Popular Top up Health Insurance Plans

Top-up health insurance plans are considered as add-on cover or additional protection cover to your existing health insurance which otherwise may be insufficient to meet the increasing healthcare expenses. There are several general and health insurance companies in the market that offer top-up health insurance plans at affordable premiums. You can buy them if you are aged between 18 years and 80 years (may vary from plan to plan). Also, deductibles have a major role in deciding the premium of your top-up health insurance policy. A deductible is an amount that you are willing to pay before filing a health insurance claim. A deductible is a top-up plan is generally kept equal to the existing health insurance plan. Generally, the deductible in the top-up plan refers to the base health insurance plan owned by the policyholder. The good news is that deductibles make top-up plans cheaper.

Health top up insurance entails some fantastic features that make them worth considering. Here are some key features to keep in mind:

• Convertible Flexibility: A top-up health insurance plan offers you the convenience of converting it into a basic health insurance plan when necessary. This means you can easily upgrade your coverage in times of increased health needs or budget constraints.
• Family Inclusion: If you opt for a top-up health insurance plan, it often allows your children to be included under the same policy. This streamlines the process of safeguarding your entire family's health under a single insurance policy.
• No Cost Constraints: Top up health cover plans typically have no limitations on hospitalization costs, encompassing doctor's fees and room charges. You can rest assured that your insurance will cover the expenses, regardless of how high the medical bills become.
• Bonus for Being Healthy: Top up health insurance plans often feature a unique benefit: the longer you go without making a claim, the more your coverage increases. Think of it as a loyalty bonus that rewards you for maintaining good health and not requiring frequent medical assistance.
• 15-Day Grace Period: After acquiring a top-up health insurance policy, you're granted a 15-day grace period. This period allows you to thoroughly review and understand all the policy's terms and conditions, ensuring it aligns with your specific needs and preferences.
• Flexible Policy Terms: You have the flexibility to choose between 1-year and 2-year policy terms, depending on your preferences and requirements. Keep in mind that the availability of these options may vary among different insurers.
• Lifetime Renewability: Medical insurance top up plans offers the advantage of lifetime renewability. This means you can keep your coverage intact and maintain a long-term safety net for your health throughout your lifetime, providing peace of mind and financial security.

Benefits of a Top-Up Health Insurance Plan

Some of the benefits of top up health insurance plans are as follows:

• Extra Coverage When You Need It: One of the top benefits of a health top-up insurance plan is that it acts as a financial safety net. When your regular policy's limits are exhausted, it's there to rescue you from a financial burden.
• Peace of Mind: Even if you run out of coverage on your existing health insurance, don't worry. You're still covered for the rest of the time with health insurance top-up plans. So your peace of mind remains intact.
• More Coverage, Less Cost: Top-up health cover plans are a budget-friendly choice. They give you the dual advantage of increased coverage at a low premium. This is especially great for older people who might need it the most.
• Fighting Medical Inflation: Medical costs are going up fast. Top-up plans help you fight this inflation. You transfer the risk to your insurance company, reducing your financial burden.
• Tax Benefits: Just like other health insurance plans, you can enjoy tax benefits with your top-up plan. According to section 80D of the Income Tax Act, you can cut down your tax bill by up to Rs. 25,000 for plans covering yourself, your spouse, and children. If you're over 60, that limit can go up to Rs. 50,000.
• Pre-Existing Illness Covered: Most health plans won't cover pre-existing illnesses, but a top-up health plan can. This is especially useful for pre-existing illness coverage if there's a family history of conditions like diabetes or hypertension.

