In India health insurance is necessary for every individual, keeping in mind the rising medical costs and a spurt of lifestyle diseases. A medical emergency is something that not only impacts physically, emotionally but also financially. In fact, the physical impact of medical emergency can only be dealt with being financially secure. So, it is advised to all the Indian citizens to buy a health plan early in life before turning 30.
Buying a health insurance plan as early as possible is the best thing which results in a good deal along with the lowest possible premium. For example, a plan with Rs. 5 lakhs coverage will cost nearly Rs. 8,000 at the age of 45, Rs. 6,000 at the age of 35 and Rs. 5,000 at the age of 25.
Every company doesn’t provide employee health cover, and even if it’s there, it is not sufficient to take care of the huge medical costs. When you get older, you might need more frequent medical attention. The unhealthy lifestyle results in early age diseases like heart, cancer, lungs, and stroke, etc.
The best insurance policies come with free annual health check-ups, screenings, vaccination as well as counseling. They not only insures serious hospitalization but all daycare procedures. Amazingly, they cover vector-borne diseases and also include maternity benefits.
Types of Health Insurance Plans in India
Individual Health Insurance
The individual health insurance policy is for those who don’t have any dependent(s). Such people can gift themselves the best health insurance policy that covers their current and potential healthcare needs.
Family Floater Health Insurance
A family floater health insurance policy is for those who are married and have the responsibility to take care of their spouse and dependent kid(s). This health insurance policy covers your whole family under a single umbrella of coverage.
Senior Citizen Health Insurance
A senior citizen health insurance policy is highly recommended for people above 60 years of age since they are more prone to diseases followed by hospitalization inviting substantial medical expenses and need special care.
Critical Illness Insurance
Critical illness insurance is when a person is diagnosed with a critical illness specified in the medical reports, the insurer will pay a lump sum amount to you, irrespective of whether or not you’ve availed the treatment. Some critical illnesses covered by the policy are heart attack, cancer of a specific type, etc.
Personal Accident Insurance
The insurer pays a lump sum to the policyholder if he/she suffered accidental injuries that led to total or partial permanent disability. Personal accident insurance is available as a rider, which can be included with one’s existing health insurance policy.
Maternity Cover Plan
Maternity cover plan is a must if you are planning to have a baby, then looking for maternity cover is a must for you, as the policy covers all the expenses during pregnancy and for the newborn to a certain period of time.
Hospital Cash Plan
Hospital cash plan covers non-medical expenses incurred during hospitalization like food, travel, personal comfort, convenience, etc. When you purchase a health insurance policy, make sure to opt for hospital cash benefit to avail of coverage for all such expenses, subject to a limit.
Group Health Insurance
Employers generally provide the group health insurance plans to their employees which includes loyalty bonus or incentives without a pre-policy medical check-up. Employees can avail the cashless treatment at the network hospitals or get a reimbursement for the out-of-pocket medical expenses subject to the policy terms and conditions.
How to Choose the Best Health Insurance Plan?
Health insurance is the most complicated insurance product as it comes with several riders and additional benefits. Comparing is the best policy when you talk about the insurance sector. You should compare the best policies online so that you can buy the best one for you and your loved ones, the ones who are dependent on you.
It is essential to buy the best available policy in the market as it not only provides the most expensive health care cost but also promises a healthy future without worrying about hospital expenses and medical bills to the policyholder and his family.
Before investing in a health insurance plan, one must compare the policies from the best insurance providers and select the one that best suits his needs. Due to several existing health insurance policies in the market and to get relieved from confusion in choosing the best and right policy, PolicyX.com have picked up in details about the best health insurance policies in India, which stand superior on parameters such as eligibility, features, coverage, affordability, limits, and exclusions.
Top 10 Health Insurance Plans in India 2019
According to The Insurance Regulatory and Development Authority (IRDA) rankings, here is the Top 10 list of health insurance plans:
ApolloMunich brings you innovative health insurance to cover your loved ones under one plan. Optima Restore family floater plan is designed specially to cover your family, which includes your spouse, dependent children, parents, and parents-in-law.
The plan includes unique benefits such as Restore, Multiplier and Stay Active.
With Restore benefit even if anyone in your family uses the sum insured partially or fully, the insurer will instantly add 100% of the sum insured to your policy, which would be available to everyone covered under the plan.
