Health Insurance Plans for Parents

Health Insurance for Parents

Graceful aging is a key guide for a healthy mind, body and soul. An elderly individual is more likely to face health complications. The WHO states that people in older age may face cataracts, back pain, neck pain, osteoarthritis, diabetes, depression and dementia. Gift your parents with a parents' insurance policy and secure savings despite any medical complications. Choosing the right health insurance for parents in India ensures that they receive timely care without financial stress, especially as age-related conditions become more common.

As parents age, they become vulnerable to specific and multiple health issues that can influence their overall well-being. Responding to these health issues effectively is important, and parents' health insurance plays an important role in providing financial protection and access to requisite medical care. Many families look for the best health insurance for parents to provide comprehensive coverage and peace of mind.

Types of Parent Health Insurance Plans

There are several options for health insurance for parents above 60, including plans with higher coverage and lower co-pay.

1.  Star Health Assure Insurance Policy:

• Family Size: Can cover a large family size, including self, spouse, parents, and parents-in-law (up to 6 adults + 3 children under a floater sum insured).
• Key Feature: Provides unlimited automatic restoration of the Sum Insured (up to 100% each time) in a policy year. No pre-acceptance medical screening.

2.  Star Comprehensive Insurance Policy:

• Policy Type: Can be availed on an Individual or Floater basis.
• Key Feature: A robust plan offering extensive coverage, including day care procedures, out-patient consultation, and automatic restoration of the Sum Insured once in a policy year.

3.  Family Health Optima Insurance Plan:

• Policy Type: A popular Family Floater plan that can cover parents.
• Key Feature: Offers Automatic Restoration of the Sum Insured multiple times in a policy year. Coverage includes hospitalisation expenses, pre- and post-hospitalisation expenses, and a loyalty bonus.

4.  Other Relevant Plans

1. Super Surplus Insurance Policy (Top-up Plan): This is a top-up plan that enhances health coverage over and above your base health plan or a deductible limit. It can be useful for parents if you have a lower base policy and need higher coverage for major events.
2. Arogya Sanjeevani Policy, Star Health and Allied Insurance Co Ltd: A standard indemnity health insurance product common across many insurers, with simpler features and sum insured limits up to 10 lakhs. It covers basic hospitalisation and is generally more affordable. 
   If your parents are in their 50s, consider health insurance for parents above 50 with preventive health check-ups.

Why do parents need Health Insurance policies?

People who are nearing their 60s have a high possibility of suffering from certain medical ailments. With the rising healthcare costs today, getting one of the best health insurance plans for parents above 60 in India is highly necessary and should be prioritised. A Health Insurance plan can help your parents to be prepared for any medical contingencies, ensuring timely care and quality treatment. A dedicated health insurance policy for parents helps manage rising healthcare costs and offers tax benefits. The following key points make you understand why your parents must get a health insurance policy right away:

Financial independency

During a medical emergency, you would want to pay your medical bills independently, rather than relying on your family members. You can do this with the help of health insurance. Health insurance is a financial risk management tool that transfers the risk to a collective pool of policyholders. This way, you won't have to depend on anyone else to pay your medical bills.

Keep your savings intact.

A comfortable retirement requires years of savings. The decades of accumulated wealth can be depleted in just a single hospitalisation. If you want to prevent this from happening to you, all you need to do is buy a senior citizen health insurance plan.

It compensates for a lack of income.

Consider how difficult it would be to cover medical bills through your pensions. With medical insurance for senior citizens on your side, you won't have to worry about anything like that. In case of a medical emergency, the policy will help you minimise your out-of-pocket expenses.

Your plans will stay on track.

A retirement plan is a dream of an individual through their years of savings. You could embark on a world tour or start a small business you've always wanted to. Senior health insurance helps to make your dreams come true. It ensures you are completely covered in the event of a medical emergency.

Health insurance for parents is vital for managing chronic diseases by providing financial security and access to the requisite medical services. Among the best health insurance for parents above 60 in India, offers coverage for regular doctor visits, long-term medications, diagnostic tests and lower out-of-pocket expenses.

Right Way to Choose Health Insurance for your Parents

Buying health insurance plans for parents above 50 or 60 ensures they receive timely medical care. A health insurance plan for parents should ensure access to quality care, including specialist consultations and advanced treatments. Preventive services like annual check-ups and screenings assist in early detection and sound management of chronic conditions. Also, parents' health insurance mainly includes coverage for lifestyle management programs, such as physical therapy and nutrition counselling, assisting in comprehensive disease management and enhancing the overall quality of life for parents.

