Individual Health Insurance
Individual Health Insurance
Health can earn us wealth and, in our life, always health comes first. So, we must always ensure that we are taking good care of ourselves in all situations. Due to pollution and the increasing population, the number of diseases has increased tremendously. Also, as you are busy and hardworking every day, you somehow ignore your health. Sometimes people even skip their meals, giving work their major priority. This could lead to a huge mental and financial burden as you could suffer from some diseases.
Due to inflation, medicinal costs have also increased drastically. So even if you go to any medical store to purchase a few medicines, it could cost you a lot. Similarly, the cost of medical procedures has also increased tremendously. So, it is always suggested to purchase Health Insurance Plans for Individuals.
Through this Individual Health Insurance, one can ensure that they are protected from the financial burden which can arise in case of some disease or some injuries. Health Plan companies care for all the medicines, pre and post-hospitalization expenses, surgery expenses, ambulance cost, etc. which has occurred during the policy term. It is always suggested to people as it is not always possible to afford quality treatment due to the high cost. An Individual Health Insurance covers all pre and post-hospitalization which has occurred around 30 to 60 days before 90 days of hospitalization. One can opt for a reimbursement facility in which the insured will pay initially and after submitting the documents, the amount will be reimbursed by the Individual Health Insurance Company.
Health Insurance Plans for individuals even provides cashless facility to insured provided the treatment is done in the network hospital. Apart from this all diagnostic tests and ambulance cost all refunded up to a certain limit. As per few conditions’ satisfaction, daycare facilities are also covered. However, for covering pre-existing diseases, there is a waiting period which could vary depending upon the Individual Health Plan you opt for. This could vary in years or months. After a waiting period, surgeries like cataracts or treatment of asthma, piles, etc. are also covered. There is some Individual Health Insurance that also covers maternity-related expenses.
Cover Your Medical Bills: Health Insurance Benefits
There are many benefits of Individual Health Insurance or Health Plan, a few of which is as mentioned below:
- Health Insurance Plans for Individuals provides a bonus of 5 percent for each claim-free year.
- You can say no to a medical test if your age is lesser than 45 years depending upon the Individual Health Insurance policy clause. However, for people who are above 45 years of age, a health check-up is mandatory. This could be free or you will have to bear the cost which depends upon the policy purchased.
- Can save tax under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.
- Reimbursement can be done within a few days.
Eligibility Criteria for Individual Health Insurance
The eligible criteria for Health Insurance Plans for Individuals are as below:
Entry Age:
The acceptable entry for a policyholder for Health Insurance Plans for Individuals is a minimum of 18 years with a maximum age of 65 years (which could be 70 or above, depending upon the policy). Dependable children can get coverage from 90 days to 18 years. The premium cost is proportional to the age, as the age increases; the premium cost also increases simultaneously.
No Claim Bonus:
Individual Health Insurance policy offers a No Claim Bonus (or NCB) which is given by the health plan if you do not make a claim within a policy year. Here, you can avail yourself of 5 percent of the No Claim Bonus each claim-free policy year. On the other hand, if you make a claim, you won’t get a No Claim Bonus benefit. This is provided if along with you one more family member is covered in the case of Health Insurance Plans for Individuals.
Family Discount:
This discount is offered if one of the other family members is covered along with you. This all depends upon the health plan.
Discount on cumulative premium payment:
There are few health insurance companies that offer discounts for Health Insurance Plans for Individuals on the criteria that you pay the premium of 2 years together.
Discount Voucher:
Depending upon the Individual Health Insurance Plan, a discount voucher is provided for purchasing medicines and for medical procedures, which would be in certain outlets.
Wellness Rewards:
Health Insurance Plans for Individuals offers Wellness rewards as well based on the condition that you remain healthy.
What Individual Health Insurance Plan Covers (Inclusions)
Health Insurance plans for individuals have various inclusions. Some of which are listed below:
1) Day Care treatment Expenses:
A daycare facility is one in which the patient doesn’t need to be hospitalized for more than 24 hours. Individual Health Insurance ensures that it provides coverage for daycare as well. Examples of daycare could include Cataract operations.
2) In-patient hospitalization cost:
Health Insurance Plans for individuals cover the medical expenses which are caused because of hospitalization which is considered an In-patient hospitalization cost.
3) Pre and Post-hospitalization costs:
Individual Health Plan covers medical expenses which are caused before hospitalization which is pre-hospitalization cost. Examples include MRI, X-ray, sonography, blood test, urine test, etc.
