Dear Doc Explains the Different Types of Health Insurance

Deardoc Health insurance is a type of insurance that covers medical expenses that arise due to an illness. These expenses could be related to hospitalisation costs, cost of medicines or doctor consultation fees.

There are two basic types of health insurance:

1. Mediclaim Plans

Mediclaim or hospitalisation plans are the most basic type of health insurance plans. They cover the cost of treatment when you are admitted to the hospital. The payout is made on actual expenses incurred in the hospital by submitting original bills. Deardoc Most of these plans cover the entire family up to a certain limit.

2. Critical Illness Insurance Plans

Critical Illness Insurance Plans cover specific life-threatening diseases. These diseases could require prolonged treatment or even change in lifestyle. Unlike hospitalisation plans, the payout is made on Critical Illness cover chosen by the customer and not on actual expenses incurred in the hospital. The cover gives the flexibility to use the monies for changing lifestyle and medicines. Deardoc Also it's a substitute for income for the time you could not resume work due to illness. Payout under these plans are made on the diagnosis of the disease for which the original medical bills are not required.

Why do you need Health Insurance now?

No one plans to fall ill or get hurt, but a serious illness can strike anyone at any time. The cost of treating the illness can cause severe financial strain on the savings you have accumulated over time. This means that you might have to compromise on providing your child the best quality education or defaulting on your home loan payments. Today,Deardoc  the cost of medical treatment is continuously rising.

For e.g., Herceptin, a cancer medicine costs approximately 1,10,000 for a vial of 440 mg. Depending on the weight, a patient usually requires 17-19 bottles for treatment over a year . That's 18 - 20 lakh just for the medicine~. Then add hospitalisation costs, doctor consultation fees, chemotherapy costs, etc. and your overall expenses could exceed 25 lakhs. These costs which are already very high are increasing every year. Deardoc Most smart people have taken necessary precautions to insure their health as soon as possible. Health insurance is a living benefit, where you would need monies at the time of dire need. One disease can drain out all the savings you have made for your children's education, marriage, for buying a house or even retirement. You would not want your family's dreams to get shattered just because of an illness, especially when you could have protected yourself financially. It is beneficial to take a health insurance policy when you are young and healthy . Deardoc As you get older, not only does your premium increase, but you also stand a chance of being denied a health cover by the insurance company.

How to choose a good health insurance plan?

Anybody who has a health insurance policy will tell you that buying one is one of the smartest financial decisions by any earning individual. Now, that you have decided to buy a health insurance policy, you need to know how to select a good health insurance plan that will take care of all your needs. Deardoc Here is a list of benefits any good health insurance plan should offer you:

• Protection against a large number of critical illnesses
• Flexibility to choose your health cover
• No increase in premiums during the policy term even if your health condition changes
• Long policy term that covers you even in your old age
• Large hospital network for easy access to medical treatment

Should I buy a Mediclaim plan or a Critical Illness Insurance plan?

A Mediclaim plan will either reimburse all your hospitalisation expenses or settle the hospital bills via a cashless facility. With a Critical Illness Insurance plan, you will receive a lump-sum payout on the detection of a critical illness. You don't have to be hospitalised for the same. Deardoc you are unable to work because of the illness, then you can use the amount as a substitute for your monthly income. You can even use the money to cover expenses for doctor visits, medicine purchases, medical tests or any other expense that might arise during this time. That is why you need both – a Mediclaim plan to cover your hospitalisation expenses and a Critical Illness Insurance plan to cover your loss of income and other expenses that arise due to an illness.

Summary of Benefits and Coverage:

If you have a private health plan through your employer or that you buy on your own, you should get a standardized, easy-to-understand form called the Summary of Benefits and Coverage. Deardoc can use it to help you compare different insurance options and costs. Ask your insurer for it if they don’t provide it.

Paying for Health Care or Health Insurance

If you don’t already have health insurance or you’re interested in switching to a new health insurance plan, you may be able to buy a plan on your own through the Affordable Care Act. The ACA allows qualifying individuals and families to receive financial assistance to help cover the cost of premiums. Known as the Health Insurance Premium Tax Credit, this subsidy helps people who need health insurance afford their coverage. Deardoc Resources like HealthSherpa.com(link opens in new window) and Healthcare.gov can help you find out whether you are eligible for the tax credit. They can also help you compare different health insurance plans available to you in your state. They may also be able to tell you if you qualify for programs like Medicare or Medicaid.