Health Insurance
Tax Benefits
- What Are Tax Benefits
- Section 80D & 80DD
- Discover Tax Savings
Tax benefits on health insurance are often overlooked when purchasing a health plan. The most common tax benefit in health insurance in the Indian context is 80D of the Income Tax Act.
However, there is more to the picture apart from health insurance tax benefit 80D.
In this article, we will uncover the different health insurance tax exclusions, their benefits, and how you can take the right advantage of them. Before we move on, let us understand health insurance first.
Most Indians do not believe in preventive medical care. However, witnessing a global pandemic has changed how health insurance is perceived.
Investing in health insurance plans will offer you a financial safety net against hefty medical bills. You and your family are covered for daycare treatments, maternity expenses, and alternative treatments.
Available as individual, family, and group health insurance plans come with tax deductions.
The government of India established section 80D of the Income Tax Act.
Every individual and family (Hindu united family) is eligible to claim tax deductions for 2 kinds of premium payments
Health insurance tax benefit section 80D applies to all kinds of health plans including top-ups and critical illness. Moreover, Non-resident Indians (NRIs) can also claim tax deductions under section 80D for health plans purchased in India.
Indian Nationals and NRIs (Non-Residential Indians) along with Hindu Undivided families (HUFs) are eligible for tax benefits on health insurance under section 80D of the Income Tax Act, 1961.
You can claim the following tax deductions under Section 80D as per the Income Tax Act, of 1961.
| Tax Deduction | Applicable On Health Insurance |
| Up to INR 25,000 | For self, spouse, dependent children, or parents |
| Up to INR 50,000 | For parents (60 years and above) |
| Up to INR 5,000 | For preventive health check-ups for self, spouse, dependent children, and parents. |
| INR 25,000 | For NRIs (Non-Resident Indians) |
Let us further understand these tax deductions with examples:
Example 1
Mr. Nitin invests in a family floater health insurance plan. The family floater covers Mr. Nitin, his spouse, and 1 dependent child (all below 60 years of age). The annual policy premium paid is INR 18,000.
Furthermore, Mr. Nitin invests in a senior citizen health insurance plan (both parents above 60 years of age) for which he pays an annual premium of INR 14,000.
As per the table mentioned above, Mr. Nitin is eligible for a claim of up to INR 75,000 under section 80D including INR 25,000 for the family floater health plan and INR 50,000 for the senior citizen health plan.
This shows that the total premium amount of INR 32,000 paid by him for both health plans is well under tax deduction limits and will be refunded at the end of every financial year till the policies are active.
Family Floater Plan
INR 18,000
+
Senior Citizen Plan
INR 14,000
=
Total premium
INR 32,000
Example 2
Tax deductions under section 80D including preventive health check-ups.
Mr. Ashok has a family of 6 members
| Cover | Actual Expenses | Tax Deductions Under Section 80D | Total Deduction Applied |
| Premium paid for self, spouse, and children | INR 30,000 | INR 25,000 | INR 25,000 |
| Amount paid for preventive health check-ups for self, spouse, and children | INR 15,000 | INR 5,000 | INR 5,000 |
| Total Expenses for Family Floater Health Plan | INR 45,000 | INR 25,000 | INR 25,000 |
| Cover | Actual Expenses | Tax Deductions Under Section 80D | Total Deduction Applied |
| Premium paid for senior citizens' health plan | INR 52,000 | INR 50,000 | INR 50,000 |
| Preventive Health check-ups for parents | INR 10,000 | INR 5,000 | INR 5,000 |
| Total Expense for Senior Citizens Health Plan | INR 62,000 | INR 50,000 | INR 50,000 |
Health insurance is truly cashless when it comes to tax deductions. You can claim tax deductions according to section 80D on health insurance premiums paid via all online methods such as UPI, Debit and Credit Cards, bank drafts, cheques, etc. However, health insurance premiums paid in cash are not eligible for tax deductions.
In the case of preventive health check-ups, you are eligible to claim tax deductions through cash as well as digital payments.
This may come as a surprise but there are other lesser-known tax deductions applicable on health insurance plans.
We have discussed the same in the section below
Under Section 80 DD, the annual limit for tax deductions on taking care of a dependent family member with a disability of more than 80% is INR 1.5 Lakhs. Dependents include
When filing income tax returns, make sure to submit a medical disability certificate which is issued by the state or central government medical board to claim tax benefits on health insurance.
Applicable for individuals and HUFs for availing treatment for a specific illness listed below
Tax deduction limits under section 80DDB
'I have purchased a 2-year health insurance plan, am I eligible for tax benefits?' asks a curious customer to our PolicyX insurance expert.
Much to her surprise, we tell her how their health plan with a policy term of 2 years is eligible for tax deductions as per section 80D.
Your health insurer will issue a certificate claiming the amount of premium paid by you so you can avail of proportionate tax deductions under section 80D.
Consider these factors before you claim health insurance tax benefits:
If you are under the misconception that health plans are mere protection plans for you and your family against medical bills, you may be mistaken. The multiple tax benefits in health insurance plans are encouragement enough for you to invest in the best health plans.
To understand how sections 80D, 80DD, and 80DDB are your financial saviours, refer to the article above. For any further clarification contact us at 1800-4200-269.
Individuals and Hindu United Families (HUFs) are eligible for tax benefits under section 80D of the Income Tax Act, of 1961.
If you purchase a senior citizen health insurance plan for your parents above the age of 60 years, you are eligible to claim tax deductions of up to INR 50,000 on premiums paid towards the health plan.
You can avail of up to INR 25,000 tax deductions in one financial year towards health plans covering self, spouse, and dependent children.
Similarly, if your spouse or dependent parents are over the age of 60 years you can avail of up to INR 50,000 tax deductions in one financial year under section 80D.
Preventive health check-ups are eligible for up to INR 5,000 tax deductions under section 80D of the Income Tax Act.
Under section 80DD the annual limit for tax deductions on taking care of a dependent family member with a disability of more than 80% is INR 1.5 Lakhs. Make sure to issue a medical disability certificate to showcase when filing for annual tax returns.
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Simran is an insurance expert with more than 3 years of experience in the industry. She may have all the answers to your insurance queries. With a background in Banking, she proactively helps her readers to stay on par with all the latest Insurance industry developments.
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