Best Health Insurance Plans in India

Today, we all follow a sedentary lifestyle, which makes us more vulnerable to health issues. To cope up with the continuous increase in the medical ailments, having Health Insurance is a necessity. However, while purchasing Health Insurance, the foremost thing that strikes the mind is- which is the best Health Insurance Plan in India? With around 29 Health Insurance Companies operating in India, choosing a suitable plan as per your needs and requirements can be difficult.

After analyzing several parameters such as Sum insured, Pre & Post-hospitalization expenses, Coverage, etc, we have listed Top 10 Health Insurance plans in the Indian market.

How To Choose Best Health Insurance Plan - Watch Video

Factual Representation In Tabular Form

Here is the tabular representation of the best 10 Health Insurance plans in the market.

Brief Description Of The 10 Best Health Insurance Plans

A brief description of all the 10 best Health Insurance Plans for the year 2021 has been presented below for your reference. The clarity of facts will help you make quick decisions to safeguard your savings at the time of medical emergencies.

1. Care Health Insurance Plan

   Care Health Insurance Plan offered by Care Health Insurance Company provides comprehensive coverage on an individual as well as family floater basis. Few of the Features and Benefits of the plan have been mentioned below:

   Features and Benefits

   • In-patient Care: The In-Patient Care is provided to the insured in case of hospitalization for at least 24 continuous hours. The in-patient care covers all the medical expenses incurred during hospitalization. It includes medical practitioner's consultancy fees, nursing charges, ICU charges, anesthesia cost, operation theatre costs, and more.
   • Daycare Treatment: Coverage for Daycare procedures is available under the plan.
   • No Claim Bonus: The Insured gets a bonus for every claim-free year.
   • AYUSH Treatment Cover: The expenses incurred in an alternative mode of treatments like Ayurvedic, Homeopathic, Siddha, and Siddha also get coverage under the plan.
   • Second Opinion Option: The plan provides coverage for the second opinion from a medical expert in case the policyholder is diagnosed with a Critical Illness.
   • Ambulance Cover: The Ambulance Expense cover (up to Rs.3000) is also included under the plan.
   • Daily Cash Facility: The Insured is provided with daily cash to meet the conveyance expenses to the hospital, attendant's cost, and other daily expenses. A lump-sum amount is paid to the insured daily. It is provided for a maximum of 5 days.
   • Annual Health Check-ups: The plan offers Annual Health Check-Ups for you and all your family members without any age constraints.
   • Tax Benefit: The Insured gets Tax Benefits as (s)he can save tax on the premiums paid under the Health Insurance Plan.

   Exclusions:

   • Injury due to an attempt to suicide or any other self-inflicted wound.
   • Diagnosis of Congenital illness.
   • Treatment-related to HIV/AIDs.

   • Major wounds due to participation in the war, riot, or any unlawful activity.
   • Infertility and pregnancy termination surgery.
   • Alcohol or drug abuse.

2. Star Health Family Health Optima Plan

   Family Health Optima Plan is a super saver plan. It provides coverage to the entire family under a single sum insured. Let's take a look at the benefits.

   Features and Benefits:

   • Room Rent Facility: The plan provides Room Rent facility with a sub-limit of maximum up to Rs.5,000. There is an option of a single standard AC room for policyholders having Sum Insured Rs. 5 Lakhs and above.
   • Organ Donor Expenses: All the Organ Donor treatment expenses are covered under this plan. The plan provides coverage up to 10% of the Sum Insured or a maximum of Rs. 1 Lakh.
   • Air Ambulance Cover: Air ambulance cover is provided to policyholders with a Sum Insured of Rs. 5 Lakhs and above. Air Ambulance Cover is provided up to 10% of the sum insured.
   • Ambulance Cover: In case of emergency, the Ambulance expense is covered under the plan.
   • New Born Baby Cover: The mother is covered under the plan for a continuous 12 months duration. The newborn baby gets cover from the 16th day till the time the policy expires. It is subject to a limit of 10% of the Sum Insured or Rs. 50,000, whichever is less.
   • Bonus: In the case of a claim-free year, the policyholder gets a bonus of up to 25% of the Sum Insured for the first claim-free year. An additional 10% bonus is provided for subsequent years coming forth.
   • Alternative Treatment: AYUSH treatment is considered under alternative treatment. The maximum coverage under this can go up to Rs. 20,000.
   • Second Medical opinion: As a special feature of the plan, the second medical opinion expenses are covered by the Health Insurance company, in case the Insured is diagnosed with a critical illness.

   Exclusions:

   • Frenuloplasty, circumcision & preputial dilation.
   • STD and venereal diseases.
   • Psychiatric treatment.
   • Mental disorder.
   • Congenital anomalies.
   • Treatment for abortion, miscarriage, or other complications.