Features and Benefits
It is applicable only once during a policy year and is not carried forward to the next year.
Single claim size cannot exceed the sum of base sum insured and multiplier benefit (if any).
In addition, the policy also comes with a Multiplier benefit, which rewards you with a 100% increase in your sum insured after 2 claim-free years.
The Stay Active benefit rewards customers who lead an active lifestyle, also allows a customer to enjoy premium discounts.
Buy the best-selling Optima Restore health insurance plan online to secure the future of your family right away.
Exclusions
30 days waiting period.
Pre-existing illnesses for 3 years waiting period.
Disease-specific waiting period for 2 years waiting period.
HIV/AIDS.
Drugs-induced illnesses or injuries.
Incurred expense during pregnancy.
Dental treatment expenses.
External aids.
Personal comfort goods.
Unauthorized treatment.
Religare NCB Super Premium
NCB Super Premium offers an enhanced sum insured along with the comprehensive insurance coverage. Also, the plan offers No-claim Bonus (NCB) benefits.
Features and Benefits
Room rent.
ICU charges.
Health check-up.
Domestic Air-Ambulance Cover.
International Second Opinion.
Pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization coverage.
Organ donor cover: The plan covers reimbursement for incurred medical expenses for harvesting an organ for an organ transplant of the insured.
Reassurance of a Second Opinion: The plan offers a second opinion in case the insured has any doubts regarding the diagnosis.
Unlimited automatic recharge: This add-on optional cover offers automatic recharge of the sum assured in case it is exhausted.
Ambulance cover.
Lifelong renewability.
Personal Accident Coverage.
Domestic Air-Ambulance Cover.
International Second Opinion.
In-patient hospitalization: In case of in-patient hospitalization for a minimum time period of 24 hours, the plan covers incurred room rent, nursing expenses, intensive care unit expenses, doctor's fee, surgeon's fee, anesthesia charges, blood charges, oxygen charges, operation theatre expenses, etc.
Daycare treatment: The plan covers incurred medical expenses for 540 plus covered daycare procedures if the insured undergoes a covered daycare treatment that doesn’t need hospitalization for a time period of more than 24 hours.
AYUSH treatment (Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy treatment).
Second medical opinion.
Single policy, wider coverage for the whole family along with affordable premium.
Max Bupa Health Companion Individual
Health Companion by Max Bupa is one of the most preferable and affordable health insurance plan formulated especially for individuals and nuclear families. Here are the details:
Types of variants offered by this plan:
Variant- 1
It offers 2 sum insured options: Rs. 3 lakhs and Rs. 4 lakhs. In order to enhance the insurance coverage, it comes with a top up with an Annual Aggregate Deductible (AAG) option of Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 2 lakhs, Rs. 3 lakhs, Rs. 4 lakhs, Rs. 5 lakhs and Rs. 10 lakhs.
Variant- 2
It offers 4 sum insured options: Rs. 5 lakhs, Rs. 7.5 lakhs, Rs. 10 lakhs, and Rs. 12.5 lakhs. In order to enhance the insurance coverage, it can be loaded with a top up with Annual Aggregate Deductible (AAG) option of Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 2 lakhs, Rs. 3 lakhs, Rs. 4 lakhs, Rs. 5 lakhs, and Rs. 10 lakhs.
Variant- 3
It offers 5 sum insured options: Rs. 15 lakhs, Rs. 20 lakhs, Rs. 30 lakhs, Rs. 50 lakhs, and Rs. 1 Crore. In order to enhance insurance coverage, it comes with a top up with Annual Aggregate Deductible (AAG) option of Rs. 1 lakh, Rs. 2 lakhs, Rs. 3 lakhs, Rs. 4 lakhs, Rs. 5 lakhs and Rs. 10 lakhs.
Features and Benefits
In-patient hospitalization.
Pre- hospitalization and post-hospitalization charges.
Daycare treatments: While this plan covers all the daycare treatment expenses, such procedures shouldn’t have been undertaken in the outpatient department.
Refill benefit: This benefit offers an amount equal to the base sum insured as an additional amount for a subsequent claim against any different and unrelated illness.
Emergency ambulance expenses: This plan covers emergency ambulance expenses up to Rs 3,000.
Animal bite vaccination.
