Health insurance is essential when planning your financial future. A lot of people in India are reluctant to buy health plans because of its complex rules and regulations. Moreover, many people have a misconception that medical insurance only pays for the expenses incurred due to hospitalization.
However, this is not the complete picture. A health plan has way more advantages than anyone could ever think for. E.g., you can avail of a free medical check-up! Before we dive deep into the benefits of health insurance in India, let us understand what it exactly is.
What Is Health Insurance?
Health insurance plans will financially cover your medical and surgical expenses incurred over a lifetime. In simple terms, it is an agreement between you and your insurer – wherein after annual premium payment; the insurance provider will pay for your hospitalization and other medical expenses as listed under your plan.
Health Insurance Benefits in India
1. Alternative treatment
Many health insurance companies cover alternative therapies like Ayurveda and homeopathy.
2. Convalescence benefit
This benefit is also known as recuperating/recovery benefit under which the insurance takes care of the ‘recovery expenses’ of the insured. Any supplementary costs that might arise due to an insured’s hospitalization, like the replacement of loss of income of the insured.
3. Domiciliary treatment
It covers the treatment that is taken at home under medical supervision. However, there is a limit on the amount and the number of days for which the benefit is provided.
4. Expenses incurred in case of organ transplant
Coverage of expenses before an organ transplant is considered to be one of the best health insurance benefits. Some insurers cover the entire cost, while many others have a cap on these expenses.
5. The daily hospital cash allowance
This is an additional financial cover that is offered, which includes the cost of food and travel. It could be up to INR 2,000 a day and can even go up to INR 4,000 a day.
6. Attendant Allowance
Health insurance in India offers an attendant allowance to those adults who accompany the insured at a hospital. However, the insured must be a child, and the number of days for which an insurer will pay for the allowance is fixed.
7. Dental treatment
Many insurance companies also cover dental treatments once every few years. As the cost for dental treatment is high, we could avail of such advantages of a health policy.
8. Free health check-up
Many health insurance companies offer free health check-ups to policyholders after a certain number of claim free years. Moreover, they provide cashless check-up if the check-up takes place at an empanelled hospital.
9. Weight loss / Bariatric Surgery
Bariatric surgery is a life-saving technique for obese patients who are battling with medical conditions caused due to heavyweight. Several insurers cover a lot of insurers cover this surgery done for medical purposes.
10. Additional coverage
Last but not least, you also get a lot of other health insurance benefits in your policy. These include air ambulance coverage, vaccination expenses cover, coverage for day-care surgeries, and cover for health check-ups, to name a few.