INSUBCONTINENT EXCLUSIVE:
One of the ways to be financially prepared against uncertain health risks is by buying health insurance.
With the constant increasing prices of healthcare in our country, and with the
ever rising instances of diseases, health insurance today is a necessity
Health insurance provides people with a much needed financial backup at times of medical emergencies
Health risks and uncertainties are a part of life
One cannot plan and get sick but one can certainly be prepared for the financial aspect
insurance coverage that pays for medical expenses incurred by the insured
Health insurance can reimburse the insured for expenses incurred from illness or injury, or pay the care provider directly
There are different types of health insurance plans, such as individual, family health insurance, critical illness insurance, etc
Purchasing a health insurance is an integral part of financial planning.There is a huge market, which is untapped and has immense potential
since the gap between the health care spend and that covered by health insurance is enormous
Even those that are covered are underinsured and unaware about it
As an industry we need to be focused about building awareness amongst consumers and develop innovative risk solutions that will cater to
their need, says an expert
date, medical care in our country still remains largely as an expensive affair
According to various reports, India still continues to have the lowest health insurance penetration in the world
However, government's focus towards health schemes, new initiatives like, Ayushman Bharat Yojana, and capital expenditure towards healthcare
may ameliorate the situation
Finance Minister Arun Jaitley, had announced in the Union Budget 2018, National Health Protection Scheme, under which a medical insurance
policy in place, and if you have a family to support, you can buy a family health insurance to take care of the medical needs of your family
However, the health insurance premium that one has to pay to avail a good insurance policy varies for different people, and is based on a
number of different factors.Here are the major reasons for getting a health insurance:1
There are a plethora of reasons to have a health insurance policy in place
The tectonic shift in our lifestyle has made us more prone to a wide range of health disorders
Commuting, hectic work schedules, wrong eating habits, quality of food, and rising levels of pollution have increased the risk of developing
The medical costs have dramatically risen lately
So, in case of a medical emergency, consumers end up spending their savings, which takes a toll on their future plans
Reports highlight that Indians primarily depend on their own savings when it comes to tackling health emergencies.3
Payments made towards health insurance premiums are also eligible for tax deductions under section 80D of the Indian Income Tax Act
Individuals up to 60 years of age can claim a deduction of up to Rs 25,000 for the health insurance premium paid for themselves, or for
One can also claim another Rs 50,000 as deduction if you buy health insurance for your parents aged 60 years and above.This deduction will
be available with respect to respect of payments towards annual premium on health insurance policy, or preventive health check-up, of a
senior citizen, or medical expenditure in respect of every senior citizen
So overall, if you are paying the health insurance premiums for your senior citizen parents, you can avail total deduction up to Rs
Not only mainstream medical costs, but also the cost of OPD (out-patient department) expenses, diagnostic tests have also risen in recent
times which makes it even more vital for one to buy a health insurance policy
It is noteworthy that the medical policies not only cover the hospitalisation costs but also the expenses incurred towards OPD and
diagnostic tests before and after a stipulated time period as prescribed by the policy.5
There is a common dilemma among people about the right age to buy a health insurance policy
However, there's no right age to buy one
But, if one buys health insurance policy at an early age, one will have to pay less for the policy
Premiums for a health policy increase with one's age; that's because the associated risk increases
Premiums for health plans are determined by the age, medical history, city of residence, etc
So, if you buy a health plan early it will help you save on the premiums you will pay.Also, when you are buying a health insurance, buying
critical illness insurance is suggested as well
A critical illness policy is a cover that offers to pay you a fixed sum once you are diagnosed with a critical illness that is covered by
You can opt to buy a critical illness policy as standalone insurance, or you can buy it as a rider when you buy your regular health
Critical illness insurance acts as a very valuable addition to the basic health cover in case you are diagnosed with a serious illness
While you can use your regular individual or family health insurance to cover your hospitalisation bills, the lump sum amount that you