Hospital cash benefit: Optionally, this plan offers a lump-sum payout of Rs. 4,000 (or as per the variant opted) on a daily basis as daily cash benefit if an insured is hospitalized for a minimum duration of 2 days. The benefit can be availed for up to 30 days.
Tax benefit.
Lifetime renewal benefits.
Cashless facility: The plans offer cashless facility at the network-listed hospitals.
Organ transplant cover.
ManipalCigna Prohealth Plus
Prohealth Plus by ManipalCigna offers comprehensive insurance coverage at an affordable premium. The plan fulfills various insurance needs of different health insurance buyers. Here are the details of the plan:
Features and Benefits
Enhanced sum insured.
Hospitalization expenses.
Renewal benefit: The plan offers lifetime renewal option.
Long-term policy period.
Pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization charges.
daycare cover.
Domiciliary treatment.
Emergency ambulance cover.
Donor expenses.
Worldwide emergency coverage.
Additional discounts.
Health maintenance cover.
Maternity expenses.
First year vaccinations: The plan covers first-year vaccinations expenses of the newborn baby (if applicable).
Medical check-up.
Critical illness expert opinion.
Waiver of senior citizen mandatory co-payment: The plan comes with an alternative to eradicate mandatory co-payment applicable to an insured person aged 65 years and above by paying an additional premium.
Tax benefit.
Easy cancellation.
Exclusions
Maternity coverage.
First year vaccination of the newborn.
Waiting period or 30 days.
Survival Period- During the first 90 days from the commencement of policy, no critical illness-related claims can be filed.
2 Years waiting period.
HIV/AIDS.
Genetic disorders.
Mental disorders.
Drug abuse or suicide.
Childbirth/pregnancy.
Pre-existing illnesses.
Tax benefit.
HDFC ERGO Health Suraksha Gold Regain
Health Suraksha Gold is the latest plan by HDFC ERGO that offers comprehensive health insurance coverage. Additionally, the plan offers enhanced cumulative bonus for every claim-free year from a minimum of 10% up to 100% of the amount insured upon renewal.
Features and Benefits
Comprehensive coverage.
Wide hospital network.
No entry age restriction.
Tax benefits.
Minimal paperwork and hassle-free claims.
In-patient treatment expenses.
Pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization charges.
AYUSH treatments: This plan offers treatment coverage for ayurveda, unani, siddha, and homeopathy as per the sum insured.
Maternity benefit.
Domiciliary treatment expenses.
Organ donation expenses: this plan covers incurred medical expenses for organ harvesting for transplant.
Additional discounts.
Exclusions
30 days waiting period.
Specific diseases: Surgical procedures for specific diseases such as tonsils, sinuses, internal tumor, and cysts will be covered only after 2 years waiting period.
Pre-existing illnesses.
HIV/AIDS treatment.
Specific diseases.
Drugs abuse.
Royal Sundaram Lifeline Supreme
Lifeline Supreme, by Royal Sundaram, offers comprehensive health insurance coverage, which includes annual health check-up, health and wellness benefits, a second opinion in case of critical illness etc. This plan is offered on an individual basis as well as a family floater plan for self, spouse and dependent children to anyone above 18 years of age.
Features and Benefits
In-patient hospitalization charges.
Pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization charges.
daycare procedures.
Ambulance expenses up to Rs. 5,000.
Organ transplant cover.
Domiciliary treatment.
No claim bonus.
AYUSH treatments: This plan offers in-patient coverage for alternative treatment for Ayurveda, Unani, Siddha, and Homeopathy up to Rs. 30,000.
Animal Bite Vaccination.
Yearly health check-up benefit.
Second opinion benefit.
Emergency domestic evacuation expenses across India up to Rs. 1 lakh.
Exclusions
Treatment expenses due to participation in adventure or hazardous Sports activities.
Alternative treatment expenses excluding AYUSH.
Treatment expenses due to congenital conditions, HIV AIDS, cosmetic surgery, convalescence and rehabilitation, dental and oral treatment, drugs, hereditary conditions, conflicts and disasters, etc.
Expenses related to hospitalization for investigative or observational purpose.
Treatment expenses related to self-inflicted Injuries.
Treatment expenses related to sexual problems, dysfunctions, and gender-related problems.
Active Assure Diamond by Aditya Birla offers comprehensive health insurance coverage. The plan offers comprehensive health insurance coverage.
