Top 10 Hidden Benefits of Best Health Insurance Plans in India
Health insurance needs no more introductions in today’s lifestyle. The best health insurance plans offer an array of coverage including daycare expenses, ambulance costs, pre-and post-hospitalization expenses, domiciliary expenditures, and many more. These days, people are aware of the advantages of health insurance as it safeguards their hard-earned money in case of healthcare contingencies that need hospitalization.
Though the popularity of health insurance is increasing day by day, still, some people believe that health insurance policies only offer hospitalization expenses. But the popular health insurance policies bear multifarious expenses apart from your hospitalization expenditures. Due to this lack of knowledge, the benefits of having health insurance remain unused in many cases. A policyholder should know what are the benefits of health insurance so that he can enjoy maximum coverage under the plan.
10 Best Hidden Benefits of a Health Insurance Plan in India
Let’s take a look at some of the hidden benefits of health insurance policy as mentioned below:-
1. Recovery Benefit
The recovery benefit is also known as a recuperating benefit or convalescence benefit among policyholders. Under this type of benefit, the insurance company takes care of the recovery expenses of the insured person. The benefit offers financial support to policyholders that may be raised due to hospitalization. If you need to stay in the hospital for a prolonged period, then there could be a chance of loss of income. If you are the sole breadwinner of the family, then your family may face financial difficulties in this situation. Thus, insurance providers offer a lump sum amount to the policyholder if he needs to stay in the hospital for more than 7 days. Some health insurance policies also offer add-on costs such as compassionate visits by family members and many more.
2. Alternative Treatment
The earlier alternative treatment was not covered by health insurance policies. But the government of India is promoting alternative treatment methods like Ayurveda, Unani, and Homeopathy and encouraging people to adopt these methods for their illnesses. Thus, insurance companies offer coverage for alternative treatment methods. But the coverage amount is capped by the insurers. For example, the TATA AIG MediPrime policy plan offers coverage up to Rs. 25,000 for alternative treatment methods. Health insurance companies will offer you coverage only if you treat at a government-recognized hospital or an institute that is recognized by the Quality Council of India and the National Accreditation Board on Health.
3. Organ Donor Expenses are Covered
Organ donor transplantation is a costlier process and you need to pay a hefty amount for these procedures. The cost of kidney transplantation is between Rs. 3 lakh to Rs. 5 lakh. But most health insurance companies offer coverage for the surgery cost of the organ donor processes. Other expenditures like hospitalization costs, post-surgical complications, screening costs, etc. are not covered by the insurance companies. Some insurance companies offer this feature as an add-on benefit.
4. Domiciliary Treatment
Domiciliary treatment options are getting popular as many patients prefer to stay at their home for their treatments instead of getting admitted to a hospital. Thus, health insurance companies are offering domiciliary treatment costs under medical supervision. But they have capped the expenses for which the benefit is available. For example, Max Bupa Heartbeat Silver policy covers domiciliary expenses for up to Rs. 25,000.
5. Attendance Allowance
Nowadays, insurance companies are embracing policyholders with attendance allowance coverage under certain conditions.
- The insured person should be a child
- The attendant should be an adult person
But the number of days for which you will get the attendance allowance is fixed by the insurer. For example, the Oriental Insurance Family Floater plan provides Rs. 500 per day attendance allowance for up to 10 days.
6. The Daily Hospital Cash Allowance
Once you get admitted to a hospital, other expenses may come on your way. These expenses could be food and travel. Though these expenses are not covered by the basic health plans, some policy plans offer coverage for up to a pre-decided amount. SBI Hospital’s Daily cash policy offers coverage for Rs. 2000 per day. Your cash amount may get doubled if you need to admit to the ICU.
7. Free Health Checkups
Health checkups are mandatory to prevent various diseases. But these checkups are expensive and will make a hole in your pocket. Many health insurance policies offer free annual health checkups after every 4 to 5 claim-free years. If you perform these tests at network hospitals or empaneled hospitals, then health insurers offer cashless health checkups.
8. Dental Treatment
Some health insurance companies offer coverage for dental treatments up to a certain limit only after the completion of the waiting period. For example, Apollo Munich Maxima Health plan offers dental OPD treatment after the completion of the waiting period (3-4 years).
9. Bariatric or Weight-Loss Surgeries
Obesity is increasing at an alarming rate these days. Obese people often suffer from many life-threatening diseases due to their excessive weight. Bariatric surgeries could save their lives and help them to lead healthy lives. Earlier, these surgeries fall under the category of cosmetic procedures, but now, these surgeries are life-saving treatment methods for obese people. Many health insurance companies like ICICI Lombard offer coverage for bariatric surgeries if they are recommended by doctors for treatment purposes.
10. Wellness Programs
Many health insurers are rewarding their patients with wellness benefits for maintaining a wholesome lifestyle. You can integrate this add-on benefit into your basic health plan.
Conclusion
Now, you have adequate information regarding the benefits of health insurance and what is the use of health insurance. Check with your health insurer whether it is offering these benefits or not. Utilize your health insurance policy in the maximum ways. Clear all the doubts with the insurance company before making any final commitments.