Buy health insurance for parents in India.

Health insurance for elderly parents assists with mobility and balance issues by covering treatments such as physiotherapy and rehabilitation, which are indispensable for improving strength and coordination. It also offers coverage for orthopaedic consultations, diagnostic tests, and surgeries for conditions such as arthritis and osteoporosis.

Generally, a health insurance policy for parents includes coverage for assistive devices such as walkers and braces, improving mobility and safety. Furthermore, home healthcare services provided under parents' health insurance assist with day-to-day activities, enabling parents to maintain independence, decrease fall risk, and improve overall quality of life.

A health insurance policy for parents helps with sensory impairments by covering the cost of integral medical services and treatments. This includes hearing tests, regular eye exams, and required surgeries for conditions such as cataracts and glaucoma. Parents' insurance policy also provides top coverage for corrective lenses, hearing aids, and other assistive devices, improving vision and hearing capabilities.

Best Health Insurance for Parents in India

Choosing a health insurance policy for parents in India requires evaluating coverage, affordability, and ease of claim settlement.

Our health insurance plans for parents offer tailored benefits for older adults, including coverage for pre-existing conditions, cashless hospitalisation, and annual health check-ups.

The best health insurance policy for parents in India should also include a wide hospital network and quick claim processing, helping families manage rising healthcare costs while ensuring quality treatment during medical emergencies.

Parents' Health Insurance Tax Benefit

Did you know that parents health insurance tax benefit can help you save under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act? The best Parents' health insurance for parents above 60 in India offers significant tax benefits under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act. You can claim a deduction of up to Rs 25,000 for premiums paid for your parents below 60 years, and up to Rs 50,000 if they are 60 years or older. Furthermore, there is a separate deduction of up to Rs. 5,000 within the overall limit for preventive health check-ups for the entire family, including parents. These benefits reduce taxable income, resulting in substantial tax savings while ensuring that your parents have adequate health coverage. This financial relief makes managing healthcare expenses more affordable and sustainable. Opting for health insurance for elderly parents not only secures their medical needs but also offers long-term financial advantages for the entire family.

With an increase in age, health often takes a back seat. Also, with time, medical inflation keeps your savings at risk. In this crisis, having the right health insurance plan for your parents is always appreciated. You can also get peace of mind at an elderly age. Thus, the following list consists of some useful and effective tips which will help you choose the right health insurance plan for your parents.

Opt For Adequate Coverage

There's no limit for cover, but according to your financial situation, you should see which company provides you the maximum coverage, which should be evaluated in order to determine the premium paid by you. Just check before opting for a health insurance policy for your parents for the best value.

• Flexibility : There are a variety of policies, and each of these offers different flexibilities. Always go for this kind of policy that gives you substantial flexibility in terms of coverage, tenure, add-ons, the sum insured, etc.
• Co-Payments : It is always better to opt for the lowest co-payment structure. Co-pays make your policy economical and affordable.
• Look for Pre-existing Illness Coverage : Pre-existing diseases have to be covered with a minimal period. For example, 1 year or 6 months. Ensure that the policy covers your pre-existing diseases and their complications. Some policies do not offer this, so choose the given one.
• Lifelong renewal : This depends on the policy and the customer, but there are such companies that offer 'Lifelong renewal'. Choose an insurer with the given options.
• Claim Process : Ensure you know the claims process for both cashless and reimbursement. Familiarise yourself with the procedure in advance to avoid unnecessary delays or complications during a medical emergency.

Benefits of Having Medical Insurance for Parents  

There are many benefits of buying Parents' medical insurance. Here are some of the benefits of purchasing Medical insurance for parents :

• Financial Safety: Medical insurance offers financial protection against high medical costs. If your parents become ill and require hospitalisation or surgery, then the medical bills for their treatment can be huge. In such cases, medical insurance helps cover these medical costs, so you do not need to worry about getting funds.   
• Cashless Treatment: Most medical insurance policies offer cashless hospitalisation, where the insurer directly pays the hospital. This tries to prevent large out-of-pocket payments for treatment.   
• Coverages for Pre and Post-Hospitalisation Expenses: Several health insurance policies cover medical expenses incurred before and after hospitalisation up to a particular number of days. These medical expenses include medicines, follow-up visits, diagnostics, etc.    
• Critical Illnesses Coverage: Insurers offer dedicated critical illness plans that offer a lump-sum payout for diagnosing major health illnesses like cancer, stroke, heart attack, etc. This amount can help manage treatment.
• Tax Benefits: Your premium for the health insurance for your parents qualifies for tax deductions below section 80D, up to ₹25,000 per year. This will help minimise your taxable income.
• When you buy health insurance for parents, you not only protect their health but also secure your finances against unexpected medical emergencies.

