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What is Health Insurance?
Medical insurance or health insurance is an agreement whereby an insurance provider agrees to reimburse for medical costs incurred by the policyholder during the tenure of the policy. The insured may incur medical expenses if they get ill or meet an unfortunate accident that leads to treatment at the hospital. The policyholder must pay a specific amount periodically, called a premium, in order to avail of coverage benefits under the policy. The insurance company decides the health insurance premium which must be paid by the policyholders without any fail on a monthly, quarterly, half-yearly or even yearly basis.
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Health Insurance Renewal
All health insurance plans come with a policy tenure. Your health insurance plan is valid for a specified time period that varies from one insurance provider to another. Renewing your health insurance policy is very important because it helps you get continued coverage and also lets you make necessary changes and add-ons to your health insurance policy. Every insurance provider offers a renewal period under which the policyholder can renew their health insurance policy, in case they are not able to make the renewal, the insurance company offers a grace period which also differs from one insurer to another.
If you do not renew your health insurance policy on time your health insurance policy can lapse and you will not be able to avail health coverage and other benefits such as No Claim Bonus (NCB). Here are some basic steps that you can follow to renew your health insurance policy.
Step 1: Review your health insurance policy: Before renewing your health insurance policy it is essential that you review your existing health insurance policy to assess the type of coverage and other benefits offered under the existing health insurance policy. This way you will be able to make necessary changes at the time of renewal.
Step 2: Visit the insurer’s website to renew your policy: You can easily renew your health insurance policy by visiting the insurance provider’s website. You can use your policy details such as name, registered mobile number/email address, policy number, date of birth etc. to login on the website. After logging in you will be able to review the health insurance policy and make changes or additions to your existing cover.
Step 3: Make renewal payment: Once you have made changes to your existing policy, you can proceed to make the renewal payment. If you have opted for add-on covers it can increase your premium. You can make the payment through your choice of payment method such as credit/debit card, NEFT, net banking, e-wallets, UPI etc.
Why Should You Buy Health Insurance Online?
Convenience in buying as well as a wide variety of health insurance plans online are major reasons why most people prefer buying health insurance plans online. Explained below are some more reasons why you should buy medical insurance online:
Time-Saving - Buying health insurance plans online helps you save time as it does not involve any insurance agent whom you need to explain your requirements too, or ask for suggestions. All you need to do is fill a quote and shortlist the most relevant medical health insurance policy from the ones displayed on your screen.
Easy to Compare Different Health Insurance Plans - With a health insurance premium calculator, it becomes easy to calculate premiums as well as compare different health insurance plans. Also, it is easy to compare policies online as it offers a simplified way to do so instead of doing it on paper.
Right Decision - When buying health insurance plans online, you have complete flexibility to choose the most suitable one for yourself and your family. You have access to all the information like policy quotes, coverage benefits, exclusions, and other terms and conditions. All you have to do is a comparative study of the most suitable plans.
Information Available 24x7 - You can buy a health insurance policy anytime. There is no time limit to buy insurance plans online on portals like InsuranceDekho.
Discounts - Many health insurance companies offer you discounts if you buy their health insurance plans online. This helps you avail of similar or better benefits at comparatively affordable premiums.
Instant Coverage - Online purchase of health insurance plans provides you with instant investment proof, which makes your coverage active from immediate effect. Also, flexible modes of premium payment are available when buying health insurance plans online. You can choose the mode at your convenience and pay the premium via a secured payment gateway.
If you want to ensure a smooth medical health insurance buying process, then you must pick a reputed insurance company that offers you enough information about the health insurance plan purchased.
How to Buy Health Insurance Plan Online?
Getting a health insurance plan which meets all your requirements while meeting your budget is very simple and quick with InsuranceDekho.
- Step 1: Enter Your Personal Details
Enter your personal details like Name, Mobile Number, Email ID, Gender, City, etc to see top health insurance plans matching your specific requirements.
- Compare Health Insurance Plans Online
From all the available health insurance quotes, select the plan which meets your budget and requirements in the best manner.
- Make Payment Online
Pay the plan premium online via secured payment gateway through a payment mode of your choice and receive the policy document at your registered email ID.
Key Features of Health Insurance Plans
Following are the key features of medical health insurance plans. It is recommended to compare these features with similar health insurance plans before shortlisting one online.
Sub-Limits on Room Rent - Some insurance companies come with a feature of sub-limits on room rent. This means that there is a maximum amount that an insurance company shall pay in case of a claim. Generally, this limit is up to 1% of the sum insured and a maximum of 2% in case of ICU expenses. But there are several general insurance companies that offer health insurance plans without any sub-limit on room rent. Hence, it is recommended to go for such plans.
Pre-Existing Diseases - Pre-existing diseases are those which you already have been suffering from before buying a medical insurance policy. This is why health insurance plans come with a waiting period instead of offering cover since day 1. During this waiting period, no claims are admissible. Hence, you should choose a health insurance policy with a minimum waiting period.
Co-Payment - Co-payment is when the insurance company and policyholder share the cost in case a claim arises. A co-payment can be decided in percentage or in amount. So, to take care of your savings, you must choose a health insurance policy that comes without any co-payment.
Network Hospital - Network hospitals are the hospitals that have tie-ups with health insurance companies where the insured can avail treatment without paying anything at the hospital. The benefit of availing cashless treatment comes with this feature. If a policy does not offer this feature, then you will be required to pay the expenses incurred at the hospital, from your own pocket, and the insurance company will reimburse you for the same later.