The Need for Health Top-Up Insurance

Top-up health insurance, also known as health top-up insurance comes with a handful of advantages that are as follows:

• Savings Savvy: Top-up insurance plans are a smart way to save money on your insurance costs. They work by reducing your policy expenses, making it possible to obtain excellent coverage without affecting your finances. This is especially beneficial for individuals looking to secure their health without breaking the bank.
• Money Back Guarantee: Top-up plans offer a unique feature where they reimburse your medical expenses. In the event you require medical treatment, these plans provide a financial safety net by returning the incurred costs, which can be a significant relief for policyholders.
• Tackling Rising Medical Costs: In India, where medical costs are rapidly increasing, top-up health insurance plans act as a vital defense. These plans protect you from the burden of rising medical expenses, effectively serving as a shield against the financial pressure of costly treatments.
• Coverage Choices: Top-up insurance plans offer policyholders a diverse range of sum-insured options at affordable prices. This flexibility allows you to tailor your coverage according to your specific needs, ensuring you have the right level of protection without overextending your budget.
• No Checkup Hassles: One of the convenience factors with top-up health insurance is that if you are over 55 days old, you are exempt from undergoing pre-medical check-ups. So, there's no checkup hassle.
• Tax Perks: Top-up health insurance plans provide tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961. By paying your premium, you can reduce your tax liability, offering an added financial incentive for policyholders to invest in these plans.
• One for All: With top-up health insurance, your entire family can be covered under a single sum insured. This means that you pay one premium, and everyone in your family receives the same level of coverage. It's like having a comprehensive family health safety net, ensuring that all your loved ones are protected.

Types of Health Top-Up Insurance Plans

Insurance companies offering health insurance plans in India offer two types of top-up plans. These are explained below:

• Top-Up Plan: This type of plan boosts your health insurance coverage up to a set limit, providing you with the extra protection you might need when medical bills pile up beyond a certain point. It's like a financial cushion to catch you when your medical expenses cross a specific limit.
• Super Top-Up Plan: If you're looking for even more coverage, the super top-up plan has your back. It steps in when your medical expenses go beyond a certain threshold. Unlike the regular top-up plan, the best super top up medical insurance considers multiple hospitalizations during your insurance term. It's like having an added layer of protection for your health.

Note: If the same illness comes back within 45 days of leaving the hospital, it's considered a continuation of the previous illness. But if it shows up after 45 days, it's treated as a completely new health issue. So, it's good to know the rules for your coverage.

Popular Top-up And Super Top-Up Medical Insurance Plans

There are multiple insurance companies offering reliable top-up medical policies and super top-up health insurance plans to the insured. Some of them are tabulated below:

• ManipalCigna Super Top-Up Policy: For anyone above 91 days old, this policy provides coverage options ranging from Rs. 3 Lakh to Rs. 30 Lakh. It includes benefits like in-patient hospitalization, pre and post-hospitalization costs, AYUSH treatments, and more.
• Max Bupa Health Recharge Policy: This super top-up plan covers individuals aged 18 to 65 and includes expenses such as ambulance costs, pre and post-hospitalization expenses, pharmacy bills, and diagnostics.
• Star Super Surplus Policy: Designed for people aged 18 to 65, this policy covers organ donor expenses, pre and post-hospitalization, and air ambulance. This policy comes in various variants to meet different needs.
• Royal Sundaram Lifeline Policy: With three variants to choose from, this policy offers coverage for various healthcare expenses, including domiciliary hospitalization, AYUSH treatments, emergency domestic hospitalization, and more.
• Liberty Health Connect Supra Policy: Available in two variants for individuals aged 91 days to 65 years, it covers in-patient hospitalization, daycare treatments, pre and post-hospitalization costs, and more.

Top-up and super top-up health insurance plans bridge the financial gap between what your regular health insurance covers and the actual hospitalization expenses during emergencies. These plans are a budget-friendly way to boost your coverage.

Inclusions Under Super Top-Up Medical Insurance Plans

The following are the inclusions under top-up health insurance plans:

• Room Rent Coverage: Your top-up health insurance plan takes care of your hospital room expenses. This means you can have a comfortable stay without worrying about costs.
• Before and After Hospitalization: These plans also cover expenses before and after your hospital stay. The number of days covered may vary among insurers, but typically it's 30 days before and 60 days after.
• In-Patient Hospital Bills: If you end up needing in-patient hospital care, your top-up insurance has you covered up to the sum insured limit.
• Organ Donation Expenses: While not all health insurance policies include organ donor coverage, top-up health insurance does. So, if your base plan covers this expense, your top-up policy becomes a real lifesaver.

