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A health insurance policy covers medical expenses caused due to an accident, illness, or injury. An individual can purchase such a policy for a set period by paying monthly or annual premiums.
If the insured person meets an accident or is diagnosed with a severe illness during this insurance tenure, the insurance company will cover all treatment and hospitalization costs. In addition, you can take advantage of the other benefits offered by health insurance policies. So, to learn in-depth about health insurance and its features, keep reading this article.
Purpose:
High medical bills that you can't afford to pay out of your pocket can be avoided with health insurance.
Nobody expects to get hurt or sick, but a severe illness can strike at any time. And the cost of treating any acute disease can put a significant strain on any savings you've built over time. Such a financial crisis may make you choose between providing your child with the best education possible and defaulting on your mortgage payments.
The cost of medical treatment is steadily increasing today. This is where health insurance comes in handy. It allows you to focus on the treatment rather than the stress associated with healthcare costs.
Benefits:
Health insurance comes with numerous benefits. So, let’s take a glimpse at some of the significant advantages.
Cashless Treatment:
In most cases, insurance companies have partnerships with hospitals, known as network hospitals, that provide cashless treatment to insured individuals in the event of hospitalization. These hospitals pay for the costs of treatment received by the insured.
So, you can get the treatment done at these hospitals without having to pay anything for the medical expenses, as the insurer will reimburse the amount on filing the claim. Note that the claim will be approved only if submitted by the policy's terms and conditions.
Complete Coverage:
Purchasing a health insurance policy online will enable you to tackle health-related issues and get the best treatment without worrying about secondary costs such as ambulance charges, daycare charges, etc.
Lifetime Renewability:
It allows policyholders to renew their health insurance policy at any time, regardless of their age or upper age limit. The lifetime renewability benefit of health insurance relieves financial stress in a medical emergency, especially for senior citizens and parents.
Also, the Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority of India (IRDAI) has issued guidelines to all insurance companies to include this benefit in their health insurance plans compulsorily.
Portability:
Health insurance portability allows policyholders to transfer their existing policy to a new insurer. It saves customers from being taken advantage of by insurance companies, giving them enhanced flexibility and better alternatives if they aren't pleased with their existing health insurance plans.
Key Points to Remember While Choosing a Health Insurance:
While selecting a health insurance policy suitable for you and your family, consider the following factors.
Maximum Coverage:
Look for a plan that offers comprehensive health coverage, including daycare and domiciliary care. Specific treatments, such as cataract surgery, necessitate a stay of less than 24 hours in the hospital. Treatments for bone fractures can also be done at home rather than in hospitals. So, ensure your policy covers all these things.
Eligibility:
Certain policies may have appealing healthcare features, such as extended coverage and NCB, but they may also have an enrollment age limit. So, examine the eligibility requirements of various health insurance plans and choose the policy with lifetime coverage and a maximum renewal age.
Waiting time:
It refers to the time between the issuance of the health insurance policy and the receipt of its benefits. So, it is recommended to opt for policies that do not require a long waiting period.
Exclusions:
No matter how complete an insurance policy is, it is limited to its coverage. So, scrutinize the exclusions properly before purchasing a policy to avoid future confusion. It is better to opt for policies having the fewest possible exclusions.
Conclusion:
A health insurance policy is now a necessity due to the wide range of benefits it provides to people in their medical emergencies. However, do not rush into purchasing a policy. Instead, perform some preliminary research before making a purchase.
Almost all insurance companies now have a presence on the internet. Also, there are several quote comparison websites available online. So, you can easily find and compare policies. Lastly, opt for a suitable insurance policy after reviewing the insurer's offers and terms and conditions.