So, when choosing a health insurance company, make sure you go with the one that has a high number of network hospitals nearby your place of residence.
Benefits of Comparing Medical Insurance Plans Online
Explained below are some benefits of comparing health insurance plans online:
Utmost Ease - It is extremely easy to compare different health insurance plans online. You can compare different plans using InsuranceDekho’s health insurance premium calculator. It is a free tool which makes it easier for you to decide which health insurance policy you must opt for.
Free Quotes - InsuranceDekho’s premium calculator is a free tool that you can use to check quotes and coverage benefits n number of times without having to pay anything.
Convenience - Comparing health insurance plans offline is not as convenient as comparing them online. It would be way too tedious if you have to visit one office to another, get quotes and understand coverage benefits before shortlisting one health insurance policy. Hence, it becomes easier when you compare health insurance plans online.
24*7 Availability - You can compare health insurance plans anytime as per your convenience. Unlike the online process, the offline process has fixed working hours and hence you won’t be able to visit an insurance company’s branch office late at night to compare health insurance plans.
Saves Time - When comparing health insurance plans online, you will not be required to spend so much time filling forms or discussing with agents or executives. All you need to do is fill a quote and several health insurance plans will be displayed on your screen which you can compare easily. This saves you enough time.
Saves Money - Another advantage of comparing health insurance plans online is that it helps you save money as you do not have to visit different offices to compare policies. Also, you get to check even the most low-priced health insurance policies online, which the agents might not recommend you to buy.
Useful Premium Calculator - A health insurance premium not only allows you to calculate premiums of different health insurance plans and customize them as per your budget and requirements but also to compare them. As you change the variables, you will see the premium change. This way, you can choose the most economical health insurance policy for yourself and your loved ones.
Right Coverage - When comparing medical insurance plans offline, you may be restricted to a few of them when it comes to understanding the coverage benefits under them. But when comparing them online, you can search for the desired coverage by comparing as many insurance plans as you want.
Power to Choose - You should have the power to make decisions when it comes to your health. Comparing health insurance plans does this job for you as it eliminates any influence from the agents or insurance executives. This way, it also helps you make an informed choice.
Customer Support - You can compare different medical health insurance plans in a simple manner online. The process is very transparent and you can easily go through the information related to sub-limits, critical illnesses, and sub-limits. If you have any doubts, then you can contact the customer care executives and they will solve your doubts or queries overcall.
Key Factors To Consider Before Buying Health Insurance Plans
In order to make the best buying decision, you must consider the following factors before shortlisting a health insurance policy:
Claim Process - The smoother the claim settlement process of a medical insurance company is, the better it will be for the insured. This is because if the insurance company is not good at handling the claims of the insured, then it fails the entire purpose of having a health insurance policy. Good customer support is an additional benefit that you must look for.
Family Members to be Covered - You must consider the family members for whom you want coverage. Under family floater health insurance plans, you can seek cover for yourself, your legally wedded spouse, children, parents, and grandparents. You must also keep their age, present ailments, and family medical history in mind. Also, you must be aware of any pre-existing conditions that they have and share with the insurance company, before buying the policy. So, choose a health insurance policy that covers all of them at an affordable premium.
Sum Insured - Sum insured should be chosen wisely as it covers you and your loved ones for medical expenses incurred during the entire policy term. You should look at the income as well as your age to decide the sum insured that you should opt for under your medical insurance policy. Make sure to choose a sum insured that is not insufficient as well as the one for which the premium is not too high.
Add-on Benefits - Add-ons are additional benefits that you can include in your health insurance policy, for extensive coverage. You can choose them voluntarily by paying an extra premium at the time of policy purchase.
Network Hospitals - Availing treatment at network hospitals is very convenient as they allow cashless treatment to the insured. This is why you should check the number of network hospitals an insurance company has. It is recommended to choose an insurance company that has a high number of network hospitals. Also, make sure to select the one nearby your place of residence in order to save time in case of an emergency.
Coverage Benefits - One of the most important factors to consider is coverage benefits. Different health insurance plans come with different coverage features which you should choose as per your requirement. Common coverage benefits under health insurance plans include in-patient hospitalisation expenses, pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation expenses, road ambulance expenses, daycare expenses, domiciliary expenses, etc.
Lifetime Renewability Benefit - The chances of getting ill in old age are higher and hence if you buy a new health insurance policy at that time, it would cost you comparatively more. Therefore, you must choose a health insurance policy that comes with a lifetime renewability benefit.
Free Medical Check-Up - Many health insurance plans cover you for free medical check-ups. You must check the same before shortlisting a policy.
Waiting Period - The waiting period is the time at which an insurance company does not cover you. This is why you should choose a health insurance policy that comes with the least waiting period. There are different types of waiting periods such as initial waiting period, waiting period for pre-existing illnesses, waiting period for specified illnesses, etc, which you should be informed about, before shortlisting a health insurance policy.
Premium - It is recommended to choose a health insurance policy that comes at an affordable premium so that you are able to continue with the policy for a long period of time without any financial strain. However, choosing a medical insurance policy with a low premium is not always advisable as it may not get you enough coverage in case of an emergency.
Type of Policy - To identify which type of health insurance policy you want for yourself or your loved ones, you must evaluate your needs thoroughly. After that, you can choose from different types of health insurance plans available in the market such as individual health insurance plans, family floater health insurance plans, senior citizen health insurance plans, critical illness insurance plans, maternity insurance plans, children health insurance plans, disease-specific health insurance plans, etc.
