Why is a Health Insurance plan for Hypertension needed?

The Importance of Health Insurance for Hypertension Patients

What is Hypertension?

Hypertension is one of the most common chronic disorders and a significant risk factor for various illnesses.

The normal blood pressure of an adult is considered to be 120/80 mm Hg.  Blood pressure above 120 and up to 129 mm Hg systolic and under 80 mm Hg diastolic is considered elevated blood pressure, which means you have a greater risk of developing high blood pressure or Hypertension later on.

High blood pressure can be dangerous to your health in many ways. Over time, it can harm your vital organs, including your heart, kidneys and brain. Hence, effective management of high blood pressure is pivotal for a healthy lifestyle.

There are usually no warning signs of high blood pressure. This is why it is known as the ‘silent killer.’ Many people are unaware that they have high blood pressure since there are no symptoms.

However, early detection of Hypertension aids in reducing the risk of  heart disease, Stroke, kidney damage and many more.

Why is Health Insurance important, especially for people diagnosed with Hypertension?

The actual cause of High Blood Pressure – Hypertension is largely unknown. But the following factors play a major role: 

1. Unhealthy lifestyle – Poor diet and lack of physical activity
2. Overweight
3. Stress
4. Age
5. Habits – Smoking and alcohol consumption
6. Family history and so on.

The recent pandemic COVID-19 situation has also increased the stress levels of many. 

When you suffer from such a medical condition, you need frequent doctor consultations, medical check-ups and treatment. However, the recurring expenditure on Doctor’s visits, diagnostic procedures, purchase of medicines, as well as treatment expenses in case of hospitalisation can be financially draining, more so due to the rising medical costs.

Therefore, it is important to ensure that you get adequately covered in a Health Insurance plan covering Hypertension.

Some of the primary reasons why Health Insurance becomes necessary for people diagnosed with Hypertension include:

Increasing medical costs

Not giving timely medical care to those diagnosed with Hypertension may lead to complications such as Stroke, Cardio Vascular Disease, Kidney Disease, etc. Therefore, the severity and cost of treatment increase, which may deplete your lifelong savings.

Quality treatment needed

Accessibility to quality healthcare and affordability to meet the cost of treatments are the need of the hour. A good Health Insurance plan with a wide range of network hospitals can help meet such needs.

Waiting period

It is always advisable to get covered in a Health Insurance plan when you are young and healthy. This is because a person with Hypertension (a Pre-Existing Disease (PED) will have to complete a specific Pre-Existing Disease Waiting Period to become eligible to get coverage for the same.

How to Choose the Right Health Insurance Plan for Hypertension

1. Evaluate Your Needs

Evaluate the needs of your family and healthcare. Consider factors such as how old you are, any pre-existing conditions, and whether your family has a history of diseases. This evaluation will guide you in selecting the policy offering one of the best coverage of hypertension and other related conditions.

2. Compare Policies

When choosing a health insurance plan, compare those available in the market. Choose policies that specifically include coverage of hypertension and exclude or have waiting periods. Online comparison tools allow you to compare various plans side by side.

3. Check Network Hospitals

Ensure the health coverage provider maintains a good hospital network, including cardiac and antihypertension departments. High-quality care is certainly required for proper hypertension management.

4. Terms and Conditions

Carefully read the policy document to understand the terms and conditions. The policy's coverage limits, exclusions, and procedure to file a claim are all important components. Comprehending the above information will protect you from any shock when making a claim.

Standard Exclusions in Health Policies

Health insurance plans can indeed offer comprehensive coverages, but there are standard exclusions that should be known about, including:

Pre-existing Conditions: Some health insurance policies enforce waiting periods regarding pre-existing conditions such as hypertension.

Lifestyle Conditions: Some policies exclude complications from lifestyle conditions if they are not managed or controlled properly.

Cosmetic Treatments: Some treatments might fall strictly within cosmetic treatments and are not included in the benefits package.

Coverage for Hypertension in Star Health Insurance Plans

Star Health Insurance offers unique Health Insurance Policies providing extensive coverage for treatment expenses incurred on Pre-existing Diseases and their complications with specific waiting periods. 

In addition, Star Health Insurance also offers Chronic Condition Management Program in most of the Health Insurance policies. This Program will help the policyholders suffering from Hypertension to track their health through the empanelled wellness experts, who will guide them in maintaining/improving their health condition.

Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy provides wholesome benefits for those suffering from Hypertension. This policy covers any pre-existing Hypertension after a waiting period of 36 months. Some of the coverages are pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, including diagnostic expenses, medical consultation as an Out Patient, hospital cash benefits, organ donor expenses, wellness reward benefits and many more.

The highlighted benefit of this policy is PED buy-back. That is, on payment of an additional premium, the policyholder can get a reduction on the waiting period with respect to Pre-existing Diseases (PED) from 36 months to 12 months.
For more details on the plan, you can refer to the policy document.

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