Monday 18 July 2016

Understanding the Importance of Buying Health Insurance

Life is unpredictable. No one can predict with certainty about what is going to happen, and that is why it is always a good idea to be prepared for the different kinds of eventualities that might occur. Knowing the future might be tad impossible, but knowing the facts is not that hard. According to a survey by IBEF, the healthcare sector in India is growing at 15% CAGR. Though this is good news in several aspects, but this growth also signifies an increase in healthcare costs. Already, 4% of India’s GDP is being spent on health. According to another study, 95% of the Indian middle class does not even have health insurance.

Type 1 diabetes is growing by a rate of 3% per year in adolescents and children in India, and coronary heart diseases have a prevalence of about 14% in the country. Whether we blame the pace of modern lifestyle, or the increasing pollution in the country, the fact is that affordable healthcare is a very important part of our lives today. There are of course a number of advantages that are available when you buy health insurance online. A few of these include:
  • Healthcare at an affordable rate for the common people
  • No delay caused in medical treatments due to the unavailability of funds
  • Wide network of hospitals that offer cashless facilities for treatments
There are a lot of factors that one must consider when choosing a health insurance plan. These factors include:

Comparison: Especially when you buy health insurance online, make sure that you look at the numerous options that are offered by different companies. Compare the prices, premiums, inclusions, and exclusions so as to ensure that you choose the plan that suits you best.

Research: Properly research about the coverage offered by a health plan is one of the most important aspects you need to consider. Know what you’re getting into.

Premiums: If the premium is low, the policy might be making up for it in other forms. Check all related costs and payments like co-ops, deductibles, etc.

Coverage: Just because a policy lists more illnesses, doesn’t necessarily mean better coverage. Do the research to the core.

Renewals: Every year, when it is time to renew your policy, don’t just blindly auto-renew, instead research other options as well.

Pre-Existing Diseases: Find out about the pre-existing disease coverage

Day Procedures: Being admitted at a hospital is not always mandatory, so find out which day care procedures are covered by your policy

Mediclaim terms can change even during the duration of the policy

Healthcare is not cheap, and the last thing you want to worry about when you are unwell in the hospital is money. This is why you must make sure that you have a proper medical coverage so that you can concentrate solely on getting better.