Exclusions - Exclusions are the conditions for which you cannot make a claim, under your health insurance policy. Hence, when choosing a policy, you must opt for the one with the least number of exclusions. Some common exclusions under health insurance plans are treatment required due to self-harm, treatment required due to participation in adventure sports, etc.
Partner Health Insurance Companies
Top Health Insurance Companies in India 2022
Rank | Health Insurance Company | Health Claim Settlement Ratio FY20 |
1 | IFFCO Tokio General Insurance | 96.33% |
2 | Care Health Insurance | 95.47% |
3 | Magma HDI Health Insurance | 95.17% |
4 | The Oriental Insurance Company | 93.96% |
5 | New India General Insurance | 92.68% |
6 | Bajaj Allianz General Insurance | 92.24% |
7 | Niva Bupa Health Insurance | 89.46% |
8 | Navi General Insurance | 86.98% |
9 | HDFC ERGO General Insurance | 86.52% |
10 | Manipal Cigna Health Insurance | 85.72% |
11 | Edelweiss General Insurance | 85.57% |
12 | National Insurance Company | 83.78% |
13 | Future Generali General Insurance | 82.96% |
14 | Royal Sundaram General Insurance | 81.50% |
15 | Liberty General Insurance | 81.03% |
16 | ICICI Lombard General Insurance | 78.67% |
17 | Star Health Insurance | 78.62% |
18 | United India Insurance Company | 78.03% |
19 | Reliance General Insurance | 76.43% |
20 | Tata AIG General Insurance | 76.04% |
21 | Kotak Mahindra General Insurance | 75.45% |
22 | Acko General Insurance | 74.09% |
23 | Aditya Birla Health Insurance | 70.81% |
24 | Universal Sompo General Insurance | 70.75% |
25 | SBI General Insurance | 66.08% |
26 | Go Digit General Insurance | 63.56% |
27 | Cholamandalam MS General Insurance | 56.25% |
Choose a Health Insurance Plan For
Explore Health Insurance
Benefits of Health Insurance
Comprehensive Coverage
A health insurance policy keeps you covered for major healthcare expenses incurred in case of medical emergency. Usually, health insurance plans keep you protected for in-patient hospitalisation expenses pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation expenses, ambulance expenses, domiciliary hospitalisation expenses, daycare procedures, organ donor expenses, treatments taken under AYUSH systems of medicines, etc.Lifetime Renewability
As per the guidelines issued by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDA), the insurance companies offering health insurance plans are supposed to offer lifetime renewability benefits to the policyholders. It allows you to renew your health insurance policy without any upper restriction on the maximum age limit. The feature is most beneficial for parents and senior citizens as they can renew their insurance plans without any pressure of looking for new health insurance plans in old age.Cashless Treatment
Insurance companies have tie-ups with certain hospitals, known as network hospitals, where the insured can avail cashless treatment. If you avail treatment at these hospitals, the insurance company will directly settle the bills at the hospital, and you will not be required to pay anything for the treatment availed, except for non-medical expenses incurred.Portability
Health insurance portability allows the policyholders to switch from their existing health insurance company to another, in case they are not satisfied with their existing health insurance plan, or find a more suitable plan. Portability feature saves the policyholders from being taken for granted and offers them flexibility to switch in case of dissatisfaction.Tax Benefits Under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961
The government of India promotes health insurance by offering tax exemptions of up to Rs. 1.5 Lakh on the premium paid for health insurance plans, under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961. An individual can also claim a deduction of up to Rs. 25,000 for insurance cover for self, spouse, and dependent children. You can also avail a tax deduction of up to Rs. 25,000/Rs. 50,000 for health insurance plans purchased for parents aged 60 years/ more than 60 years.
Health Insurance Portability
Health insurance portability refers to porting your existing health insurance policy from one insurance provider to another. Health insurance portability allows the policyholder to switch their health insurance company without losing the current benefits of their existing health insurance policy. In case the policyholder is not satisfied with the current health insurance policy or they are looking for a better health insurance plan, then they can choose to change their health insurance provider and their health insurance policy within the same insurance provider with all the benefits or credits that they have gained in their current health insurance policy. Below mentioned are some options that a policyholder need to decide while switching their health insurance policy or insurance provider:
- The policyholder can switch from one health insurance company to another.
- The policyholder can switch between health insurance or medical plans with the same health insurance company.
- The policyholder can switch from Individual Health Plan to Family Floater Health plan and vice versa.
- The policyholder can apply for revised Sum Insured with a new insurance company.
- The policyholder can also enhance the existing coverage of a health insurance policy. However, it may require medical examination and can also result in new waiting periods for the enhanced coverages.
Health Insurance Portability Criteria:
Below mentioned is the portability criteria of a health insurance policy:
- The health insurance policy can be switched only at the time of renewal.
- When thinking of porting a health insurance policy, the policyholder should approach the new health insurance company at least 30-45 days prior from the expiry of the existing health insurance plan.
- Provide necessary documents at the time of porting health insurance policy. The documents can be - Previous policy documents, claim experience, age proof, identity proof, proposal form and other documents requested by the new health insurance company.
- Ensure that there are no breaks in between the health insurance renewal process.
Why Choose InsuranceDekho For Health Insurance?
- Get Health Insurance Within 5 MinutesInsuranceDekho offers a quick and simple health insurance buying process. At the portal, you can compare and select the best health insurance policy for yourself and your family at best price, within 5 minutes. All you have to do is enter a few personal details and you can be insured in a transparent and hassle-free way.