Features and Benefits
Sum insured reload benefit: The plan offers a sum insured reload in case the sum insured and No Claim Bonus/Super No Claim Bonus (if applicable) is exhausted/insufficient due to claims filed earlier. As per this cover, an insured gets up to 150 percent additional sum insured (Rs. 50 lakhs at highest) for hospitalization due to an unrelated illness.
Daily cash benefit.
Vaccination benefit.
Annual medical check-up program.
Donor organ transplant expenses.
Daycare procedures: the plan covers 586 daycare procedures such as dialysis.
Hospitalization expenses.
Cancer hospitalization booster.
Any room upgrade.
Emergency ambulance expenses.
Pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization coverage up to 180 days.
AYUSH treatment.
Second opinion for critical illness.
Domestic and international emergency medical evacuation.
Health coach benefit: the plan provides covers personalized coaching by a health professional who will guide the insured person in case he/she is suffering from hypertension, hyperlipidemia, asthma, diabetes mellitus etc.
Decrease in pre-existing diseases waiting period.
Accidental hospitalization booster: optionally, in case of hospitalization due to a road mishap, this cover provides additional amount insured equal to the amount insured for in-patient hospitalization.
Senior citizens visit hospitals more frequently due to age-related diseases. Red Carpet health insurance plan is especially for the needs of senior citizens in mind. The plan offers comprehensive insurance coverage.
Features and Benefits
Coverage: The plan caters to the senior citizens aged between 60 and 75 years.
No medical screening.
Pre-existing illness cover.
Medical consultation cover.
Enhanced sum insured.
Lifelong renewals.
Discounts.
Hospitalization coverage.
Emergency ambulance cover.
Post-hospitalization expenses.
Daycare procedures.
Hassle-free claim settlement.
Wide network.
Universal Sompo Health Insurance
This health insurance plan offers a range of sum insured options. For individual health plans, it offers sum assured ranging from Rs. 1 lakh to 10 lakhs. In a family floater plan, it offers sum assured of Rs. 1 lakh to 10 lakhs.
Plan Options
Basic plan- It offers a sum insured from Rs. 1 lakh to Rs. 2 lakhs.
Essential plan- It offers a sum insured from Rs. 3 lakhs to Rs. 5 lakhs.
Privilege plan- It offers a sum insured from Rs. 6 lakhs to Rs. 10 lakhs.
Features and Benefits
Speedy policy issuance.
No medical screening.
Entry age: The plan offers insurance coverage for 3-month-old babies to 55 years old adults.
Cashless facility.
Fast and hassle-free claims process.
Daycare procedures expense up to 141 procedures.
Pre-hospitalization and post-hospitalization expenses for up to 90 days.
Domiciliary treatment.
Organ donor expenses.
Ambulance expenses.
Dental treatment in case of an accident.
Second opinion once a year.
Wellness package: This plan offers vouchers for availing certain health services/products.
AYUSH benefit.
Daily cash benefit.
Vaccination benefit.
Mother and child care benefit for 2 deliveries.
Pregnancy cover.
Pre and post-natal expenses.
Newborn care.
HIV/AIDS cover.
Dial-a-doctor: This plan covers expenses incurred in availing medical advice from a doctor over the telephone or online.
Health educational library for people (help): This plan provides access to universal sompo’s library for people and online medical experts for availing various features such as live chat, ask-an-expert, and online health videos and guides.
Exclusions
365 days waiting period.
Specific Waiting Period- Diseases listed below will be covered after one year of waiting period.
Diseases
Non-infective Arthritis.
Cataract.
Calculus diseases related to a urogenital system and gallbladder.
Fissure/fistula in the anus.
Pilonidal Sinus.
Hemorrhoids.
Gout and rheumatism.
Polycystic ovarian diseases.
Skin tumors.
Gastric and duodenal ulcers.
Internal tumors.
Nodules.
Cysts.
Polyps.
Breast lumps.
Age-related osteoarthritis and osteoporosis.
Sinusitis and related diseases.
Benefits of Choosing the Best Health Insurance Plan
According to many people insurance covers the expenses only in the case of hospitalization, but it’s not true. Apart from providing financial assistance during hospitalization, best medical insurance plans in India come with other benefits such as:
Cashless Treatment You can go for cashless treatment at any network hospital. Well, it’s a big relief that you don’t need to pay out of your pocket. The insured just needs to complete the paperwork at the hospital and enjoys the facility, as the insurance company will take care of the bills.
