When a serious health issue arises, we focus first on urgent needs.

We identify:

• medical requirements,
• treatments and medications,
• immediate expenses,
• transport needs,
• possible absence from work,
• care arrangements,
• insurance coverage,
• available benefits.

💡We do not try to solve everything at once. We stabilise first, then plan ahead.

Even when a significant part of our healthcare is covered by GeSY, additional expenses may still arise.

Examples include:

• co-payments,
• non-covered treatments,
• private tests,
• second opinions,
• rehabilitation,
• equipment,
• travel and accommodation,
• private care.

We create a simple log including:

• date,
• type of expense,
• amount,
• coverage status
• receipt for a future claim.

📌 Remember

Keeping records helps us understand costs, adjust our household budget and claim reimbursements.

We confirm what is covered, such as:

• visits to a personal or specialist doctor,
• diagnostic tests,
• medicines,
• hospital care,
• physiotherapy,
• rehabilitation services,
• consumables or specialised equipment,
• referrals and approval procedures.

We do not assume that every service or treatment is automatically covered.

We ask in advance:

• whether a referral is required,
• whether there is a co-payment,
• whether the provider participates in GeSY,
• whether there is a limit on the number of visits,
• which documents are required.

A serious condition may affect the ability to work.

We explore:

• sickness benefits,
• disability benefits,
• employer-provided support,
• group insurance,
• private income protection or disability insurance,
• other available social benefits.

We gather documents in good times, including:

• medical reports,
• employment records,
• income information,
• insurance contracts,
• evidence of expenses,
• the required forms.

🚨We do not wait until our savings run out

We apply early. Many benefits require an application, supporting documents and processing time. We find out what is available as early as possible.

When income falls or expenses increase, we need to create a temporary emergency budget.

We divide our expenses into three categories:

1. Essential expenses

• housing,
• food,
• medicines,
• medical care,
• electricity and water,
• essential transport,
• insurance,
• repayments that cannot be postponed without serious consequences.

2. Adjustable expenses

• telecommunications,
• activities,
• subscriptions,
• non-urgent purchases,
• some transport costs,
• social spending.

3. Postponable expenses

• travel,
• major purchases,
• renovations,
• non-essential subscriptions,
• optional purchases.

💡Temporarily cutting back on spending is not a failure. It is a way to protect our family during a demanding period.

If we have an emergency fund, we determine:

• which expenses it will cover,
• how long it can support our family,
• how much should remain available,
• when we will need to reassess the situation.

We avoid exhausting all reserves at once unless it is absolutely necessary.

If we do not have an emergency fund, we start with a small target once the situation becomes more stable.

Care may include:

• family support,
• professional caregivers,
• home nursing,
• day-care centres,
• long-term care facilities.

The cost may include:

• a carer’s salary,
• social insurance contributions or other employer obligations,
• overnight or specialised care,
• transport,
• medical equipment,
• consumables,
• meals,
• adaptations to the home.

Before deciding, we consider:

• level of care,
• hours required,
• expertise needed.

We aim for a sustainable long-term solution, not only a short-term fix.

An illness or disability may require changes to our living space. Adjustments may include:

• ramps,
• grab rails,
• non-slip flooring,
• a specialised bed,
• wider doorways,
• bathroom adaptations,
• a lift or other equipment,
• changes to the layout of the home.

Before making changes:

• we seek an assessment from an appropriate professional,
• we distinguish urgent from non-urgent work,
• we obtain more than one quote,
• we find out whether any schemes or grants are available,
• we avoid expensive changes that do not meet a real need.

Caregiving should not fall on one person alone.

We discuss:

• who can give time,
• who can contribute financially,
• who will communicate with doctors and services,
• who will manage bills and applications,
• how the children’s needs will be covered,
• how the main carer will have time to rest.

Responsibilities do not need to be divided completely equally. They do, however, need to be clear, fair and realistic.