   • Injury caused by self.
   • Treatment relating to HIV/AIDs and sleep apnea.
   • Refractive error correction and Lasik laser expenses.
   • Treatment of endocrine diseases.
   • Treatment of injury due to war, invasion, enemy attack, etc.

3. Max Bupa Health Companion Plan

   Max Bupa Health Insurance Company offers a Health Companion plan. There are 3 variants available under the plan based on Sum Insured options and facilities. Below are some of the other features and benefits of the plan.

   Features and Benefits:

   • Domiciliary Hospitalization: Domiciliary hospitalization facility is provided under the plan and it continues for three consecutive days. All the expenses incurred during the Domiciliary Hospitalization are paid by the Insurance Company.
   • Emergency Ambulance: The plan provides coverage for the expenses of Emergency Ambulance.
   • In-patient Care: Inpatient care is provided to the Insured in case of hospitalization for 24 continuous hours. All the expenses incurred in this process are covered by the plan.
   • Living Organ Donor Transplant: Organ Donor Treatment cost is borne by the Health Insurance company if the person is insured under the plan.
   • Waiting Period: Under the plan, a Waiting Period of 4 years is applied in the case of Pre-Existing Diseases. Other than this, an initial Waiting Period of 30 days and a specific Waiting Period for a list of diseases is also applied.

   Exclusions:

   • Ancillary hospital charges.
   • Hazardous activity.
   • Artificial life maintenance.
   • HIV/AIDs treatment.
   • Treatment from the unrecognized health center.
   • Puberty and menopause-related disorder.

   • Permanent neurological disorder.
   • Unjustified hospitalization.
   • Cosmetic surgery.
   • Obesity treatment.
   • Off-label drug abuse treatment.

4. HDFC ERGO My: Health Suraksha

   HDFC ERGO Insurance Company's my: Health Suraksha helps to cover you in medical emergencies, according to your budget.

   Let's check out more details of the plan.

   Features and Benefits:

   • Extended Cumulative Bonus: The plan provides the option to extend the cumulative bonus cover.
   • Newborn Baby Cover: The plan provides coverage to the new born baby since the birth subjected to a condition that the parents are insured under the plan.
   • Organ donor: All the expenses incurred in the treatment of the organ donor during organ transplant is borne by the Health Insurance Company under the plan.
   • Emergency ambulance: An Emergency Ambulance cover is provided under the plan.
   • Renewal Benefits: Under renewal benefits, a cumulative bonus of 10%/ 25% of the basic Sum Insured is applied under the policy.

   Exclusions:

   • Any injury due to involvement in war activity.
   • Injury due to unlawful activity.
   • Self-inflicted injury and suicidal cases.
   • Cases related to intoxicating substance abuse like drugs and alcoholism.

   • HIV/AIDs related treatment.
   • Any type of cosmetic surgery.
   • Any treatment relating to weight control

5. Star Health Comprehensive Plan

   Star Health Comprehensive plan is designed to look after the medical needs of you and your family, and protect them from health care eventualities. The plan does not require you to undergo medical screening prior to policy acceptance.

   Features and Benefits:

   • Multiple Sum Insured Options: Policyholders can insure an amount in the range of Rs. 5 Lakhs to Rs. 1 Crore.
   • Multi-year Policy: Policyholders have the option to remain covered for 1, 2 or 3 years.
   • Midterm Inclusion: On payment of additional premium, a newly wedded spouse or a newborn baby can be covered under the same plan.
   • Air Ambulance Coverage: The plan offers coverage against the Air Ambulance expenses up to Rs. 2,50,000/- per hospitalization.
   • Pre- and Post Hospitalization: Medical expenses incurred 60 days prior to hospitalization and 90 days post discharge are covered.
   • Outpatient Medical Consultation: Outpatient consultation charges with a medical expert in a Network Hospital is covered under the policy.
   • Reduction in Waiting Period: Under the ‘Buy back Pre- Existing Disease Feature’ the policyholder can reduce the waiting period from 36 months to 12 months on paying an additional premium.

   Exclusions:

   • Pre-existing illnesses (until the end of waiting period)
   • Diagnostic expenses that are unrelated to the current diagnosis
   • Rest Cure, rehabilitation and respite care
   • Obesity, Weight Control

   • Change of gender treatments
   • Cosmetic or plastic surgery
   • Hazardous or Adventure sports
   • Sterility / Infertility
   • Maternity

6. ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance Plan

   ICICI Lombard Complete Health Insurance Plan caters to your medical needs. This Family Health Plan requires no pre-medical check-up up to 45 years of age and helps in financially securing your healthcare needs. The plan further covers medical expenses incurred outside the country for its existing policyholders.

