Healthcare costs have skyrocketed in the past few years. The pandemic was the beginning of a new wave of medical requirements. These medical emergencies opened up more avenues for permanent health issues that people are facing even after months of being cleared of diseases. The treatments have lasted for months and have emptied bank accounts. In such times, a health insurance policy has become a necessity. If you are on a budget, then you can still find good and affordable health insurance using this guide.
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Guide to choosing the best and most affordable health insurance policy in India
1. Your marital status and dependents When picking your policy, it is best to understand the clause for dependents and your spouse. See how much coverage they will be getting and whether you need to pay an additional amount to include them. Most companies offer health insurance plans in 2 categories. A family plan, where all the family gets one amount, and individual plans which include a separate amount for every individual. If you have a spouse and 2 kids, and dependent parents, then a family floater plan may not be enough for you.
2. Your future plans Many people forget about what’s to come and opt for a plan that is good for the current situation. For example, if you are just starting your family, you may want to consider a plan that offers maternity privileges or an add-on option. You can also consider whether you will add your parents to your policy later.
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3. Accessibility to a network of hospitals Most health insurance policies have tie-ups with hospitals around your city. If your location is fixed, you may want to consider which hospital is closest to you and whether it is a part of your insurer's network. This benefit is essential for taking advantage of cashless treatments. If you move around constantly, then the wise thing would be to consider which hospital chain is present in all the cities you move around in and decide accordingly.
4. Customer service for you and your family Customer service is one of the most important aspects of a health insurance policy that people do not consider. Customer service is not just helping you through the process of buying the policy but also their promptness and attentiveness to you in case of a medical emergency. When you are stressed, it helps to know that they have your back and are working on your case earnestly. The same service should be extended to every member covered under your policy, and your absence should not affect the quality of service.
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5. Details of the policy Details of the policy include each and every term and condition which is given in the policy. These need to be combed through thoroughly, and you should read the fine print to check under which circumstances the policy will be void. Details of the policy should cover all your requirements without being a financial burden.
6. Waiting period Health insurance policies have a waiting period for critical illnesses. When looking for a policy, identify the waiting periods for various illnesses and understand how much time you will have to wait if you or any of the members you are looking to insure have any of the critical illnesses mentioned.
7. Budget Take stock of your budget. See how much you are willing to spend monthly on your health insurance policy. One of the most affordable and robust policies is the Arogya Sanjeevani Health insurance. It is pocket friendly, and you have many benefits. If you do not wish to pay the whole premium in one month, you can start an EMI and pay it in instalments.
8. Top-up policy A top-up policy allows you to reinstate the limit of your coverage during the tenure in case you use up the amount. This policy is particularly useful if you have a family floater plan and you end up using up the coverage. This provides a safety net for you and you don’t have to worry about exceeding the amount.
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9. Options to customise your policy Many add-ons come with every health insurance policy. The best policy you can look at is the one where you can unload the extras you don’t need at the moment and buy them when you need them. This gives you ultimate flexibility and ensures you don’t have to switch policies or insurers often.
10. What health insurance policy is offered by your employer? Most employers offer health insurance policies to their employees as a part of the basic package. Evaluate what is covered under the policy offered by the employer, and you can decide accordingly.
When you are considering an affordable and useful health insurance policy, Arogya Sanjeevani health insurance is the best one so far. The best part about this policy is that the government initiated it. When you are looking to buy a value-for-money policy, these are the things you should remember while buying it.
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