Daily Allowance Few insurers offer a daily amount for each day of hospitalization. However, this doesn’t affect the actual sum assured. This amount can be availed up to a certain daily limit. Also, it can be spent on medicines or other health-related requirements.
Tax Saving According to Section 80 (D) of the Income Tax Act 1961, the insured can claim for tax deduction against the premium paid for health insurance. An individual can claim a deduction of up to Rs. 25,000 on health insurance premium. If a person is paying the insurance premium for his/her elderly parents, then a deduction up to Rs. 30,000 is permissible.
Life-Threatening Illnesses Covered A health insurance plan with critical illness cover pays a lump sum amount towards the expenses incurred in the treatment after the diagnosis. Also, it comes as a rider cover; one can cover critical illnesses under his/her health plan on the payment of an extra premium.
Allied Benefits Some health insurers in India have come up with preventive check-ups and enhanced diagnostics, which usually are not included in a basic health insurance plan which includes:
Free medical check-ups.
Free health consultation with doctors.
Consultation with nutritionists.
Tie-up with health service providers.
Lucrative offers on healthcare services.
Things to Remember
Number of Members to Be Covered: Most insurance providers cover up to 4 to 6 family members under a family floater health insurance plan in India.
Budget: Consider the financial budget of the family, based on you will invest in a health insurance plan that covers all health-related risks.
Sum Assured: Sum Assured is the amount of monetary cover offered under a policy. At the time of health claim settlement, the insurance company reimburses the incurred expenses up to this sum assured. Hence, it is vital to decide this amount carefully.
Types of Illnesses Covered: The best covers it all! Be wise to choose your health insurance plan as it should cover critical illnesses along with the ones that need special attention and are expensive to treat. As most health insurers don’t offer coverage for these illnesses with their basic plans, you can opt for a critical illness rider.
Claim Settlement Process: Claim settlement is a burdensome process for many people due to which they obstruct themselves from investing in a health insurance plan. But nowadays, all insurance providers provide easy, hassle-free claim settlement procedures that make it convenient for the insured.
Expert Advice: Higher the Claim settlement Ratio (CSR), more are the chances that the company will settle a claim without any hassles.
List of Network Hospitals: Network hospitals are those which have a tie-up with the health insurance plans. Every insurance company has network hospitals in which policyholders can avail the benefit of their health insurance policy. It is necessary that the network list includes at least a few hospitals that are in your vicinity. It will help you easily access them in an emergency. The network hospitals should include nursing homes, daycare center, and multi-specialty hospitals.
Maximum Sum-Limits: The more the better! Sub-limit (the maximum amount covered by the insurer) plans by health insurance companies are applicable to room rent or medical expenses. One should consider buying the one that offers maximum sum-limits on special expenses.
Minimum Waiting Period: Less is more! The insured has to serve a pre-defined waiting period to cover pre-existing illnesses. This means the insurer will not entertain any claim due to a pre-existing disease within this period.
Expert Advice: In most cases, the waiting period ranges from 2 to 3 years. However, some insurers specify the waiting period to be 4 years also. Reading the policy terms and conditions carefully and going for the plan that comes with a minimum waiting period is always recommended.
Co-Payment Facility: A standard feature of many health insurance plans, defined as a fixed percentage of each claim amount that has to be paid by the insured for additional services such as doctor visits or prescriptions drugs.
Incurred Claim Ratio (ICR): It is the ratio of the total amount of all claims received by a company to the total premiums collected in the same duration of time. A high ICR indicates that an insurance company is more likely to accept new customers, more likely to have the less waiting period for pre-existing illnesses, and more likely to issue policies to people with pre-existing illnesses.
Addition of New Family Member: A new family member is a moment of joy. If you wish to get the new family member added and insured under your health insurance policy, you must also consider the conditions and get into the details of the policy.
Conclusion
In a nutshell, when we talk about health insurance plans in India, there is a wide range of available offers in the insurance sector. Choosing and buying the best insurance policy is always just a little effort away from the policyholder. A little effort of researching and surveying the market will lead you to have the best financial investment in a health insurance policy with maximum benefits. So, these are the 10 best health insurance plans in 2019, all your requirements associated with health insurance and choosing wisely the best policy will be fulfilled by the team of PolicyX.com.