Individual Health Plan also covers medical expenses caused after hospitalization which is post-hospitalization cost. The examples include medicines or any medical test performed
4) Ambulance Cost:
Individual Health Insurance covers ambulance costs as well for the patient. Thus, Health Insurance Plans for Individuals offer a certain amount thus giving relief from ambulance charges.
5) Hospital Charges:
Individual Health Plan provides a daily cash allowance of a certain amount. The amount is decided at the time of purchase of the policy. This cash could be used for transportation or some other use.
6) Refill Benefits:
Individual Health Insurance also provides restoring benefits which can refill the coverage once it gets used up. This refilling is available for unrelated claims.
What individual Health Insurance Plan Does NOT Covers (Exclusions)
The Individual Health Insurance Plan does come with some of its exclusions as well. It is always recommended that you read all the terms and conditions properly, and know if are excluded or included by the plan, this would help you avoid end-moment surprises for the Individual health plan. Below are the pointers:
- Pre-existing diseases for Individual Health Plan are covered only after a definite waiting period, which depends upon the carrier and its health plan.
- Depending upon the disease, Health Insurance Plans for Individuals decide the cover amount varies. It could be 10 to 90 percent of the sum assured depending upon the Individual health insurance plan
- Non-allopathic treatments like Homeopathic, and Ayurvedic treatments are not covered by the Health Insurance Plans for Individuals.
- If the disease is caused due to bad lifestyles like smoking or alcohol consumption, then Individual Health insurance does not encourage them for providing coverage.
- Cosmetic treatments such as plastic surgery (apart from the one caused due to an accident) and aesthetic treatments are not covered by the Individual Health Plan.
How to Choose the Best Individual Health Insurance Plans in India?
1) Sum Assured: While we are unhealthy, it costs a lot when we visit a doctor. Also, if there is a procedure that needs to be performed, it could even leave our bank balance empty. So, it is always preferred to choose individual health insurance with maximum coverage. Also, if we are taking Health Insurance plans for individuals who are the senior-most, then as they are more likely to contract diseases, they must have the maximum coverage possible.
2) Family Floater Health Plan vs Individual Health Plan: If you are a family of younger people including you, your wife and a child, then it is always preferred that you purchase a Family Floater health plan. Moreover, if you have parents who need to be insured, they must be given an individual health plan or Health Insurance Plans for Individuals as it provides more coverage which they may need in their old age.
3) Less waiting period: When you purchase a Health Insurance plan for Individuals, you will have to keep in mind that it should have a lesser waiting period for pre-existing diseases if any. Mostly the waiting period could vary between 2 to 4 years. Choose the one lesser waiting period as you are more vulnerable to pre-existing diseases.
4) Keep Maximum Renewal Age: When you are younger, you may or may not need an Individual health plan. But as you grow older, you must be aware that your body might not support you all the time. So, you must have a Health Insurance plan for Individuals which can provide renewability at least till the age of 70 or 75 years of age.
5) Claim Settlement Ratio: If you are confused while choosing an Individual Health Insurance, then you must check for the claim settlement ratio of the company. The one with a more claim settlement ratio should be chosen. This would ensure you have hassle-free claim settlements.
6) Sub-limits: An Individual Health Insurance must have a sub-limit that should be used for room rent, per-day expenses, etc. If you want to avoid removing any additional money from your pocket, then purchase an Individual Health Insurance which offers more sub-limits.
7) Network Hospital: If you are opting for Individual Health Plan with a cashless claim facility, then you have to check whether the network hospital mentioned is within your locality. Also, the network hospital should be expanded in different parts of India as well. This could help in case the insured is travelling to some other place.
8) Compare Premiums: While purchasing an Individual Health Insurance, it should be kept a habit to compare the premiums as it could be a possibility that there are two plans offering the same benefits and coverage, but one of them is with a lower premium. So, compare the plans for premium. However, an Individual health plan should not only be purchased just because of a lower premium, but you must also check other benefits as well.
9) Exclusions: Read the terms and conditions properly to know if you are eligible for Individual Health Insurance. If you are excluded from Health Insurance Plans for Individuals, then know it from the beginning to avoid rejection at the final stage of the claim process.
10) Feedback: Make sure you read the reviews of the Health Insurance Plans for Individuals. This would give you more idea about the plan.
11) Riders: Riders are purchased on top of the base plan to increase the coverage in Health Insurance Plans for Individuals. It could be helpful and would provide financial safeguard during times of accidents, critical illnesses, etc. Also, note that you must purchase a rider only if it is required.