- More than 5.5 Lakh Happy CustomersInsuranceDekho aims to instill confidence among its customers by putting them at utmost ease when it comes to buying health insurance online. InsuranceDekho, over the years has provided a delightful experience to more than 5.5 Lakh customers who bought health insurance plans offered by popular insurers, from us.
- Dedicated Customer Support TeamInsuranceDekho has a dedicated team that works 7 days a week to solve all your health insurance related queries and grievances, if any, thereby making the process smooth for you. You can get in touch with us in case of any confusion related to health insurance policy purchase, claim settlement process, health insurance renewal,etc.
Coronavirus Health Insurance
Standard health insurance plans provide coverage for the treatment of coronavirus (COVID-19). However, the treatment of coronavirus involves numerous types of pre-hospitalisation, hospitalisation, post-hospitalisation, and treatment expenses during quarantine. Thus, it is wise to opt for short-term health insurance policies, namely Corona Kavach and Corona Rakash, especially designed to provide coverage only for coronavirus treatment expenses.
Corona Kavach Policy |
Corona Rakshak Policy |
Corona Kavach Policy is specially designed to provide for medical expenses that may arise due to Coronavirus. Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has launched this policy making it mandatory for all general and health insurance companies in India. In case the insured is tested positive for COVID-19, the Corona Kavach Policy will cover hospitalisation, pre-hospitalisation, home treatment expenses or AYUSH treatment for Coronavirus. This policy can be purchased individually and for families as well. Corona Kavach Policy covers Covid hospitalisation expenses, Ambulance cover, home treatment expenses, pre and post hospitalisation expenses, AYUSH (non allopathic) treatment and ICU expenses. Corona Kavach Policy provides financial aid to an individual in case he/she is diagnosed with COVID-19. This policy has a waiting period of 15 days. For the initial 15 days after the policy has been purchased no expenses shall be covered that may arise due to Coronavirus. Below mentioned are some things which are not covered under a Corona Kavach Policy:
Corona Kavach Policy also covers Comorbid conditions which may be triggered due to COVID-19 during the hospitalization for the treatment. However, this policy does not cover any other treatment other than treatment for COVID-19. |
Corona Rakshak Policy is a single premium, standard benefit health insurance policy that provides financial protection to an individual in case he/she is diagnosed with COVID-19. 100% of the sum assured shall be provided in lump sum in case the insured is tested positive for COVID-19 and requires hospitalization. This policy was also launched by Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI). This policy helps individuals ensure financial aid for themselves and their loved ones to seek treatment without worrying about funds for the treatment of COVID-19. Corona Rakshak Policy provides coverage for hospitalization expenses, ICU cover, ambulance cover, home treatment, AYUSH (non allopathic) treatment and pre/post hospitalization expenses. Pre-medical screening is not required while purchasing Corona Rakshak Policy. This policy also has a waiting period of 15 days under which any expenses for the treatment of COVID-19 shall not be covered. Below mentioned are some expenses and aspects which are not included in a Corona Rakshak Policy:
One unique feature of this policy is that 100% of the sum assured shall be provided as a lump sum to the insured in case he/she is diagnosed with COVID-19 during the policy tenure. |
Does Your Medical Insurance Policy Cover COVID-19 Treatment?
As per the mandate of the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), all the general insurance companies and health insurance companies offering health insurance plans cover expenses related to COVID-19 treatment, in the existing plans. The regulatory authority issued a circular on March 4 that directed insurance companies offering health insurance plans to include cover for COVID-19, irrespective of which policy the insured is covered for.
If you already have a medical insurance policy, then you must note the following:
• An initial waiting period is applied, which is 30 days in most health insurance plans.
• The claim process for COVID-19 is the same in regular health insurance plans like any other medical condition.
• Cover for pre-hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation expenses is offered as per the terms and conditions of the policy selected.
Apart from COVID-19 cover in existing health insurance plans, the IRDAI had also launched COVID-19 health insurance policies namely Corona Kavach and Corona Rakshak policies. Both are short-term health insurance plans that cover families and individuals, wherein the former is an indemnity-based health insurance policy, and the latter is a benefit-based health insurance policy. Both the plans help you feel financially secure in case of a positive diagnosis of COVID-19.
Arogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Policy
Arogya Sanjeevani Policy is a standard health insurance product which aims to simplify health insurance for people by providing them with a basic and standard plan. An Arogya Sanjeevani Health InsurancePolicy is offered by all health insurance companies with exactly the same benefits. An Arogya Sanjeevani Health Insurance Plan comes with the following features -
- No medical check-up up to the age of 45 years
- Sum insured between Rs. 1 Lakh to Rs. 5 Lakh
- Policy tenure of 1 year with lifetime renewability benefit
- No claim bonus of up to 50% of the insurance premium
- Waiting period of 30 days for all illnesses except accidents.
What Is The Difference Between Health Insurance And Mediclaim Policy?
In case of medical emergencies, you can avail of medical insurance coverage benefits by either having a health insurance policy or with a mediclaim policy.
What is Mediclaim?
Mediclaim is a health insurance policy that gives you specified financial protection only for expenses arising due to hospitalisation. It covers you for hospitalisation required due to an accident, in case of sudden illness or surgery, or in case of any surgery during the policy term. Mediclaim is of two types, viz., cashless and reimbursement.
What is Health Insurance?
Health insurance is an insurance cover that provides you complete protection for medical and surgical expenses in case of emergencies. With a health insurance policy, you can avail of cashless treatment or get reimbursement for the amount paid to avail of the treatment covered.
