All About Pre-existing Diseases Insurance in India

Health insurance policies in India do not cover pre-existing medical conditions most of the time. Usually, the policyholder has to wait for a stipulated period that ranges from a few months to almost 2 years, during which no financial claim can be made by them towards the insurance company and neither is the insurance provider liable to cover any of your underlying medical conditions. You can always switch your insurance provider to a health insurer which comes with a lesser waiting period. It is suggested that you should switch your insurer after the waiting period so that you can receive your accumulated sums without having to start afresh. To ensure that your pre-existing medical conditions are covered, you should look for a specific health insurance plan that covers your medical history under its specified terms and conditions.

A pre-existing medical condition refers to an underlying or genetic disorder that you might have, but has been asymptomatic or has not yet been diagnosed by a doctor. These conditions sometimes tend to overwhelm and increase your susceptibility to other critical and terminal illnesses. In other words, the term pre-existing medical conditions are also used to refer to any disease that the policyholder might have had before buying a health insurance policy. Additionally, some health insurance providers come with a co-payment clause that requires the policyholder to undertake a portion of their medical expenses. The rest of the amount will be paid by your insurance provider.

Let us now look at some of the most significant pre-existing disease insurances in India -

1. Bharti AXA SmartSuper Health Insurance Policy

The Bharti AXA SmartSuper Health Insurance Policy is available in 3 variants namely, Value, Classic, and Uber. It covers pre-existing diseases but it comes with a waiting period of about 2 years. This insurance policy is affordable and comes with some assured of INR 5 Lakh to INR 100 Lakh, corresponding with the variant chosen. The minimum age of entry for this insurance policy is 91 days and the maximum age of entry is 65 years. This is a good policy if one person wants a health insurance policy only to cover their pre-existing medical conditions.

2. Royal Sundaram Lifeline Plan

The Lifeline Plan by Royal Sundaram is also available in 3 variants such as Classic, Supreme, and Elite. An important feature of this insurance plan is that it comes with a waiting period that is less than 48 months during which any kind of health concern emanating from your pre-existing medical conditions is addressed by it. Under the Elite variant option, this plan comes with a waiting period that is as low as 24 months. Some of its other benefits include a restoration benefit, no claim bonus, AYUSH treatment, and a worldwide emergency cover. With a sum insured of INR 2 Lakh to INR 1.5 Crore, this plan is an effective solution for addressing your pre-existing medical conditions and other health problems.

3. Royal Sundaram Family Plus Plan

This is a family floater insurance plan that covers your pre-existing medical conditions. It comes at an affordable rate and covers your existing medical requirements after a waiting period of 36 months. With a sum assured amount of INR 2 Lakh to INR 15 Lakh for an individual coverage plan, the family floater sum assured ranges between INR 3 Lakh to INR 50 Lakh. The unique aspect of this insurance policy is that it covers as many as 19 dependents under the family floater option, you can cover your parents, spouse, children, and other family members to effectively secure their underlying health risks.

4. New India Assurance Senior Citizen Mediclaim Policy

This policy is specifically designed to cover your pre=existing medical conditions. With a very low waiting period of 18 months, this insurance plan is a good option for retired individuals in whom the susceptibility and propensity of critical illnesses and pre-existing medical conditions exacerbating is greater. Available for individuals within the age bracket of 60 years to 80 years, this policy comes with a sum assured amount of INR 1 Lakh till INR 1.5 Lakh. It also offers hospitalization costs in private hospitals as well as in Ayurvedic or Homeopathic and Unani clinics. With a varying premium amount that promises to be within the affordability of retired persons, this policy is an adequate bargain for financial and medical coverage against pre-existing medical conditions.

Now you are aware of the different pre-existing disease insurance in India. You can invest in or purchase any of these plans for full proof medical and financial coverage. This is, however, a suggestive list. The health insurance that you choose will ultimately be contingent upon your personal requirements.

Disclaimer: This article is issued in the general public interest and meant for general information purposes only. Readers are advised not to rely on the contents of the article as conclusive in nature and should research further or consult an expert in this regard.