Modern technological advances have given us a host of conveniences, such as the computer, mobile phone, television, air conditioner, refrigerator, washing machine, automobile, elevator, escalator etc.
At the same time, we have become dependent on these conveniences, thus making us lazy and inactive. As a result, lifestyle diseases like diabetes, hypertension and cardiac conditions are rising.
High Incidence of Lifestyle Diseases Even Amongst the Young
It’s not that we had not heard of lifestyle diseases. They have been around for some time now.
However, they used to affect older people. What is alarming is the rise in the incidence of lifestyle disease even amongst the young. News of twenty-year-olds having diabetes and heart disease are common these days. And the main culprit is a lifestyle. Centre for Science and Environment has released a report titled “Lifestyle diseases the biggest killer in India today” reiterating the same point.
Impact of Your Health on Your Health Insurance
It’s not a hidden fact that your health does affect your health insurance. Are you curious? Let us understand how.
Waiting Periods
Most health insurance policies cover lifestyle diseases. However, they cover them as pre-existing conditions with waiting periods. If you have a condition, you will have to wait a few years to get coverage.
Coverage
If you develop any condition that the policy covers, it’s a different story. Then, you are entitled to all the benefits.
But, if it’s not, then what are you going to do?
Thus, if you don’t take care of your health early on in life, you may fall ill, and then even the insurance would not be able to help you.
Let’s look at the benefits of health insurance in detail in the next section.
Benefits of Health Insurance
Most health insurance policies provide the following benefits.
Hospitalisation
Suppose you are hospitalised to treat a lifestyle disease. In that case, your policy covers your room rent, the costs of medicines, consultations, tests, procedures etc. These are subject to the terms, conditions, inclusions, exclusions and limits. You will find them in the policy document. Study them carefully to understand what’s covered? What’s not covered? And up to how much be covered?
Pre-Hospitalisation
You may have visited general practitioners and specialists before your hospitalisation who may have prescribed certain tests and medicines. All these expenses are covered by health insurance. Of course, these are subject to terms, conditions, exclusions, inclusions and limits, and can be found in the policy document.
At OneAssure, you will get all the answers to your queries related to Health Insurance.
Post-Hospitalisation
Even after discharge from the hospital, your doctor may call you for further consultations. You may be prescribed certain medicines and may be asked to perform certain tests and procedures from time to time. All of these are covered by your health insurance. You must check the terms, conditions, inclusions, exclusions and limits laid out in the policy document.
As you can see, health insurance comes with a host of benefits. Let’s look at ways to Optimise your coverage and benefits.
Optimise Your Health Insurance Coverage and Benefits
Start Young
The best tip is to start young when it comes to health insurance. Premiums are much lower when you start your health insurance coverage at a younger age. The older you start, the higher your premiums will be.
Health risk increases with age. So, you can breeze through the waiting periods for pre-existing conditions as you are younger, and it may not be so smooth as you grow older.
Go for the Appropriate Cover Amount
Don’t be a miser when it comes to the coverage amount. Make sure you have appropriate and adequate cover for yourself and your family.
Select a Comprehensive Policy
Understand the ailments that your family is prone to. Make sure that those ailments are covered in your health insurance policy. If you need certain riders for comprehensive coverage, go for them. For example, you may need to purchase a rider for stroke coverage.
Lifestyle diseases are rising, and even the young are not spared. It’s a side effect of our sedentary lifestyle. While health insurance covers lifestyle diseases, the cover comes with terms, conditions, inclusions, exclusions and limits. Use the tips laid out above to optimise your health insurance cover.