To understand the difference between a medical insurance and mediclaim policy, kindly refer to the table below:
Mediclaim Policy |
Health Insurance Policy |
It covers you only for hospitalisation expenses |
It offers a comprehensive cover more than the only hospitalisation. For example, AYUSH treatment expenses, in-patient hospitalisation expenses, pre-hospitalisation, and post-hospitalisation expenses, daycare expenses, etc. |
It does not offer an add-on cover |
You can choose from different add-on covers as per your requirement, such as hospital cash, critical illness, room rent waiver, etc. |
It comes with a limited hospitalisation cover of up to Rs. 5 Lakh |
It comes with an extensive hospitalisation cover that may exceed Rs. 5 Lakh, which is decided on the basis of several factors such as age, the number of members covered, pre-existing conditions, etc. |
It is not flexible |
It is flexible and can be customized as per your budget and requirements |
When choosing between a health insurance policy or a mediclaim policy, you must consider the following factors:
- Your financial condition
- Your and your family members’ pre-existing conditions if any, age,
- Add-on covers
- Sum insured
- Policy term
- Members to be covered under a health insurance policy
Health Insurance Riders
Buying Health Insurance Glossary
Which Health Insurance Plan Should You Buy?
There are several medical health insurance plans in India that you can choose from, at the time of policy purchase. These are individual health insurance plans, family floater health insurance plans, senior citizen health insurance plans, critical illness insurance plans, maternity insurance plans, hospital daily cash etc.
If you have a big family or one with senior parents, then an individual health insurance policy is recommended as a family floater policy might not be sufficient for you. You can also buy a separate senior citizen health insurance policy for parents in this case.
Whereas a family floater medical insurance policy is recommended for a young couple or a small family. Kindly note that when going for a family floater health insurance policy, you must choose a higher sum insured so that it is sufficient for all family members.
When choosing which type of health insurance policy you should buy, you must consider a few things other than just the premium. The right approach will be to seek maximum coverage for all the family members at the most affordable premium. It is recommended to do enough research in order to zero down the most suitable health insurance policy for yourself and your family.
Also, once you decide which health insurance policy to buy, you can also add add-on covers to it for extensive coverage. It is not mandatory to buy add-on covers but you can include them in your policy voluntarily at the time of policy purchase, by paying an extra premium. Some popular add-ons offered under health insurance plans are room rent waiver, hospital daily cash, second e-opinion, critical illness cover, air ambulance cover, etc.
Why Buy A Health Insurance Plan at An Early Age?
Following are the reasons why it is recommended to buy medical insurance at an early age:
Lower Premium - As you age, you are required to pay higher health insurance premiums. This is because, in old age, you have a higher possibility of getting ill, due to a weaker immune system. For instance, a person aged 20 years will be required to pay a lesser health insurance premium than someone aged 52 years, due to lesser health issues involved.
Lesser Exclusions - Many medical insurance plans come with restrictions on coverage offered, due to which you may not be able to avail full-fledged cover on buying a policy in later years of life. But if you buy a health insurance policy at an early stage in life, when you do not have any health condition, then you will be able to enjoy a full-fledged health cover.
No Health Check-Up - Another reason why buying health insurance at an early stage in life is recommended is because you would not be required to undergo a medical check-up then. But if you buy the policy in old age, let us say 50 years, then most health insurance companies will ask you to undergo the same. Also, in case there is a health condition in the medical test results, then you might be required to pay a higher premium due to higher chances of hospitalisation involved.
No Claim Bonus - You will be able to start accumulating No Claim Bonus early on by buying a health insurance policy timely. You can use this NCB in the later years of life when you might be more vulnerable to illnesses and may need to make a claim. But if you buy the policy during later years of life, then you would not be able to enjoy such increased coverage.
Aligned Finances - If you buy a health insurance policy at a young age, then you have time to plan your finances for a long term. But if you buy it in later years of life, then financial planning may go haywire. Hence, it is recommended to buy a health insurance policy when young so that financial planning can be started early, and also that you are prepared for emergencies irrespective of their magnitude.
Waiting Period - Health insurance plans come with waiting periods for specific conditions, cover for some of which you may require in old age. The advantage of buying health insurance plans when young is that you can complete the waiting period early and avail of the coverage benefits when you actually require them.
Rejections - As you will be more prone to illnesses in your old age, therefore there are higher chances of your health insurance application getting rejected then. Therefore, buying health insurance plans when young is recommended so that there are lesser chances of your application getting rejected.
Pre-Existing Conditions - When you buy a health insurance policy in later years of life, then there are chances that you may already be suffering from pre-existing diseases. But then, you will be required to complete a waiting period to get coverage benefits for the same. On the other hand, if you buy the policy when young, then by the time you may need cover for pre-existing illnesses, you would already have completed the waiting period and will be able to avail the required coverage.
Tax Benefits of Health Insurance
Every HUF can claim tax benefits, under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961, on the premium paid for medical health insurance plans. You can avail of tax benefits on the premium paid for yourself and your family members including spouse, dependent children, or parents.
The deduction from the total income can also be availed on the premium paid for top-up health insurance plans as well as critical illness plans, apart from regular health insurance plans.
