The outbreak of COVID-19 indeed has forced financial as well as medical security to the minds of individuals in an unprecedented way. In these times of uncertainty and with the skyrocketing cost of the health care sector, having a health insurance policy has become a necessity more than a choice. The health insurance policy not only takes care of the medical needs of the individual in case of any eventuality but also provides many different benefits. Read further to know the benefit of a health insurance plan.
Benefits of Health Insurance Policy
The following are some of the benefits of the health insurance plan:
Coverage against medical expenses
In case of any medical emergency, the last thing that a person would want to worry about is the cost of medical treatment. One of the major perks of having a medical insurance policy is that it offers coverage against any type of medical expenses that may/may not arise during an emergency.
Thus, a comprehensive health insurance policy covers all the medical costs like pre and post-hospitalization costs, ambulance charges, doctor’s fees, etc. are all covered. Many insurance companies offer rider options along with the base plan to enhance the coverage of the policy.
These riders offer the benefits that are not covered in the base policy like personal accident insurance, critical illness cover, maternity benefits, etc. With all these costs covered by a medical insurance policy, one does not need to worry about financial loss in case of any medical emergency.
Cashless Mediclaim Facility
In case of any medical emergency, if the insured undergoes any treatment in a hospital, then it might get difficult for the family members to immediately pay the hospital bills. To avoid such a situation, many insurers offer the facility of cashless mediclaim at network hospitals.
The cashless mediclaim facility ensures that the policyholder gets the best treatment without worrying about the finances. One just needs to fill the mediclaim form offered by the insurance company to avail of the benefit of cashless mediclaim at network hospitals.
Tax benefits
Another benefit of a health insurance policy is that it offers an opportunity to save on taxes. An individual can claim up to a maximum of Rs. 25,000 of tax exemption on the premium paid towards the policy under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. 1961. Moreover, one can also claim an additional tax exemption of Rs. 25,000 for the premium paid for parents.
Financial protection against critical Illness
Most health insurers provide coverage against critical illnesses such as cancer, stroke, heart attack, kidney failure, etc. The critical illness cover either comes inbuilt in a plan or is offered as an add-on cover to the health insurance policy. In case the insured person is diagnosed with any critical illness as stated in the policy documents, a lump-sum amount is paid by the insurer so that the insured can fulfill their financial obligations.
Buying a comprehensive medical insurance policy helps an individual to be prepared for the worst. Moreover, buying the best health insurance plan at a young age not only provides the advantage of lower premiums along with comprehensive coverage but also helps to contribute towards savings in the long term.
No claim bonus
A No-Claim Bonus is a special incentive given by the health insurance company for every claim-free year. If the policyholder completes a year without making any claim for medical expenses then the insurance company offers a no-claim bonus to the policyholder in the form of premium discounts.
If a person does not file a claim for a consecutive tenure of the policy then he/she can enjoy up to a 50% discount on the premium amount. Moreover, some of the insurers also offer an increase in the base amount of the policy for every claim-free year. This not only benefits the insurance holder but also adds to their savings.
Protects the long-term savings
A health insurance plan acts as a safety net and protects the individual and his family against any type of financial crisis due to any medical eventualities. In case, a policyholder requires any medical treatment or a lifesaving surgery then he/she does not need to compromise on their children’s education fund or retirement savings. With a quality, health insurance policy one can ensure the right financial protection to themselves and their family without burning a hole in the pocket.
Free health checkup
After every 4-5 claim-free years, the facility of free health checkups is offered by the insurance companies to their policyholders. The insured can avail of the facility of free health checkups at any of the network hospitals.
The Bottom Point!
So, these are some of the benefits of health insurance plans. To choose the best health insurance policy for your family and yourself, make sure you compare the plans available and make an informed choice.