💬 A useful reminder

Carer burnout can create additional health needs and financial pressure. Rest and seeking help are part of the planning process.

We review:

• health insurance,
• life insurance,
• critical illness cover,
• disability or income protection insurance,
• cover through our employer,
• travel or other relevant insurance.

We read:

• the insured events,
• exclusions,
• waiting periods,
• the required supporting documents,
• deadlines for submitting a claim,
• the amount of the benefit and how it is paid.

We do not assume that simply having a policy means that every diagnosis or expense is automatically covered.

We keep a clear, accessible file, either physical or digital, with:

• medical records,
• prescriptions,
• insurance details,
• financial information,
• contact details for providers.

We identify a trusted person who knows where these documents are kept, if we wish to do so and where this is appropriate.

In some cases, we may need:

• a general or specific power of attorney,
• authorisation for specific transactions,
• management of property,
• updating a will,
• appointing or changing beneficiaries,
• arrangements for dependants,
• instructions for important personal decisions.

⚠️These arrangements are legally complex and should not be based on simple templates found online.

We seek appropriate legal advice, particularly when:

• the condition may affect the person’s ability to make decisions,
• there are significant assets,
• there are minors or dependants,
• there is a family business,
• there are assets in another country.

In stressful moments, the following may seem like an easy solution:

• using a credit card,
• taking out a quick personal loan,
• borrowing from multiple sources,
• mortgaging property without fully assessing the consequences.

Before borrowing:

• explore benefits and insurance cover,
• talk to current lenders,
• check whether a temporary arrangement may be possible,
• assess total cost,
• avoid taking on repayments that we will not be able to afford.

🚨Beware of scams and false solutions

Anxiety and distress can make us vulnerable to:

• unproven treatments,
• exaggerated promises,
• suspicious online fundraisers,
• products presented as an urgent solution,
• misleading investment or fundraising campaigns.

💡We verify the credibility of the provider and seek medical advice before spending significant amounts.

Where possible, we explore:

• sick leave,
• carer’s leave or other related leave,
• flexible working hours,
• remote working,
• temporary adjustments to duties,
• group insurance,
• employee assistance programmes.

We do not need to disclose more personal information than necessary.

However, we can ask to be informed about the options available to us.

Once the immediate situation has stabilised, we review our:

• insurance cover,
• emergency fund,
• housing,
• children’s educational needs,
• retirement savings,
• debts,
• legal arrangements,
• care plan.

We do not need to return immediately to all our previous goals. We adjust our plan to reflect our new reality.

Serious illness affects the entire family.

Seeking psychological or social support can help:

• the patient,
• the main carer,
• the children,
• other family members.

Mental well-being is not separate from financial planning. Burnout, anxiety and grief can affect our decisions and our ability to organise our responsibilities.

• Serious illness can affect both income and expenses.
• We focus first on urgent needs.
• We track medical costs carefully.
• We understand what GeSY covers.
• We explore benefits and insurance support early.
• We adjust our budget to the new reality.
• We use savings thoughtfully.
• We plan for care and housing adjustments.
• We share responsibilities.
• We review insurance coverage carefully.
• We avoid rushed and expensive borrowing decisions.
• We consider emotional well-being as part of planning.

👉 What’s next...

Serious illness may bring long-term changes. In some cases, families also face the loss of a loved one.

Alongside grief, there may be immediate practical needs, bills, insurance claims, inheritance procedures and important financial decisions.

In the next article, we explore the practical and financial steps to take after a loss—and how to navigate this difficult period with clarity and care.

Useful links

• Why Long-Term Financial Planning Matters
• Emergency Funds: Our Financial Safety Net
• Financial Planning & Budgeting
• Borrowing & Managing Debt
• Recognising the Warning Signs of Fraud
• Managing an Inheritance
• Divorce: Managing Financial Change
• GeSY: understanding healthcare coverage
• Social Insurance Services: benefits and allowances
• Social Welfare Services: support options
• Disability Services: available programmes