To understand the amount of deduction currently available to an individual taxpayer in different scenarios, refer to the table below:
Situations |
Premium Paid |
Deduction under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act |
|
Self, Family, Children |
Parents |
||
When the policyholder and parents are aged below 60 years |
Rs. 25,000 |
Rs. 25,000 |
Rs. 50,000 |
When the policyholder and family members are aged below 60 years with parents aged above 60 years |
Rs. 25,000 |
Rs. 50,000 |
Rs. 75,000 |
When the policyholder, family members, and parents are more than 60 years of age |
Rs. 50,000 |
Rs. 50,000 |
Rs. 1,00,000 |
Members of the HUF (Hindu Undivided Family) |
Rs. 25,000 |
Rs. 25,000 |
Rs. 25,000 |
Non-Resident Individuals (NRIs) |
Rs. 25,000 |
Rs. 25,000 |
Rs. 25,000 |
Understand Terms Included in Your Health Insurance Policies
Explained below are terms that you must know in order to understand your health insurance policy better:
Co-Payment - Health insurance plans reimburse you for the healthcare expenses during a treatment that is covered under the policy. But if the insured, as well as the insurance company, share the expenses at the time of claim, then it is a case of co-payment. Generally, health insurance plans with a co-payment clause come at comparatively lesser premiums. Mostly, this feature can be seen in senior citizen health insurance plans.
No Claim Bonus - It is a reward that a medical insurance company gives to the insured for not making a claim in a particular year. For instance, an increase in the sum insured by a fixed percentage according to the policy, not more than 50% of the sum insured, if the policy has been renewed continuously.
Deductible - Deductible is similar to co-payment. It is a fixed amount in rupee terms that are shared by the policyholder, and not the insurance company, at the time of claim. It is, however, decided by the insurance company if the insured is required to pay this amount per year, per life, or per event.
Dependents - Dependents are family members of the insured who are financially dependent on him/her. These can be a legally wedded spouse, and unmarried children (natural or adopted).
Exclusions - Every health insurance policy comes with a list of conditions that the insurance company will not cover the insured for, during the policy term. These are known as exclusions. Some common exclusions under health insurance plans are treatments required due to participation in adventure sports, Injuries due to self-harm, insured committing a breach of law, etc.
Grace Period - The grace period is a specific period starting immediately after the expiry of the due date or premium payment, given to the policyholder to pay the premium to continue availing coverage benefits under the policy. If the premium is paid during this period, then you can continue availing of the policy benefits. But if the premium is not paid even during the grace period, then your policy will lapse and you will lose all the accumulated benefits. Hence, it is recommended to keep renewing health insurance plans when the premium is due.
Insurer - The insurance company.
Premium - A fixed amount to be paid periodically in order to keep availing of health insurance policy benefits.
Policy - It is a legal contract between an insurance company and the insured, that contains all the terms and conditions of the insurance.
Pre-Existing Disease - It is any condition, ailment, or injury for which the insured already had symptoms, within 48 months prior to buying a health insurance policy. Generally, pre-existing conditions are covered by the policy after a specific waiting period. Hence, it is recommended to disclose pre-existing diseases, if any, to avoid any hassle at the time of claim settlement.
Network Hospital - Every insurance company has a tie-up with hospitals wherein the insurer can avail cashless treatment. These hospitals are known as network hospitals. It is recommended to choose an insurance company with a high number of network hospitals, for utmost convenience in case of an emergency strike in the future.
Portability - Portability is an individual health insurance policyholder’s right that allows him/her to switch from one insurer to another or from one health insurance policy to another of the same insurer if the policy was maintained without any lapse. Portability allows you to transfer the accumulated benefits as well such as waiting for period benefits, NCB, etc.
Sum Insured - It is the payout amount that an insurance company is liable to pay to the insured in case of a claim. For instance, if the sum insured of a health insurance policy is Rs. 5 Lakh and the hospitalisation expenses incurred are Rs. 2 Lakh, then the insurance company will cover the expenses. But if the expenses exceed the sum insured limit, then the insured will have to bear the remaining expenses.
Waiting Period - This is a fixed time period for which the medical insurer does not cover you, even after the commencement of the policy term. Waiting periods can be of different types such as initial waiting period, waiting period for specific diseases, waiting period for pre-existing diseases, etc. The waiting period is calculated from the date of commencement of the policy.
Free Look Period - Free look period is the time that an insured gets to understand his/her health insurance policy better. During this period, if not satisfied, the insured can cancel the policy.
Waiting Period In Health Insurance
Even throughout the duration of the policy of a certain health insurance policy, the covered individual is not entitled to receive the entire value chain for some mentioned conditions due to a waiting period in health insurance. This means that any insured person will only be eligible to get coverage benefits for pre-existing diseases after finishing a four-year waiting period, which is determined from the start date of the policy.
Types Of Waiting Period In Health Insurance
Following are the types of waiting period in health insurance-
- Initial Waiting Period: After receiving a health insurance policy, the policyholder must wait a certain number of days before receiving any claim benefits under the policy. In health insurance, this period is known as the initial waiting period or cooling period. All health insurance policies come with a holding period of at least one month and up to ninety days as typical in the industry.
- Pre-Existing Diseases (PED) Waiting Period: It is a pre-existing disease waiting period that the insured acknowledges at the time of policy purchase. According to the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI), a pre-existing disease is defined as any condition, accident, ailment, or disease detected within 48 months of the policy acquisition. Pre-existing illnesses include thyroid, hypertension, and diabetes. Pre-existing conditions are usually subject to a 1-4 year waiting period in most health insurance coverage.
- Waiting Period for Specific Diseases: Several conditions, such as hernias, tumours, ENT disorders, cancer, strokes, and cardiac problems, have a specified waiting period. The illnesses that qualify for this waiting period vary per insurer and can be found in the policy provisions of each one.
