Health Insurance Checklist: Must-Knows Before Enrolling

In today’s world, prioritising health and well-being is paramount. However, unexpected medical emergencies can pose a significant financial strain. This is where health insurance, often referred to as a mediclaim policy in India, comes into play. It acts as a financial safety net, safeguarding you and your family from the burden of medical costs associated with hospitalisation and treatment.

Choosing the right mediclaim policy, especially for your family, can feel overwhelming with the plethora of options available. This guide provides you with the knowledge and practical tips to navigate the process and select the best mediclaim policy for your loved ones.

Understanding Mediclaim Policies

A mediclaim policy is a contract between you (the policyholder) and an insurance company. You pay a premium at regular intervals (monthly, quarterly, or annually) in exchange for financial coverage during hospitalisation due to illness, injury, or critical illness.

There are two main types of mediclaim policies:

• Individual Mediclaim Policy: This policy covers only the policyholder (the individual who purchases the plan).

• Family Mediclaim Policy (Floater Policy): This policy provides comprehensive coverage for the entire family, including the spouse and dependent children (up to a specified age). It’s often the preferred choice for families seeking holistic healthcare protection.

Benefits of a Family Mediclaim Policy

• Comprehensive Coverage: A family mediclaim policy offers financial security for the entire family in case of hospitalisation due to illness, injury, or critical illness.
• Financial Protection: It mitigates the financial burden associated with medical expenses, ensuring access to quality healthcare without worrying about depleting savings.

• Peace of Mind: Knowing your family is covered for medical emergencies provides peace of mind and allows you to focus on their recovery.

Key Considerations Before Choosing a Family Mediclaim Policy

Family Needs and Medical History

• Age of Family Members: Consider the age of your spouse and children. Premiums are typically lower for younger individuals and increase with age. Pre-existing medical conditions of any family member can also impact the premium and coverage offered by the policy.

• Medical History: Be upfront and honest about any pre-existing medical conditions within the family. Some policies might have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions, while others might exclude coverage altogether.

Coverage Type

The two main types of coverage offered by mediclaim policies are:

• Hospitalisation Expenses: Covers expenses associated with hospitalisation, including room rent, doctor’s fees, surgery costs, medicines, and other charges incurred during the stay.

• Cashless Hospitalisation: This allows you to avail of medical treatment at network hospitals without upfront payments. The insurance company settles the bill directly with the hospital. It’s a convenient and hassle-free option, especially during emergencies.

Sum Insured

The sum insured is the maximum financial amount the insurance company will pay towards your medical expenses in a single policy year. It’s crucial to choose an adequate sum insured to cover hospitalisation costs effectively. Here are some factors to consider:

• Medical Inflation: Healthcare costs are constantly rising. Consider factoring in inflation while choosing the sum insured to ensure it remains sufficient to cover future medical expenses.

• Treatment Costs: Research the average cost of hospitalisation and treatment for common illnesses and surgeries in your city. This helps you determine a suitable sum insured.

Network Hospitals

Many mediclaim policies offer cashless hospitalisation only at network hospitals that have a tie-up with the insurance company. Choose a policy with a wide network of reputable hospitals across your city and potential travel destinations to ensure accessibility when needed.

Exclusions and Waiting Periods

All mediclaim policies have exclusions, which are medical conditions or treatments not covered under the policy. It’s essential to understand these exclusions to avoid any issues when making a claim. Additionally, some policies have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions or specific procedures. Be aware of these waiting periods before purchasing the policy.

Additional Tips for Choosing the Best Family Mediclaim Policy

Here are some useful tips you can benefit from while selecting your ideal family mediclaim policy:

• Compare Quotes: Utilise online insurance aggregator websites or approach multiple insurance companies to compare quotes and coverage options. This helps you find the best mediclaim policy for your family at competitive premiums.

• Read Reviews and Ratings: Research online reviews and ratings to get a sense of the customer service experience, claim settlement efficiency, and overall reputation of the insurance company.

• Choose Add-on Covers: Many insurance companies offer optional add-on covers that can customise your policy further. Popular add-on covers include maternity benefit, critical illness cover, ambulance services, and daily hospital cash benefit.
• Renew on Time: Ensure timely renewals of your mediclaim policy to avoid a lapse in coverage. Most insurance companies offer renewal reminders and online renewal options for convenience. Don’t risk a lapse, as it can leave your family vulnerable during medical emergencies.

• Maintain a Good Claim History:  Practice healthy habits and prioritise preventive healthcare to minimise the need for claims.  However, if you do need to file a claim, ensure you provide accurate and complete documentation to facilitate a smooth claim settlement process.

• Understand the Policy Wording:  Don’t just skim through the policy document. Take time to understand the inclusions and exclusions, the claim settlement process, limitations or deductibles (the portion of the claim you pay), and the procedure for filing claims. If anything is unclear, reach out to the insurance company for clarification. A clear understanding of your policy protects you from unexpected circumstances during the claim process.

A well-chosen family mediclaim policy is an investment in the health and well-being of your loved ones. By following this checklist and conducting thorough research, you can select the best mediclaim policy that caters to your family’s specific needs and budget.

With this, you can ensure your family receives the best possible healthcare when needed, allowing them to focus on recovery while you focus on supporting them through any medical challenges.