Health Insurance for Heart & Cardiac Patients
Heart disease has emerged as a major global health concern, affecting people of all ages. In India, the prevalence of cardiovascular diseases is alarmingly high. Given the rising healthcare costs, having adequate health insurance coverage is crucial for individuals with heart conditions.
Alert!
Heart disease is a leading global health concern, claiming 17.9 million lives annually. It often results from conditions like high blood pressure and elevated blood sugar. -World Health Organisation
Heart insurance is an essential protection plan for individuals with a proven family history of heart ailments or those recovering from a heart ailment. These plans offer multiple features and benefits, enabling policyholders to better manage their heart health. Coverage for regular heart check-ups, treatments, surgery, and hospitalisation significantly reduces financial stress for individuals recovering from or being treated for heart conditions.
Why Health Insurance for Cardiac Patients?
Medical emergencies come unannounced. Thus, having health insurance to avoid financial burden during a medical emergency has become a necessity. Moreover, the prevailing sedentary lifestyle leads to deteriorated health conditions, making it even more important to be prepared for unforeseen medical emergencies. Cardiovascular diseases (CVDs) are now the leading cause of mortality in India, with ischemic heart disease and stroke being predominant causes, responsible for over 80% of CVD deaths, according to the World Health Organisation. Furthermore, as per the Indian Heart Association, 50% of all heart attacks in Indian men occur under 50 years of age, and 25% occur under 40 years of age.
Another challenge in treating heart-related diseases is the cost. Over the years, heart care treatment costs have increased exponentially, making many treatments unaffordable for the general public.
For example:
The cost of open-heart surgery ranges from Rs 1.75 lakh to 4.25 lakh. Coronary angiography is likely to cost around Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000. Moreover, valve surgeries could easily cost between Rs 2.5 lakh and 4 lakh. Hence, having health insurance for heart patients becomes the biggest support during any such emergency.
To safeguard yourself and your family against rising healthcare costs, insurance designed specifically for cardiac care has become indispensable. Read on to find out more:
What is Cardiac Health Insurance?
As per the figures mentioned, Cardiovascular Diseases (CVDs) are a primary cause of mortality in India. To help people cope with exorbitant heart treatment costs, general insurers in India have introduced health insurance for cardiac patients. Such plans offer coverage against expenses arising from hospitalization and treatment procedures for the insured person's cardiac conditions.
Health Insurance Plans for Cardiac Patients
| Name Of Plans | Entry Age | Sum Insured | Premiums (Approx.) |
| Care Heart Plan | Minimum: 18 Years Maximum: No Limit |
Upto INR 10 Lakh | INR 1,183 per month |
| Care Freedom Plan | Minimum: 90 Days Maximum: No Limit |
Upto INR 5 Lakh | INR 5,653 per month |
| Star Cardiac Care Plan | Minimum: 10 Years Maximum: 65 Years |
Upto INR 4 Lakh | INR 1,225 per month |
| Star Critical Illness Multipay Insurance Policy | Minimum: 18 Years Maximum: 65 Years |
Upto INR 25 Lakh | INR 1,534 per month |
| Star Special Care | Minimum: 3 Years Maximum: 25 Years (for those diagnosed with Autism) |
Upto INR 3 Lakh | INR 4800 per month |
| Niva Bupa CritiCare | Minimum: 18 Years Maximum: 65 Years |
Upto INR 3 Crore | INR 1044 per month |
| ManipalCigna ProHealth Prime | Minimum: 91 Days Maximum: No Limit |
Upto INR 1 Crore | INR 919 per month |
| Aditya Birla Activ Secure Critical Illness | Minimum: 5 Years Maximum: 65 Years |
Upto INR 1 Crore | INR 668 per month |
| SBI Critical Illness Insurance Plan | Minimum: 18 Years Maximum: 65 Years |
Upto INR 10 Lakh | INR 588 per month |
Importance of Health Insurance for Cardiac Patients in India
Heart ailments are expensive to treat and can deplete your hard-earned savings without comprehensive heart insurance. Health insurance for cardiac patients is beneficial as it covers major hospitalization expenses, daycare procedures, ambulance costs, cashless hospitalization, annual cardiac check-ups, domiciliary hospitalization, alternative treatments, and more.
