Annual Health Check-Up in Health Insurance
Updated On Apr 05, 2024
Health Insurance for an individual is a financial support system during medical issues. Including a benefit such as annual health check-ups in your policy is a plus as it helps you keep your health in check. All medical issues can be detected with the help of these check-ups. Knowing about certain medical concerns beforehand will make it easier for the customer to make changes during the renewal process and take certain measures to prevent those concerns from progressing.
Health Insurance helps you during emergencies but knowing about your health and taking preventive measures for the problem to cure before it leads to an emergency, insurers have started providing annual health check-ups as a benefit in their plans.[1]
Table of Contents
What are Annual Health Check-Ups in Health Insurance?
Annual Health check-ups are also known as preventive health check-ups or wellness screenings. These check-ups are usually a part of many health insurance plans; if not, customers are suggested to add them to their plans because they are a big benefit and prevent most emergencies. Keeping your health in check helps you live a better and happier life with fewer problems. These annual health check-ups are also covered by your health insurance if they are a part of the policy. A series of medical tests, screening, and doctor consultations are included under health check-ups in health insurance.[1]
Key Features
Some of the key features of annual health check-ups in health insurance are given below:-[1]
- Early Detection of Health Issues:- Having access to annual check-ups the customer can detect any signs of medical concerns that may or may not progress in the future. Knowing about the issue beforehand can help the customers as they can prevent it through different medications or exercise preventing emergencies.
- Cost Savings:- If annual health check-ups are added to one's health insurance it helps them save that cost of paying for it. Many health insurance providers have included annual health check-ups as a part of their plans. Exercise, consultations, medications, etc. can improve the medical issue found in a check-up preventing any medical emergencies and saving the customer from a stressful and expensive future.
- Customised Health Management:- If the customer has been detected with a medical issue during health check-ups they can get help from doctors for a better-improved lifestyle which will help them overcome the issue. The doctor consultations are customised according to the needs of the customer making sure they get healthier.
- Improved Overall Health:- Knowing about your health will encourage a customer to improve their lifestyle and take steps towards a healthier life. Exercise, a proper diet, a proper sleeping schedule, etc. will help them have a happier and healthier lifestyle.
- Health Tracking:- Getting annual check-ups is a benefit as it helps keep track of your health and make appropriate changes according to the results of the check-ups. The health of a customer may improve or it may depreciate with time and age. Having a record of your health will help you get proper consultations.
Tests Covered in Annual Health Check-ups
The tests covered during an annual check-up are as follows:-
- Blood pressure measurement
- Blood sugar test
- Cholesterol and lipid profile test
- Complete blood count (CBT) test
- Kidney function test
- Liver function test
- Thyroid function test
- Electrocardiogram (ECG)
- Chest X-Ray
- Ultrasound of the abdomen and pelvis
- Bone density test (for women over the age of 50)
- Pap smear (for women)
- Mammogram (for the women over the age of 40)
- Prostate-specific antigen (PSA) test (for men over the age of 50)
In addition to these tests a physical examination, medical history review, and doctor consultation are also included. Counselling on a better lifestyle is also added such as diet, exercise, etc.
Role of Health Insurance Providers
Health insurance providers are developing and evolving with the changes in the world. Partnering with hospitals and healthcare providers to help their customers prevent any medical issues has become one of their main agendas. Making their customers healthy during times like now with an increase in health problems is a cause worth fighting for. A better lifestyle will avoid many medical treatments which is possible if there is access to annual health check-ups.
Encouraging their policyholders through premium discounts, bonus coverage, lower deductibles, etc. to get annual health check-ups is another way for insurers to ensure their customers’
healthy lifestyle. However, these benefits are given only to those policyholder who undergo these health check-ups.[1]
Conclusion
Knowing the benefits of annual health check-ups provided by health insurers encourages a policyholder to go through them which is important for their health and lifestyle. Keeping ourselves fit and healthy should be a priority for everyone. Medical concerns can cause a customer stress both financially and mentally which is not good for their health. Annual health check-ups prevent all such concerns.
FAQs
Ques. Does health insurance cover regular health check-ups?
Ans:- Most health insurances cover health check-ups. Some may offer annual health check-ups and some insurers may offer bi-annual health check-ups.
Ques. Is annual health check-ups compulsory?
Ans:- No, an annual health check is not compulsory but it is important to get annual health check-ups. It helps a customer prevent major health issues or emergencies.
Ques. What is Section 80D Health check-up?
Ans:- Under Section 80D, preventive health check-ups are referred to as the deductible allowed by the Income Tax Act, of 1961. All the expenses of the health check-up are covered under this Section.
Ques. How much is the 80D preventive health check-up?
Ans:- Under Section 80D, a tax exemption of Rs. 25,000 is available for people under the age of 60 and a tax exemption of Rs. 50,000 for people above 60. This tax exemption also includes a sum of Rs. 5,000 for health check-ups.
Ques. Is proof required for preventive health check-ups?
Ans:- The Income Tax Department does not require proof to claim the 80D health check-up deductible. However, it is suggested to have a record of all the expenses incurred.
References
[1] https://www.insurancedekho.com/health-insurance/news/annual-health-check-up-in-health-insurance-9998