Affordable Health Insurance Plans in India

Overview

Gone are the days when you had to rely solely on an insurance agent to guide you through selecting a health insurance policy. It was often a daunting task to determine which plan best fit your needs and budget. However, with the advent of technology, you can now easily browse, compare and purchase affordable health insurance plans online.  

You can avoid making the wrong decision or missing out on better options in the market. Moreover, health insurance providers offer the convenience of online enrollment, eliminating the need for external assistance. 

Health Insurance Plans in India

Health Insurance caters to the healthcare costs of the policyholder resulting from an illness or accident in return for a specified premium. This facilitates the insurance provider to extend medical coverage for hospitalisation, daycare procedures, critical illnesses, and more expenses. Additionally, a health plan encompasses various advantages, such as cashless hospitalisation and complimentary medical check-ups. 
 
A health insurance policy can provide numerous benefits, especially in today’s world, where medical inflation is increasing daily. With the rising costs of medical treatments, hospitalisation for a critical illness or lifestyle disease can lead to the loss of all your savings. However, purchasing a health insurance policy can afford quality medical treatment during a health emergency.  
 
Health insurance can assist in paying your medical bills, including pre and post-hospitalisation expenses, both now and in the future. It also allows you to focus solely on getting cured by providing the best medical treatment and care. 
 
Additionally, a health insurance policy can protect your hard-earned savings by covering your medical expenses, ensuring that you avail the required treatment without any financial worries. 

Affordable health insurance plans  

In today’s era, the acquisition of a comprehensive health insurance policy has become imperative due to soaring medical expenses. Consequently, obtaining a health insurance plan that offers extensive coverage features and a substantial sum insured is essential to address your medical expenditures adequately. 
 
Nevertheless, the affordability of premiums may pose a challenge when selecting a comprehensive health plan with a high sum insured. Hence, numerous individuals seek out the most affordable health insurance plans in India to fulfil their coverage requirements. 
 
Medical care insurance can be pretty expensive. However, various ways exist to obtain health coverage at a lower cost. One option is to opt for a basic plan to save on premiums. 
 
Additionally, if the riders are beneficial and come with a little.

These premium discounts might be available during the following circumstances:

• When purchasing a long-term plan for 2 or 3 years. 
• In the event of including multiple family members within the coverage. 
• Without filing a claim during a policy year, there is a possibility of receiving a no-claim discount. 
• By opting for online policy purchase. 
• Upon submission of favourable medical reports, several insurance companies offer premium discounts. 
• Existing customers of the company may be eligible for a loyalty discount. 

Things to consider while buying affordable health insurance plans in India 

There is a wide range of health insurance plans available on the market. Some of the essential factors to consider while purchasing an affordable health insurance policy are:

1. Age

When selecting a medical policy, it is essential to consider the age of your family members. For example, in a family floater scheme, the premium cost is determined by the age of the oldest family 
member. 
 
Different health plans have varying age limit criteria. Some policies may have an entry age limit ranging from 91 days to 60 years, while others may have an entry age limit of 25 years to 50 years. Therefore, you can make your choice accordingly. 

2. The right combination of premium and coverage  

It is essential to determine whether a low-premium insurance policy provides comprehensive coverage. Review any additional clauses regarding sub-limits, deductibles, and co-payments. It is advisable to purchase a policy that offers extensive benefits at an affordable premium. 

3. Waiting period  

Before selecting a suitable plan, it is essential to be aware of the waiting period. During this period, the insurer may not accept claims for specific or pre-existing illnesses. Specific illnesses may include cataracts, varicose veins, and arthritis, while pre-existing illnesses may include diabetes, blood pressure, and thyroid conditions. 
 
Depending on the plan, the waiting period might vary from 24 to 48 months. Coverage can only be claimed after this waiting period. Choosing a plan with a minimal waiting period is recommended to ensure prompt claim settlement during a medical emergency. 

4. Cashless benefit 

Cashless benefits provided by medical insurance providers, such as Star Health Insurance, allow you for hassle-free claim settlement during emergencies. This eases your burden during an emergency. Before selecting a policy, you must check the list of network hospitals affiliated with your insurance provider. 

5. Pre and post-hospitalisation coverage  

Ensure that your insurance plan covers expenses incurred before and after hospitalisation. These expenses may include doctor’s fees, medical test charges, medication costs, and ambulance charges. 

6. Claim settlement ratio 

Review the policy statements and assess the claim settlement ratio of the insurer. A high claim settlement ratio indicates fast and efficient claim settlement, which is beneficial during hospitalisation. 
 

Alternatives to cheapest health insurance plans 

A super top-up health insurance policy presents an additional option to the most economical health insurance plan. This policy enables you to enhance your insured amount at reasonable premium rates. 
 
Super top-up plans encompass a sum insured and a deductible threshold. If the cumulative claims surpass the deductible, the surplus claim is compensated. 
 
For example, you are buying a super top-up policy with an insured sum of INR 10 lakhs and a deductible of INR 5 lakhs. If you claim INR 3 lakhs in a year, the super top-up plan will not cover it since it is below the deductible limit. However, if you make another claim of INR 3 lakhs after a few months, the total claims suffered will amount to INR 6 lakhs. In this scenario, the super top-up plan will pay the excess INR 1 lakh as a claim since it exceeds the deductible of INR 5 lakhs. 
 
Super top-up plans complement your current health insurance policy, providing an affordable option for obtaining a higher sum insured. 

Summary

 Suppose you are searching for the most affordable health insurance plans. In that case, the Star Comprehensive Health Insurance Plan is worth considering due to its extensive coverage and appealing premium rate starting only at Rs. 44 per day.
 
Additionally, you can enhance your coverage by selecting super top-up health insurance plans with your regular policy. These super top-up plans offer increased coverage at affordable premiums, making them the most affordable choice for health insurance coverage. Therefore, select a comprehensive health insurance plan that provides comprehensive coverage and fits within your budget.

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