The number of heart patients in India is constantly rising due to sedentary lifestyles and lack of physical activity. Unhealthy habits such as poor diet, smoking, drinking, and insufficient physical activity are increasing the Indian population's risk of cardiac arrest, strokes, and other heart-related issues.
Here are two major reasons why health insurance for cardiac patients is important in India:
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Financial Protection
Cardiac procedures and medications can be extremely expensive. Heart attacks and other cardiac emergencies often require immediate medical attention, incurring significant costs.
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Timely Access to Quality Care
Health insurance allows for cashless hospitalizations at network hospitals, eliminating the need for upfront payments. Health insurance companies often have streamlined claim settlement processes, ensuring timely reimbursement.
Key Features of Cardiac Health Insurance
Here are some key features of cardiac health insurance:
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Comprehensive Coverage
Cardiac health insurance provides policyholders with treatment coverage for an extensive list of cardiac conditions and procedures.
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Fixed Lump Sum Payout
Policyholders are eligible for a fixed lump sum payment, irrespective of actual expenses incurred for diagnosis or procedure.
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Coverage for Income Loss
This plan may compensate for income loss, as the claim amount can be used to cover household expenses.
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Tax Benefit
Like other health insurance plans, cardiac health plans are eligible for tax deductions under the Income Tax Act.
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Avail Plan Options
Insurance providers offer various plan variants with multiple benefits and features, such as income benefits, indexation benefits, hospitalization benefits, and lifelong renewability.
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Regular Cardiac Health Check-Ups
Cardiac health insurance covers insured individuals for regular cardiac health check-ups, an essential part of cardiac care and optimal recovery.
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Cover for Domiciliary Hospitalisation
Many health insurance plans for heart patients include domiciliary coverage, which is beneficial for illnesses requiring time-consuming recovery. Domiciliary cover means medical expenses incurred during home treatment for an insured person will be covered by the insurance provider up to a specified limit in the policy schedule.
What is Covered under Cardiac Health Insurance?
In-hospitalisation Expenses
Specific cardiac health insurance covers all expenses arising from hospitalisation treatment lasting more than 24 hours.
Pre & Post-hospitalisation Expenses
Varying by policy, these plans also cover pre-hospitalisation (expenses incurred before admission) and post-hospitalisation (expenses incurred after admission) expenditures up to a specific time frame.
Domiciliary Hospitalisation
If the patient cannot be moved to a hospital for treatment, or if there are no vacant beds or medical amenities, domiciliary hospitalisation can be opted for.
Ambulance Expenses
Expenses incurred by the insured person for ambulance services from residence to hospital are also covered under health insurance for heart patients.
Alternative Treatments
Alternative medical treatments such as AYUSH (Ayurveda, Yoga and Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Homoeopathy) are also covered.
Daycare Treatments
Treatments that do not require 24 hours of hospitalisation are also covered under cardiac health insurance.
Myocardial Infarction (First Heart Attack) & Refractory Heart Failure
These treatments are covered as per the cardiologist's diagnosis or the policy document.
Treatments or Medical Procedures Covered
The following treatments are generally covered under a cardiac health insurance plan:
- First Heart Attack - of Specified Severity
- Pericardiectomy
- Angioplasty
- Balloon Valvotomy or Valvuloplasty
- Open Chest Coronary Artery Bypass Graft
- Minimally Invasive Surgery of Aorta
- Surgery to place Ventricular Assist Devices
- Implantable Cardioverter Defibrillator (ICD)
- Open Heart Replacement or Repair of Heart Valves
- Primary Pulmonary Arterial Hypertension
- Heart Transplant
- Surgery for Cardiac Arrhythmia
- Insertion of Pacemaker
Note: The above procedures may vary from insurer to insurer. Before buying a cardiac health plan, you must check with your insurer about the coverage of these procedures.
