Health Insurance in Kerala

 

Health insurance is an essential aspect of our lives, providing financial protection in the event of medical emergencies. For the residents of Kerala, also known as "God's Own Country", this is no exception. 

Kerala is a state in south India renowned for its scenic beauty and cultural heritage. It is also home to a well-established healthcare system, making health insurance a crucial aspect of life in Kerala. In this article, we will explore the best health insurance in Kerala and discuss the importance of having coverage in this region.

Significance of Health Insurance in Kerala

Health insurance plays a vital role in Kerala, where healthcare costs are rising rapidly. With an increasing number of lifestyle diseases and medical emergencies, having a health insurance plan ensures that individuals and families can access quality medical care without any financial burden.

Reasons to Buy Online Health Insurance in Kerala?

Purchasing health insurance online in Kerala offers numerous benefits. Here’s some of them:

• Online policies are convenient and can be purchased from the comfort of your home. 

• Insurance providers offer a simplified application process on their websites that provides instant policy issuance.

• It allows you to compare different plans and select the one that best suits your needs. 

• Online policies have shorter waiting periods, ensuring quicker coverage.

• Buying a health insurance policy online lets you access a variety of discounts and offers, resulting in cost savings.

• Lastly, online policies provide easy access to policy details, renewal options, and claim status.

Advantages of Health Insurance in Kerala 

Health insurance in Kerala comes with numerous advantages. These include:

• It provides financial protection by covering hospital bills, medicine expenses, diagnostic tests and more.

• Nowadays, most health insurance policies offer cashless hospitalisation, where policyholders can receive treatments without paying out of their pockets.

• It offers coverage for both in-patient and out-patient expenses.

• They may also include coverage for pre and post-hospitalization expenses, ambulance charges, and day-care procedures.

• Health insurance offers tax benefits under Section 80D* of the Income Tax Act.

How Much Health Insurance Coverage Do You Need in Kerala?

The amount of health insurance coverage needed in Kerala depends on various factors such as your age, lifestyle, and medical history.

As a general guideline, it is advisable to have a coverage amount of at least Rs. 10,00,000 for individuals and Rs. 15,00,000 to Rs. 20,00,000 for families. This ensures adequate financial protection, covering hospitalisation expenses, surgeries, diagnostic tests, medication costs, and other medical procedures. 

Assessing personal medical history and considering future medical needs can help determine the appropriate coverage amount.

Things Which Are Covered under Health Insurance Plans in Kerala

Health insurance plans in Kerala typically cover a wide range of medical expenses. 

• Hospitalisation expenses, including room charges, doctor's fees, nursing charges, and operation theatre expenses. 

• Pre and post-hospitalization expenses, such as diagnostic tests, consultation fees, medication costs, and follow-up visits.

The best medical insurance in Kerala will cover ambulance charges, day-care procedures, organ donor expenses, and alternative treatments like Ayurveda or homoeopathy.

Things That Are Not Covered under Health Insurance Plans in Kerala?

While health insurance plans in Kerala provide extensive coverage, certain expenses are usually excluded. These include:

• Cosmetic procedures

• Infertility treatments

• Dental care

• Weight loss treatment

• Maternity expenses (unless specified)

• HIV/AIDS-related treatments

• Self-inflicted injuries

• Treatments related to substance abuse

It is important to note that coverage for pre-existing illnesses may be excluded during their specific waiting period. Expenses incurred due to war, participation in hazardous activities and experimental treatments are also excluded from most health insurance policies. 

It is crucial to review the policy's terms and conditions to understand all exclusions.

Things to Consider before Purchasing Health Insurance in Kerala?

Before purchasing health insurance in Kerala, there are several factors to consider.

• Assess your healthcare needs and choose a policy that provides adequate coverage for your medical requirements. 

• Evaluate the network of hospitals and healthcare providers associated with the insurer to ensure easy access to quality medical care.

• Compare premiums, deductibles, co-payment terms, and waiting periods among different policies to find the most suitable option.

• The reputation and claim settlement ratio of the insurance provider

• The availability of add-on covers like critical illness or maternity benefits.

Reasons to Buy Health Insurance in Kerala

Buying health insurance in Kerala is highly beneficial. 

• It safeguards individuals and families from the financial burden of medical expenses.

• It ensures timely access to quality healthcare, reducing waiting times for surgeries and treatments.

• Health insurance policies also provide coverage for critical illnesses, offering specialised care and support.

• It can also serve as a tax-saving instrument, providing deductions under Section 80D of the Income Tax Act.

Tips for Finding the Best Health Insurance Policy in Kerala?

Finding the best health insurance in Kerala requires careful consideration. 

• Start by assessing your healthcare needs and budgetary constraints. 

• Compare policies from different insurers, focusing on coverage offered, network hospitals, and claim settlement rates. 

• Read customer reviews.

• Seek expert advice to understand the terms and conditions, exclusions, and policy riders.

