You might have heard of a famous television star passing away from a heart attack recently. The actor was only 40 and looked fighting fit, and no one could have guessed that the star would succumb to a heart attack. Isn’t this shocking incident telling of our times?
Rising Incidence of Lifestyle Diseases among the Young
The truth is, we have come to accept these events as normal slowly. Every so often, we hear of a relative or an acquaintance passing away early. Generally, lifestyle disease or condition is the culprit. Lifestyle diseases are getting much more prevalent among the young. It is not uncommon to hear young people suffering from diseases that were previously reserved for the old.
Expensive Treatments and Procedures
Have you noticed how expensive it has become to get suitable hospitalisation these days? Also, the cost of medicines, consulting fees, treatments and corrective procedures is rapidly increasing. This phenomenon is called medical inflation.
It is stressful at so many levels to have a loved one suffering from a disease. At one level, it is heart-wrenching to see the suffering they have to go through. At another level, medical expenses can also be a huge strain on our finances. Is there a way we can safeguard our finances from medical expenses? Read on to find out.
Health Insurance to Safeguard Finances from Medical Expenses
Health insurance covers pre-hospitalisation, hospitalisation and post-hospitalisation expenses. This way, having health insurance safeguards your finances from medical expenses.
However, the cover provided by health insurance is not unconditional, and it is subject to certain terms, conditions and limits as specified in the policy document. One such condition is that of pre-existing conditions.
Pre-Existing Conditions
Pre-existing conditions are conditions that the insured person had before purchasing the policy. Some insurers cover pre-existing conditions only after the lapse of a waiting period, and the waiting period can be a few years. Let’s see what these pre-existing conditions might be as per age.
Teenagers
Increasing incidence of lifestyle diseases is seen even in teenagers. It is due to the combination of a sedentary lifestyle, stress and pollution. Common conditions are seen in teenagers, which may be termed pre-existing conditions, are:
- Depression
- Anxiety
- Hypertension
The Twenties
As you step into the working world, the stress levels increase too. Young people in their twenties are prone to all the conditions mentioned above for teenagers. In addition to them, they may develop the following pre-existing conditions:
- Diabetes
- Kidney Failure
- Cardiac Conditions
The Thirties
As you take on more and more responsibilities, stress levels only increase. People in their thirties can be susceptible to all the ailments mentioned above for teenagers, and they are also susceptible to those in their twenties. In addition to these, they may develop the following pre-existing conditions.
- Sleep Apnea
- Stroke
- Paralysis
The Forties and Onwards
You are now taking on more and more responsibilities in senior roles. With great responsibilities comes great stress. And with significant stress, the chances of developing pre-existing conditions.
In your forties, you are susceptible to all the pre-existing conditions mentioned for people in their teens, in their twenties and thirties. In addition to that, there are these conditions that people in their forties and above develop.
- Alzheimer’s
- Lupus
- Cancer
The Lines are Blurring
As we look back at these lists, we realise that the lines are blurring. Even younger people may develop some of the conditions that otherwise develop in the older ones. You can’t really draw hard and fast lines anymore.
However, what you can do is realise that lifestyle diseases can strike us at any age. What can you do to mitigate this risk? Purchase health insurance at a younger age. Health insurance can then cover medical expenses starting from a young age. In addition to that, there are a host of advantages of buying health insurance at a younger age. Read along to know about them.
Advantages of Purchasing Health Insurance at a Younger Age
Lower Premiums
Health insurance premiums consider age as a huge factor. Lower the age; lower is the premium. Start early to avail of lower premiums.
Breeze through Waiting Periods while Younger
The chances of developing pre-existing conditions are much lower at a lower age. Even if you develop them, you can breeze through the waiting periods while you are younger.
Low risk of Policy Rejection
Young people have a very low chance of policy rejection.
Purchase Health Insurance while Younger for better Coverage
Safeguard your finances from pre-existing conditions at every age by purchasing health insurance at a younger age.
Read more about the Seven Benefits of buying a health insurance policy at a young age.