   Features and Benefits:

   • Wellness Program: The plan offers the Wellness program, under which you can earn points by living a healthy life, which can further be redeemed on OPD bills for doctor's consultation, medicine and drugs, diagnostic expenses, dental expenses, etc.
   • Increase in Sum Insured: One can avail the benefit of Additional Sum Insured, where one can earn upto 10% sum insured for every claim-free year.
   • COVID-19 Hospitalization: The policy covers hospitalization expenses arising out of COVID-19, after a waiting period of 15 days post policy inception.
   • No-Copayment Clause: The entire amount is borne by the Insurance Provider, subject to the Sum Insured.
   • Coverage against Pre-existing Diseases: The plan covers the cost of treatment of pre-existing illnesses, following a waiting period of 2 years from the date of policy inception.

   Exclusions:

   • Pregnancy and childbirth related complications, cosmetic, aesthetic and obesity related treatment
   • War, civil war or breach of law
   • Naturopathy treatment, acupressure, acupuncture, magnetic and other such therapies
   • Treatment taken outside the country
   • Any expenses arising out of domiciliary treatment

7. Aditya Birla Activ Health Platinum-Enhanced

   Aditya Birla Activ Health Platinum-Enhanced is designed to help support you and your family in the time of medical crisis and offers comprehensive coverage against medical bills.

   Features and Benefits:

   • Coverage against Chronic Illness: Under this plan, in case of Chronic Illnesses such as diabetes, high cholesterol, and asthma, the policyholders are eligible to receive Day 1 cover for the cost of Medicines, Tests, and Doctor Consultation.
   • Choice of Hospital Room: The plan allows the policyholders to choose the hospital room according to their preferences.
   • 100% Return of Premiums: The plan offers 100% Health Returns to policyholders as an impetus to remain active and healthy. Further, policyholders can also access Expert health Coaches for guidance on medical, mental and nutritional fitness.
   • No Claim Bonus: For every claim free year, policyholders can earn 50% No Claim Bonus.
   • Coverage against AYUSH and Obesity: The plan covers treatment expenses related to Obesity and Ayurveda, Yoga, Naturopathy, Unani, Siddha and Homeopathy.
   • Sum Insured Options: Policyholders can insure a sum in the range of Rs. 2 Lakhs to Rs. 2 Crores.
   • Pre- and Post Hospitalization: Medical expenses incurred up to 60 days Pre-Hospitalization and 180 days Post-Hospitalization are covered under the plan.

   Exclusions:

   • Any injury, or hospitalization due to any man-made disasters like war, invasion, etc.
   • Any expenses incurred on surgeries meant for enhancing facial features like plastic, and surgeries for the congenital disorder, infertility, etc.
   • Intentional self-injury and treatment for drug addiction and alcoholism
   • Any injuries due to participating in any adventurous activities



8. Reliance Health Infinity

   Reliance Health Infinity is a comprehensive plan that covers up to 8 members of your family (2 Adults and up to 6 children).

   Features and Benefits:

   • Extended Coverage: The plan offers additional cover that boosts the Sum Insured, up to Rs. 30 Lakhs, for enhanced protection. Further, on choosing a 2-year policy period, policyholders are eligible to receive up to 2 months of extra protection. This essentially means that the policy tenure increases from 24 months to 26 months.
   • Global Cover: The coverage under this plan is not limited to national borders. Emergency hospitalization, subject to the Sum Insured, will be covered anywhere across the globe.
   • Sum Insured Range: Policyholders can opt for a Sum Insured as low as Rs. 3 Lakhs to up to Rs. 1 Crore.
   • No Sub-Limits: The plan does not have sub-limits on Road Ambulance charges and Hospital Room Rent. Further, under the Transport Benefit, Life Insured can opt for Radio Taxi to reach the desired hospital.
   • Pre- and Post Hospitalization: Medical expenses incurred up to 90 days Pre-Hospitalization and 180 days Post-Hospitalization are covered under the plan.
   • Sum Insured Refuelled: If a claim exhausts the Sum Insured under the policy, the plan automatically restores 100% of the Sum Insured for use towards another illness.

   Exclusions:

   • Obesity/Weight control
   • Change-of-Gender treatments
   • Cosmetic or Plastic surgery
   • Wellness and Rejuvenation
   • Dietary Supplements & Substances
   • Rest Cure, rehabilitation and respite care

   • Birth control, Sterility and Infertility
   • Maternity
   • Alternative Treatments
   • Circumcision
   • Outpatient treatment (OPD)

9. Bajaj Allianz Health Guard-Platinum

   Bajaj Allianz's Health Guard looks after your medical treatment expenses incurred during hospitalization resulting from a serious illness or accident. The plan is available in three variants- silver, gold & platinum.