- Maternity Waiting Period: Pregnancy and newborn baby insurance can be added as an add-on feature to health insurance plans for people and families. Maternity coverage is a regular component in many insurance plans. After a two- to four-year waiting period, coverage can be acquired in either instance.
- Waiting Period for Bariatric Surgery: Bariatric surgery is also covered by several health insurance. Bariatric surgery is a procedure that involves surgery on the stomach and/or intestines to assist a patient with severe obesity-related disorders. Those with a BMI of over 40 and who are experiencing health problems as a result of it are usually candidates for surgery.
- Waiting Period for Coronavirus: Many people in India are obtaining coronavirus-specific health insurance for themselves rather than their families due to the increased frequency of the virus. However, the insured must wait up to 30 days before receiving coverage benefits such as hospitalisation and therapy under these plans.
What Is The Importance Of Waiting Period In Health Insurance?
The purpose of a waiting period in health insurance is to prevent people from claiming benefits under a policy for the wrong reasons. Individuals without health insurance have acquired plans after being identified with a particular diagnosis, in some cases without informing the insurance provider of the diagnosis. Health insurance policies also include the idea of a waiting time to prevent unethical behaviours like these.
How To Calculate Health Insurance Premium Online?
Getting an estimate of your health Insurance or medical insurance policy is very easy and convenient with a health insurance premium calculator. The tool evades the tedious task of calculating health insurance premiums by doing it for you within a few minutes. It is a free tool that you can use not only to calculate premiums but to compare different health insurance plans to shortlist the most suitable one as per your requirements and budget.
The tool does the calculation after considering several factors such as BMI, age, income, lifestyle, gender, members to be covered under the policy, etc. You must note that the premium is decided on the basis of these factors and hence you must provide the correct information to avoid any discrepancy in premium calculation.
To use a health insurance premium calculator, you must follow the below-mentioned steps:
• Visit InsuranceDekho and click on ‘Health’.
• Fill in your personal details as required in the form. You will be required to enter your name, Age, Gender, City, Mobile Number, Email ID, Members to be covered, etc. Then click on ‘View Instant Quote’.
• As per the information entered, you will see the most suitable health insurance plans displayed on your screen with their premiums.
• From them, you can select the most suitable one as per the premium and coverage benefits offered.
What Are The Factors That Affects Health Insurance Premium?
There are several factors that decide the health insurance premium for an individual for a particular health insurance policy. These are explained below:
Age - Generally, companies offering medical health insurance plans follow the rule-higher the age, the higher the premiums. This is because, in old age, people are more vulnerable to illnesses, which increases their chances of making health insurance claims. Hence, the higher the age, the higher the premiums, and vice versa.
Past Medical History - If you have a history of any medical condition, then you will have a higher chance of hospitalisation and hence you will be required to pay a higher health insurance premium. But if there is no history of a medical condition, then you will be charged a comparatively lesser premium.
Lifestyle Habits - Lifestyle habits such as excessive smoking or drinking deteriorate your health and make you more prone to illnesses. If you follow this lifestyle, then you may be at higher health risk and hence will be more likely to make a claim. This is why your health insurance premium will be higher as compared to someone who does not smoke or drink regularly.
Policy Term - Policy term is another crucial factor that decides the premium for a health insurance policy. You can choose from different policy terms such as 1 year, 2 years, or 3 years, according to its terms and conditions. The higher the policy term you opt for, the higher premium you will be required to pay, due to the higher coverage offered.
Add-On Covers - You can include add-on covers to your health insurance policy for extensive coverage. For this, you will be required to pay an extra premium at the time of policy purchase. The greater the number of add-ons covers you buy, the higher premium you will be required to pay for it.
Co-Payment - Premiums for medical insurance plans that come with a co-payment clause are generally low, due to the cost-sharing involved. Therefore, if you choose a health insurance policy with a co-payment option, then you will be required to pay a lesser premium and vice versa.
Body Mass Index - If your Body Mass Index is higher than normal, then you will be at higher risk of suffering from health issues. This is why your premium will be high. But if it is normal, then you will be charged a lesser premium.
How To File A Health Insurance Claim?
Claim under a health insurance policy can be made in two ways - in a cashless manner and in a reimbursement manner. A cashless claim is when you receive treatment at a network hospital of the insurance provider who is servicing your policy. If the claim request is accepted, the insurance company directly settles the bills at the hospital. Whereas in reimbursement claims, you are required to pay for the hospital bill from your own pocket first, and make a claim request with the insurance company later. The insurance company will process your claim and reimburse you for the same after accepting the claim. You can make a health insurance claim by following the simple steps given below:
- Step 1: Visit the network hospital or the hospital of your choice and inform the insurance company about the hospitalisation.
- Step 2: Fill the pre-authorization form at the hospital’s TPA (third-party administrator) desk.
- Step 3: You will receive an approval letter by the claim management team.
- Step 4: Respond to the query raised by the claim management team, if any.
- Step 5: Avail the required medical treatment.
- Step 6: The insurance company will directly settle the bills at the network hospital as per the terms and conditions mentioned in your policy.
Documents Required For Health Insurance Claim Reimbursement
Listed below are the documents required in case of reimbursement claim:
• Valid identity proof.
• Duly signed and completed original claim form.
• Doctor’s prescription recommending hospitalisation.
• Original pharmacy bills.
• Original prescription for medicines, consultation, and diagnostic tests.
• Indoor case papers.
• Ambulance receipt.
