Although no one likes to think about it, the possibility of being diagnosed with a critical illness is real. Thousands of Americans suffer a life-threatening illness such as cancer, heart attack, or stroke every day. Critical illness insurance can help fill the gap between health insurance and life insurance. Health insurance provides benefits for medical treatment but does not include benefits for non-medical expenses such as traveling to cancer facilities and staying overnight for loved ones caring for you. Life insurance pays benefits, but only after death.