   Features and Benefits:

   • Convalescence benefit: The plan offers a Convalescence Benefit, under which if the Insured gets hospitalized for a disease/illness/injury for a continuous period exceeding 10 days, the company will pay the benefits up to the specified limits.
   • Maternity Coverage: The plan covers Maternity expenses and medical expenses towards treatment of a newborn baby, subject to certain terms and conditions.
   • Sum Insured Options: Sum Insured can range from Rs. 5 Lakhs to Rs. 1 Crore.
   • Multi-year Policy: Policyholders can opt for a policy tenure of 1 year, 2 years or 3 years.
   • In-Patient Hospitalization: For a Sum Insured of Rs. 10 Lakhs and above, policyholders are eligible to receive treatment in any room category.
   • Road-Ambulance Cover: A maximum of Rs. 20,000 can be availed as Road Ambulance charges per policy year.
   • Daily Cash Benefit: Expenses incurred for the accommodation of one parent, with regards to a child’s treatment, is covered subject to a daily limit of Rs. 500 for 10 days.

   Exclusions:

   • Dental treatment comprising of cosmetic surgery, dentures, dental prosthesis, etc
   • War, invasion, acts of foreign enemies, hostilities, etc
   • Rest Cure, rehabilitation and respite care
   • Obesity/Weight Control
   • Change-of-gender treatments
   • Cosmetic or plastic Surgery

10. TATA AIG MediCare

    TATA AIG MediCare is a comprehensive Health Plan that looks after your financial needs at the time of medical emergencies.

    Features and Benefits:

    • Global Coverage: The plan offers Global Coverage to the Insured, provided that the diagnosis was made in India.
    • Cumulative Benefit: The plan offers a Cumulative Benefit, where the policyholder gets a 50% increase for every claim-free year.
    • Restore Benefit: On exhaustion of the existing cover amount, the plan restores 100% of the Sum Insured.
    • Cover for Bariatric Surgery: Cost of Bariatric Surgery for the treatment of Obesity and Weight Control are covered under the policy.
    • Day Care Procedures: Expenses for over 540 Day Care treatments are covered with this Health Plan.
    • Compassionate Travel Cover: If the Insured is getting treatment at a different location, an immediate family member can claim up to Rs. 20,000 for expenses incurred due to a round trip, economy class air ticket, or a first-class railway ticket while travelling to to the location where the Insured is getting treated.

    Exclusions:

    • Congenital External Diseases, defects or anomalies
    • Insured Person committing or attempting to commit a breach of law with criminal intent
    • Alcoholic Pancreatitis
    • Intentional self-injury or attempted suicide while sane or insane

What Factors Needs To Be Considered While Choosing An Ideal Health Insurance Plan?

The key to buying an ideal Health Insurance plan is to research well and be aware of the different aspects of Health Insurance. Below are the few factors that should be considered before buying a Health Plan:

1 Comparison

Without giving it a second thought, most people go with the first Insurance Company they come across, which often leads to disappointment at the time of claim. It is always good to compare as many plans as possible. With PolicyX.com, you can compare Health Plans from multiple insurers and calculate premiums within seconds.

2 Right Coverage Amount

Always evaluate yours and your family's health condition before choosing a Health Plan. If you already have a medical history or are prone to diseases, it's best to go for higher coverage to avoid any financial problems in the future.

3 Affordability

There is no point in going for higher coverage if you can't afford to pay the premiums. You should not only check the current premium rates, but also be prepared for price increases in the future. Generally a 5% increment every year is something that should be expected.

4 Add-On Covers

Sometimes, basic Health Insurance is not enough to cover your requirements. That's why Insurance Companies offer a list of additional covers to enhance the coverage. Therefore, if you need the same, check out with your Insurance Company if they provide the same or not.

5 Waiting Period

Most Health Insurance plans come with a predetermined Waiting Period for certain Pre-Existing Diseases. If you are already suffering from any of them at the time of policy purchase, then you are not liable to get coverage. Therefore, you must review the Waiting Period clause, and choose the one with a lower period.

6 Lifetime Renewal

Chances of you suffering from diseases increase with your growing age. Therefore, to keep your healthcare needs secured for a long time, it's good to have a Lifetime Renewability feature in your pocket.

7 Co-Payment Clause

In Health Insurance, Co-Pay refers to the percentage of the claim amount that is borne by the policyholder. The higher the co-payment, the lesser the premium amount, and vice versa.

How Much Coverage Is Sufficient For Me?

It's true that your and your family's health needs should be kept in mind while you choose an appropriate coverage, but at the same time, you should also keep in mind that the higher the coverage, the higher would be the premium amount.

Let's understand this with an example:

Suppose, Arun, a 30 year old male, who lives in Delhi with his wife (25 years) and 1 kid (2 years), has decided to buy a Star Health Comprehensive Plan. Let's see, how his premium will vary with different Sum Insured options:

Annual Premium Amount for Different Sum Insured Options