What is Covered by Health Insurance for Parents?

Health insurance policies for parents typically include coverage for the following medical expenses:

• Hospitalization Expenses– These policies cover medical expenses incurred when parents are admitted to a hospital for more than 24 hours, or for at least 2 hours under certain plans.
• Day Care Procedures– Coverage includes treatments such as varicose veins surgery and cataract surgery that do not require hospitalization for 24 hours. The number of procedures covered varies by plan.
• Pre-Hospitalization Expenses – These policies reimburse diagnostic tests and doctor consultations conducted prior to hospitalization, typically within 30 to 60 days before admission, depending on the specific plan.
• Post-Hospitalization Expenses– Coverage extends to medical expenses incurred after discharge, generally ranging from 60 to 90 days post-hospitalization, subject to the specific plan.
• Modern Treatments– The cost of up to 12 advanced medical treatments, such as deep brain stimulation, oral chemotherapy, and robotic surgeries, is included.
• AYUSH Treatment– Coverage includes inpatient medical expenses under the AYUSH system, which comprises Ayurveda, Homeopathy, Unani, Siddha, and Yoga.
• Pre-existing Diseases– Treatment costs for pre-existing conditions are covered after a waiting period of up to three years, although some plans now provide pre-existing disease (PED) coverage from the first day.
• Organ Donor Expenses– The cost associated with harvesting a donated organ for transplant surgery is covered.
• Major Surgeries– Coverage includes expenses for significant surgical procedures, such as knee replacement, brain surgery, bariatric surgery, liver transplant, heart surgery, and cataract surgery.
• Ambulance Charges– Expenses for ambulance transportation to the hospital during a medical emergency are included.
• Preventive Health Check-ups– Medical expenses for preventive health check-ups are covered. Some plans offer this benefit annually, while others provide it after several claim-free years.
• Domiciliary Hospitalization– The cost of receiving hospitalization at home is covered when transfer to a hospital is not feasible.
• Home Treatment– Medical expenses for home-based treatment, when prescribed by a physician, are included.
• OPD Expenses – Coverage includes outpatient department (OPD) expenses such as doctor consultations, OPD treatments, diagnostic tests, and pharmacy costs.
• Mental Illness Treatment– Medical expenses for the treatment of mental illnesses are covered.
• Consumables Cover– The cost of consumables and non-medical items used during hospitalization is included.

 What is Not Covered by Health Insurance for Parents?

The following medical expenses are typically excluded from health insurance policies for parents:

• Self-inflicted injuries or attempted suicide
• Dietary supplements and substances
• Treatment for overconsumption of alcohol, intoxicants, and drug overdose
• Costs associated with spectacles, lenses, and other external aids
• Costs of dental treatments, except in cases resulting from accidents
• Plastic or cosmetic surgery
• Correction of a refractive error of less than 7.5 dioptres
• Unproven medical treatments
• Venereal diseases

Steps To Make a Cashless Health Insurance Claim for Parents

You can follow the given steps to make a cashless claim for your parents' health insurance:

• Getting treatment at the network hospital is the first step for a cashless claim. So, to avail of a cashless claim, admit your parents to the network hospitals.
• Inform your insurance provider or insurer immediately after getting admitted to the network hospital.   
• Once your parents are admitted, share the health card details with the hospital so that they can proceed with the procedures.
• Get the required medical treatment for your parents in the network hospital.
• Finally, the insurance company will settle the claim. When all the treatments of your parents are over, when they are about to get discharged from the hospital, then your insurance provider will settle the medical bill.

Factors to Consider in Health Insurance for Parents

There are many factors that need to be considered when choosing Parents' health insurance plans. Here are some of the factors that have to be considered :