• First Information Report (FIR), if applicable.
• Policy details with the insured person(s) name, policy number, illness, and address.
• Any other document if required by the insurer.
Listed below are additional documents required in case of a cashless medical insurance claim:
• Pre-authorization form.
• Valid identity proof along with a photograph.
• Documents like voter ID card, driving license, PAN card, and Aadhar card.
Am I Eligible to Buy a Health Insurance Plan?
Eligibility Criteria to Buy Health Insurance
Buying a health insurance policy is essential because medical care, especially in the private sector is expensive and can burn a hole in your pocket. To avoid a tough situation during medical emergency or illness, paying a small annual premium can certainly help to lessen your stress.
You can easily purchase a good insurance plan online that usually covers expenses incurred towards doctor consultation fees, ambulance services, hospitalization to a certain extent. Here are the eligibility criteria-
- Entry age for adults- 18-65 years (exclusive plans are provided for people above 70 years of age.)
- Entry age for children-90 days-18 years.
Buying a health insurance policy during early age can be cost-effective as one might not necessarily have to undergo medical tests conducted by the insurers.
Documents Required to Buy Health Insurance Online
There are a few documents that you must be able to show to buy a health insurance policy online. These are-
- Age proof: Either of the following-Birth Certificate, 10th or 12th mark sheet, Driving License, Passport, Voter’s ID, etc.
- Identity proof: Either of-Passport, Driving License, Voter ID, PAN Card, Aadhar Card, which proves one’s citizenship.
- Address proof: Either of-Electricity bill, Ration Card, Telephone Bill, Passport, Driving License with your permanent address clearly mentioned on it.
- Medical check-up: Some plans require health check-up to ensure that the individual is not suffering from any chronic illness.
How To Buy Health Insurance Plans With InsuranceDekho?
The following mentioned are some of the steps to buy health insurance from InsuranceDekho-
- Fill Your Details: Visit the official website of Insurance and browse to “Health Insurance”, enter your personal details like gender, name and mobile number. You can also communicate on WhatsApp as per your convenience. Click on the “View Plans” Button to see available plans. Select the family members you want to insure like your father, mother, son etc.
- Compare Different Health Insurance Quotes: Once you enter the above details, different health insurance quotes will get displayed to you. Compare the available plans and select the health insurance that suits you and your requirements perfectly.
- Make the Payment: After selecting the best health insurance plan for yourself, select or adjust the sum assured and the term of the policy.
- Once all the details are provided by you, make the payment. You can make the payment through credit\debit card or netbanking.
Happy Customers
7370 ReviewsSome Myths About Health Insurance
Due to lack of knowledge and understanding, people in India have a lot of misconceptions when it comes to health insurance plans. These misconceptions should be cleared in order to make the best buying decision. Here are some common myths and reality behind them:
Myth 1: Health insurance plans is not required when young and healthy
Reality: The ideal time to buy health insurance is when you are young and healthy. This is because if you buy a health insurance policy at a young age, then you will be able to get the cover at an affordable premium as the risk of getting hospitalised then is minimum. Also, health insurance plans come with waiting periods during which no claims are admissible. On buying health insurance when healthy, you can complete this waiting period without any worries as you may not need to make a claim then.
Myth 2: I will only be covered for hospitalisation
Reality: It is true that health insurance plans cover you for hospitalisation expenses only when the hospitalisation of at least 24 hours takes place. But it is not true that the plans only cover you for these expenses. In most cases, they also cover you for daycare procedures such as sinusitis, radiotherapy, chemotherapy, etc, which do not require hospitalisation of at least 24 hours. Other expenses covered are OPD expenses, road ambulance expenses, second medical opinion, medical check-up, etc.
Myth 3: People who smoke cannot be covered under any health insurance policy
Reality: You can still buy a health insurance plan even if you are a smoker. But medical insurance companies are concerned about pre-existing conditions, which may even lead to the cancellation of your health insurance application form. So, if there is any pre-existing condition due to smoking, then you must disclose the same to your insurer. It will not deny you the policy but may charge you a higher premium because as a smoker, you will be more prone to illnesses.
Myth 4: Health insurance plans are bought to save taxes
Health insurance plans do not only help you save taxes as per the prevalent tax laws but most importantly, cover you for healthcare expenses, which may help you save even more in the long term.
Myth 5: It is not safe to buy health insurance plans online
It is completely safe as well as quick to buy health insurance plans online at reliable platforms such as InsuranceDekho. All you need to do is fill a quote, compare the most suitable health insurance plans from the ones displayed on the screen, shortlist the one you wish to buy for yourself and your family, and pay the premium online via a secured payment gateway. These are different premium payment modes like Credit card, Debit card, or e-wallets that you can choose as per your convenience.
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*Standard T&C Apply. All savings/offers are provided by the Insurers, which are subject to modification .For more details on risk factors, terms and conditions, please read the sales brochure of respective insurers carefully before concluding a sale. Tax benefits are subject to changes in applicable tax laws. Girnar Insurance Brokers Private Limited, (CIN: U66010RJ2016PTC054811, Regd .Off: Girnar 21, Govind Marg, Moti Doongari Road, Dharam Singh Circle, Jaipur, Rajasthan- 302004; Corp. Off: Second and Third Floor, Plot no.301, Phase-2, Udyog Vihar, Gurugram-122022, Haryana, India. IRDAI License no 588. Direct Broker (Life & General) valid till 19th March 2023. Email - support@insurancedekho.com ; Helpline number: 7551196989.
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