• Lastly, consider the premium affordability and flexibility of the policy.

Remember to evaluate the long-term sustainability of a policy before deciding to buy it.

How to Avail Cashless Treatment in Kerala? 

Availing cashless treatment in Kerala with your health insurance policy is a straightforward process. 

1. Start by visiting a network hospital that is empanelled with your insurance provider.

2. Inform the hospital about your insurance coverage and provide your health insurance identity card or policy details. 

3. Fill in the necessary pre-authorisation form, which will be submitted to the insurance provider for approval. 

4. Upon approval, you can receive cashless treatment, and the medical expenses will be settled directly by the insurance company.

Is Government Health Insurance Enough for Medical Expenses in Kerala? 

There are a number of central and state government health schemes that residents of Kerala can avail. While they provide significant support towards medical expenses, they may not be sufficient for everyone. 

Here is a comparison of Karunya Arogya Suraksha Padhathi (KASP - A health insurance scheme by the Kerala Government) and private health insurance plans:

How to Renew HDFC Life Health Insurance in Kerala?

Renewing HDFC Life Health insurance in Kerala is a simple process. 

1. Visit the HDFC Life website and navigate to its health insurance section. 

2. Select the option to renew your policy and provide the necessary details, such as your existing policy number and personal information. 

3. Review the policy terms, coverage, and premium. 

4. Pay the renewal premium online through your preferred payment method. 

Upon successful payment, your HDFC Life Health insurance policy will be renewed for the desired duration and the updated policy documents will be sent to you via email.

What Are the Types of Health Insurance in Kerala?

In Kerala, different types of health insurance plans are available to cater to different needs of policyholders. These include:

1. Individual Health Insurance: Covers medical expenses for an individual policyholder

2. Family Health Insurance: Provides coverage for the entire family under a single policy

3. Senior Citizen Health Insurance: Specifically designed for individuals above 60 years, offering coverage for age-related illnesses and treatments

4. Mediclaim Insurance: Reimburses the actual medical expenses incurred by the policyholder

5. Critical Illness Insurance: Provides a lump sum amount on diagnosis of critical illnesses specified in the policy

6. Group Health Insurance: Covers a group of individuals, such as employees of an organisation, under a single policy

Summing up

Health insurance is a necessity as it provides financial security and access to quality healthcare services. Having the best health insurance in Kerala is crucial to safeguard one's financial well-being, and providing seamless access to quality medical care. 

By purchasing the right health insurance policy, you can protect yourself and your loved ones from unexpected medical expenses. Investing in health insurance is a proactive step towards securing a healthy and worry-free future.

FAQs on Health Insurance in Kerala 

Q1. Which health insurance is the best in Kerala?

The best health insurance in Kerala depends on individual needs and preferences. To choose the best health insurance policy, first check the sum insured offered against the premium you need to pay. Then, compare the policy inclusions, exclusions, waiting period, and co-payment clause (if any) of different policies. 

Q2. What is the importance of having health insurance in Kerala?

Health insurance in Kerala is of utmost importance as it provides financial protection against escalating medical expenses, ensures access to quality healthcare, and offers comprehensive coverage for a wide range of medical treatments and procedures.

Q3. What is the right age to buy health insurance in Kerala?

The right age to buy health insurance in Kerala is ideally when individuals are young and healthy, as it allows for lower premiums and fewer pre-existing conditions. However, health insurance can be purchased at any age, and it is never too late to avail oneself of its benefits.

Q4. How can I calculate health insurance quotes in Kerala?

To calculate health insurance quotes in Kerala, you can use online insurance aggregators or visit the official websites of insurance providers. Provide the necessary details such as age, medical history, coverage requirements, and preferred policy options to receive personalised quotes.

Q5. Out of the many health insurance plans in Kerala, should I buy the cheapest one?

While affordability is a significant factor, it is advisable to avoid making a decision based on costs alone. It is important to assess the coverage, network hospitals, claim settlement ratio, and customer reviews before making a decision. Balancing affordability with comprehensive coverage is a much better idea.

Q6. Can I avail of cashless hospitalisation with health insurance in Kerala?

Yes, health insurance in Kerala generally allows for cashless hospitalisation. By visiting a network hospital, policyholders can receive treatment without paying out of pocket, as expenses are directly settled between the insurer and the hospital.

Q7. Are pre-existing conditions covered under health insurance in Kerala?

Health insurance plans generally have waiting periods for pre-existing conditions. After the waiting period, pre-existing conditions are covered. It is crucial to review policy terms and conditions to understand the waiting period and coverage for pre-existing conditions.

Q8. Can I enhance the coverage of health insurance in Kerala?

Yes, the coverage of a health insurance policy in Kerala can be enhanced through add-on covers or riders. These additional covers provide enhanced benefits such as coverage for critical illnesses, maternity expenses, accidental disability, and more. It is essential to carefully review the terms and conditions before opting for an enhanced coverage option.