Get Pre-Existing Disease Coverage from Day One

How to Get Pre-Existing Disease Coverage from Day One

Pre-existing diseases covered from day one are not commonly available for general health insurance plans. Most of the health insurance plans typically have a certain waiting period in case of pre-existing conditions. However, you can buy add-ons or riders to waive the standard waiting period in general health insurance policies.  

Pre-existing diseases require expensive treatments due to their chronic nature. However, standard health insurance plans cover pre-existing diseases after a waiting period of 1 to 3 years.

In this blog, we will highlight how you can get pre-existing disease covered from day one.

How to Get Day-One PED Coverage?

Follow these steps to get PED coverage from day one:

1. Purchase a Policy with Zero Waiting Period

Try to purchase health insurance policies that specifically provide day-one coverage for certain pre-existing conditions. These specialised plans eliminate the standard waiting period in exchange for a higher premium.  

2. OPT for a Waiting Period Waiver Rider

Many pre-existing covered from day one health insurance plans offer the option to reduce or waive the PED waiting period by paying a slightly higher premium. This additional benefit acts as a rider or add-on under the specific health insurance plan.    

3. Scope of Coverage

Understand which conditions have a reduced waiting period under the specific health insurance policy. Some zero waiting period plans that provide pre-existing disease coverage from day one might only apply to certain benefits. Whereas other plans, such as group health insurance, may cover all conditions immediately.

4. Join a Group Health Insurance Plan

Employer-provided group health insurance policies often offer pre-existing diseases covered from day one, with no waiting period. Insurers can waive the waiting period for pre-existing conditions since the risk is spread across a large group.

5. Honest Disclosure

Regardless of the method you choose, you must truthfully and completely disclose all pre-existing conditions when applying for a pre-existing disease covered from day one health insurance. If you fail to do so, it can lead to claim rejection or policy cancellation, even with a zero-waiting period plan.

6. Higher Premiums

Prepare yourself to pay higher premiums to avail the benefit of immediate coverage. This is applicable for plans, such as individual plans or riders, depending on the policy terms and conditions.

7. Having Proper Knowledge of the Plan

Always read the policy properly and understand which specific pre-existing diseases are covered from day one. Moreover, look for the limitations and exclusions that may be applicable under your chosen medical policy.

Health Insurance Plans that Come with Shorter Waiting Period

Star Health offers day-one coverage for specific pre-existing conditions, not all of them, in a few specialised plans. Standard Star Health insurance plans have a mandatory waiting period for pre-existing diseases. These include:

1. Star Diabetes Safe Insurance

This plan offers zero waiting period coverage for hospitalisation and complications related to Type 1 and Type 2 diabetes. It usually comes in two different plans, Plan A and Plan B, where Plan A requires a pre-medical screening. You can get a maximum coverage option up to Rs. 10 lakhs. Conversely, Plan B does not require any pre-medical screening during hospitalisation.   

2. Accident-Related Hospitalisation

Most Star Health insurance policies cover accidental injuries from day one due to their emergency nature. The standard 30-day initial waiting period is not applicable in this case. An accident care individual policy offers 100% of the minimum sum insured of Rs. 1 lakh. You can get an additional cumulative bonus of 5% of the sum insured for each claim-free year.  

3. Super Star Plan

This particular plan has an optional quick shield add-on that reduces the waiting period to 31 days for specific pre-existing conditions. These include diabetes, asthma, hyperlipidemia, and certain coronary artery diseases. You can get the benefit of automatic restoration of your sum insured option up to Rs. 1 crore.  

4. Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy

If you purchase the Buy-Back Pre-Existing Disease (PED) add-on under the comprehensive insurance plan from Star Health. Then you can reduce the standard 36-month waiting period for pre-existing diseases to just 12 months. You can get a maximum coverage of up to Rs. 1 crore.   

5. Senior Citizen Red Carpet Policy

This plan is suitable for individuals aged 60 to 75, as it comes with a reduced waiting period of 12 months for pre-existing conditions. Additionally, it does not require any pre-medical screening. It offers a coverage option up to Rs. 25 lakhs, ensuring flexibility for your healthcare needs.

Final Words

Getting health insurance for a pre-existing disease covered from day one is possible. However, it requires careful research and often comes with a higher cost of premiums. Employer-provided group insurance is the most common option for immediate and guaranteed coverage. If you purchase an individual policy, you should choose a plan with a zero-waiting period or a plan with a waiting period waiver.