or anyone with a high-deductible plan.
Source. tdi.texas.gov
What is critical illness insurance?
Critical illness insurance pays a lump sum if you are diagnosed with a covered condition listed in the policy, commonly a heart attack, stroke, or certain cancers. The benefit is paid to you and can cover your deductible, household bills, or time away from work. Covered conditions, waiting periods, and pre-existing condition limits vary a lot between policies, so read the definitions closely. We compare them in plain language before you buy.
Sources. tdi.texas.gov, tdi.texas.gov
What is cancer insurance, and is it worth it?
Cancer insurance, a type of specified disease policy, pays benefits only if you are diagnosed with cancer; it will not pay for any other illness. Benefits may be a lump sum or payments for treatments like chemotherapy, radiation, or hospital stays. It can help with costs your health plan does not cover, such as travel, lodging, and lost income. Whether it is worth it depends on your family history, savings, and how high your plan's deductible is.
Source. tdi.texas.gov
Do Marketplace plans include dental and vision coverage?
For children, dental coverage is an essential health benefit, so it is available either inside a health plan or as a separate dental plan. Adult dental and vision coverage is not required, so most adults buy separate dental or vision plans. Stand-alone dental plans have their own premiums, deductibles, and annual maximums, can have waiting periods for adults, and through the Marketplace are bought alongside a health plan.
Sources. healthcare.gov, tdi.texas.gov