• Coverage Requirements: When you buy health insurance for your parents, make sure that the chosen plan gives full coverage. Select a plan that offers coverage for different illnesses, particularly pre-existing conditions. Also, make sure to read the policy agreement carefully to understand the terms and conditions.
• Parents Age: Many insurance providers need to offer health insurance at a minimum age. As the entry age differs as per insurance companies, compare the various companies and their policies. So, before issuing the policy, examine the policy seeker's age as it impacts the premium rate.
• Sum Insured: Choose a higher sum insured to use the benefit properly.
• Network Hospitals: Buy an insurance policy with an extensive network of hospitals across various cities, as you never know when and where an emergency will happen. It is vital for senior citizens to ensure that they get medical coverage in the nearest hospitals.
• Extra Coverage: Consider these routine checkup charges, as the parents might need to have frequent visits to doctors.
• Co-Payment: Most of the senior health insurance policies come with co-payment options, but not all of them. Always find a way to avail one of the best health insurance plans for parents above 60 in India with no or low co-payment restrictions.
• Premium Affordability: Analyse your budget and decide the premium amount. Compare different policies to find the right coverage.
• Sub Limits: Carefully read the sub-limits clause, as various policies have a definite coverage amount for a particular illness, beyond which the coverage stops working.
• Many health insurance plans in India for families also offer senior-specific benefits, making it easier to include parents under a single comprehensive policy.

Check certain other things while picking up a mediclaim policy for parents. Here are some of the things that need to be considered while buying a mediclaim policy for parents :

• Critical illness coverage: See if your plans include coverage for life-threatening illnesses, which become common with age.
• Medical history: To get correct coverage and waiting periods, clearly state any pre-existing medical conditions your parents have.
• Waiting period for pre-existing conditions: Compare policies and choose policies with fewer waiting periods.
• Network hospitals: Select a parent's mediclaim policy that has more quality hospitals near your parents' location.
• Sum insured: Choose a high sum insured to meet the potential medical expenses.
• Premium Costs: Compare the premiums of various mediclaim plans to identify a balance that fits your budget.
• Policy reputation: Check the insurance company's reputation to clearly find out about the claim settlement and customer service.
• Tax benefits: See if there are tax deductions for premiums paid for your parents' health insurance below Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.  
• Daycare procedures:  If applicable, look for daycare procedure coverages that fit your parents' healthcare needs.
• Age factor: Premiums increase with age, so look into this factor deeply.
• Extra benefits: See if your policy offers value-added services like health checkups.

How to Claim Health Insurance for Your Parents?

Here are the simple steps to claim your parents' insurance policy:

• Get treatment at a Network Hospital.
• Inform your insurer as soon as possible.
• Share your health card details and necessary health-related information with the hospital.
• Complete the pre-authorisation form, along with the required documents, and submit it to the hospital authorities.
• If the request gets approved, the policyholder can go ahead with the treatment. At the time of discharge, all necessary documents must be signed, and any non-covered expenses, including co-payment, if applicable, should be paid.  
• Get the medical treatment.  
• Claim Settlement involves the insurance provider settling the remainingmedical expenses directly with the hospital.
• Pay for non-payables to hospitals as hospitals will get paid from insurance companies as per authorization letter issued.
• File reimbursement claims for Pre and post hospitalization expenses.

Point to Note: If the cashless claim is denied, the policyholder has to pay the hospital bill upfront and then submit a reimbursement claim request to the insurer.

How do you make a Reimbursement Health Insurance Claim for Parents?

Here are the steps to make a reimbursement claim for your parents' health insurance :

• Inform your insurance provider or insurer after your parents are admitted to the non-network hospital.
• Make sure that your parents have access to the medical treatment that is needed after getting admission to the hospital.
• You have to pay the medical expenses from your pocket at the time of discharge when your parents get treatment at a non-network hospital.
• Ask for the claim form from your insurer or insurance provider, or you can get it online from their official website. Then, fill out the required details in the claim form and attach the necessary documents.
• After submitting the claim form and documents, you can track your claim status for medical bills by visiting the official website of the insurer.

In case you face any difficulty in the claim process, you can reach out to your insurer by phone.

Buy a medical insurance for parents that correctly suits the medical needs of your parents. The medical insurance policy for parents in India will have easy procedures in both the Reimbursement Health Insurance Claim for Parents and Parents’ Cashless Health Insurance Claim methods.

Documents Required For Parents Health Insurance Claims

There are some main documents that are needed to file the claim, and without those documents, the claim will be rejected. For cashless claims at network hospitals on your insurance provider list, you will require only the health card that has been given to you by the insurance provider. Here are the documents that are needed for filing the reimbursement claim:

• Claim form
• Hospital bills
• Discharge summary
• ID proof
• Bank statement
• Health card or policy document
• KYC details

Importance of Having Health Insurance for Parents above 50

The best health insurance in India for parents often includes cashless hospitalization and critical illness coverage. There are many companies which provide medical insurance for parents. The medical insurance for parents above 50 years in India could be chosen based on the medical needs of your parents. 

Any person up to 65 years of age can invest in a health insurance policy. Regardless, it is always recommended to invest in medical insurance in the early stages of life to obtain the benefits it offers