Exclusions Under Top-Up Health Insurance Plans

While top-up health insurance plans offer great protection, there are certain things they don't cover. Here's what you won't get coverage for:

• Adventure Sports Mishappenings: If you get injured while having an adventurous time with activities like mountain climbing or paragliding, your top-up health insurance won't pay the bill. You'll have to handle those expenses yourself.
• Self-Harm Costs: Any medical expenses resulting from self-harm, including suicide attempts, won't be covered. It's an important aspect to be aware of.
• Cosmetic Surgery: Cosmetic procedures won't be covered by top-up health insurance unless they're necessary due to an injury or burn. Your plan doesn't pay for elective cosmetic surgery.
• Sexually Transmitted Diseases: If you need treatment for a sexually transmitted disease, your top-up health insurance won't come to the rescue. These costs are on you to manage.

When is it Recommended to Use a Super Top-Up Health Plan?

Top-up health insurance, also known as health top-up insurance, serves a specific purpose. It enters when your hospital bills go beyond a certain amount, known as the deductible. Let's understand this with an example:

Meet Mr. Ashutosh Banerjee. In a year, he had two medical bills, one for Rs. 1 Lakh and another for Rs. 2 Lakh, while his regular health plan covered up to Rs. 4 Lakh. So far, his standard health insurance was enough.

But then, an unexpected health issue led to another hospital stay, costing him an additional Rs. 3 Lakhs. Now, Mr. Ashutosh is short on funds to pay for his treatment. This is where the top-up plan steps in, like a financial lifesaver.

In simple terms, you turn to a top-up plan when you've used up your initial coverage, and your medical expenses keep piling up.

How to Buy a Health Top-Up Insurance Policy Online?

InsuranceDekho offers a hassle-free process of buying top-up health insurance plans online. All you need to do is follow the simple steps given below and you will be able to own the policy within a few minutes.

Step 1: Visit www.insurancedekho.com. Then select the ‘Health’ tab.

Step 2: Select your Gender. Then enter your Name and Mobile Number. You will receive an OTP on the entered number, please enter that.

Step 3: Answer the question ‘When do you want to purchase the policy? Then click on the ‘View Instant Quotes’ button to proceed.

Step 4: Choose the family members you wish to include under your plan along with yourself.

Step 5: Select the age of the selected family members and click on ‘Continue’.

Step 6: Enter your Email ID and City. Then click on the ‘Submit and View Quotes’ button. There will be several policy quotes displayed as per your selections. Select the plan that suits you the best as per your budget as well as requirements.

Step 7: Select the policy term for the chosen health insurance policy. Then enter the required details.

Step 8: Make the payment via a secure payment gateway through any of the flexible payment modes offered.

Key Factors to Consider Before Buying a Super Top-up Medical Insurance Plan

Top-up health insurance plans offer added protection over and above your regular health insurance policy. But there are certain things to consider when buying top-up health insurance plans that help you make the most of this benefit, some of which are explained below:

• Premium Analysis: Start by looking at the premium, that's the amount you pay for your insurance. Compare the premiums of different top-up health insurance plans to find the best fit for your needs. If you come across one that meets your requirements and budget, don't hesitate to grab it.
• Deductible Decision: Deductible is the part of healthcare expenses you have to cover yourself. It's fixed in your top-up health insurance plan and can't be changed later. So, choose wisely when it comes to the deductible amount.
• Base Policy Buddy: While it's not obligatory, having a base health insurance policy alongside your top-up plan is a smart move. It offers substantial coverage and is preferred by many.
• Budget-Friendly Option: Top-up plans are often more pocket-friendly than regular health insurance. Your premium depends on the deductible, a higher deductible means a lower premium, and vice versa. So, pick a policy that fits your budget.
• Stick with One Insurer: If you already have a base health insurance policy, it's a good idea to get your top-up plan from the same insurer. This builds trust, ensures convenience, and can even get you perks like a waiver of the pre-existing waiting period.

These tips will help you select the best health insurance plan for yourself as well as your family members. Whatever you choose to buy, you must never compromise on health insurance plans. This is because wealth once lost can be regained but health cannot.