What is Not Covered Under Cardiac Health Insurance?
The following treatments are not covered under a cardiac health insurance plan:
Self-inflicted injury and suicidal attempts
Maternity Expenses
Treatments related to pregnancy and childbirth, abortion, miscarriage, and other complications.
Infertility and IVF Treatments
Infertility and IVF treatments and related tests.
Congenital Diseases
Illnesses from Drug or Alcohol Consumption
Hospitalisation required due to any illness resulting from drug or alcohol consumption.
Hearing Aids
Hearing aids (unless specified in your policy documents).
Vision Treatment, Dental Care, Physiotherapy
Vision treatment, dental care, physiotherapy, etc.
War, Riots, Strikes, Nuclear Weapons
Hospitalisation induced by war, riots, strikes, or nuclear weapons are also excluded.
How Is Cardiac Health Insurance Different from Regular Health Insurance?
People often get confused about how regular health insurance differs from specific cardiac health insurance. While regular health plans cover all hospitalisation expenses (pre and post), there is often a sub-limit when coverage is offered for critical illnesses like cardiac ailments or cancer.
Considering the rising incidence of cardiac diseases in India, it is better to be prepared for any uncertainties. A cardiac health plan ensures you have a customised fixed benefit health plan that specifically caters to heart-related conditions.
Check out the table below to understand the major difference between cardiac health insurance and regular health insurance.
| Cardiac Health Insurance | Regular Health Insurance |
| Specifically tailored to cover heart-related conditions and procedures. | Provides broader coverage for a wide range of illnesses and injuries. |
| Prioritizes coverage for heart ailments, including heart attacks, bypass surgeries, angioplasties, and other cardiac procedures. | Offers general medical coverage, but may have limitations or exclusions for specific heart conditions, especially if pre-existing. |
| Often provides lump sum benefits upon diagnosis of a critical heart condition, that can be used for various medical expenses. | Typically covers medical expenses incurred during hospitalisation and treatment. |
| These plans may have shorter waiting periods for heart-related treatments compared to regular health insurance. | Often has a longer waiting period for pre-existing conditions, which can be a significant factor for individuals with a history of heart problems. |
Who Should Buy Cardiac Health Insurance?
Previously, it was believed that only people above 40 or those with obesity were at risk of cardiac attacks. However, given modern lifestyles, cardiac ailments can affect anyone, regardless of age.
Moreover, the cost of treatment for heart-related ailments is constantly rising and can deplete one's lifelong savings.
Thus, it is recommended to have cardiac health insurance if you have a sedentary lifestyle, which makes you prone to lifestyle diseases, including cardiovascular ailments such as heart attacks, heart failure, etc.
With adequate cardiac cover, one can access the best treatment and lead a healthy life without worrying about treatment costs.
How to buy Cardiac Health Insurance Plans Online?
Buy from PolicyX.com
- Fill in the form available at the top of this page.
- Enter details such as your name, contact details, etc.
- Once done, the next page will display all available mediclaim policies for heart patients.
- Choose the most suitable plan as per your requirements.
- Pay the premium online. Once payment is confirmed, your policy details will be shared on your registered email address.
Buy from Company's Website
- Visit the official website of the company.
- Click on the plan you wish to buy.
- Fill in your details such as age, gender, and other specifications.
- Once done, submit the form, and the screen will display the premium you need to pay.
- Pay the premium online. Once payment is confirmed, your policy details will be shared on your registered email address.
Bottom Line
Heart disease remains a leading cause of mortality in India, and the financial burden of treatment can be significant. While regular health insurance can help, it may not provide sufficient coverage for specific cardiac conditions. Cardiac health insurance offers a safety net, ensuring you have the financial resources to access the best possible treatment in case of a heart-related emergency.
Don't wait until it's too late! Explore the options available at PolicyX.com and choose a cardiac health insurance plan that suits your needs and budget. Invest in your heart health and peace of mind today!
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